The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 57

"Come in." Ronan's icy invitation ushered Cordelia into his office.

Cordelia stood quietly in the center of Ronan's office, her eyes downcast.

Ronan leaned back in his chair, sizing up Cordelia.

"Is my influence not worth as much as money?" Ronan’s sarcasm was obvious.

"Mr. Evans, if there’s something you want to say, spit it out. I'm busy." Cordelia replied coldly.

"I seem to be missing some items at my place. Did you happen to see them?"

Cordelia furrowed her brows slightly, looking up at Ronan. What was he trying to imply? Was he accusing her of theft?

"What's missing from your place?" Cordelia’s voice was tinged with anger.

"Did you take our marriage certificate? If you didn't take it, then we have a thief, and I need to call the police." Ronan said, seemingly serious.

Cordelia's heart eased a little. So he wasn’t accusing her. But she was worried Ronan would actually call the police, so she admitted, "I took it."

"Oh? And what do you plan to do with it? Planning to take control of the divorce?"

"Yes," Cordelia responded.

Ronan started laughing, as if mocking Cordelia's naivety, "You do know that a divorce is only valid with both parties present, right?"

"I know!"

"So, how were you planning to hand me over to Deanna? Because you have the marriage certificate?" Ronan looked straight at Cordelia.

His gaze was sharp, like he could see right through Cordelia.

Cordelia's heart was pounding. She was a mess, feeling like she had been sold out.

Why did Deanna tell Ronan everything? And why did Ronan believe it all?

Seeing Cordelia’s helpless and angry look, Ronan seemed to read her mind. "It seems you really did say these things."

Cordelia wasn’t a liar. She couldn’t deny what she had said.

"If you get caught saying things like this again, be careful, I might punish you!"

Unable to hide it any longer, Cordelia confessed, "Don't tell anyone, keep it a secret."

She didn't mention anything about their agreement to have a marriage of convenience, because if she did, she would breach the agreement and have to pay a penalty.

"Don't you trust me?" Brooklyn thumped her chest, "Why are you living in the dorm again? Had a fight with him?"

"Don't even mention it," Cordelia locked her suitcase and put it in the closet, "He suspected something between me and Jamie, and set a trap for us."

"He found out about you two?" Brooklyn's face was full of curiosity.

"Absolutely not! There's nothing between me and Jamie, he's just imagining things." Cordelia quickly explained.

"Then he must be really in love with you!" Brooklyn looked envious, "I can't even imagine what Mr. Evans, who's always so noble, wise and sharp-eyed, would look like when he's jealous?"

"Not at all." Cordelia scoffed, "That's his possessiveness, not jealousy. He absolutely can’t stand something that has his mark on it being touched by another man."

"You've been marked by him? Where? Where?" Brooklyn pretended to sniff around Cordelia, "Oh, I get it. He's marked you physically, hasn't he, Cordelia?"

Cordelia's face turned red instantly, "Get lost!"