Chapter 94 Can You Not Go Abroad?
Vivian and Janet hopped out of the back seat, and Cordelia felt a rush of relief.
She kept driving and glanced over at Alaric. "Where do you live?"
Alaric felt a pang of disappointment. He'd been at Crown Hill Estates for a while now. If Cordelia had cared to ask around, she'd know. It was obvious she hadn't paid him any attention.
He let out a deep sigh, feeling a tight knot in his chest. "Let's head to The Stone Manor first."
Cordelia shot him a sideways look. "I'll drop you off first, then I'll head to The Stone Manor."
Alaric settled back in his seat, his eyes dark and intense. "Your driving sucks. You think I'd let you drive back alone?"
Cordelia clammed up. She wasn't used to driving Alaric's car, and the unfamiliar roads made her nervous. She'd never been in an accident since getting her license and her own car.
She refocused on the road and kept driving.
Alaric watched her for a moment, his voice low. "Can you skip your training?"
His voice was so soft, it caught Cordelia off guard. Suddenly, a wild cat darted out from the bushes.
Cordelia snapped back to reality, yanking the steering wheel. The car scraped against the guardrail, sparks flying.
Alaric's eyes widened. He grabbed the wheel, his voice calm but firm. "Ease off the gas, and press the brake on the left."
He was worried she might panic and hit the gas instead of the brake.
Once the car stopped, Cordelia was still shaken, gripping the steering wheel with sweaty palms.
Alaric reached over, pulling her into his arms, his voice soothing. "It's okay, just a little fender bender."
Cordelia took deep breaths, trying to calm down. Stress during early pregnancy could harm the baby.
Alaric held her tightly, gently stroking her hand. "I'm here, don't worry."
His voice was tender, and the faint scent of mint on him helped calm her nerves.
The situation had been sudden; she instinctively didn't want to hit the cat. Now that she was calm, she couldn't remember if she had hit it or not.
"Can you check if we hit anything?" she asked, pulling away from Alaric.
Alaric got out and checked. There were no signs of the cat. It had probably run off.
He came back to the car. The driver's door was completely mangled and wouldn't open.
Alaric reached in through the passenger side, unbuckling Cordelia's seatbelt and helping her out.
As Cordelia got out, Alaric supported her waist. She was still slim, but her waist felt a bit fuller.
"Have you put on some weight?" he asked softly.
Cordelia's expression hardened, and she glared at him, pushing him away. "No!"
Allegra had been making nutritious meals for her, and without work, she had been resting at home, so naturally, she had gained a bit of weight.
Alaric chuckled at her pout.
Cordelia paused, noticing his smile. Alaric had always been stern around her, rarely showing such warmth.
Her eyes darkened slightly as she looked at him and spoke slowly, "Mr. Hughes, do you have a thing for your exes?"
Alaric's smile faded. "A thing for exes?"
Cordelia nodded, looking at him calmly. "Some people don't appreciate things or relationships that are complete or resolved. But they can't forget those that were interrupted or left unfinished."
His relationship with Janet had ended abruptly, and Alaric had held onto it for three years. Now, their marriage was ending halfway, and Alaric seemed reluctant to let go.
Alaric's eyes darkened at her words.
Cordelia looked away from him, found the Stone family driver's number, and made a call.
After hanging up, she saw Alaric deep in thought and didn't disturb him. She called Robert to come pick up Alaric.
After sending the addresses, Cordelia walked over to check the car damage.
The left headlight was shattered, and the door was damaged. Repairs for such a car would be expensive.
Alaric watched her for a long time, knowing his feelings for her were not just about unfinished business. Just as he was about to speak, a white rideshare car pulled up beside them.
Janet hurriedly got out, her eyes filled with worry. "Alaric, Dr. Stone, are you okay? Was there an accident?"
Vivian got out after Janet, her eyes showing a glint of schadenfreude. She was about to speak but saw Alaric's gloomy face. After she learned her lesson earlier, she wisely kept quiet and stood by Janet's side.
Janet, seeing Vivian's presence had already upset Alaric, softly told Vivian, "Vivian, you should go back."
Vivian understood Janet's urgency and nodded. "Alright, I'll go. You stay with Mr. Hughes."
Vivian got back in the car.
Alaric glanced at Janet, his face cold. "You should go too."
Janet was taken aback. "Alaric, I'm worried about you."
Her voice was filled with concern.
Alaric's eyes turned cold. "I'm fine. Go back."
Janet bit her lip, looking at Cordelia. "Dr. Stone, are you okay?"
Cordelia raised an eyebrow and smiled. "What, Ms. Martin, do you hope I'm not?"
Janet quickly shook her head. "Of course not."
Vivian, seeing Janet treated so coldly by Alaric and knowing Cordelia wasn't easy to deal with, lowered the car window and leaned out. "It's hard to get a ride here. Mr. Hughes' car can't be driven. Why don't you join us?"
She suggested, trying to be friendly, hoping to give Janet more time with Alaric.
Cordelia didn't respond.
Alaric's eyes were cold. "The Stone family's driver will be here to pick us up soon."
Vivian was at a loss for words.
Janet looked up at him, speaking softly, "What about you?"
Cordelia smiled and answered, "Mr. Hughes has Robert."
Janet's expression froze. Looking at Cordelia's serene beauty and Alaric's arrogance, she suddenly realized that Cordelia and Alaric belonged to the same world. Their backgrounds and statuses matched perfectly, while she, no matter how hard she tried to fit in, could never stand by Alaric's side with confidence.
A wave of inferiority washed over her, and her eyes reddened.
"Alaric," she whispered.
Alaric's response was cold. "Go back."