The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 511

“Why aren't you biting? Don't you have a discount here? Or maybe you're thinking of grabbing one of

those faculty condos your school is throwing up? But let's be real, how can those match up to the

homes we've got at Lumos Enterprises? We're talking top-notch finishes here. Besides, I bet those

condos of yours don't even come with a proper deed, am I right? At the end of the day, they're cheap

for a reason,” Emerson spoke with conviction as if he had the blueprints of life all figured out.

Cordelia chuckled lightly. “Yeah, no deed, non-transferable—that's why they're a steal. But look at you,

scooping up properties like they're going out of style. You must be rolling in dough.”

“These past few years, I’ve been shadowing Ronan and made a killing. Don't underestimate your ex.

Ronan’s got a shark’s instinct. Always gets the cream of the crop. I bet he's going to make a killing with

this Birchwood deal—probably rake in billions.” Emerson seemed almost envious as he spoke.

It's true that making money from scratch was tough, but money making more money? That was the

easiest trick in the book. And Cordelia never underestimated Ronan. His depth, his business acumen— NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.

they were always leagues above anyone else she knew. So high that she could barely see the summit.

So that matrimonial ad boasting an income over a billion—it had Ronan written all over it, didn't it?

If he penned it himself, wasn't that modesty a bit too...calculated? Perhaps he was just playing it safe,

steering clear of trouble.

Several times, Cordelia had toyed with the idea of asking Emerson for a loan. After all, opportunities

like this didn't come every day. But when the words reached her lips, they always retreated, unspoken.

Besides, with all the real estate he was gobbling up, his funds were likely stretched thin.

Arriving at her apartment in Unity Hall, with a faculty meeting looming in the afternoon, Cordelia invited

Emerson up for a quick sit-down before heading to Empower Operations together.

Surveying her simple, austere living space, with its abundance of books, Emerson remarked, “Never

thought I’d see the day you turned into an academic.”

A fleeting thought crossed Cordelia's mind. Olen had once hoped Ronan would take the scholarly path,

but it was she who ended up donning the mantle. Life’s twists and turns were truly unpredictable.

After tidying up, she left with Emerson. As they descended the stairs, they ran into Petra. Emerson was

busy backing up the car, and Cordelia waited for him to maneuver it before getting in.

Ever since the last encounter, seeing Petra always stirred a sense of discomfort in Cordelia.

“Haven't seen you around these past few days,” Petra commented.

“Yeah, I went home to check on my son. He's been under the weather,” Cordelia replied, her mind

drifting to Petra's own child and Ronan’s attentive care, which brought a pang of emotion.

“Heading out now?” Petra inquired further.

“Yes, off to a meeting at Empower Operations,” Cordelia responded before climbing into Emerson’s

vehicle.

Petra never got a clear look at the driver. She stood by the rear of the car, and the tinted windows

prevented her from seeing inside. It was only after the car drove away that Petra remained, still as a

statue.

She had assumed Ronan was the driver, especially after Cordelia mentioned going home to her son,

but Ronan hadn't given her a second glance and just sped off, leaving her in the dust. Petra thought

the bond between her and Ronan had grown close, thanks to Jayson. Turned out, she'd been fooling

herself all along.

Back at her place, after the nanny left, Petra found Jayson engrossed in his toys. Overcome with

frustration, she spanked him, releasing pent-up emotions.

“Useless,” she wept, slapping away. She loathed her own weakness and resented Jayson for not being

the bridge to Ronan she had hoped for.

Petra's heart was a tumult of widowhood, yearning for action yet frozen in inaction. All she could do

was take her frustration out on Jayson.