Ch. 351..560
Chapter 351
Chapter 351
"Aunt Helen..." Cordelia was touched. She held tight to her hands. The former peeped at her. She chuckled while pursing her lips.
She was an old lady who had nothing. Naturally, she had no fear.
Since she was going to face a prestigious family like the Tanners, she was not afraid at all. She must go all in to fight for Cordelia.
Without Cordelia and Zephyr, how would she have such a stable life?
Living in this world, one had to remember their roots and repay what they received.
"What a joke!" Mandy had never been criticized like that in her life.
It was ridiculous to think that she was questioned by a servant when her family and the Hamertons had the same status!
"My Nelly is the one who is hurt! It's my family who is humiliated! Yet, you're blackmailing me?
"You're trying to fool us with merely a video that we've no idea what it's about. Do you think we're stupid? Play the video if you dare. Let's see what it's all about!"
Mandy spoke before she thought. It was too late, even if Joe wanted to stop her.
The crowd was gossiping. They wanted to see what the video was about.
Helen smiled and coughed. "Naturally, I'll show everyone the video. But please be our witness. If my miss is innocent, then the Tanners will have to compensate her! That's not too much, right?" "Mm-hmm, not at all!" There was a voice supporting Cordelia among the crowd.
Zephyr chuckled and secretly complimented Helen's smart move. Later on, he found the video on the phone and played it.
Nelly instantly appeared on the screen!
She was pulling Cordelia, refusing to let her go. Then she slapped her own face with both her hands...
The clear sound could be heard through the screen. One could imagine how hard that was!
The truth came out.
The guests who had been holding back laughed out loud. Some even took out their phones to record the video. They said they had never seen anyone slapping themselves. It was thanks to the Tanners that they were given the opportunity to see that.
Joe's face paled, and he shuddered.
The other Tanner family members felt embarrassed. They left when nobody saw them.
"We've watched the video now." Zephyr returned the phone to Helen. There was a cold smile on his intimidating face.
"Please, tell me who exactly hit your daughter?"
Joe closed his eyes and frowned. He looked troubled.
Mandy looked at Nelly with a cryptic look on her face. She pushed her hand away in silence. Just like Joe, she was pale as she stood where she was.
"Oh my, all of you must be our witness!" Helen raised her voice. "Our miss is innocent, so the Tanners will have to compensate us, right?"
"That's right!" Kate walked out from the crowd.
She felt amazing to see Joe and Mandy humiliated. She was mean as she added oil to the fire.
"Oh my, it's my birthday today! Forget that you guys don't want to be here, but there's no need to be party-poopers!
"I know the Clouds are not welcomed among the upper class!" Kate raised her voice on purpose. "A woman even called me an upstart earlier. I heard that woman is close with Ms. Tanner!" "Don't spew nonsense, Mrs. Hamerton!" Joe panicked.
"Oh?" Kate looked up. "Sure, I won't do that, but what are you going to do to compensate our Cordelia?
"Your daughter can't suffer, yet my daughter-in-law should be framed for nothing!?"
Joe looked terrible.
Zephyr held Cordelia's hand, their fingers interlocked. He turned his head to look at her. There was an alluring smile on his face.
"Tell them, Cordelia," he whispered. "What kind of compensation would you like?"
Chapter 352
Chapter 352
Cordelia looked calm. "Forget about the compensation. I don't care for the Tanners' money.
"But you must restore my name!"
Joe widened his eyes.
She looked at him and enunciated each word. "I want Mr. Tanner, Mrs. Tanner, and Ms. Tanner to apologize to me in front of everyone!" "Impossible!" Mandy was the first to respond. However, Joe stared at her, making her step down.
He looked at Zephyr, attempting to use his seniority to suppress him.
"Do you agree with this too, Zen?"
Zephyr smiled and held Cordelia into his embrace. "I'll listen to my wife."
Joe took a deep breath to press down the rage in him.
Kate had called Cordelia the Hamertons' daughter-in-law in front of the people, and now Zephyr directly called her his wife...
That was just humiliating for the Tanners!
Joe's voice was shaking, "Zen, you should call me uncle at least. I'm the same age as your father. We have the same status too! You-" "Who said seniors don't have to apologize when making mistakes?" Zephyr raised his voice.
Just when Joe wanted to say more, he saw the Hamertons' bodyguards coming from all directions out of the corner of his eyes.
It seemed he would not be able to run today.
He lifted his eyes to look at Cordelia. Since there was no way to turn things around now, he could only admit defeat. He lowered his head and bowed 90 degrees. He bowed in all seriousness and said three words slowly. "I am sorry."
Cordelia smiled.
Mandy and Nelly gave her an official apology in the same manner too. Then, the three of them ran out of Splendor Dynasty clumsily.
Outside the hotel, Nicholas, who was lying on a tree, yawned. He poked Robert next to him, who was falling asleep.
"Say, should we go?"
Robert jumped up.
He looked toward the hotel. Everything seemed normal, and he had not received any orders from Zephyr...
Or was the problem solved?
Nicholas spoke. "Say Robert, he should let us know if he needs us or not! My men have been waiting for a long time!"
Robert faked a cough.
His men, who were hiding around the hotel, were alert. All of them had ropes and sacks in their hands. All they were waiting for was an order to bring the people back for a 'talk'... They had not been doing this since they left Jangasas. They were all excited.
In the end...
Robert looked at his phone. There was a message from Zephyr.
He forced a smile as he looked at Nicholas. "N... Um, you should go home!"
"What the hell!?" Nicholas was dumbstruck.
"Mr. Z said we don't have to do anything to the Tanners anymore..."
"Why didn't he say that earlier, godd*mnit!?" Nicholas was pissed. "I haven't even made dinner for my wife, and I came here to do this for him instead!"
"Hah, N, please calm down..."
Furious, Nicholas shouted at the hotel, "Zephyr, you b*stard!"
Chapter 353
Chapter 353
When Joe returned to the villa, he angrily removed his coat and tossed it on the floor.
All of the maids looked at him, stunned. They dared not breathe loudly.
Mandy walked in, looking terrible. She sat on the couch, and her eyes were getting red. She said while being mad and wronged. "I've never been humiliated like that in my life!" Joe glared at her and said nothing.
Mandy came from a prestigious family as well. She beat the other three families when she was grandly married over 20 years ago.
However, she had to bow to apologize to Cordelia today.
"What did I do wrong!?" She cried. "The only mistake I made was that I shouldn't have—"
"Enough!" Joe stared at her.
He knew what she was going to say.
However, it was best not to say that when Nelly was around.
Joe's face turned grim when he looked at Nelly, who dared not come in.
"How dare you stand there!?" he scolded. "It's all your fault whatever happened today!
"Even if you wanted to frame that Cordelia, you should've gone for something better! Also, although the Tanners are not a charitable family, we're righteous. We'd never harm people by doing something like that!
The muscles on his face twitched from his rage, "Nelly, you've humiliated our entire family!"
Nelly bit her lip and said nothing. However, the grudge in her surged like a volcano's eruption.
"Seems like we can't keep the marriage with the Hamertons..." He sighed.
"No, dad!" Nelly said in a panic. "I'll come up with a solution. I'll definitely-"
"What solution can you come up with!?" Joe was enraged. He picked up the antique porcelain vase next to him and crushed it on the floor!
A crisp clang echoed as the vase was completely crushed. A piece of porcelain stabbed Nelly's foot.
She screamed and stepped back.
"Dad-"
"Don't call me that!" roared Joe. "I'm telling you. You better stay away from Zephyr. Stop embarrassing yourself!"
"Are you suggesting that I should let Cordelia step on our head?"
"What to do?" He glared coldly at her. "Can't you see what's happening? He has his heart on that woman, Kate is on her side, and... I heard Janine loves her very much as well! She came all the way from Chaiseland to support her!"
Nelly was shaking from the rage. Her face paled. "But... Elder Mr. Hamerton is on my side."
"So what?" Joe scoffed. "Zephyr still has the last say! Moreover, be it Kate or Janine, can we afford to offend either? I'm afraid even Liam will have to think carefully before calling the shots!" "So there's no hope for me at all?"
Joe looked at her stubborn face. He was annoyed, so he went upstairs.
Mandy stood up from the couch slowly. She took a deep breath.
Her eyes showed utmost disgust and annoyance when she looked at Nelly.
"Mom-"
"Shut it!" yelled Mandy. "I didn't finish what I said... The only mistake I made was that I shouldn't have adopted you at the orphanage. I shouldn't have made you a Tanner!" Nelly was stunned for a long time. She heard a bang in her ears.
The past that she had forgotten tore bloody wounds in her memory. They were drowning her.
Mandy's eyes were filled with mockery. "Nelly, you don't have the Tanners' blood in you. You don't deserve Zephyr to begin with.
"Also, you're not the person who should marry him! You're just a replacement. If I knew that you're so incapable, I'd rather never have a daughter like you!"
The butler helped her to her room after she was done speaking.
The remaining maids in the living room looked at Nelly with pity.
Chapter 354
Chapter 354
Nelly stood where she was like a sculpture. She only snapped back to her senses a long time later. She walked away slowly.
'Hah, orphanage, adopted, the Tanners' heiress...'
What Mandy had said was like a ghost following Nelly, crushing her very last ounce of dignity and pride.
Those words were a wake-up call. Her identity as the Tanners' heiress that she had been proud of was actually fragile. She was just the heiress with a mask on. Behind the mask was a wounded face.
Absent-mindedly, Nelly walked to the courtyard. None of the massive, sophisticated houses that were as majestic as castles belonged to her.
After passing by the corridor to the courtyard, she arrived at an exquisite standalone building. It was located in a good location that was surrounded by mountains. It was a perfect place to live. She stood at the door while clenching her fists. There was hatred in her eyes as she stared at the door.
"M-Miss?" An old servant opened the door. She looked at her in shock. "Why are you here?"
"Where's my sister?"
"She's resting."
"I want to see her."
The maid wanted to stop her but failed to do so.
Nelly walked in directly.
The building was beautifully decorated. Even the decors exuded extreme nobility. The person who lived here was truly the Tanners' precious heiress.
Nelly pushed the door to the bedroom. The big, beautiful room was filled with the world's most advanced machines.
A pale and skinny girl sat in a wheelchair. A doctor and nurses surrounded her, standing by for her.
She was stunned when she saw Nelly. Her beautiful, big eyes exuded distance.
"Sister." She called out softly.
Nelly could not even force a smile. The rage in her had engulfed her rationality.
However, she smirked and walked to her, pretending to be in concern. "Do you feel better now, sister?" "Mm-hmm." Kelly nodded.
Nelly turned around to look at the doctor and the nurses. "Leave. I need to speak to my sister alone."
Kelly was a little scared. She held the wheelchair handles tightly. Her lips quivered, but she didn't dare to say anything.
After all, Nelly was the Tanners' heiress for the past over 20 years.
Her heart sank.
She could only blame her fragile body, which had been illness-ridden since she was born. She had almost lost her life a few times.
Joe had consulted all famous doctors of all kinds, and he got the same answer: "She can only stay alive with the help of medicines. There's no way to cure her illness, let alone live like a regular person. "Not only that, but her illness will get worse as she grows older. Please be ready for that!"
However, Mandy's health was so lacking that she could not bear another child. The Tanners needed a healthy daughter to fight for marriage and bring honor to the family.
Therefore, she had picked Nelly from the orphanage.
She was active and healthy, and her birth horoscope matched Kelly's.
A guru had said that Kelly would need blessings from her sister to stay alive.
Whether that was true or not, Mandy loved her daughter and chose to believe in that.
The couple had been treating Nelly like their own all these years.
Meanwhile, Kelly had been ridden with illness for years. She was hardly out, so people thought the Tanners only had one daughter. They basically ignored her existence.
A cold gleam flashed through Nelly's eyes. "My dear sister, I see that your hair is messy. How about I comb your hair for you?”
Chapter 355
Chapter 355
Kelly was stunned. She wanted to reject her.
However, Nelly pulled her hair!
She groaned from the pain. She felt as if her scalp was going to be removed... She clenched her teeth as she tolerated it. She looked at Nelly and said in many difficulties. "Stop it, sister..." "Stop it!?"
Nelly looked ferocious and pulled even harder.
"If not for you, mom and dad would've given me all of their love! I'm healthier, prettier, and more capable than you... Why am I only your replacement?
"It's all because of you, Kelly!"
Nelly pulled her hair maniacally as if she had gone mad. "You shouldn't live! I'm the Tanners' heiress. I am!
"Why don't you die, b*tch!?"
"Stop it!" Kelly was sobbing.
However, she was helpless in the wheelchair. She could not fend for herself at all.
Nelly vented all of the pain her parents had given her to Kelly.
Kelly wanted to expose everything that Nelly did, but the latter had said if she dared to tell anyone, she would lose her parents.
"I'm living with mom and dad, Kelly. They have no guard against me! It'd be easier than killing ants if I were to kill them!"
She knew that Kelly could not go out at all due to her poor health. It had been too long since she was isolated from the world. Thus, no matter what Nelly said, Kelly would believe it!
Kelly gnashed her teeth and endured in silence. She was afraid to lose her parents, losing the closest people she had in the world. However, Nelly would always disguise it well after torturing her. She even warned her not to get the maids to wipe her body.
Outsiders could not see her wounds.
If someone noticed, she would cover it with an excuse.
When her parents wanted to visit her, she would say that she was unwell or make other excuses so that they would not come near her. Therefore, nobody knew what she was going through.
Sometimes, she thought it would be better if she just died instead of living in exhaustion...
Tears were pouring down her face as she remained silent. Perhaps, that was the only way she could protect her parents.
"How useless!" Nelly mocked.
She let go. She felt slightly better when she saw Kelly as clumsy as a rack doll.
"Okay, I'm tired." She picked up the comb. "I'll dress you up now. Don't move!"
Kelly took a deep breath. While watching the former's devilish grin in the mirror, a sense of fear was eating her up like maggots.
When the doctor and nurses came in, they saw the love between the two sisters.
Kelly had a new hairstyle and makeup on. Nelly was taking selfies with her and was laughing happily.
"Ms. Nelly is so good to her sister!"
"That's right. I'm envious of their relationship. She visits her more than Mr. and Mrs. Tanner do!"
The compliments sounded extra ironic to Kelly.
She lifted her eyes to look at them. They were laughing, so nobody saw the sadness in her pleading eyes.
Late at night at Royal Manor...
Cordelia lazily leaned on Zephyr's chest. She was overcome by sleepiness.
Meanwhile, the man smiled in satisfaction as usual. He kissed her hair.
He suddenly thought of a question. He frowned and whispered into her ear, "Cordelia, let's... use protection from now on."
"Hmm?" She was still in a daze. She was quite confused when she heard that. "What do you mean?"
"I'll use protection..." He smiled while sticking close to her ear. "Stop taking the pill. It's bad for your health."
"Why are you talking about this out of nowhere?" Cordelia was stunned. They usually would not use protection. Firstly, it was because she was so weak that she would not conceive easily. Secondly, they wanted things to happen naturally. It would be amazing if she could bear a child.
But why...
Her eyes dimmed. "Do you not want a baby anymore?"
"That's not it." He placed his hand gently on her tummy. "I'd want one in a few years."
"Why?"
"Because..."
Zephyr frowned. He did not know how to tell her.
It all came from a dream that he had one night.
In the dream...
He walked among flowers while holding her hand. It was a sunny day with a blue sky and clouds. The air was filled with flower fragrance.
A kid appeared out of nowhere when he wanted to lower his head to kiss her. He stared at him angrily with his chubby arms crossed. He yelled at him, "That's my mommy! You can't kiss her!"
Zephyr was stunned. Where did this kid come from? However, when he looked properly, it was a mini version of himself.
"Hmph, mommy doesn't want to kiss you!" The kid pulled Cordelia's hand. His chubby cheeks were filled with hostility against him.
"Darling," Zephyr squatted before him and tried his best to explain, "Your mommy is my wife. How would we have you if I didn't kiss her?"
He wanted to pat the boy's head since he was so cute, but the little one slapped his hand away!
"You little!"
Just as he stared at the boy, he realized Cordelia was glaring at him.
"Why are you being so fierce to our baby?" She picked up the kid.
The boy held her neck since she had his back now. He gave a loud peck on her cheek and smirked at Zephyr! The latter was pissed!
He rolled up his sleeves, intending to teach the boy a lesson. Then, he woke up. He fell deep in thought after that. Thinking of Nicholas' status at home... he made a decision that was unfilial to his ancestors-he did not want kids!
At least not now!
He did not want another man to steal his wife!
"What's wrong, Zen?" Cordelia shoved him. "You haven't answered me!"
He snapped back to his senses. His eyes were gentle as he held her in his embrace. "Isn't it better to have kids later?"
She was always busy at work, and she would pass right out when she got home sometimes...
If they had kids, would they still have the chance to sleep together!?
"But..." Cordelia leaned on him softly. "I have a weak body. Seth said that I won't conceive so easily."
"The chance is low, but it's still there!"
"Do you really not want babies?"
Zephyr's heart went soft when he saw her slightly sad face. He smiled, played with her hair, and said softly, "I want to be with you just a little longer..."
Chapter 356
Chapter 356
Zephyr wanted to be with her a little longer...
Cordelia blushed. She remembered that this was what she had told him previously.
Zephyr looked at her quietly and smiled, grabbing her bare shoulder that was exposed...
Zephyr woke up early in the morning and saw that Cordelia was still sleeping. He got up gently and went to warm up the soup Helen had made in advance in the kitchen.
Recently, Helen was coming up with all sorts of tricks to nourish Cordelia, and the latter had to drink soup several times a day.
Despite that, Cordelia seemed to still be as fragile.
Zephyr chuckled and heard meowing as soon as he went to the kitchen.
The kitchen window faced the front of the house. A fat tabby cat hopped up the window sill and stretched, facing the sunlight.
The fat tabby was a regular in Royal Manor.
When they first met it, it was a pitiful frail stray that had yet to wean. It was an issue if it would make it. Cordelia took care of it and even made it a home on the porch. The cat seemed to be aware and ate more day by day, repaying Cordelia's effort with its gradually healthy body.
Sometimes when Cordelia went out, it would prance over with a high tail and rub against her feet.
Zephyr had always been indifferent about the furry little animal, but since Cordelia liked it, he let the tabby roam around the house.
"Hey, you're here again?" He pulled the window open and took the initiative to greet it for the first time ever.
When the tabby cat saw that it was him, it stopped stretching and looked haughty, slipping to the side with a squint.
Zephyr scoffed and rolled his eyes at it. Fine, if it was going to ignore him!
He was going to leave with the soup, but the cat's fat paw lingered by the window like it was coming in yet did not want to once it saw Zephyr.
Zephyr knew that it was hungry, but there was nothing to eat in the kitchen. He scooped a bowl of soup and left it on the window sill. If it had been any other day, he would be reluctant to take care of the cat, but he was in a good mood today.
Zephyr smiled and was going to turn away when he saw the tabby cat sniffing the bowl of soup and hopping right off the window sill.
He froze. What was the matter?
The tabby cat was usually a foodie, yet it acted reserved today.
The smile Zephyr wore slowly disappeared as doubt furrowed his brows. He looked at the soup in his hand and suddenly had a strange feeling. "Zephyr?"
Cordelia's lazy drawl came from behind. "Why are you standing frozen in the kitchen?"
Zephyr turned around to the sight of her leaning against the kitchen door with slightly disheveled hair and groggy eyes. The flush on her cheeks had yet to subside, and her pajamas hung loosely on her frame, revealing a large patch of fair skin around her décolleté.
He walked over slowly and pressed a kiss on her forehead.
Cordelia saw the soup in his hand and chortled. "You wouldn't be thinking about making me breakfast, would you?"
"I don't cook very well..." Zephyr crouched to rub noses with her and said huskily, "But I think it's no problem for me to fill you up!"
"No!" Cordelia looked at him playfully and poked him in the chest. "I wouldn't dare try Mr. Z's cooking. I worry that I'll have diarrhea! I have to work today..."
"Oh," Zephyr said intentionally, "Then I insist on making you breakfast so you can't work properly. My mom will get angry and fire you. Then you can stay home every day!"
"Zephyr Hamerton!" Cordelia acted like she was going to hit him, and he grabbed her wrist lightly to pull her into his embrace.
"Stop it!"
"Beg me!"
"Please..."
"Too insincere!"
Chapter 357
Chapter 357
Helpless, Cordelia could only wrap her arms around his neck and kiss his lips deeply.
Although Zephyr was not quite satisfied, he let her go with a smile.
"You don't have to make breakfast," Cordelia said softly. "Aunt Helen's probably grocery shopping at this hour and will be back soon! She's speedy and will be done preparing breakfast in a while. "Right, she said to finish this soup first before breakfast!"
Cordelia stretched her hand for the bowl of soup as she spoke.
A thought flashed in Zephyr's mind, and he abruptly placed the soup on the side.
It stunned Cordelia, and she stared at him. "You... What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing." He recovered. "The soup's gone cold. Don't drink it."
"Hasn't Aunt Helen been keeping it warm?"
Zephyr said after a pause, "Cordelia, stop drinking these for the time being. And Aunt Helen's a little aged. It's too tiring for her to take care of the house chores and to cook."
Cordelia blinked. The man's sternness confused her.
"If you want to eat at home, I'll get the hotel to deliver the meals."
Cordelia wanted to ask him about it but could not get anything out.
Zephyr asked her to get changed and took her to Splendor Dynasty for breakfast. He knew that he might be too paranoid. What could it imply just because the tabby cat refused to drink the soup? Helen's loyalty to Cordelia and devotion to the two of them were evident.
He did not want to assume the worst... but he would rather wrongly blame a whole lot than miss one out!
"Zephyr, what's the matter?"
He looked up to see Cordelia staring at him.
"You don't look too good. Are you feeling ill?"
Zephyr shook his head with a smile.
"You've been acting weird since this morning," Cordelia murmured softly, smiling at him and grabbing his face. "Are you upset that I'm going to work later?"
Zephyr held her hands and pressed her palms against his face. Were it possible, of course, he did not want her to go to work.
Janine was infamous for being a true capitalist. She worked women like men, and men like animals... Why should Cordelia suffer like that? She could just wait for him at home, and they could.... Zephyr suddenly felt the hands slipping from his grasp. When he realized it, Cordelia had already stood up.
"I need to hurry to work now!" She grinned. "Aren't you going to the office today?"
"I'm slacking today. I don't feel like going." He got up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Then wait for me at home!"
"No!" He refused right away.
Zephyr narrowed his eyes and smirked.
"Cordelia, I... will go to work with you. What do you think?"
"Huh?" Cordelia startled. "Why?"
Why? He was the second-largest shareholder in the company! He had just 1% less in shares compared to Janine! What was the problem that he went to check his company out? Was Janine all this girl could see? There was no place for him anymore?
Cordelia watched as Zephyr's expression kept changing and could not figure him out, but she did not want to upset him. She smiled and held his hand to pacify him like a child. "Okay, I'll take you to work today! But you have to be good in the office and not disturb my work!"
Zephyr arched his brow. "What? I have to act like I don't know you?"
Chapter 358
Chapter 358
Cordelia stuck her tongue out with crescent eyes. She paid him no mind and went on the street. They were close to Imperial Media and only had to walk across a street, so she hurried off to the company. Zephyr stood for a bit under the building.
Robert called to tell him, "Sir, don't you know what Madam Baker's like at work? She forbids her employees' personal relationships to interfere with work!
"If you announce your relationship with Ms. Cordelia in the company, it'll cause a lot of trouble!"
Zephyr was impatient. "What trouble could there be?"
"Like.. the artists under her will learn from her and start dating. How could they attend to their schedules without being distracted?"
Zephyr scowled. "So, I have to act like I don't know my wife?"
Robert chuckled dryly. "It's what your mother says anyway."
Zephyr hung up directly. He could not do it? Well, he insisted!
Despite that, he was stopped at the reception just as he stepped into Imperial Media. It was a new company, and Janine had already changed the staff.
Other than the manager, Mr. Smith, no employee in this company knew who he was.
Therefore...
"Sir, who are you looking for?"
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Ms. Cordelia? She's busy, sir. She won't have the time to meet you!"
"Mister, please leave now. Don't disturb our work, okay? Or I'll get the security!"
"Hah, he must be fantasizing. Ms. Cordelia's pretty and nice, and capable. Talented young men who are after her could make a line from here to Puarvis! This guy... drives a lousy car, and he wants to date her?"
Zephyr nearly erupted in rage.
Lousy car? This was what Ms. Cordelia bought him! Only for him!
Cordelia returned to Royal Manor after work.
She had heard from the reception that someone was there for her today, and according to the description, she could guess right off the bat that it was Zephyr. It was just that the receptionist did not know him and chased him away.
Cordelia winced at that. This was why she finished work early and hurried back to appease Zephyr's resentful, hurt soul...
He was used to being the boss, and it had always been his subordinates who stopped others from coming to him-never others who stopped him. He must be infuriated. Cordelia thought and felt bad for him, but she also found it amusing. She hurried her way home only to discover that the spacious Royal Manor was empty. No one was home.
The fat tabby cat stuck its head out from its bed and bounded to rub against her once it saw her.
"Ginger!" Cordelia picked it up and smiled. "It's just you at home? Where did everyone go?
"Has Aunt Helen fed you today?"
Ginger's bow was empty.
Cordelia frowned and felt strange. Helen usually took good care of Ginger when she was not home. Why had she not even fed it today? Zephyr, too. Where was he?
She went inside. It looked like no one came in at all for the day. The half pot of soup from the morning was still on the stove and had gone stale.
She called out, but no one responded. When she called Zephyr and Helen on the phone, no one answered either.
Chapter 359
Chapter 359
Cordelia's heartbeat sped up, and she panicked a little.
A call came in then.
She jolted and answered it, hearing a gentle and deep voice on the other end. "Cordelia? It's Seth."
"Oh." She calmed down. "Dr. Stafford. What's the matter?"
Seth paused and lowered his voice even more. "Can you come to the medical center now? Where I work. I'm doing consultations today. At the psychology department." Cordelia had a feeling that this had to do with Zennie. She hung up and rushed to the medical center.
Seth had been waiting for her. After they exchanged pleasantries upon meeting, he looked thoughtful with a cryptic gaze as he looked at her.
"I've been counseling Zennie these few days." Seth pushed a report to her.
Cordelia picked it up, and her hands shook involuntarily.
The words "Major Depressive Disorder" stabbed her heart like a knife.
"This is..." She looked at Seth.
Seth sighed. "This is the result of the comprehensive assessment after giving Zennie various tests."
"How?"
"It's light depression. As long as she complies with treatment, recovery is not a problem."
Seth sounded sympathetic. "Through my conversations with her, I noticed that her lack of confidence comes from external pressure. I believe that someone's feeding her negativity constantly, which led to her current state."
Cordelia clenched her fists.
'Phil Nelson... It must be him! Why would he treat Zennie like this, though?'
"She's still rather reluctant to open up," said Seth. "For now, I have her chat with me for some time every day. As long as she's willing to talk, I'll find a breakthrough point.
"Cordelia, I asked you to come today just to let you know about this. You and Zephyr don't have to worry. Zennie will be fine with me here!"
"Mm." Cordelia smiled at him gratefully. "Is Zephyr already aware of this?"
"I couldn't get in touch with him." Seth shook his head. "I called him first, but I couldn't get through, so I called you."
Cordelia grew more doubtful.
Zephyr was not someone who would go missing casually. Wherever he went and whatever he did, he would always inform her.
It was too strange today. Even Helen was nowhere to be seen.
"Right, Cordelia." Seth suddenly remembered something. "Do you know someone named Phil?"
"Phil? Phil Nelson?"
"I guess it's a Nelson," Seth said, looking at her. "I think he must be important to Zennie, right?"
Cordelia bit her lips. "How did you know?"
"Ah, I'm ashamed to speak about this." Seth was quite embarrassed. "It's immoral of me to do so, but I was eager to seek a breakthrough point. Thus, I went through Zennie's phone in secret. "Her password was easy to decipher. After I went through her call history, I realized that all she basically called was this Phil. And the calls never seemed to be answered."
"The b*stard!" Cordelia cursed in a low tone. "He's obviously playing Zennie! He first approached her and won her heart. He then destroyed her confidence and brainwashed her using various ways, making Zennie think that she won't survive without him!"
"Yes, men like this do exist, and there are many of them." Seth nodded. "They specifically target girls like Zennie who are well protected and rich. They use their naivety and kindness and have them wrapped around their hands.
"He's atrocious, but I still hope I can find him." Seth licked his lips. "The doer has to undo what he's done, after all."
"What?" Cordelia was surprised. "Isn't Phil working at Hamerton Manor?"
"Is he?" Seth frowned and said, after a moment of silence, "Cordelia, I checked the number. It's not a local number in Centrolis... And I keep hearing Zennie repeat that he has left and won't come back again. "Are you sure Phil's still in Centrolis?"
Chapter 360
Chapter 360
Cordelia was in deep thought for a while. After that incident at home last time, it seemed like it had been a while since she had news about Phil.
"I don't know if he's in Centrolis," she replied honestly. "But he's a long-term employee in Hamerton Manor and has a lot of work daily. It's quite impossible for him to leave his job?" "Oh." Seth nodded. "Zennie hasn't met this person recently, so I thought he had already left Centrolis."
"Dr. Stafford!" Cordelia quickly said, "Even if he's appeared, you can't let him meet Zennie!
"Zephyr and I don't want Zennie to keep interacting with him. He's too dangerous!"
Seth contemplated and nodded after a beat.
His assistant ran over at this time and told him nervously, "Ms. Hamerton is awake, but she isn't doing very well mentally..."
Seth rushed to the consultation room right away.
Cordelia followed him and watched him run upstairs. The moment he entered the door, Zennie quieted down and looked relieved.
Seth did a simple checkup for her and chatted with her with a smile after confirming that she was alright. His smile was warm, like the sun in winter that could repel all the fog.
Cordelia felt moved as she stood outside watching. She did not know how long it had been when Seth came out, closing the door softly behind him. He smiled and sighed, seeing that she was still there.
"It's fine," he said softly. "She had a counseling session with me here and probably hasn't had a good sleep for days, so she fell asleep on the couch. She panicked when she woke up and took in the unfamiliar environment, so she screamed."
Cordelia was worried. "Is Zennie's condition so bad?"
"It's not exactly bad." Seth shrugged. "When she's in school and studying, she's doing very well! She also told me that she wants to attend a medical university and would like to become a doctor like me." Cordelia looked moved. "Seth, thank you for going through the trouble during this time."
"Nothing like that! She's Zephyr's younger sister, so she's my younger sister too. I'll take good care of her!"
Cordelia thanked him again. Her phone buzzed as she pondered if she should tell Kate about Zennie's current state.
Robert's voice came from the speaker. "Ms. Cordelia..."
"What is it?" Cordelia's heart lurched. "Did something happen to Zephyr?"
"No." Robert paused. "It's Aunt Helen."
Cordelia's heart dropped.
"Aunt Helen's in the hospital now. Will you be able to come?"
Cordelia rushed to the hospital.
Zephyr was seated in the emergency ward with a grim expression.
She went over to sit next to him and hold his hand. The iciness of his fingers shocked her. The man's hands had always been warm and secure in her impression.
She asked shakily, "Zephyr, what happened?
"Is Aunt Helen... in the emergency ward?"
Zephyr cast his eyes down and nodded.
Cordelia gripped his hand.
When the light above the door went out, the doctor came out.
"Don't worry, Mr. Zephyr. She's safe. No problem at all."
Zephyr's voice was hoarse as he asked, "Will there be any side effects?"
"No," the doctor answered confidently.
Only then did Zephyr relax a little from how tense he had been.
"Doctor, what happened to Aunt Helen?" Cordelia asked in worry.