Chapter 68 She Wants to Sell the House in Garden Vista Estates, Leaving No Memories
Alaric got up from the couch and casually helped Ruth to her feet.
Ruth yanked her hand away, letting out a cold snort, clearly ticked off.
Alaric felt helpless seeing Ruth's reaction. It seemed like she considered Cordelia her real granddaughter.
At the dinner table, Cordelia sat next to Donald, while Alaric took the seat directly across from her.
Alaric and Donald talked shop, while Cordelia and Ruth chatted about more personal stuff, creating a harmonious vibe.
Allegra watched the four of them at the table, feeling confused. Before Cordelia and Alaric's marriage fell apart, Alaric's visits to The Stone Manor were rare. Now, even with the divorce finalized, it felt more like a family gathering.
Cordelia hadn't had much of an appetite recently and was picking at her food. Ruth kept urging her, "You gotta eat more, or you won't get enough nutrients."
Cordelia nodded gently.
At that moment, Alaric's gaze fell on Cordelia, his eyes darkening. She was indeed too thin, her waist almost unnaturally slender.
A platter of fried fish was in front of Alaric. He picked up a piece and placed it in Cordelia's bowl.
Cordelia looked up at him, pausing for a few seconds before smiling and speaking. "Thanks, Mr. Hughes."
Alaric's eyes darkened further.
Cordelia's smile remained as she slowly ate the fish. Her indifferent demeanor made it clear she didn't care about their future relationship.
Alaric's face tightened, and he stayed silent for a long time.
After dinner, Ruth spoke a few words to Cordelia before leaving The Stone Manor. Cordelia and Donald saw them to the door.
Cordelia helped Ruth into the car, closed the door, and turned to Alaric. "Drive safely, Mr. Hughes."
Alaric gave her a cold glance before turning to Donald. "Dad, you both should go inside. No need to see us off."
Donald nodded warmly. "Next time we meet, you'll have to call me Mr. Stone."
Alaric's eyes darkened, but he eventually nodded, "Alright."
After Alaric got into the car and drove away, Cordelia waved goodbye to Ruth, not sparing Alaric another glance.
Once their car disappeared from sight, Cordelia and Donald turned back into The Stone Manor.
Alaric glanced in the rearview mirror, unable to see Cordelia anymore, and an indescribable emotion began to spread within him.
From the back seat, Ruth spoke slowly, "If I had known you and Cordelia would get along so well as friends, I wouldn't have pushed for your marriage. She wasted three years of her youth on you."
Alaric's grip on the steering wheel tightened, a hint of anger in his eyes. "Grandma!"
Ruth snorted, "You didn't like Cordelia, right? Isn't this what you wanted?"
Alaric's eyes darkened, and he didn't respond.
"You'll regret it someday," Ruth said coldly, turning to look out the window.
Alaric's eyes chilled. He already regretted it. Taking a deep breath, he slightly increased the car's speed, heading straight back to The Hughes Manor.
At The Hughes Manor entrance, Clifford came out to greet them.
Ruth, still cold-faced, reprimanded, "Clifford, didn't you say you had urgent business back home? Why are you still here?"
Clifford hesitated, then looked at Alaric and admitted, "Mr. Hughes said he'd bring you back, so I came back to The Hughes Manor first."
Ruth acknowledged this, her eyes falling on Alaric still in the car with a mocking glint. "Didn't you say you didn't like Cordelia and wanted a divorce? Why are you still hanging around The Stone Manor?"
Alaric rubbed his temples, looking pained. "Grandma, Cordelia's the one who asked for the divorce."
Ruth snorted, "Wasn't it you who suggested the divorce when the Stone family was at its lowest? And wasn't it because of your sketchy relationship with Janet that Cordelia agreed to it?"
Alaric's face tightened. "I was never involved with Janet."
Ruth shot him a cold look before turning and heading into The Hughes Manor.
Alaric sat in the car, watching Ruth go inside before starting the car and driving away.
At Garden Vista Estates, Saskia had packed her belongings and was moving them to the front door when she saw Alaric's car approach.
"Mr. Hughes, did you forget something?" she asked, surprised.
Alaric wasn't sure why, but he had felt compelled to come by. After all, he and Cordelia had spent three years here, and it held memories.
Seeing Saskia's suitcase, his eyes darkened. "Where are you going?"
Saskia's eyes showed a hint of sadness. "I'm heading back to The Hughes Manor. Ms. Stone is moving to Astoria soon and will probably stay at The Stone Manor when she returns. So, she's planning to sell this place."
Saskia glanced at the villa, her eyes filled with reluctance.
Alaric frowned, his face darkening further. He sat silently in the car, staring at the villa for a long time.
Seeing he wasn't speaking, and her ride had arrived, Saskia said, "Mr. Hughes, I'll be going now."
Alaric nodded.
Saskia sighed, dragging her suitcase into the car and leaving.
As the sky darkened, Alaric lit a cigarette, staring at the unlit villa. His handsome features were hidden in the shadows, revealing little of his emotions.
The wind blew, scattering the ash from his cigarette, but he remained still, quietly watching the villa.
After a long time, he restarted the car, this time heading towards The Stone Manor.
At The Stone Manor, Cordelia had planned to see a movie with Dominic, but their busy schedules had delayed it. This time, Dominic invited her, and she couldn't find an excuse to refuse, so she agreed.
After the movie, Cordelia yawned as she left the theater. She had been eager to see the film, but it turned out to be less engaging than she had expected, leaving her feeling drowsy throughout.
Dominic noticed and offered to drive her back to The Stone Manor.
At The Stone Manor, Cordelia got out of the car and reached for her bag, but Dominic grabbed it first. "Mr. Stone insisted I personally see you home. If I don't, he might not let you go out with me next time."
Cordelia nodded, allowing Dominic to carry her bag as they entered The Stone Manor together.
Alaric's car was parked around the corner. He watched Cordelia's graceful figure disappear into The Stone Manor, gripping the steering wheel tightly, his veins bulging.