Novel Square
Chapter 296
Chapter 296
Everard's mom, that would make her his mother-in-law, wouldn't it?
The thought had barely crossed Cordelia's mind when she blurted out into her phone, "Hello, mother-in-law."
After she said it, Cordelia, for the first time ever, found her brain short-circuiting, as a series of question marks popped up in her mind: ???
What had she just said?
Staring with her wide, bewildered eyes, she found herself momentarily speechless. Turning her head, she caught Everard trying to suppress a laugh.
His usually sharp features softened with his smile, making his usually cold demeanor seem much warmer.
From the other end of the phone came a cheerful voice, "Hello there, my dear!"
Cordelia: ".......
The voice continued, "This is my personal number. If that boy of mine ever gives you trouble, you call me, and I'll fly over to set him straight!" Overwhelmed, Cordelia tried to respond calmly, "Oh, okay."
"By the way, Thanksgiving's coming up. Do you need anything? Or, should me and his dad come over for a visit?"
Cordelia: ???
"Are you in Greenmeadow, dear? How old are you this year?"
Cordelia: "Eighteen."
"What?!" The shock was evident in the woman's voice. "Hand the phone to Everard."
Confused, Cordelia passed the phone to Everard but stayed close enough to hear Mrs. Watkins scolding him, "You scoundrel, she's only eighteen, and you went after her?"
Everard: "
Cordelia:
"All right, all right. Since you've made your bed, your dad and I will come over and smooth things out. We'll come visit and arrange an engagement. Once she's of legal age, you two can marry!"
Everard: "That won't be necessary."
Mrs. Watkins: "??? What do you mean? You're not planning to take responsibility?"
Everard winced, "It's just that she's not quite ready for me to do so."
His identity as the founder of Fortuna Group had already been a lot for Lorna and Sanderson to take in. If his parents actually showed up, wouldn't that scare them even more?
Besides, she hasn't warmed up to me yet!
There was a pause on the line before Mrs. Watkins burst into laughter, "Ah, I see! You haven't won her over yet, have you?"
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"
"Ha, you've always been top-notch, but with that perpetual undertaker's face, who would fall for you? If I were her, I'd keep my distance too!"
Is this what maternal support sounds like?
Everard finally spoke, "Hanging up now."
Just before ending the call, he heard Mrs. Watkins say, "Then don't bother coming home for Thanksgiving. When you've won her over, then you can come home. Otherwise, what face do you have to show?"
Cordelia: ".
"1
No wonder Everard had said their Thanksgiving plans were still up in the air.
She suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for him.
Time flew by, and soon it was Thanksgiving Eve.
Everard arrived, bearing thoughtful gifts, and was met with warm smiles from Sanderson and Lorna. They appreciated that despite revealing his true identity, he remained
Sanderson as "Uncle" just as before. Knowing his true status had initially made them anxious, but his
humble and respectfet
demeanor put their fears to rest.
Upon hearing he wasn't going home for the holiday, they invited him to stay for dinner.
During dinner, Sanderson suddenly asked, "What do your parents do?"
Everard replied leisurely, "They're in public service."
Sanderson nodded in understanding, then asked, "Aren't they missing you for not coming home for Thanksgiving?"
Everard sighed, "They're even busier during the holidays."
The TV in the background announced a news piece about a high-ranking official and his spouse visiting a local community to celebrate with the public.
"That makes sense, public servants have their hands full during the holidays," Sanderson remarked upon seeing the news.
Cordelia, overhearing the TV, felt a strange familiarity with the female voice, but the news quickly moved on before she could dwell on it.
After dinner, as they stayed up to watch the New Year's Eve gala, Everard entertained Cordelia with snacks while she studied her chemistry notes. "Little one, stop studying for a moment and look at me," Everard teased.
"Why should I? It's not like your face is a textbook," Cordelia retorted, barely glancing up.
"But it is," Everard insisted.
Curious, Cordelia gave him a more thorough look but saw nothing amiss. "No, it's not."Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Everard grinned, "It's written all over my face that I like you."
Cordelia: ".
"
Was this a... proposal?
Cordelia had practically become immune to Everard's nonsense at this point!
She barely suppressed a smirk,
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ready to retort, when from the bedroom, Mathilda's voice cut through, "Everard, can you come here a sec? Need you to grab a book
from the top shelf for me."
Everard raised an eyebrow, leisurely getting up and heading towards the bedroom.
Leaving Cordelia alone in the living room.
Her phone buzzed. Picking it up, she saw a text from Yates, filled with new year's wishes, sent early just in case the signal was bad at midnight.
Seeing the message, Cordelia replied, "Hope the new year sees you ace your way into Superiority College!"
Little Flame: "Grinning like an idiot.jpg"
Little Flame: "Oh, I've got this in the bag!"
That confidence... If Cordelia didn't
know his fundamentals were practically non-existent, she might have believed him!! But she had faith in Little Flame!
After sending her message and exiting the chat, she found herself staring at Mr. All-Round's contact for a moment before sending: "Happy New Year,
coach."
Just then, a "ding" sounded.
She blinked, realizing Everard's phone had been left on the couch and was now lighting up with a new message.
Without thinking, her eyes drifted over to it.