The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 466

Birchwood.

A significant event had recently occurred at the local school.

Acclaimed actress Alana had donated a building to the school.

Knowing that Alana came to Birchwood, Cordelia felt uneasy. She hadn't expected Alana's influence to spread so quickly.

Alana's father was a British nobleman, a tidbit Cordelia had discovered in her research. She had looked into Alana's background, in books and online, but information about such a historic family was scarce and shrouded in mystery. Most of the online articles were unreliable hearsay.

While she had been in England, she'd heard rumors about her father, "August," retiring from the film industry. She had even tried to attend the event, but it was an exclusive affair, attended only by major media outlets.

Throughout it all, Cordelia was trying to unravel one mystery: why was Alana constantly targeting her?

Cordelia knew that Alana was to be avoided. Otherwise, she wouldn't have abandoned her child for three years, even refusing to let the child call her mother despite being within her sight.

On the day of the donation, Alana was waiting outside Cordelia's home. When Cordelia saw her, a chill ran down her spine. Cordelia couldn’t even keep where she worked and lived a secret from Alana.

"Well, Ms. Haselwood, aren't you going to invite me in?" Alana said.