Chapter 93
“No way!” Steward was the first to oppose. After uttering those two words, he started coughing again.
In the past, whenever he coughed like that, Sanderson would relent, but today Sanderson poured a glass of water and handed it to him with a resolute look in his eyes.
Steward took a sip of the water, quelling the itch in his throat, and then set the cup down on the coffee table with a sigh. “I don’t have many years left. Can’t you guys wait to split the estate until after I’m gone?”
Sanderson spoke up. “Dad, are you okay with Lia going out to dinner with Calvert?”
Steward darkened his face instantly, “Of course not!”
Sanderson felt a warmth in his heart, but before he could speak, Steward softened his tone, “But if Calvert is earnest in pursuing Cordelia, I might consider it. But he’d have to show sreal commitment. Cordelia must be married properly and with respect.”
Sanderson remained silent, and his gaze gradually grew colder.
Steward had always favored him since he was a child. When times were tough and there were only two eggs at home, Laurinda would give one to Kermit and one to Steward. And more often than not, Steward would hide his, sneaking it to Sanderson later. But his emphasis on family interests was too strong.
Sanderson didn’t want to argue anymore, “Dad, let’s split the estate.”
Cordelia had been standing at the doorway all this time. Her eyes were lowered. Within her detached gaze, there was now a touch of softness.
She never felt much belonging to this family, but at this moment, she truly felt she was protected by her parents.
Seeing Sanderson so adamant, Steward was about to say something to make him stay, while Kermit suddenly spoke up, “Yeah, let’s split up! We should divide the estate! It’s always Sanderson holding us back. If we’d invested in that project, we’d be making money by now! I want my share!”
Steward was taken aback, looking incredulously at Kermit, “You want to split the estate too?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtKermit nodded, “Yes, I’m nearly fifty. It’s tI made my decisions. Why should I still have to listen to Sanderson?”
Steward was stunned.
Laurinda snorted coldly. “Darling, both your sons are no longer coordinated. Why force them to stay together? Let’s just split it! But the estate should be divided into four, I want my share!”
For Steward, with both sons and his wife wanting to split, he knew it was inevitable, even if he disagreed. He took a deep breath and said, ‘Fine, if you want to split the estate, we’ll do it fairly!”
He lowered his gaze, “I’ll divide the company shares into two, one half for Sanderson, and the other half into three for me, Kermit, and Laurinda. Do you agree?”
Kermit immediately protested, “Why does Sanderson get half?”
Laurinda also chimed in, “Yeah, why does he get as much as the three of us?”
Steward slapped his armrest, “Thé company was built by Sanderson. The development it’s seen over the years is thanks to his hard work! Half is his due!”
Laurinda objected, “I disagree, the money we made when we were united was for the whole family!”
Kermit, shameless, added, “Yeah, I don’t agree either. When the family only had a few thousand dollars, it all went to Sanderson for business. Not a penny for me!”
Steward shouted back, “Back then all you knew was playing cards. What good would give you money have
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done?”
Kermit was unabashed, “I don’t care, the estate is in your name. We’re both your sons. You can’t favor one over
the other.”
Before Steward could retort, Sanderson spoke, “Let’s just divide everything into four equal parts.” He didn’t want to take advantage of his family and decided to split things in the fairest way possible.
At the sight of Sanderson’s resolution, Steward inhaled deeply, “Alright, four equal parts it is. The cash will be split four ways as well. As for the properties, aside from this family home, we have four villas, one for dach. As for this family home, your mother and I will stay here. Kermit, you move out!”
Without the instigation of Rachel and Juliana, Laurinda couldn’t cause much trouble alone.
But Kermit and Rachel exchanged glances, both understanding each other’s thoughts.
Steward and Laurinda still held shares in the company. If Sanderson stayed in the family home, wouldn’t all that eventually go to him?
Kermit immediately went to Laurinda’s side, shaking her shoulders and pleading, “Mom, I can’t leave you. I want to live with you!”
Rachel gave Juliana a look, and Juliana too quickly teared up, “Grandma, I can’t bear to leave you.”
Laurinda, swayed by their pleading, declared, “No, Lorna and I don’t get along. Cordelia, that girl, doesn’t even seeas her grandma. I want to live with Kermit!”
Steward glared, “Then you go live with Kermit. I’ll stay with Sanderson!”
Laurinda immediately launched into crying, making a scene with an air of threatening despair, “Is ungrateful Sanderson trying to throwout? Why is my life so miserable?*
eus.come
Sanderson looked at Steward, “Dad, keep the family home. Let’s not fight anymore. If you miss us, cstay at my place for a few days.”
Steward, watching the chaos in the living room, his gaze fell on Sanderson who used to follow him around, now a man standing tall with white hair at his temples.
Sanderson had aged too.
Steward reddened her eyes, “Okay.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThey called a lawyer right then and there, and drafted a property division agreement. After signing, they handed it to Steward, who then passed his share of the stocks to Sanderson, “Sanderson, I entrust my share
to you.”
Sanderson wanted to refuse, but Steward pushed the agreement into his hands and went upstairs.
Steward in his seventies, once tall and strong, now hunched. The sight of him with his hands behind his back was particularly heart–wrenching.
Sanderson remained silent.
Upstairs, Sanderson and Lorna spoke to Cordelia with a smile, “Our new his a small villa. It’s smaller than this place, but it’s a lot more comfortable. Pack up tonight, we’ll move first thing in the morning!”
Cordelia nodded.
Her belongings were few. She packed a suitcase and then started to study.
The next morning, with a bright smile, Lorna handed Cordelia a plate of scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. “Tonight, let Larry take you to your new place. I’ll follow with your luggage,” she said.
Cordelia nodded in agreement. Stepping outside, she saw her car parked at the curb. She hopped in, and the engine hummed to life.
As they drove, Cordelia busied herself with a book. After a while, she glanced up and out the window, a sense
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Chapter 93
of unease washing over her.
This wasn’t the way to school!
She looked up sharply, only to see Kermit, her uncle, grinning at her from the driver’s seat. “Cordelia, doa favor, will you? Keep Mr. Wallace company at breakfast,” he chuckled.
At Midnight Scent.
Cordelia, who usually arrived by 7:20 AM at the latest, hadn’t shown up. Everard, sitting behind the counter. couldn’t focus on his book. He kept glancing at the door, a mix of concern and anticipation brewing within him.