Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Cordelia had no idea what Maurice was thinking.

To her, this was ancient history. She'd been paid at the time, the transaction had been completed per the agreement, and that was that.

Whatever relationship the original client had with Maurice — how was that her problem?

The only thing she truly regretted was the money, and the lost opportunity to collaborate with the White Group four years ago.

After turning it over in her mind, she decided to let it go.

"Mr. White, it's getting late. The work you wanted to discuss — we haven't actually started."

Work discussion? What was there left to discuss?

The fact that her design had been a bestseller for years proved Cordelia was more than qualified to lead the creative direction.

The thought had barely formed before Maurice heard himself say it aloud. "Have you considered coming to work at the White Group?"

Weren't they supposed to be discussing a partnership? Since when had this turned into a recruitment pitch?

Maurice's expression showed no trace of humor. Cordelia straightened. "Mr. White, I've been at Vogue Vortex for less than three months. Jumping ship right now wouldn't exactly look great."

"Nothing wrong with it. Say the word, and if I want you, do you really think Vogue Vortex would refuse to let you go?"

The audacity.

Cordelia bit back a comment. After a moment's hesitation, she voiced the question that had been nagging at her. "Mr. White, there's something I've never quite understood. I heard you changed your mind and chose Vogue Vortex after seeing a video of my debate with Holden. Why?"

"What do you mean, why? Ms. Sinclair, you really do sell yourself short. You —"

Maurice paused, then let out a sigh. "Do you want the truth, or the polished version?"

At this point, there was no real reason to keep certain things hidden.

Cordelia was perceptive and pragmatic.

Over the course of their conversation, even he found himself drawn to her, wanting more interactions like this.

Too bad Ellington had gotten there first.

Then again, four years ago he'd had his chance too. But that was a lifetime ago now.

Cordelia already had a guess forming.

She'd known it all along. A single video wasn't enough to make someone like Maurice change his mind.

"You don't have to say it. I think I can figure it out."

Someone had been pulling strings for her behind the scenes.

Not Xander. Not Griffin.

Someone with enough clout to sway Maurice, someone she actually knew — there was really only one person that could be.

"Don't sell yourself short again. Yes, a video alone wouldn't have changed my mind. But I genuinely recognized your talent. Even if someone made the introduction, does that really matter? You should understand — a referral only opens a door. What made me choose you was your ability."

---

In the end, they never discussed any specifics about the collaboration.

Maurice received a phone call and left abruptly. Cordelia lingered only a moment longer before dark clouds swallowed the sunlight and rain began to fall.

She leaned toward the glass door and peered outside. Hail mixed with rain, quickly blanketing the street.

She wasn't going anywhere.

The forecast had called for clear skies all week, so she hadn't brought an umbrella.

Unforecasted storms always seemed to hit harder. After more than ten minutes, the rain showed no sign of easing — if anything, it was intensifying. Water was already pooling at the entrance.

Cordelia opened the weather app again. Heavy rain for the rest of the day.

Lightning cracked across the sky. Three seconds later, thunder rolled in behind it.

In that brief, careless glance upward, she noticed a familiar black sedan parked across the street. She had no idea when it had appeared.

The next second, the shop door swung open.

She hadn't noticed Ellington arrive.

Or had he been there all along, and she simply hadn't been paying attention?

"What a coincidence."

Ellington walked straight to the seat across from her. "Rain came out of nowhere. Thought I'd duck in."

Cordelia's mouth twitched hard.

If he was going to make up an excuse, he could at least try. Did he think she couldn't see his car right across the street?

After he sat down, Cordelia couldn't help rolling her eyes. "Your car is right over there. The rain's not exactly going to flood it."

"You never know." Ellington shrugged, showing zero intention of leaving. "Besides, waiting out a storm in here beats sitting in a car."

Cordelia ignored him.

She'd seen Ellington in shameless mode before.

If he decided to plant himself across from her, nothing on earth would move him.

The rain kept falling.

It was Ellington who broke the silence first. "Griffin mentioned you'll be transferring to Vogue Vortex headquarters soon. Congratulations."

Cordelia gave him a knowing smile. "You're remarkably well-informed."

As if Griffin would voluntarily share information about her with him.

She knew. Ellington had never stopped watching her.

What was the point?

"When it comes to you, I don't want to miss a thing."

Two weeks apart. She'd thought the pull toward him would have faded by now. But the moment he spoke, she wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms and tell him everything that had happened.

But she couldn't. She shouldn't.

"Well, I'm flattered by Mr. Carnegie's attention." Cordelia let out a soft scoff. "But I don't think we have anything to talk about. Keeping our distance and staying out of each other's lives — isn't that better?"

It would save her the exhaustion of fighting her own feelings.

And it would be better for him too.

"Okay."

To her surprise, Ellington simply smiled faintly and nodded. "Whatever you say. Today, I'm just here to wait out the rain."

Right. Sure.

Could he possibly say that with a straight face?

Cordelia couldn't be bothered to argue. It would only make her look full of herself.

But the weather refused to cooperate. The rain didn't let up. It only pounded harder.

At this rate, streets were going to flood.

As the sky darkened, Ellington forced himself to look away.

He wanted to keep watching her.

The next time he'd get to see her this close — who knew when that would be.

"Let me drive you home." His voice turned serious. "I was hoping to wait for the rain to ease up, but at this rate, if we don't leave now, we might be stuck here all night."

Cordelia refused without thinking. "I'll call a rideshare. You go."

"In this downpour? You really think you'll get one?" Ellington clearly didn't buy it. "Fine. Go ahead and try. I'll leave after you're in a car."

"Whether I can get a ride is none of your business."

A crack of thunder drowned out her voice almost entirely.

Through the rumble, she heard Ellington's reply. "You're right. It's none of my business. But I'm making it mine anyway."