Chapter 39

Cordelia stood frozen, her mind a whirlwind of disbelief as Rachel’s seemingly rational but ultimately twisted words filled the air. “You nailed the national first place in the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition, so acing that math league and getting that scholarship is a given. Diving into the physics contest is the icing on the cake. But if Juliana breaks into the national top sixty in physics, she can snag a scholarship, too. Imagine the Delaney sisters both getting a free ride to college. It’ll be the talk of the town.”

Laurinda was quickly convinced. “Exactly! That way, our family can finally shake off the nouveau riche label. Cordelia, drop that physics prep class tomorrow.”

Cordelia gave the three a detached glance, paused a little, and then drawled, “Top sixty all get scholarships.”

It meant aside from her, there were fifty–nine other spots up for grabs.

Juliana was good at physics but wasn’t anywhere near number one in the country. So Cordelia didn’t need to give up this competition at all.

Rachel cut in with a sly grin. “Isn’t it true that one less competitor means a better chance? Lia, do you agree? How about I sweeten the deal with a new Hermès?”

“No need! With that kind of money, we’d better get Juliana a new dress!” Laurinda scolded. “We’re family. We should help each other. It’s settled! Did you hear, Cordelia?”

Cordelia responded leisurely, “Yeah.”

Laurinda managed a rare smile. “That’s more like it…”

“But I don’t agree.”

Laurinda’s smile froze. “What?”

Cordelia didn’t look at her again, returned the gift box to Rachel, and headed upstairs.

Laurinda cursed, “Such an ungrateful little bitch, I knew it. She’s nothing but trouble to this family! And her mother can’t even keep the books straight. Now that you’re back, Rachel, you should take over the household!”

Rachel’s eyes flickered. “Let’s talk about that later, Laurinda.”

hearing that. She turned to the maid

the back garden.” The maid

went upstairs to drop off her backpack and headed downstairs toward

head was

the end, they couldn’t pin down the culprit. Lorna decided to dock everyone half a month’s

Any future issues would be her responsibility, a tactic she

into chaos throughout the day. She didn’t even have

she was reconciling August’s financial statements with

Lorna. He was reporting with a smug grin. “Lady Lorna, this page details the daily expenses. Eggs were at

a two percent loss. That’s the cost for eggs, and then there’s the

temples “Just

an outrageously inflated figure.

Hank either itemized everything meticulously

no issues for years It’s getting dark. Please approve next month’s budget so I

September. If she didn’t approve on the spot, Hank would dare to hold back provisions and blame

Lorna was fuming.

been skimming from the Delaney family’s expenses for years.

Lorna thought she could get him to reduce daily

for their money.

anger. Just as Hank was basking in

turned to see Cordelia

ponytail swaying behind her, Cordelia exuded an inexplicable sense of authority as she approached.

stood beside Lorna like a guard and gazed

a complicated list of organic vegetable costs, each varying by

five minutes, expecting Cordelia to be lost. But when he finished, she delivered an exact figure. Stunned and sweating, Hank faltered under Cordelia’s relentless scrutiny. One by one, she addressed the discrepancies in his

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