Chapter 40
Calvert was about to spill the beans when a low cough echoed through the room, sending a shiver down his spine. He turned to find Everard, who seemed to dwell in the shadows forever.
The courage Calvert had mustered deflated like a pin–pricked balloon.
Yet Cordelia locked her gaze on him, commanding. “Speak.”
The strength of her presence made Calvert swallow hard,
Suddenly, he felt that opening his mouth might be worse than staying silent, trembling between two formidable forces. After a prolonged silence, he picked the safest thing to say, “Boss has no ill intentions toward you.”
After speaking, Calvert ducked his head, fearing Everard’s reprimand, and trotted toward the back of the Midnight Scent. “I’ll go, uh, boil some water for coffee!”
Cordelia stood motionless, her expression unreadable.
Calvert’s words had plunged her into a sea of confusion.
What she had first called a “curse” had nothing to do with Everard. But how did he know that date was necessary if it didn’t?
Yet she quickly remembered that Everard had never forced her. The hand–holding had been with her consent.
He made his request for that kiss when she was about to be late for school and tried to leave, ignoring the pain in her chest. And that kiss, as she thought about it, was restrained, within the bounds of what she could.
accept.
Cordelia glanced deeply at Everard, who sat behind the counter, his sharp features half–hidden in the dim light, his eyes unfathomable, his whole being exuding an aura of mystery.
This man must have secrets
After a moment of silence, Cordelia finally spoke. “I’m off to school.”
It was a truce to their recent cold war.
Everard seemed surprised she spoke first. His eyes lifted slightly, and he smiled. “Okay.”
Only then did Cordelia turn and leave the shop.
About ten minutes after her departure, Calvert sneaked back into the room from the yard, peering toward the
counter area.
The space behind the counter was empty.
He blinked in confusion.
Where was the boss?
Suddenly, a chilling voice came from behind. “Seems you’ve got too much free time. Time for some training then.”
Calvert turned slowly to see Everard, clad in black, standing behind him. After saying that, he rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing lean, muscular forearms.
Calvert was speechless.-
After her marathon of math problem–solving, Cordelia’s performance in the math competition had improved dramatically. She was no longer using advanced knowledge beyond the curriculum.
Latham was increasingly pleased with her homework, placing his greatest hopes on Cordelia.
On the weekend, after breezing through a set of math problems, she stretched and picked up her phone,
discovering a new message.
Louie texted, [Lia, I’m in Greenmeadow]
Her eyes lit up at the message Where are you?]
Louie replied. I have a clinic in Greenmeadow. A patient here requires my attention, so ril visit for five days each month. You can come by the clinic to hang out.]
After sending the address, Cordelia pondered before replying. [rm on my way]
Louie texted back. [Sure, I’ll introduce you to a friend]
Ditching her uniform for a casual blue tracksuit, white sneakers, and a baseball cap over her flowing hair, Cordelia grabbed a small backpack and informed Lorna she was heading out.
Downstairs at the Delaney Manor, Juliana was practicing plano.
Laurinda lounged on the sofa, feigning sleep but opening her eyes to praise when Juliana stopped “Wonderfull Juliana, you play so beautifully!”
Seeing her act, Rachel rolled her eyes inwardly “What did the country bumpkin know about music?”
But outwardly, she was effusive, “Laurinda, you have great taste!”
After lavishing praise on Laurinda, Rachel turned to Juliana. “Good job. You’ve kept up your skills without practice. Work hard in the next few days to get back in top form. I rushed back from abroad when I heard Stanton was in Greenmeadow. I’ve pulled so many strings to get you a chance. Amongst your peers here, no one can match your piano skills. You’ve got to make the most of this opportunity and impress him enough to take you under his wing.”
Lorna observed from the kitchen doorway, a glint of envy in her eyes.
To be a student of the world–renowned pianist Stanton!
If only Lia hadn’t been missing, she could have grown up with her, learning to paint and play piano. Maybe she could’ve been Stanton’s pupil, too. But there were no such ‘ifs“,
Lorna quickly banished the thought. It was just a fleeting wish. At this point, she just hoped for Lia’s happiness
Rachel caught Lorna’s look and straightened up in pride. “Lorna, if only Lia could play the piano. Then I could take her to meet Stanton, too. It would be a blessing for our family if he liked her or Juliana.”
Lorna’s face fell into an awkward smile as she replied, “No need.”
Rachel sighed. “True. The orphanage environment isn’t great. Lia probably hasn’t even touched a piano. Such a pity.”
That word ‘pity‘ stung Lorna like a thorn.
Which mother didn’t want to give her daughter the very best?
Cordelia took the bus, then the subway, and finally arrived at Louie’s clinic in a residential building, a place only known to those familiar with the area.
She knocked on the door of apartment 501.
The door swung open quickly, revealing Louie, elegant as ever in white, with gold–rimmed glasses. Before Cordelia could speak, he put a finger to his lips, signaling silence.
She closed her mouth immediately and tiptoed into the room.
Inside, a man was playing the piano. He looked in his thirties, dressed in a suit despite his slightly portly figure However, his hands danced over the keys with astonishing agility, like a whirlwind in motion.
Chapter 40
He seemed entirely subsumed by the music, weaving a tale of passion and pathos that swelled to an overjoyed crescendo before cutting off abruptly.
He slowly closed his eyes as if to savor the memory of the music just played.
Louie clapped his hands, shattering the spell, and Stanton’s eyes flickered open, a look of distress crossing his face. “Do you think there’s something wrong with me, like a kind of burnout? It seems I can’t keep my edge with the music anymore!”
Loule shook his head with a wry smile. “You’re fine, man.”
“No, there’s something off!” Stanton was adamant. “Otherwise, why would I always feel like this signature piece lacking something?”
Louie sighed. “There’s nothing wrong, Stanton.”
“There’s absolutely something wrong.”
“Nope.”
Their stubborn banter would continue when Cordelia, silently sipping her coffee, interjected with a languid drawl. “There’s indeed a problem.”