SWNOVELS Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Sanderson had been wheeling and dealing in the business world for years, his
instincts honed to a razor'n edge. It didn’t take more than a glance for him to
surmise there was something extraordinary about Everard. Everard carried
himself with a grace and sophistication that simply couldn't be bred in an average
household. Moreover, there was a chilling aloofness to his demeanor that didn't
quite scream “boy—next—door.
Racking his brain, Sanderson couldn't place who or what Everard might be, but
he was determined to find out, ever at the risk of offending Everard. He couldn't
stand the thought of Cordelia being duped or taken advantage of.
Everard stood his ground, his deep eyes locked on Sanderson, clearly perceiving
the wariness in Sanderson's gaze.
“Tough nut to crack, Lia's father,” Everard thought, letting his head droop slightly
as he shed his usual cool exterior. With deference that seemed almost out of
character, he said, “Mr. Delaney, I'm Cordella’s boyfriend, Everard Watkins.”
Sanderson wasn't asking about that, though. Pursing his lips, he pressed on,
“What's your connection with Calvert, or should I say, with Bill?"
Everard wasn't in the business of deceit. His lips parted slightly as he considered
his response carefully, “We've worked together in the past.”
Sanderson raised an eyebrow, “Business partners?”
A nod from Everard, “Yes.”
Calvert, standing to the side, couldn't help but twitch his lips in amusement.
Yeah, business partners with Everard who even calls him “boss. Even Bill didn’t
get that kind of treatment.
But Sanderson caught on to a particular word, “Past?”
Everard nodded again. The less said about his past identity, the better.
“And now?” Sanderson probed further.
“Now, I'm no longer with GoldGrasp Enterprises,” Everard revealed.
GoldGrasp Enterprises, Bill's financial empire, with tendrils stretching across the
nation.
“Why leave?” Sanderson blurted out instinctively.
Everard's gaze grew distant, perhaps recalling past events, and he said with a
touch of nostalgia, “GoldGrasp Enterprises didn't need me anymore.”
Those words, together with Everard’s melancholic and somewhat defeated air,
led Sanderson to misinterpret.
He knew all too well the struggles of starting a business, having built one from
the ground up with partners, only to step away due to differing visions and the
desire not to sever ties with friends.
Understanding the sting of abandonment, Sanderson empathized with Everard,
who seemed reluctant to discuss the past, and perhaps that was why he was so
reticent.
And there he was, the proprietor of a humble establishment called Midnight
Scent, seemingly lacking ambition. Had his spirit been crushed, leaving him
unable to move forward?
That seemed like the most logical explanation.
Having worked with Bill, Everard must've left with a hefty sum, enough to fund his
new venture and his sharp
attire.
Otherwise, it was hard to picture someone of his stature living without purpose.
And with Calvert staying at Everard's place upon his arrival in Greenmeadow,
perhaps it was out of a sense of
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Chapter 116
debt?
Sanderson clapped Everard on the shoulder, his suspicion waning as he offered
words of encouragement, “Everyone hits a rough patch, but that's the time to rise
up, not to fall into apathy. You're a young man, and you've got this. I believe in
you.”
Everard was momentarily speechless. It seemed he had been somewhat
misunderstood.
But this misunderstanding had clearly worked in his favor, elevating Sanderson's
opinion of him.
Everard's lips moved, his earlier reverie turning to sorrow as he asked softly,
“Really?”
Sanderson nodded firmly.
Everard narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression one of admiration, “Could I
seek advice from you, Mr. Delaney, when I'm feeling lost?"
Feeling the pride of an elder, Sanderson readily agreed, “Anytime.”
He added with a chuckle, “Next time my company needs office supplies, and you
can't turn us down.”
Everard hesitated, then realized, “Your company approached us last time?”
Sanderson nodded, having kept the transaction anonymous out of respect for
Everard's pride. He patted Everard's shoulder again, “Opening Midnight Scent
will only make you complacent. If you're ready to get back into the game, maybe
I can find a position for you at my company?”
Everard nodded, “I'm thinking of taking a bit more time off, but I'll surely trouble
you then.”
“No trouble at all.” Sanderson beamed, thoroughly enjoying their conversation.
Calvert, meanwhile, was dumbfounded. Everard, who had relinquished control of
GoldGrasp Enterprises to avoid the hassle of management and refused even the
title of chairman, was considering a position at the Delaney Group, a mere blip
compared to his empire.
If word got out, Bill might just storm over in a fit of betrayal.
Calvert, trying to follow Everard, found himself cornered by guests, “Mr. Wallace,
it's a pleasure, I'm..."
Despite Calvert claiming Everard was his friend, Hackett had stuck by Calvert's
side, leaving Everard to take care of himself, an indication that Calvert was the
one with the real clout.
And with Sallie out of the picture, others saw their chance.
After a few more exchanges with Everard and sharing some business insights,
Sanderson's admiration grew the point where he addressed Everard by his name
with ease.
But duty called, and he excused himself to mingle with the other guests.
Upon his return, he noticed Cordelia and Loma still seated on the couch, with
Everard nowhere in sight. “Where's Everard?” he asked.
Cordelia replied without looking up from her math problems, “Bathroom, maybe?”
She'd been grinding through math problems for months and was almost through
the entire set. Occasionally, she felt it was all a bit monotonous
After making the necessary round of schmoozing at the party, Sanderson was
ready for the evening to wind down. Instead of mingling further, he chose to sit
next to Cordelia, finding themselves in a quiet corner. He leaned in and
whispered earnestly, “Lia, I've been thinking, Everard seems like a good fit. What
do you say we hire him?”
He knew Cordelia was a sharp one, a real bookworm, not the type who'd be
drawn to the hustle of business. But the company would be hers one day, and
perhaps Everard could take the reins.
Cordelia replied with a simple, “No need.”
to
Chapter 116
Sanderson was taken aback, “Why's that?”
With a nonchalant tone, Cordelia answered, “We'll break up eventually.”
Once that ridiculous “Love or Die” curse was lifted, their paths would likely never
cross again.
This only confused Sanderson further, “You don't like him? Then why not end it
now?”
Cordelia knew
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answer would sound bizarre, but
there was no other way to explain it.
Sn 8
She slowly said, “If I leave him now,
) ” :
it'll hurt too much.” The content is on
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chapter there!
“Do young people today really fall in and out of love so dramatically?” Sanderson
just couldn't grasp it.
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The thought of a future breakup
cic)
brought a dull ache to Cordelia’s
chest. She decided to stand up,
: “pr . 3
announcing, “I'll go upstairs to Little
, . ”
Flame's room to hang out with them.
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As she rose and made her way to the second floor, a figure suddenly dashed
out...
Quick on her feet, she was about to sidestep when Everard, even quicker,
grabbed her hands and pulled her int a nearby storage room.
In the cramped space, his towering presence penned her in.
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His eyes darkened with frustration,
having overheard that troubling
uw ) »
phrase, “We'll break up eventually.” A
twing of annoyance bubbled within
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chapter there!
“She is so irresponsible,” he thought.
With that, he abruptly leaned down and captured her lips in a fervent kiss.
Chapter 117