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.”

stairs, Cordelia paused upon hearing that. She turned to the maid cleaning on the second

the back garden.”

a thoughtful nod, Cordelia went upstairs to drop off her backpack

head was

down the culprit. Lorna decided to dock everyone half a

Any future issues would be her responsibility, a tactic she borrowed from Sanderson Management that proved

into chaos throughout the day. She didn’t even have time to catch her

reconciling August’s financial statements

reporting with a smug grin. “Lady Lorna, this page details the daily expenses. Eggs were at $1.8 each, with the family consuming fifty a day and the staff another fifty. For the party at the beginning

two percent loss. That’s the cost for eggs, and then there’s the greens, pork, beef, chicken… Lorna, are you following?”

temples “Just give

outrageously inflated

to spend so much But Hank either itemized everything meticulously or lumped it into a total that demanded approval,

no issues for years It’s getting dark. Please approve

she didn’t approve on the spot, Hank would dare

Lorna was fuming.

triumphantly. He’d been skimming from the

Lorna thought she could get him to reduce daily

hesitated, his contempt grew. “Madam, please hurry up. Everyone’s waiting for their money. If you can’t handle it,

was basking in his arrogance, a cold voice

was dumbfounded. He turned to see

her school uniform with a ponytail swaying behind her, Cordelia exuded an inexplicable sense of authority as she

like a guard and gazed at Hank.

off a complicated list of

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

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