Ch. 381..390

Chapter 381

Chapter 381

Rowan had been staring through the car window the whole morning.

When Cordelia went to work in the morning, he saw her hasty figure. When she came downstairs to buy coffee around 10:00 a.m., he got to see a glimpse of her again.

Until now, though, she had yet to leave the building.

Rowan was a little disappointed but reluctant to leave, drumming his fingers on his knee.

"Mr. Irwin, are we waiting?"

Rowan's subordinate, Charlie Williams, who had served him for many years, understood what he was thinking currently. The feeling of wanting to get close to someone but daring not to was the most tormenting.

Charlie sighed. "Mr. Irwin, why aren't you reuniting with them? It's been so many years, and you've never forgotten them..."

"Say no more." Rowan's tone was solemn.

How could he forget them so easily? Other than Xyla, he had never loved anyone else his whole life-and Cordelia was their precious daughter.

When he was younger, he had imagined countless times how he would pamper and dote on his daughter until she grew up if he had one...

Rowan's eyes burned, and his heart clenched in pain.

"Then..." Charlie asked again, "When do we send the medicine to Mr. Zephyr Hamerton?"

Rowan contemplated and answered airily, "Not in a hurry."

"Huh?" Charlie was surprised. "But the previous dosage is already coming to its limit..."

"Let it be. Not like it'll kill him!" Rowan glared at Charlie. "Why do you have so much to say today!?" Charlie was rendered speechless.

"I have to see how this Zephyr Hamerton's treating our Cordelia and decide if I'll treat him, right?"

Charlie was stunned and winced. What happened to caring for the infirm and saving the dying? What happened to the benevolence of a doctor? Once it was his son-in-law, it was observe-and-wait. "Mr. Irwin, if Mr. Zephyr mistreats our Cordelia, then..."

"He wouldn't dare!" Rowan's eyes bulged into saucers. "I'll stab him with my needle!"

Charlie held back his laugh.

"He won't, he won't." Charlie said, "I saw him being very protective of Cordelia in the auction!"

Rowan heaved a long sigh and said after a long time, "It's no use that he's the only one nice to Cordelia. She'll suffer grievances marrying into a family like the Hamertons without any support!" "Mr. Irwin, you're her support!"

Rowan looked sullen.

He had made the promise not to disturb their lives... He really should not show himself again. Yet, he really wished to hear Cordelia call him dad. His daughter was so pretty, and her voice must sound nice too. "Did the brat Zephyr save the world in his last life?" Rowan muttered, leaning against the car window, "How did he get to marry my wonderful daughter!?"

Charlie shook his head with a helpless smile.

"Right. I heard that Elder Mr. Hamerton wants to meet me?"

"Well..." Charlie pursed his lips. "I guess it is to talk about the hospital collaboration?"

Rowan looked thoughtful. "Zephyr got a big plot of land in the western suburbs of Centrolis. Other than developing it for property, he's planning to build a hospital.

"Hah, I think it's the kid who wants to meet me. He used his grandfather's name!"

Charlie thought it made sense. "Then are we meeting him, Mr. Irwin?"

Rowan was silent.

"If we meet him, you might be able to formally meet Cordelia!"

The words went straight to Rowan's heart. If he got to meet Cordelia, would it mean that... he would get to see Xyla next?

His hands balled into fists, shaking slightly.

Chapter 382

Chapter 382

Charlie continued. "The major families in Centrolis all have their eyes on the plot of land, wanting to get a cut of profit there.

"So, the joint hospital project is worth an attempt."

"Mm, I know," answered Rowan.

Currently, the hospital was secondary in priority to him. It was of utmost importance to meet Cordelia, talk to her, and have a proper look at her. He would be content then.

Actually, before he went to see Cordelia, he had already gone to the University of Centrolis to sneak a look at Carter.

His son was doing so well. He was young but was intelligent and eager to learn-a talent in the making. He had also gotten into the medical department and was innately gifted in research.

Rowan was pleased. For some reason, though, his favor for his son was far from his affection for his daughter... He always thought that boys should be able to take hardships and not be doted on, while girls would be the apple of their fathers' eyes and should be indulged and pampered.

He chuckled. A hint of warmth crossed his weathered face.

"Give word that I haven't made up my mind with whom to work yet." He chortled. "They'll come to me by then!"

Charlie hesitated. The other major families were fine, but the Hamertons were prideful since their ancestors' time.

"I'm afraid Mr. Zephyr won't contact you first." Charlie smiled. "He's waiting for you to bow down first!"

"Is this a joke!?" Rowan was offended and raised his voice. "Does that b*stard even have regard for his father-in-law?!"

"Mr. Irwin, if I remember correctly, Matthew Hamerton called him a b*stard the other day, and you—"

"I'm allowed to do it!" Rowan glared at him. "Not others!"

Charlie grinned without saying anything. Rowan actually approved of this son-in-law. It was just that they had misunderstandings standing between them. Who knew when they would be able to resolve them?

Cordelia got to have Helen's homemade meal at noon as she had wished.

"Have more if you like!" Helen looked at her lovingly.

Cordelia dug in. As the steaming soup and rice greeted her, beads of sweat dotted the tip of her nose.

"You seem to have a good appetite recently!" Helen said with a beam, "You aren't pregnant, are you?"

Cordelia froze before she winced. The two things that Helen was most concerned with recently were one, if she was healthy, and two, if she had a baby in her.

"Not yet." She blushed. "Zephyr says he doesn't want a kid for now."

"Oh." Helen nodded in thoughts. "It's good too. Heh... I think it's nice that you two are still in your honeymoon phase. Since you don't want a child yet, I need to make adjustments to my soups... Hmm, I'll add nourishment to Mr. Zephyr's!"

"Um..." Cordelia smiled. "Then don't go too heavy-handed, or he'll get nosebleeds."

As they chatted, noises sounded outside the door. Cordelia knew that it was Mona making a ruckus out there just by listening.

There was an empty storeroom behind the bookshelf, so Cordelia gestured for Helen to stay inside.

"Liars! You're all liars!" Mona screamed as she barged in.

The few assistants failed to hold her back and could only nod at Cordelia awkwardly when they saw her.

The small-time celebrities who passed by the office looked over like they were catching a show too.

Mona's heels clacked against the floor as she stomped toward Cordelia haughtily.

"There's no director! You lied to me!"

"I never said that the director would be on that show," Cordelia said with a smile. "And you already know that Ms. Lulham doesn't do variety shows." "You..." Mona widened her eyes. "Then your call with her..."

Chapter 383

Chapter 383

"Yeah, it was just a call."

Mona blanched.

It was true. Cordelia had not said anything. She had just been telling Mona's situation as it was when she called Trinity.

She was the one who had been too eager and impatient to get on Trinity's new production and make an impression in front of the director! That was how Cordelia managed to trick her! Mona shook in rage. She gnashed her teeth. "You tricked me!"

Cordelia looked stern and cold. "You defy the company rules and kick up a fuss over here. You really think you're a princess with some fans on your side?" "Cordelia, you—"

"The fans can put you on the pedestal. Similarly, they can drag you down to h*ll!" Cordelia's words were impactful as they hit Mona like a rock.

Mona froze, intimidated by Cordelia's authority.

"There's me too." Cordelia crossed her arms and smiled. "I can let you throw a fit here at this door, and I can ruin you for good! Try me if you don't believe it!" Mona took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling.

The assistants went up to remind her softly, "Mona, Ms. Cordelia is Madam Baker's senior assistant. She's also the supervisor of the whole Imperial Media. You can't offend her!"

"What? I have to be scared of her now?"

"Yes! What else?" A voice suddenly rang behind the bookshelf.

Mona was shocked as she watched the shelf part to both sides. Helen walked out of the room with a smile. She brandished a phone and looked at Cordelia.

"Ms. Cordelia, I'm going to switch my career to a professional videographer soon!"

Cordelia beamed and held Helen's arm, looking mischievous like a little girl.

Mona's assistants were instantly alarmed. If the video of Mona throwing a fit in the office got out, the goody two-shoe image that they had painstakingly created for her would be destroyed! "Ms. Cordelia, let's talk about this..."

"Yeah, our Mona isn't sensible. Don't get petty with her!"

"Mona, come apologize to Ms. Cordelia!"

Cordelia's gaze was cold as she wore a vague smirk. It gave a sense of pressure that commanded one's obedience.

Mona was dumbstruck.

"Mona!" Her assistant was losing patience. "It hasn't been easy to get to where you are today. You really want to be canceled?" Mona bit her lips.

When Nelly recommended her there, Janine had agreed to sign her without hesitation. It was a 15-year contract too, so she had assumed that Janine was really doing it as a favor to Nelly...

Now, the 15-year contract caught her in a plight. If she stayed here, she would have to listen to Cordelia. If she were to break the agreement, she would have to pay an astronomical sum as a penalty! After a while, Mona took a deep breath and said with difficulty, "Alright, I'll put up with you.

"Ms. Cordelia, I was rude to you just now... Sorry."

The 'sorry' was soft, but she did say it.

Cordelia snickered. "Good that you know you've done wrong. What happened today is a small lesson for you. Defy the company arrangement again, and it won't be over this easily!"

She let Helen back home after that and continued with her work. The others left as well.

Mona took a few steps out but halted and snapped her head back to glare at her.

"Cordelia, what's so good about you?" She scoffed, "If it weren't for Mr. Zephyr, would you be able to come to this today?"

Cordelia's hands that were flying across the keyboard paused with a dark glaze over her eyes.

"Nelly's unlike you!" Mona said arrogantly, "She has the Tanners, one of the four major families, behind her. What do you have as support? Hah, even if you do marry into the Hamertons, you won't live a happy life!"

"Are you done?" Cordelia looked up. Her eyes were as if they could freeze someone.

Mona could not help taking two steps back.

Cordelia got up slowly, her gaze lofty and proud. She looked like a phoenix that overlooked the world.

Chapter 384

Chapter 384

Mona felt like her calves were going into cramps.

What she just said came out of rage. It did not even go through a brain-to-mouth filter. Now that she calmed down and thought about it, this was not the time, even if she wanted to stand up for Nelly... She wondered what Cordelia would do to her. Would she slap her?

Mona looked around instinctively. She was standing in the hallway by the door coincidentally, and a surveillance camera was nearby. She was relieved.

If Cordelia dared lay a finger on her, she would spread the surveillance recording and include a few instigating words for her fans to attack this b*tch. "What? Have I said it wrong?" Mona regained her haughtiness.

"How do you think the four major families maintain their status? It's through marriages and exchanging resources, duh!" Mona scoffed.

"If Mr. Zephyr runs into any sort of difficulty in the future, Nelly can help him, but you'll only be his burden!

"Ms. Cordelia, what else do you know other than depending on men?"

Cordelia answered calmly, "Yeah, I depend on Zephyr. And?

"Some people don't even get to do that, even if they want to!"

Mona glared at her speechlessly.

Cordelia fiddled with the plant on her desk nonchalantly and smiled. Her big eyes were deep and unreadable.

"I truly have nothing to back me up, but it's enough that I have Zephyr.

"As for marrying into his family, do you know what he's told me?"

She smiled. "Zephyr says that I don't have to marry into the Hamertons. He'll marry into my family!"

Mona was so shocked that she could not utter a single word.

"Ms. Adams, how troublesome must it be that you have to worry over our marriage." Cordelia said flatly, "But I hope you focus on your job from now on because you won't have the chance to fret over the matters between Zephyr and me!"

When Zephyr returned home, he saw Cordelia on the couch with Ginger in her arms. He frowned. "Why did you let it in?"

Cordelia ignored him. She knew that the man was a germaphobe and did not usually like furry little things like the cat. She always kept an eye out and had never let Ginger into the house. Today, however... she was looked down on by Mona, so she suddenly felt like doing things that would annoy him.

It was especially when she thought about what Mona had said. Nelly had the Tanners behind her, but what did she have? Nelly would be the one able to help Zephyr when he met a challenge, not her. Cordelia suddenly felt wronged for no reason. The inferiority complex that lay deep inside her was stirred up again.

Zephyr noticed that she looked off and sat next to her, trying to wrap an arm around her shoulder.

He asked softly, "Cordelia, what's the matter?"

Cordelia jolted, pried his arm away, and turned around. She ignored him but kept petting Ginger, causing the cat to purr comfortably with a squint.

Zephyr clearly felt that something was off. His girl was usually gentle and considerate. She was also honest and straightforward with him. Why was she throwing a tantrum today?

He held his breath and secretly pulled his phone out of his pocket to text Nicholas.

[What's usually the reason when your wife has a tantrum? Urgent.]

Five seconds later, Nicholas replied: [Pregnant?]

Zephyr was delighted but rejected the guess right away. They used protection recently. It was impossible for her to get pregnant.

Nicholas replied: [Bro, don't need to find out why. Just get on your knees.]

Zephyr was rendered speechless, but Nicholas was experienced in this. It should be alright listening to him.

Therefore, Zephyr took a deep breath, went to face Cordelia with a smile, and fell to his knees with a plop!

Ginger, already dozing off, was startled and sprang out of Cordelia's arms to scurry to the porch.

Cordelia looked at him in surprise as well. "W-What are you doing?"

"It's all my fault. I admit it!" Zephyr licked his lips. "Cordelia, vent your anger on me. Don't keep it inside. It's not good for you like that!"

Cordelia suddenly felt a pinch on her nose, looking at how silly he was acting and how tenderly he was looking at her. No matter how many tantrums she had, they were all gone in this instant. "What did you do wrong? Get up!"

"Cordelia..." Zephyr took the opportunity and held her hand.

Tears welled in Cordelia's eyes, but she turned away, not wanting him to see how pathetic she was.

Zephyr wanted to hug her.

Alarmed, she shoved him away and ran to the porch with a ducked head.

Outside of Royal Manor...

A black Maybach was, once more, parked at a secluded spot. Despite that, one could see from that angle what happened in Royal Manor clearly.

When Cordelia ran out, Rowan became nervous and was instantly on his guard.

"This silly child. It's chilly outside. Why's she running out onto the porch?"

Rowan kept his eyes there, with worry brimming in them.

"Have they gotten into a fight?" He talked to himself, "That b*stard. Did he bully my daughter?!”

A silver needle was already in his hand, ready to attack.

Charlie rested his elbows on the steering wheel and covered his face.

"Mr. Irwin, calm down! I don't think Mr. Zephyr will bully our Cordelia! Though, there's a possibility behind their fight...."

"What?"

Charlie explained, "Ms. Tanner. I've asked around. The Tanners have wanted to marry Ms. Tanner to Mr. Zephyr to secure their status in Centrolis." "So, this Nelly Tanner's been up to sabotaging?" Rowan raised a brow.

Charlie nodded.

Rowan sneered. "Looks like the first people I'll meet are Mr. and Mrs. Tanner! We ought to discuss how one educates their child!"

"Cordelia!" Zephyr went after her.

Cordelia stood under the tree on the porch, the leaves crackling and rustling under her feet.

Zephyr hugged her from the back. She struggled a little but ultimately cuddled back to him, wiping her tears away stubbornly.

"It's because of Nelly Tanner again, right?" Zephyr's husky voice was indulging.

"Silly, is it worth it to get angry here alone over someone miscellaneous?"

"She's not miscellaneous! She's almost your fiancee!"

'Ah, so she was jealous again.' Zephyr was inwardly gleeful and hugged her tighter.

"She's the heiress of the Tanners and has her family as support. She has a strong background...

"If you run into trouble, she's able to help you."

Zephyr smiled. "It's because of this?"

Cordelia looked up at him with reddened eyes, looking pitiful with how fragile and weak she appeared. It melted Zephyr's heart. "Alright." He held her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Cordelia, there are some things...

"It's time to let you know!"

Chapter 385

Chapter 385

Cordelia blinked her big eyes back at him.

Zephyr took her back to their room by her hand, took some documents out of the drawer, and put them in front of her.

Cordelia could not help the shock after looking at them.

"This is the blueprint of the western suburbs' land," Zephyr explained to her. "These are the partnership strategies of the project."

He flipped to the last page, and Cordelia was surprised to see that her signature was on there. She looked at him in disbelief while he crouched in front of her and stroked her hair gently with a foolish smile. She recalled that he had given her a few documents to sign back at the dressing room of the signing event the last time, claiming he hoped she could fight alongside him and share the risks.

She had just skimmed through the documents briefly because she trusted him. She did not care what was written in the documents and signed without any hesitation.

"Actually, it's not sharing the risks," Zephyr said gently. "I've already assessed the project's risks. I mainly asked you to sign because... you're the boss of these projects. I'm just an employee. These things have to be decided by the boss."

"What did you say?" Cordelia's mind went blank.

She saw Zephyr's gentle smile and her reflection-only her-in his deep eyes.

"It's not just this plot of land." Zephyr continued. "These companies too."

He continued to show her a few other documents.

Cordelia's heart skipped a beat as she looked at the name of the shareholder on the documents with widened eyes. Her breathing was caught, and she felt like she was dreaming. Donmein, Lyan, Weston... These were all his companies.

"These are yours now."

Zephyr looked at her quietly.

Cordelia's lips moved to say something, but she could not get anything out.

"Cordelia, it's not true that you have nothing backing you up. I told you, you have me."

It took a moment of silence from Cordelia before she lowered her head. So many words were caught in her throat, but only one escaped in a murmur ultimately-"Sorry..."

Zephyr held her hand and sat next to her to pull her into his embrace.

"I was being unreasonable again." She blamed herself. "I shouldn't throw a tantrum with you for no reason."

Zephyr chortled. If this could be considered a tantrum, those girls who were actually unreasonable would possess the power to destroy the world.

"Silly." He pinched her nose. "You don't have to be so sensible. I told you, I'm willing to indulge you like I would my daughter."

'Hmm? Daughter?'

Cordelia froze before punching his chest.

"You're taking advantage of me again!" She giggled. "Bullying me for not having a dad?"

Both of them messed around for a bit, and Zephyr hugged Cordelia again.

The spacious couch was close to the window, so both of them looked up at the starry sky from where they lay.

Since they got to the topic of father, Zephyr asked, "Cordelia, have you thought about what your birth father's like?"

Cordelia blinked and was quiet for a bit. Her head was against his chest, and she shook it.

"Can't imagine it..."

He stroked her hair. "Mom's never told you?"

"Mom never speaks about it," she replied softly. "I've never asked either. I'm afraid her illness will relapse if my questions remind her of unhappy stuff in the past."

The truth was, she had imagined it before. Which girl had never wished to become their father's little princess?

Cordelia chuckled and said, "I thought that William Jenner's my father when I was younger. When Yelena bullied me sometimes, I really wished he'd stand up for me and bring justice... once, just once would be enough.

"But it never happened, not even once."

Zephyr's heart clenched for her, and he hugged her tighter.

"So, I don't fantasize about my birth father being someone capable," Cordelia said gently. "I think... he might be a regular guy, not tall, a little plump, and have a kind smile. That's enough! But he'll do everything within his power to protect his children. That he's the best dad in the world!"

Zephyr smiled and pressed a kiss on her forehead. He would love to know what his future father-in-law was like too.

"Maybe he isn't someone regular?" he asked softly. "Maybe he's like me, with superpowers?"

"What do you mean he's like you? Why are we coming back to you again!?" Cordelia pinched him with a giggle. "You're doing this on purpose!"

Zephyr let her pinch him and did not counter, wearing a pampering smile all along.

Both of them wrestled on the couch. As he turned, he sank deeper into the couch, and Cordelia pressed against him closer. It was a narrow space, after all.

Cordelia snuggled against his chest and felt his passionate heartbeats as she met his fiery gaze.

"Zephyr..." Her voice was soft and endearing. "Will you regret being so nice to me?"

Zephyr was startled. "When you didn't know my identity and thought that I was a broke ex-inmate, did you think about regretting being nice to me one day?"

"Of course not!" Cordelia answered without hesitation. "You're my husband, someone I'm spending the rest of my life with!"

"That's right." He smiled. "This is my answer too."

Cordelia felt her eyes go hot. She glanced at the documents scattered on the coffee table. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she laughed in delight.

"Look like I'm really lucky!" She joked. "The most expensive thing I've bought you is that car, right? Heh, a car in exchange for so many assets... When Aunt Helen first saw me, she said I had a wealthy empress' life. That's so accurate!"

Zephyr poked her head with a smile.

"It's actually not just because of you that I put these assets under your name."

"Hmm?"

He cleared his throat to explain, "If one day I could meet my father-in-law... I'd have to show my sincerity to become his son-in-law, right?"

Cordelia chuckled. "I see! Hey, then your sincerity isn't worth much!"

"You call this not much?"

"Mm, not at all." Cordelia flipped through the documents like a little money-grubber. "Look at this project. The total investment is only 7,000,000 dollars! You actually dare put this little investment under this boss' name?"

"Oh..." Zephyr narrowed his eyes and fidgeted while his hands began to roam.

Cordelia's attention was on the documents, so she did not notice his action at all.

"Since our Ms. Cordelia isn't happy with this investment, then... I have another project to talk to you about..."

Cordelia looked at him. "What is it?"

The man smirked.

The night grew more silent as it got later. The moon hid in the clouds too, getting shy....

Chapter 386

Chapter 386

The headlights of the Maybach outside of Royal Manor blinked twice.

Rowan saw Zephyr coming out for Cordelia and taking her back into the house by her hand after saying something to her. A while later, the lights in the living room went out.

Charlie turned back to smile at Rowan. "Mr. Irwin, looks like they've reconciled."

Rowan hummed in response. "The brat's good at coaxing, apparently!"

He sighed and stayed silent in thought before chuckling and keeping his silver needle.

"Charlie, let's go."

"Yes, sir." Charlie started the car. "Mr. Irwin, what do we do next?"

Rowan stayed silent. He would stay longer in Centrolis for this trip-one reason was for the joint collaborative hospital project, and another was simply because he was growing more reluctant to leave.

He was okay with just seeing them from afar. That person... She would be a wound that would never heal.

Charlie read his mind. "Mr. Irwin, I've obtained Ms. Xyla's current address. Do you want to-"

"No," Rowan interrupted him in a low voice.

Even though he wanted to see her like crazy, he was afraid to meet her. He had developed the Irwins into an unprecedented success story over these over 20 years he wanted to make it up to everyone, to his late father, to the shareholders, to the poor people who could not afford to go to the doctors and buy medicine...

The only one he was sorry to... It was Xyla.

Back when Xyla left Southeast Aciatic, he could not forget her. When he found her, she had said that she was already William's woman. She had given birth to a daughter, and he had snuck to Jangasas to see her, only to discover that she was not living as well as she had said she was.

She had said that she had married someone and lived happily after, but he had secretly done a paternity test and found out that Cordelia was his flesh and blood.

That was why over so many years, a sum of money would be transferred to Xyla's account each month.

It was not to William's credit that Cordelia and Carter could grow up smoothly. It was Rowan who had been doing everything in silence...

Rowan closed his eyes. The chaotic past surfaced in his mind. He breathed out a heavy sigh and felt tears wetting his eyes.

After Janine returned from Chaiseland, Mona ran to complain to her only to receive a flat "Oh".

Mona was stunned. Was her teary acting just now... not moving enough?

She probed. "Madam Baker, you-"

"What is it?" Janine tore her eyes off the computer screen and looked at her. "Anything else?"

"Madam Baker, Ms. Cordelia "

"There's nothing wrong with how Cordelia handled it!" Janine answered in a businesslike manner. “Mona, you're a company artist. I didn't sign you to cause me problems! "What you say and how you act must abide by the company rules. Break them and be punished!"

Mona widened her eyes.

Janine snorted and closed her folder. "I actually think that Cordelia's punishment for you was quite light! If I were to act how I would in Chaiseland, you'd be shelved for at least three months!" Mona gasped. What was going on with Madam Baker? Why was she taking Cordelia's side!?

Back when Nelly asked her to sign with Imperial Media, she had clearly said that Janine was her future mother-in-law. The woman was on their side!

From what it looked like now... Janine and Cordelia seemed to be in the same boat instead!

Janine smirked. Although she had never concealed her favor for Cordelia in private, words out there, as per her request, were that she already had her mind set on who her daughter-in-law would be.

The outside world would be the most curious about an ambiguous answer like this. That was why many people speculated that her relationship with Cordelia might not be as close as it seemed.

It made sense. Why would a wealthy mother-in-law like a daughter-in-law without background and support?

They did not know that this was how Janine was protecting Cordelia.

Chapter 388

Chapter 388

Cordelia smiled and answered directly, "Zephyr Hamerton."

Neil had long expected this answer, but Cordelia's frankness surprised him. He did not expect Zephyr to have such a high status to her that she did not even feign courtesy and blurted it so straightforwardly. Shane looked around and stepped up to break the awkwardness with a chuckle.

"Uh... Neil, take a look at the script first. You'll be the first to audition when Ms. Lulham is here!

"Ms. Cordelia, take a break too! Neil asked me to bring some snacks. Have a try..."

The few of them found somewhere close to the window where the sunlight spilled in, and they basked in it. The scenery outside was the picturesque fall.

Shane made coffee and brought them over, the room immediately wafting with the aroma. Neil pulled a pretty lunchbox out of his bag. It was a dark-colored wooden box with intricate and repeated patterns carved on it...

Cordelia was stunned and nearly doubted if her eyes played a trick on her. The box that her mother had given her seemed to have this pattern as well.

"Is it pretty?" Neil chortled. "This pattern is common in Southeast Aciatic."

"Oh." Cordelia nodded in confusion.

"I told you that I'm from Mengasas. It's close to Southeast Aciatic, so our food and culture are influenced as well."

As Neil spoke, he retrieved a small plate of cake and placed it in front of Cordelia.

"Have a taste!"

Cordelia snapped out of her reverie.

The small dish of the cake was intricate. Its emerald color and semi-opaque transparency made it look like a piece of art. "This is..." Cordelia was delightfully surprised. This was one of the cakes her mother had made her when she was younger!

"You know this?" Neil asked softly, "This is Ejada, a specialty from Southeast Aciatic."

"Specialty from Southeast Aciatic?"

Cordelia recalled the time when she took her mother to the art exhibition, and Xyla bought a scarf. She had said that the embroidery and pattern were rarely seen in Centrolis and were only available in Southeast Aciatic.

Her mother was emotional when she saw the painting with fireflies, and the fireflies with double sets of wings were only found in the forest of Southeast Aciatic too. She also knew how to play Xiroh, a card game that was unique to Southeast Aciatic.

Southeast Aciatic... Why was everything regarding her mother revolved around this place? Yet, Xyla had never told her where her hometown was.

"Cordelia, what's the matter?" Neil waved a hand in front of her.

"Oh, nothing." Cordelia smiled. "The cake looks so pretty that I can't bear to eat it!"

"I'm not good at making it, but it's decent in taste if you aren't picky," Neil said with a smile. "Ejada is made of mung beans and glutinous rice. Because Southeast Aciatic's climate is hot and Ejada is cooling, the locals like it."

Cordelia nodded and was about to pick a piece up into her mouth when a deep cough sounded.

When Cordelia turned around and saw Zephyr, Neil noticed how her eyes lit up. That man was her whole world.

"What brings you here!?" Cordelia ran over enthusiastically and hooked arms with him.

It was only then Zephyr was placated. He smiled at her and told her gently, "You can't have cold things. Why didn't you listen?"

Cordelia looked at the cakes on the coffee table. "They aren't cold. They're still warm!"

Zephyr patiently uttered, "Mung beans are cooling in nature!"

Shane's eyes bulged from the side as he did his best to hold back his laugh.

Zephyr's gaze at Neil was not exactly friendly, but he maintained surface-level courtesy.

"Mr. Harris, you look..." He scanned him up and down and smirked. "Nice."

Neil smiled. "Thank you for the compliment."

"But something small like an audition won't have to trouble the company's senior assistant, right?"

Shane quickly butted in. "Mr. Zephyr, Madam Baker's the one who asked Ms. Cordelia to come along..."

Neil coughed and gave Shane a look to ask him to back away.

Zephyr stood next to Cordelia. The man was tall and well-built, handsome and aloof. There was an innate sense of grace and arrogance within him.

Chapter 389

Chapter 389

To outsiders, he was forever domineering, strict, and impassive. In front of Cordelia, though, he was just an easily jealous boy.

Neil's gaze was complicated and cryptic.

"We just played a round of cards the last time and haven't got to know each other officially." Zephyr looked at him coldly.

Neil caught what he meant and took the initiative to extend a hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Zephyr. I'm Neil Harris. My detailed information is available in the company."

Zephyr shook hands with him perfunctorily and smiled. "Zephyr Hamerton, I'm also the second largest shareholder in Imperial Media."

"I know," Neil said softly. "But Madam Baker's the one who signed me..."

Zephyr snickered, "Mona Adams said the same, but how did she end up?"

Neil smiled without saying anything.

"Of course, an award-winning actor like you is heaven and earth's difference from the small-time influencer. You can't be compared."

Neil nodded. He could discern that what Zephyr said was probing him. From the first time Zephyr had met him, actually, he had been testing him. The only thing he could do was try his best not to provoke the explosive green-eyed monster.

"You have a cute cat." Neil diverted the topic. "What breed is it?"

It was only then Zephyr was reminded of the cat he was carrying.

"Its name is Ginger." He smiled, not forgetting to free up a hand to pull Cordelia in as he introduced the pet rather triumphantly. "Cordelia and I are taking care of it together!" His emphasis was on the word 'together'.

Neil smiled almost unnoticeably and bowed to pet Ginger-only for the proud tabby cat to snap its head to one side with gleaming eyes. Neil's hand froze in the air awkwardly. Zephyr was inwardly overjoyed. Although Ginger usually did not care much about him, it still touched him in critical moments. He thought he would add a can of fish for dinner tonight! "Hey." Cordelia tugged his sleeves. "Don't you have to go to the office today? Why did you bring Ginger out?"

"Oh..." Zephyr licked his lips. It was not like he could say he rushed over with Ginger out of anger after hearing what Janine had to say over the phone.

“Uh... i-it has mites all over its body!" Zephyr kept a straight face. “I'm going to take it to the pet shop.”

Ginger glared at him and swished around, its clean and pretty orange fur shiny and lustrous.

"Meow!" It cried as if protesting. 'You're the one who has mites! You have mites everywhere!'

"And." Zephyr continued to make up stories. "The cardboard home you made isn't sturdy anymore. I'm taking it to buy a new one. Then we'll see what else we need and buy everything together!" Cordelia was surprised and chuckled. "Since when are you so nice to the cat?"

"Ginger's a part of our family. Of course I have to be nice to it!" Zephyr said sincerely.

Ginger turned its face away, not to look at him.

"Cordelia, come shopping with me."

"Huh?"

"I don't know how to pick these things."

Cordelia was troubled. "But..."

"Madam Baker said that you have today off," Zephyr said with a smile.

Shane chuckled dryly. "Ms. Cordelia, you work hard usually, but you have a lot of breaks too—"

Zephyr threw a look over, and the agent shut up immediately, going to point at the script instead.

"Cordelia, it's fine with Shane around." Neil looked at her. "Go ahead with Mr. Hamerton!"

Zephyr scowled. What Neil said did not sound great to him, but he did not have the time to be petty with him as he left with an arm around Cordelia.

Neil wore a small smile and a thoughtful gaze as he looked at them walk away.

"What a jealous man!"

Shane smiled as well. "Sir, should we inform Mr. Irwin?"

Neil frowned. "Or let Charlie know first, so he's informed. After all, Mr. Zephyr's still on probation. We can't conclude it so soon!"

"Hah, Mr. Zephyr calls the shots in Centrolis, but he's now one for probation!"

Neil pursed his lips and chortled with a shrug of his shoulders.

"What to do... Nobody asked him to marry Cordelia. He can't simply just have our Irwins' princess!"

Chapter 390

Chapter 390

At the Tanners' residence at night...

Joe and Mandy were discussing how they would try for the joint hospital project in the study room while Nelly sat aside and listened attentively.

Mandy had wanted to let her go back to her room earlier to sleep and did not want her to know too much.

A few years ago, she had her guard up against Nelly and tried as much as possible not to let her get in touch with the Tanner Group's core business.

Joe did not think much about it. Nelly was not their biological daughter, but they had raised her to this day. It was impossible to say that they had no feelings for her. Moreover, Nelly was able to assist him in business.

"I don't know how the rumor came about," Joe said in a low tone. "But it's said that Rowan likes the Tanners the most among the four major families and wants to work with us." Mandy frowned.

She thought that it was ridiculous at first, but the rumor was growing more aggressive and sounded as if it was real.

Despite that, Rowan did not have any actual contact with the Tanners.

"Dad, is there really a rumor like this?" Nelly could not hide the triumph on her face.

"Yes." Joe looked at her with a complex gaze. "Do you know anything about this?"

"No." Nelly chortled. "It's just that the Hamertons lead the western suburbs project, and I've been following up recently and drafting many proposals for the joint hospital.

"The Hamertons' rationale is that since the land is already theirs, they can give up a share in the hospital project since it'll be built on that plot of land anyway.

"Dad, this is the outcome I've managed to obtain after several negotiations with representatives from the Hamerton Group. It hasn't been easy!"

Joe nodded. Perhaps the Hamertons were really sitting this one out. They could not actually take the land and the projects too, right? After all, the Hamertons had always upheld the notion that money was to be made together.

"If the Hamertons aren't fighting for this, the rumor might be true."

"You think this is good news?" Mandy scoffed. "Has the Hamerton Group clearly expressed that they aren't fighting for this project?"

"Mom, they didn't, but I can talk to Zephyr "

"Forget it!" Mandy snorted, "Who are you to Zephyr? Was the humiliation last time not enough?"

Nelly bit her lips.

"I think the rumor is a trap!" Mandy looked thoughtful. "The source is unknown. It must be targeting the Tanners!"

Joe narrowed his brows. "What do you mean?"

"The Tanner Group's having a financial crisis that it's already hard for us to merge funds. Do we have that extra money to build a hospital?

"Moreover, tall poppy syndrome. The more believable the rumor is that the Tanners will have it all, who are we offending? All the three other major families!"

Joe's heart dropped. He only cared about winning the hospital project that he had forgotten about these social pros and cons.

"The western suburbs' land belongs to the Hamertons. They should be the ones calling the shots. How would Rowan Irwin have eyes for us?"

Joe's frown was twisted into a knot. He had to give it to his wife that she was more meticulous than him in certain aspects. It was just that he wanted to go for the joint hospital project without caring about the price he had to pay.

"Joe, I think we should pull out," advised Mandy. "Zephyr's attitude is more than clear. He doesn't want a marriage with our family. He's defying Liam Hamerton openly. Would he regard us?

"At present, the Tanner Group isn't like it used to be... We have a financial crisis. We can only try to survive by being cautious. Perhaps, we'll be able to go through this safely!"

Joe was in deep thought, and the whole room went quiet like it was a vacuum.

After a tense moment, he pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray and said with determination, “We must get this project no matter what. Rowan's come to Centrolis for this joint hospital. It's apparent how much he prioritizes it!"

"Joe, you "

"Rowan might be able to heal Kelly!"

Mandy stared at him, and her eyes reddened instantly.

Nelly took a deep breath, the corner of her lips twitching. There was a flash of viciousness in her gaze as she adjusted her breathing and smiled.

"Dad, Kelly's already like that. We spent so much over the years, and nothing seems to help her get better. Will Mr. Irwin bring her back to life?

"Dad, mom, we want the joint hospital project to make more money, take the Tanner Group out of its crisis, and get closer to the Hamertons! Not solely—" "Shut up!" Mandy slapped her in rage.

Nelly was shocked. When she was able to react, her cheek was throbbing in pain, and there was a metallic taste of blood at the corner of her mouth. Mandy glared at her like she was burning a hole through her. She had long noticed that something was wrong with her daughter.

She did not know when it started, but Kelly refused to meet anyone or talk. She refused to see her own parents and was spending longer in bed.

Mandy could only ask the doctor about it, but she did not know that Nelly had bought over the doctor and nurses, so they only relayed the good news.

In addition to Joe's busy work and the Tanner Group having a crisis years ago, she helped her husband and ran the household-sometimes being unable to free time up for Kelly.

Meanwhile, Nelly had always been an obedient goody two-shoes in front of them, so she did not think of things in a negative light.

Today, however...

Mandy panted with a resentful gaze while Joe eyed her to warn her not to go over the line.

"Nelly, go back to your room first," he said.

Nelly held a hand over her face, shaking. She was going to turn around when a servant knocked on the door.

"Sir, madam, Mr. Bayer is here."

"What's he here for?" Joe was surprised.

Mandy was curious too but thinking about it, it was not all that surprising for Josiah to pay a visit when they were in frequent contact with the Bayers.

The few of them went downstairs.

Josiah got up to greet them, but his smile dimmed a lot more when he saw Nelly behind the couple.

"Josiah, you're here," Joe said with a smile. "Is there something important to bring you here at this time?"