Clark returned a while later with a laptop in his hands.When Cordelia was done eating, he waved for the servants to take her cutlery away and placed the laptop in front of her.Zephyr thought that it was odd too and went closer for a look. There were rows of entries and tightly packed numbers on the screen.“These are the accounts, not the company’s, but the whole Hamerton Manor’s.” Liam’s tone was nonchalant. “Cordelia, have a closer look. See if there’s anything wrong.”“Grandpa—”Zephyr wanted to say something, but Cordelia privately put a hand over the back of his hand. She gave him a look and shook her head lightly. She knew that Liam was testing her.Since she had found out about the illegal trade on the western suburbs’ land being related to Matthew, Liam had looked at her differently. He frequently asked Zephyr to take her home for meals and sometimes asked her questions in feigned nonchalance.Smart as Cordelia was, her answers had been tactful. She had been tested on
“And…” Cordelia gave it a thought. “The security fee and personal bodyguards fee overlap. They should be removed as well.”“What?” Liam paused.Cordelia explained calmly, “Grandpa Liam, Hamerton Manor already has the most advanced security system and hired the best security staff stationed across the site. There’s no need for personal bodyguards, right? Since they’re personal bodyguards, they should go under personal accounts. It doesn’t make sense for the main household to pay for them!”Zephyr was inwardly gleeful and gave his wife a thumbs up.The issue Cordelia spoke of hit Matthew and Yale right on the head.Among the Hamerton children, aside from Zephyr, who the patriarch regarded the highest, he had male cousins who worked in the main company. His female cousins were doing well as well in their own subsidiaries.Yale was the only one who never made a cent in the family but spent lavishly each month that Clark had to rack his brain to balance his account.As for personal b
Cordelia was stunned. Her cheeks were dusted pink, and the corners of her lips turned up. Ripples spread in her heart, but she kept a nonchalant look, maintaining extremely good poise.Liam admired her calm composure.“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” he said with a chuckle. “You’ll be the lady of the house anyway after you marry Zephyr. The family business will be passed to both of you. Hah… I’ve been busy all my life. I can finally have some peace!”“Grandpa…” Zephyr looked at him in surprise, so happy that he could barely speak.“Why the face?” Liam scanned him.Zephyr smiled. “Haven’t you been rejecting this? I was just thinking of telling you about my proposal to Cordelia these two days—”“You brat!” Before he finished, Liam glared at him. “Who did you say rejected what!?”Zephyr froze.“Clark, have I disagreed with anything?”“Of course not, sir!” Clark took Liam’s side swiftly. “Mr. Zephyr, have you remembered it wrong? Elder Mr. Hamerton has always liked Ms. Cordelia
“Oh.” Zephyr nodded.Liam sighed and was deep in thought. “She’s wonderful, but her birth…”‘Birth?’Zephyr smirked. Although he looked down on Rowan—and the old geezer had probably lost his mind recently, treating him like an enemy whenever he saw him—the man was still Cordelia’s biological father.He could tolerate him. One’s love had to extend to their family too, right?Zephyr composed himself and was planning to tell Liam about Cordelia’s birth, but before the words left his mouth, Liam suddenly looked at him in resolution.“Zephyr, I’ve decided to find Cordelia a family to get her godparents!”“What?” Zephyr was astonished.“The marriage of convenience is passed down for generations among the four major families.” Liam wore a complicated gaze. “This is the rule left by the ancestors. It can’t be broken here at my time.“But I really like Cordelia, so the best choice is to give her godparents.”“Grandpa—”“I’ll find her a family with a significant background. This way,
When Zephyr returned to Royal Manor, Cordelia was learning from Helen in the kitchen.Helen reduced the heat while the soup in the clay pot bubbled. The whole house was aromatic and filled with simple warmth.“The last step is to add this… and done!” Helen taught Cordelia step by step, and the latter learned seriously.“That’s all?”“Yeap!”“Mm.” Cordelia took a deep breath. “It does smell better with these added.”“You and Mr. Z can both have some of this soup. Winter’s starting now, and it’s cold and dry. It’s time for some nourishment.”“Okay,” Cordelia assented with a smile, putting the lid back on the pot and turning the fire off.Helen was astonished. “Y-You’re not drinking?”“I’ll wait for him to return and have it together!”“Didn’t Mr. Z go to the manor today? He probably won’t be back so soon! Just have your portion and leave him his!”“No way! It isn’t the same eating by myself.” Cordelia smiled. “I want to wait for him!”The girl’s sweet voice jolted Zephyr, who
”Ms. Lulham!” Someone made a sensual drawl of a cry and sashayed her way to Trinity. She looked at her with a coquettish complaint and plopped herself down on the empty seat next to her.“What is it?” Trinity pinched between her brows, looking tired.Said someone was Millie Hill. She had spent years working happily with Trinity and was also a significant award-winning actress in the industry.She was one of the outstanding performers when the female artists had worked together to embarrass Michelle back at the Tanners’ event.Although she was fussy and occasionally fantasized about having a sugar daddy, her acting talent and skill were unbeatable. The credit was partially hers in the few films with which Trinity had won awards.Basically, both of them had contributed significantly to each other’s careers coming to this day.“I mean, can you change the second lead?” Millie was straightforward. “With how we’re filming, when are we finishing the scene between her and me? I’m still w
Trinity went up to look at Michelle seriously. “Michelle, this scene is a close-up shot, so we’ll need your cooperation.“Which means this take… will be a real hit.”“What!?” Michelle’s face fell. She snickered after a while, “Hah, this is all the famous director Ms. Trinity Lulham knows? Why does it have to be a real hit?”Trinity did her best to keep her cool. “I told you. It’s a close-up shot. To have the best effect, it can only be a real hit. But don’t worry, Millie’s an experienced actress. She often had to do the same during filming last time. She knows how to control herself.”“As if!” Michelle glared at her. “Trinity, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Do I have to actually let the car run over me in an accident scene when I have to take a real hit in a slapping scene?”Trinity was at a loss for words at that moment.Back then… Trinity promised Frederic she would treat Michelle well when the latter joined the crew. Frederic even bought her a meal because he was
Trinity froze and turned to the door stiffly.As expected, Frederic was standing there. There were many crew members there as well.Trinity caught the disappointment in Frederic’s eyes. She wanted to explain herself but felt choked. Her lips moved, but there was no sound produced.Michelle threw herself into Frederic’s arms in front of everyone.Frederic froze, his hand hesitant before he patted Michelle’s shoulder lightly.“Frederic, listen…” Trinity bit her lips. “Just now…”“I heard about it just now, and I saw it too.” Frederic’s voice was calm without any ruffle of emotions, but his eyes were clearly brimming with disappointment toward her.Trinity’s heart clenched, and pain spread all over her.Frederic stepped toward her with a complicated gaze. “Trinity, Michelle’s a singer and has just shifted her path to acting. She mustn’t know a lot of rules. Please teach her patiently, will you? If there’s something she did wrong, I’ll apologize on behalf of her—”“Mr. Constable,