Novel Palace
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Mathilda was utterly bewildered by the unfolding drama, her mind only now catching up to the events at hand. She snapped her head to look at Cordelia, wondering how on earth this was happening.
Cordelia, a student in high school with a wallet as thin as her homework folder, couldn't afford such an expensive gift. It dawned on Mathilda that this had to be a gesture from Sanderson, didn't it?
Over the years, Sanderson had a habit of purchasing luxurious gifts for important family events, sending them through Mathilda to support Lorna and elevate the Wilson family's social standing.
This seemed like just another instance of Sanderson pulling the strings from behind the scenes, orchestrating Cordelia to deliver another power play for Lorna.
Shaking off her initial shock, Mathilda straightened her back and turned to Laurinda with grace. "So, are the coffee beans to your liking?"
"Absolutely!" Steward exclaimed, beaming as he took the few ounces of coffee beans and scurried off to the side, practically giddy with delight.
With the weekend visit to the Griffin family, these coffee beans would make an impression without the need to even consider rewrapping the gift!
Laurinda's disbelief was palpable. "How on earth did you manage to acquire this?"
Mathilda dropped her eyes in a display of cultivated elegance, her voice laced with enigmatic poise. "Never underestimate a university professor. A teacher affects eternity. One can never tell where their influence stops. Oh, but perhaps that's beyond you. Shall I explain?"
She meant the Wilson family had connections too. Underestimated Lorna at your peril!
Laurinda was flushed, her body trembling with barely contained rage.
Mathilda had a knack for delivering words with a serene sophistication that could infuriate anyone to their core.
Lorna remained silent, nodding in acknowledgment at Laurinda's begrudging warning to be more careful with her chores at home.
Cordelia, relieved to see the situation resolved, hefted her backpack, her mind already on the math homework Latham had assigned. As she made her way upstairs, she paused, glancing back at Laurinda with a nonchalant suggestion, "Perhaps keep those coffee beans out of the everyday cabinet to avoid any... mishaps."
Silence fell as Cordelia's words hit their mark. She continued up to her room without another glance, leaving Laurinda flustered and Steward deep in thought.
Once in her room, Cordelia shut out the noise from downstairs as she dove into her studies, determined to tackle this problem about coffee beans without resorting to advanced methods.
It wasn't until Lorna called for her at dinner that Cordelia snapped out of her academic trance.
Descending the stairs, Lorna shared the household news, “Sandra, the maid responsible for the coffee bean mishap, had been spared from dismissal by Steward, albeit with a hefty fine and a demotion to tending the back garden.
Cordelia merely nodded, understanding the implications.
The coffee beans as gifts were placed in the daily-use cabinet. That must be the trick of Laurinda.
Sandra's punishment would ensure the staff's respect for Lorna from now on.
Dinner proceeded with Cordelia barely noticing the venomous glares from Laurinda and Juliana. Oblivious as usual, she finished her meal quickly and retreated to her room to continue studying.
Mathilda wanted to engage her in conversation, but Cordelia was already lost in her world of numbers and equations. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
The following morning, Mathilda departed early, leaving Lorna a question, “Did you ask Sanderson where he bought those coffee beans?”
Lorna shook her head, “I haven’t asked him on the phone. I will ask him after he comes back.”
By the time Cordelia got up, Mathilda had left.
Anyway, Cordelia had to go to visit Mathilda on weekends, so she didn't care. Cordelia got off at Midnight Scent as usual.
Just as she was about to enter the shop, she spotted a girl with pink hair, dressed in a school uniform, kicking pebbles along the street.
Merry?
Sensing Cordelia's gaze, Merry looked up, brightened, and started to approach but quickly ducked into an alley at the sight of Latham.
He was pedaling an old bike that creaked and wobbled as if it might fall apart at any moment. Wiping the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, he asked Cordelia if she'd seen Merry.
Cordelia glanced at the alleyway but remained silent, prompting Latham to give up and resume his search elsewhere, leaving a message for Merry to stop hiding even if she didn't dye her hair back.
After he left, Merry emerged, her voice trailing off as she reflected on Latham's frugality and her family's wealth in contrast to his financial struggles.
Cordelia, ever practical, queried, "You really like pink, huh?"
"It's not that," Merry replied, conflicted.
Merry wanted to say something, but when she caught sight of Cordelia's fresh face, the words died on her lips. "Never mind, you wouldn't get it," she mumbled.
With that, Merry turned on her heel and left.
"Where are you off to?" Cordelia called after her.
Merry didn't turn back, just waved her hand in the air, her pink hair fluttering behind her like a pastel banner.
Once Merry was out of sight, Cordelia entered Midnight Scent.
Breakfast was ready and waiting. She slid into her usual spot at the table, joining Everard and Little Fang. It wasn't until they had polished off their plates that Cordelia realized just how quickly she'd adapted to this routine over the last three days.
But Everard hadn't made any other demands. Was the whole point of his spell just to have her run errands every day?
What was she supposed to buy today? She had brought home coffee beans yesterday, but what now?
Cordelia pondered for a while, only to conclude that she lacked for nothing. After all, Lorna had been thorough, leaving no stone unturned in her preparations.
Deciding not to dwell on it, Cordelia fished out a crisp hundred-dollar bill and placed it on the table, her voice leisurely as she said, "Get a box of balloons, I guess."
Everard, who had been about to stand, froze mid-motion.