Chapter 101 Cordelia Returns
Three years later.
Elvaron Stellar Hub Airport.
Alaric finished his trip and was heading back to Shadowpine.
He sat in the waiting lounge, waiting for his flight.
His face was cold as he held his phone, reading the latest financial news. His intimidating presence was so strong that no one dared to sit in the seats on either side of him.
"Alaric."
Janet walked to the entrance of the VIP lounge and spotted Alaric's strikingly handsome face. She paused for a moment, then composed herself gracefully.
Alaric glanced sideways and saw Janet walking toward him in a plain white dress.
His expression turned cold, and he looked away.
Janet caught his icy stare. She froze for a second, then controlled her emotions and walked over with a faint smile, taking a seat next to Alaric.
"Alaric, are you in Elvaron on business?"
Alaric didn't answer, as if he didn't know her at all, and continued looking at his phone.
Janet didn't get upset. She sat quietly beside him with a gentle smile. When she saw Robert approaching, she greeted him first.
"Robert, long time no see."
Robert just gave her a brief glance without any response and walked to Alaric's side, picking up his briefcase and saying quietly.
"Mr. Hughes, it's time to board."
Alaric nodded, stood up, put away his phone, and strode out of the lounge.
Janet followed.
Seeing this, Robert asked.
"Ms. Martin is also going back to Shadowpine?"
Janet nodded with a smile on her face.
"Yes."
"I came to Elvaron to select products."
Robert nodded slightly.
Over the years, with the rise of short videos online, Janet had jumped into the live-streaming sales industry.
In three years, her online business had actually become quite successful.
Not only had she paid back the five million dollars she owed Julian, but she had even bought her own place in Shadowpine. Life was going pretty well for her.
Janet looked up at Alaric's back. His steps didn't slow down at all, as if she were invisible.
Alaric took his seat and leaned back with his eyes closed.
Janet's seat was in front of Alaric and to the right. She kept turning her head to look at him.
But Alaric kept his eyes closed the whole time.
Janet didn't know if he was asleep. Gathering her courage, she took out a package of popular snacks she was currently selling from her bag. "Alaric, would you like to try the new product I selected?"
The only response was a long, cold silence.
Janet's face stiffened.
Robert felt awkward too, but he had to admire Janet's persistence.
Over the past three years, Alaric had almost never acknowledged her.
But each time, she acted like nothing had happened, and the next time she'd greet Alaric with a bright smile again.
This behavior reminded Robert of someone.
Cordelia.
When Cordelia and Alaric first got married, she had been the same way.
Back then, although Alaric had no feelings for Cordelia, she was his wife after all, so Alaric had at least been polite to her.
Two hours later.
Shadowpine.
Robert pulled the luggage, walking beside Alaric.
Janet also hurriedly pulled her luggage off the plane.
She kept trying to talk to Alaric, but he gave her no response at all as he walked.
Alaric went straight through the VIP passage.
Janet froze.
Although she was now a minor internet celebrity, she still didn't have access to the VIP passage at Shadowpine Airport.
She took a deep breath and gathered her courage to follow.
Her assistant had no choice but to quietly follow along.
As Alaric passed the checkpoint, he said something to the security guards standing on both sides.
When Janet tried to pass, the security guards stopped her.
Quite a few people were watching.
Janet wasn't a big star, but she worked online, and if someone filmed this, it would definitely end up online and she'd be laughed at.
Janet knew better than to make a scene. She didn't argue with the security guards and left politely.
But her mood stayed unsettled for a long time.
She walked out of the airport with a dark expression.
Before she reached the airport exit, she heard a familiar voice.
It sounded like Evelyn.
Three years ago, she'd been set up by Evelyn, lost her job, and was rejected by Alaric.
Janet hadn't been able to find work for a long time after that.
She had given up her finance career and joined the ranks of internet celebrities instead.
She was very familiar with Evelyn's voice, and she hated her deeply.
She stopped and looked over.
Evelyn had several bodyguards with her.
Janet followed her gaze and saw several people walking out from inside the airport.
When that figure who had disappeared for three years came into view, Janet's face instantly went pale.
She stared at Cordelia, trying to find signs that she'd had a rough three years.
But Cordelia had a smile on her face and rushed toward Evelyn with joy.
The smile on her face was like that of a young woman who had never experienced a failed marriage.
Janet couldn't help clenching her fists, jealousy growing wildly in her eyes.
She turned to leave, when suddenly a small figure also ran to Evelyn's side, hugging her leg tightly.
"Aunt Evelyn."
The voice of the child, about two years old, was soft and sweet. She wore a princess dress and looked absolutely adorable.
Evelyn smiled warmly, bent down, and picked up the child.
"My Amber, I've missed you so much."
Amber smiled brightly, actively hugging Evelyn's neck and nuzzling against her.
The family got in the car amid laughter and joy.
Dominic helped with the luggage in the back. One car couldn't fit everyone.
So he got into another car.
As he got in, he didn't forget to take a baby bottle out of the bag.
A small hand reached out from the car window to take the bottle.
This scene brought a fatherly, loving smile to Dominic's face.
The Stone family's car drove past.
Janet's expression showed barely contained delight.
When Cordelia and Alaric divorced, Dominic and Cordelia's relationship had already been ambiguous.
Now Cordelia even had a child.
And Dominic was taking such good care of them—clearly this child was Dominic's.
It seemed Cordelia and Dominic were together now.
No wonder two years ago, when Alaric came back from Astoria, he threw all his energy into his career.
Under Alaric's leadership, the Hughes Group had made new breakthroughs compared to three years ago.
This year, Alaric had even made it onto the list of the country's richest people at such a young age.
In the past, Janet had been proud, feeling she had to be worthy of Alaric.
Now she had completely abandoned that thinking. The self-respect and dignity she had wanted before were just her own insecurity at work.
If she had seen this clearly back then, she wouldn't have broken up with Alaric and gone abroad.
Now she didn't want that proud self-respect anymore. As long as there was still a chance between her and Alaric, she would force her way in, even if it meant breaking her head trying.