Chapter 20 No Answering Kevin's Calls Anymore
Alaric's icy stare shut Julian up.
A few moments later, Janet came out of the bathroom, the caregiver cautiously helping her.
Seeing Alaric's displeased expression, the caregiver started to explain.
"You don't need to come back tomorrow," Alaric said, his voice cold and emotionless.
The caregiver froze.
Janet quickly jumped in to defend her. "Alaric, she's been taking good care of me. Don't be mad. She just stepped out to take a call."
Alaric checked his watch, his expression stern. "I'm heading to the office."
"Robert will send a new caregiver later."
With that, he turned and left.
Janet stood there, looking hurt and upset.
Julian, lounging on the sofa, raised an eyebrow. "He's always like this. It's not like you just met him. Don't be sad."
Janet sighed and lay back on the bed with the caregiver's help. "Julian, you should get to work too."
Julian snorted but didn't plan on staying, so he got up to leave.
As he exited Janet's room, he saw Cordelia not far away, talking to a patient. Her gentle demeanor and patience with the patient's family were evident.
Her makeup was flawless, and her skin looked smooth and delicate. Julian couldn't help but glance at her a couple of times.
Cordelia noticed Julian's gaze and looked up.
Julian, hands in his pockets and a roguish grin on his face, looked away and whistled as he walked off.
Cordelia refocused on the patient's family, continuing the conversation.
She had never liked Julian, finding him annoying since she could remember.
After work, Cordelia got into her car and called Evelyn.
Evelyn answered briefly, "I'm busy," and hung up.
Cordelia bit her lip, feeling anxious, and drove straight to Stone Group, where she saw a police car parked outside.
She frowned, parked her car nearby, and entered Stone Group.
She saw Evelyn coming out with some officers.
Cordelia froze for a few seconds before rushing over, "Evelyn."
Evelyn frowned slightly, her expression as sharp as ever.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Just cooperating with an investigation."
She glanced at her assistant, who came over and pulled Cordelia aside.
"Cordelia, it's just a misunderstanding."
Cordelia's brows furrowed, "What misunderstanding?"
The assistant sighed and spoke quietly.
"It's about the land in the west suburbs. Mr. Stone bought it, but some paperwork is incomplete."
"The Perez family claims the land is theirs. The Howard family paid Stone Group for it but can't use it. They're demanding a refund."
Recently, Stone Group needed funds, and the money from Howard was used to cover losses quickly.
Now, Stone Group was transitioning, and couldn't refund the Howard family immediately.
The assistant looked troubled. "Howard reported Ms. Stone for fraud because Stone Group can't refund them."
Cordelia frowned.
"The Howard family? Wasn't the land sold to the Hughes family?"
The assistant's voice softened. "Mr. Hughes introduced Howard to buy the land."
Cordelia took a deep breath, gripping her purse tightly. She didn't understand business complexities but felt Evelyn was trapped.
Bruce broke up with Evelyn unpleasantly and would seize any chance to suppress her.
"Ms. Cordelia Stone, go home. We'll find a way to bail out Ms. Evelyn Stone."
Cordelia rubbed her temples, feeling turmoil inside. The assistant noticed a black Maybach parked nearby, recognizing it as a Hughes Group car.
"Ms. Stone, Mr. Hughes' car," he reminded softly.
Cordelia glanced over as her phone rang. She bit her lip and answered.
Alaric's emotionless voice came through, "Come back. Dinner at Hughes Manor."
Cordelia took a deep breath, hung up, and told Evelyn's assistant, "I'm heading home."
She walked toward Alaric's car. Stone Group needed the Hughes family's support during the transition. If Alaric was involved, he was warning her to face reality.
Cordelia sighed and walked over.
Robert opened the car door. Cordelia bit her lip and got in. Alaric adjusted his sleeve slightly. Cordelia reached to help him.
"Was the west suburban land deliberately recommended to Bruce?" Her voice was soft, her clear eyes fixed on him.
Alaric smiled slightly, nodding. "You wanted me to help Stone Group. Bruce has money, your sister has land. Perfect match."
Cordelia sighed. "You knew Bruce..."
Alaric interrupted, "Selling disputed land to Bruce is your sister's problem."
Cordelia stared at Alaric, about to ask for Evelyn's bail when her phone rang. She frowned at the caller ID and answered.
Kevin's voice was overly familiar. "Cordelia."
Cordelia frowned. Alaric's eyes darkened beside her.
"It's Kevin Perez."
Cordelia tightened her grip. "I know."
Kevin chuckled lightly, teasingly. "Heard your sister was taken away? Bruce is heartless, but I still care about her. Tell her if she marries me, the west suburban land from Perez family will be her wedding gift."
Cordelia frowned. "Why don't you tell her yourself? Afraid?"
Kevin paused, then laughed awkwardly. "I dare to marry her, why not say it? Cordelia, you underestimate me."
Cordelia stayed silent.
Kevin joked again, "Can't marry your sister, marrying you is the same. Heard you're divorcing."
Before Kevin finished, Alaric took Cordelia's phone, ended the call, blocked Kevin's number, and tossed the phone on the seat. He coldly told Robert, "Bail out Evelyn."
He then glared at Cordelia. "Don't answer Kevin's calls again!"