The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan)

Chapter 519

The silence between Ronan and Cordelia was thick, charged with an unspoken tension so palpable

Cordelia thought she could hear his heart pounding in his chest.

Unable to resist the magnetic pull between them, Ronan leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Cordelia's

forehead. "I heard the university's about to appoint a new batch of honorary professors. I'm curious to

see who's made the cut this time, to see who's deemed worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with me,"

he said, his gaze locked onto Cordelia's eyes.

Cordelia's grip on his arm tightened as she stared back at him, a storm of thoughts whirling in her

head. “Does he know about Eason's arrival?” she wondered.

Afraid that a moment longer in his embrace would betray her inner turmoil, she stood up. Feeling

somewhat more composed, she said to Ronan, "I'm heading to the campus diner for a bite. Care to

join?"

"Sure," Ronan replied casually.

Cordelia was flustered. She had meant her invitation as a polite gesture, and was expecting him to

decline. Now, there was no taking it back.

The two made their way to the faculty diner. Cordelia grabbed two trays and handed one to Ronan.

"Just tell me what you want. I'll get it with my card," she told him. Cash wasn't accepted here, only

student or faculty cards.

To her surprise, Ronan didn't hold back. He ordered fish and chips, meatballs, a spicy chicken dish, a

few vegetarian options, and a bowl of soup.

"It's a pity, really," he said with a playful smirk.

"How so?" Cordelia asked with a hint of disdain, looking over the feast he had chosen.

"I was hoping to fleece you a bit, Ms. Haselwood. Sadly, the university's prices are so low, there's only

so much I can gain."

"I'm not made of money, you know."

"So, thinking of borrowing some? What happened to the funds I allocated to you? The one hundred

and fifty million? Just the interest on that sum exceeds your monthly salary."

Cordelia's hand faltered slightly. "That's your money, I didn't want to spend it. I only kept the five million

I was entitled to."

"So, you're saving up for me?" Ronan's voice was cold.

Cordelia was treating their past marriage as nothing more than a contractual agreement and only kept Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

the five million she felt she deserved. She had never truly seen herself as Mrs. Evans, deserving of

such a fortune.

"I'd feel guilty," she murmured.

The meal proceeded in silence until Petra showed up. Spotting Ronan and Cordelia, she made her way

over. "It's rare to see Mr. Evans here at the diner. A real treat," Petra commented.

"Have a seat," Ronan offered, masking any hint of discomfort. He was wary of Petra's sharp intellect

and feared she might harm Cordelia in some way.

Cordelia also politely invited Petra to join them.

"I hope I'm not intruding on the lovely couple," Petra said with a feigned innocence.

"There's no intrusion in sharing a meal," Ronan retorted.

The intimate air that had surrounded him at Cordelia's home was gone, replaced by an intimidating

aura that made Petra shiver. "Is there no way to get Harold out of enlistment?" Petra prodded.

"What way should there be? For what he's done, he's lucky to be alive," Ronan stated bluntly.

Petra shivered again, knowing full well that it could have been her in Harold's shoes. Since Harold's

fate was sealed, Petra took solace in believing they didn't suspect her involvement and sighed in relief.

Cordelia felt puzzled. Ronan hadn't spoken like this at her home. Why the sudden change? She

remained quiet, however.

"Anyone else who tries such cowardly acts will pay dearly," Ronan declared, wiping his mouth with a

napkin after finishing his meal. His refined manners at the table belied the severity of his words.

Petra, who knew Ronan from their school days, could not utter another word.