The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 119

"In our office, someone's real designer bag has been swapped for a fake one." someone announced

loudly.

Well, ever since Cordelia got married to the president, the green-eyed monster had been running

rampant amongst her colleagues.

Cordelia was engrossed in her work at the computer, but she was well aware of the juicy drama

unfolding in the office. She only just noticed that Manda's bag was also from Chanel, and it was

identical to hers.

"Cut the crap. She's the president's wife. You think making a ruckus will do you any good?"

"I heard she's been banished to the dorms these days, kicked out by Mr. Evans because she didn't

meet his standards."

...

Cordelia had a crash course on how the Finance Department folks loved to kick someone when they

were down.

"Cordelia, check your bag. Manda's bag has been swapped and yours is just like hers." Someone

started to defend Manda.

After all, compared to Cordelia, they were all underdogs, especially Manda, who had been bullied by

Cordelia to the point of leaving the company. She had only just returned and now her bag had been

swapped. Everyone was jealous of Cordelia and liked to help the disadvantaged.

"Why would I be the suspect just because her bag was swapped?" Cordelia responded calmly. "If I did

it, would I make it so obvious?"

"Maybe you're the real culprit." The colleagues chimed in again.

More colleagues returned from lunch, all eager to watch the drama unfold.

"If it turns out my bag isn't hers, who's going to take the blame?" Cordelia challenged.

No one dared to respond.

Cordelia was beginning to piece together Adrian's scheme. He had likely colluded with Manda in

advance, had her photograph her real bag, especially the hologram label, then bought a fake one for

Adrian to swap with Cordelia's real bag. But Manda still held all the receipts and proofs of purchase. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Cordelia would be left holding the bag, literally, with no way to prove her innocence.

But when did Adrian start collaborating with Manda?

Luckily, Cordelia had prepared for this.

Jordan returned and seeing everyone gathered, and asked what was going on. He told the colleagues

to return to work, then he leaned in to whisper to Cordelia, "Cordelia, $3,500 isn't chump change. Since

this has happened in our office, I kindly request you to open your bag to settle this matter. After all, the

innocent have nothing to fear."

Cordelia stood her ground, "Mr. Jordan, you don't believe me either?"

She knew it was a matter of time before trouble brewed with Manda in the same office. She was

already fed up with the Finance Department. Now she had zero attachment to it. There were too many

backstabbers and rubberneckers and even the finance director was no exception.

"I know, but Cordelia..." Jordan certainly hoped Cordelia was in trouble.

Cordelia came from humble background. Even though she was now married to the president, old habits

died hard. Perhaps she wasn't accustomed to the finer things in life and now that she had a taste, she

wanted to claim them as her own.

Jordan had always preferred Manda over Cordelia. Now that Cordelia was suspected of theft, he

figured Ronan would feel the same. Even if she were ultimately proven innocent, being accused of theft

would cast a shadow in Ronan's mind. The Audit Department was a crucial unit and Ronan would

never let a woman once accused of theft in.

Under normal circumstances, the office wasn't the place to resolve such disputes. But $3,500 was no

small amount. Moreover, Jordan wanted to see Cordelia's pride crumble. It was clear from Cordelia's

plain clothes and ordinary bags that Ronan didn't lavish her with luxuries. So this Chanel bag definitely

wasn't a gift from Ronan. With this in mind, Jordan was even more convinced of his suspicions.

"I am the president's wife!" Cordelia declared loudly now.

The colleagues started whispering amongst themselves, "So what if she's the president's wife?" "Can't

stand her cocky attitude."

"Then I have no choice but to take this up with the president." Jordan announced and headed upstairs.

He wanted Ronan to see that his wife was a thief. After seeing Manda's receipt and pictures of her old

bag, Jordan was certain of his judgment.