Chapter 184 Unexplained Bitterness in the Heart
After Alaric walked away, Cordelia finally put down the documents in her hands. She stared at the office door for quite a while, her eyes dimming slightly, then lowered her head and continued working.
After work, she returned to The Stone Manor.
As soon as she entered the living room, she saw the managers from Shadowpine’s famous jewelry stores standing there. Each of them held a brocade box containing children’s jewelry specially designed for kids.
They were half-crouching on the floor, smiling as they let Amber choose. Donald sat on the sofa with a helpless smile on his face.
Alaric's hand rested on Amber's shoulder as he pointed to a piece of jewelry in one of the boxes.
"Do you like this one?"
Amber nodded and replied in a crisp voice, "I like it."
Alaric nodded slightly, and the store manager's smile immediately brightened. She respectfully set the jewelry box aside to let Amber try it on.
Seeing this, the other jewelry store managers didn't want to miss the opportunity either. Everyone looked at Amber ingratiatingly, asking in gentle tones whether she wanted to try on their bracelets.
Their voices were gentle.
Their flattering and humble manner made it impossible for Amber to refuse.
After trying them all on, Amber liked every single one of the bracelets.
Seeing Amber's conflicted expression, Cordelia rubbed her temples.
She had raised Amber, so she knew what Amber was thinking just from her expression.
Given how much Alaric doted on her now, if she said, “I like them all,” Alaric would definitely buy all the jewelry.
Seeing that Amber still hadn't chosen her favorite bracelet, Alaric asked gently, “Do you like them all?”
Cordelia took a deep breath and walked into the room just as Amber was about to answer.
"Amber."
Hearing Cordelia's voice, Amber immediately ran to her side to show her the bracelets on her hands.
"Mommy, look."
As she ran over, all the jewelry store managers' eyes followed Amber.
From the managers' expressions, Cordelia could guess the value of the bracelets on Amber's hands.
"Amber, can we just choose one?"
Amber nodded obediently. "Okay."
Cordelia smiled slightly and pointed to one of the bracelets on Amber's hand.
That bracelet was set with various colored gemstones, quite colorful—the kind of style children would like.
"What do you think of this one?"
Amber looked carefully at the bracelet on her hand, then answered happily, "Amber really likes it."
Seeing that she liked it, Cordelia asked, “What’s the price of this bracelet?”
The manager quickly replied softly, “Two million dollars.”
"This bracelet was designed by our brand's chief designer, and all the gemstones on the bracelet are natural."
Hearing the figure, Cordelia felt somewhat suffocated.
One bracelet could equal her entire year's salary.
Alaric leaned slightly against the sofa, legs crossed, looking at Cordelia with an amused expression.
"Let me pay for it."
Hearing this, Cordelia secretly gritted her teeth. “No need. I’ve barely used the divorce settlement you gave me back then.”
Alaric fell silent.
Cordelia smiled slightly, took out her bank card from her bag, and handed it to the jewelry store manager.
The manager was stunned, feeling that their conversation contained a great deal of information.
Seeing the manager was distracted, Cordelia said again, “Swipe the card.”
Only then did the manager come to her senses, but she didn't reach out to take the bank card from Cordelia's hand. Instead, she looked at Alaric, as if seeking his opinion.
Cordelia frowned and said, "What? The money in my card isn't money?"
Alaric looked at Cordelia with a half-smile and said, “Keep your money. I’ll pay this time.”
Hearing Alaric speak up, the manager naturally didn’t dare take Cordelia’s bank card.
Cordelia's eyes turned slightly cold. Just as she was about to speak, Alaric spoke first.
"Amber is still here, give me some respect?"
At this moment, Amber also looked up, gazing at Cordelia with innocent eyes.
"Mommy."
Cordelia swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue. She reached out to rub Amber's head, and her tone softened.
"Give the other bracelets back to them."
Amber nodded obediently, then held up her little hands to let them remove the other bracelets.
After the managers removed the jewelry and put it back into their cases, they left politely.
In the end, the bracelet was charged to Alaric's card.
After swiping the card, the manager left respectfully, glancing at Cordelia a few more times.
Amber looked at the bracelet on her hand with satisfaction and waved it happily in front of Donald.
“Grandpa, is it pretty?” Her voice was cheerful, clearly in a good mood.
Donald couldn't help but tap her nose, teasing, "I wonder who was crying this morning looking for Mr. Hughes. Now that Mr. Hughes bought you a bracelet, you're happy?"
Amber grinned and leaned into Cordelia's arms, a bit embarrassed.
Cordelia raised her eyebrows slightly. She hadn’t even known Amber had been crying for Alaric this morning.
She felt a heaviness in her chest, sensing that Amber’s dependence on Alaric was growing stronger day by day.
Cordelia bent down, lifted Amber into her arms, and sat on the other side of the sofa.
Donald smiled and said to Alaric, “The kitchen has prepared dinner. Alaric, stay for dinner tonight.”
Alaric nodded. “Okay.”
After the chef set out the dishes, Cordelia carried Amber to the sink.
Alaric had just washed his hands. Seeing Cordelia carrying Amber over, he reached out to roll up Amber's sleeves and bent down to help Amber wash her hands.
Amber cooperated quietly.
After washing her hands, Alaric smoothly took Amber from Cordelia's arms.
Donald stood to the side, watching Alaric's performance the whole time, his smile becoming much more affectionate.
If it weren't for that little incident with Janet, Cordelia's marriage would have been very happy.
While washing her hands, Cordelia couldn’t help glancing in Alaric’s direction.
She saw Alaric sitting next to Amber's dining chair, gently tying a bib around Amber.
Amber obediently tilted her little head up.
Perhaps charmed by her, Alaric couldn't help but smile at the corners of his eyes and brows.
After Alaric finished tying Amber's bib, he noticed Cordelia hadn't taken her seat yet. He looked up and happened to catch her stealing a glance at him.
Their eyes met, and Cordelia immediately looked away.
Alaric leaned back slightly, feeling inexplicably bitter inside.