The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 513

Petra couldn't shake the need to confront Ronan about why he had clammed up when he saw her the day before. A real brainiac, Petra was known for her meticulous nature, which often bordered on pettiness when she zeroed in on an issue.

Finding Ronan's car absent below, she decided to pop upstairs for a quick peek, only to find Harold engrossed in a novel in Cordelia's study.

"Where's Ms. Haselwood?" Petra inquired, her gaze wandering as she surveyed the living room, with its assortment of trinkets and the prominently displayed "Research Project" on the computer screen that captured her interest.

"Oh, someone took Ms. Haselwood out to lunch. She's not in. Were you looking for her for something?" Harold muttered, only half-attentive as he snapped pictures with his phone.

"No, no big deal. Just wanted to see if she was around, maybe grab a bite to eat together," Petra replied, her mind already racing with schemes as she eyed Cordelia's research topic.

Cordelia's computer sat on the coffee table in the living room, visible from Harold's vantage point only through the reflection in a dressing mirror. While Harold was oblivious to Petra's movements, she had a clear view of him. Swiftly, Petra forwarded the research project to her own email and then deleted it from Cordelia's computer. She wiped her browsing history clean and returned everything to its original state.

"Well, since Ms. Haselwood isn't here, I guess I'll head out," Petra announced before making her exit.

Harold grunted a slow acknowledgment. He locked up after photographing over a hundred pages of notes, then left.

At the bistro.

"So Cordelia, what's the real story with Ronan? You guys seemed solid, and then suddenly..." Emerson said, genuine regret tingeing his voice.

"Let's leave the past in the past. I don't want to talk about it," Cordelia replied, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup delicately. She feared Ronan's ruthless streak and felt unsettled by Alana, who was like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.