The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 677

"Hey Callum, why don't you go with your mom? You might learn a thing or two about handling negotiations," Ronan suggested, glancing back at his son.

"Sure thing," Callum murmured.

Cordelia, sensing that only Ronan and Jayson remained in the room, knew there was something Ronan wanted to discuss privately with Jayson. A shadow crossed her face as she took Callum by the hand and led him to a small room near the hospital to talk about compensation.

"Blake, can you tell me exactly what happened?" Ronan asked Jayson.

Ronan had sent Callum away on purpose, worried the boys might concoct a story together. He had his doubts about Jayson; the kid had grown up under Petra's wing, and if he could pinch a cookie, he probably could tell a fib too. Ronan was cautious—kids raised in such an environment tend to be cunning, guarded, precocious, and sometimes ruthless.

"Well, we were ice skating, and my brother was ahead. As he approached that lamp post, I noticed it swinging. Didn't think much of it, just sped up to catch up with him. I could've cleared it before the lamp fell, but my skating's not up to par; got too slow, and bam, it hit me," Jayson confessed, his gaze dropping to the floor in embarrassment.

Ronan didn't speak immediately; he just ruffled Jayson's hair and said, "You're a brave kid, Blake. If there's something you want, just tell me, and I'll get it for you."

"Really?" Jayson's eyes sparkled at the promise.

"Really."

After pondering for a while, Jayson cautiously requested, "Can I have a Lego set, like the one my brother has?"

"Of course. You saved your brother, Blake. You deserve a reward," Ronan assured him.

Jayson nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, Cordelia had finished negotiating with the rink's legal department. The outcome was that the Evans family would be refunded all their fees, Callum and Jayson would have lifetime free access to the rink, and on top of that, the family would receive a compensation of thirty thousand dollars.

It was the best deal Cordelia could wrangle.

When the negotiations were over, Callum couldn't help but admire his mother, "Mom, you're amazing."