Garrett peeked at Beulah and Annabelle as he warned them in a low tone. “This is a very important ordeal for me. Don’t do anything that could ruin this meeting!”
Beulah suppressed the anger in her heart as she straightened his suit. “You have nothing to worry about. We’ll never talk back or retaliate, even if she comes at us with fury. As long as she lends you a hand in the company’s matters, I can still do all of this for you considering I can be of no help to you in the company. So, she can vent her anger all she’d like.”
Garrett felt Beulah didn’t waste any of his sentiments toward her in the past. “When the crisis in the company has been resolved, I’ll compensate you nicely.”
Once Beulah gave her nod of approval, Garrett went to the door, wanting to welcome Loredana and Cormac personally.
Loredana was standing next to Cormac, holding the contract regarding the piece of land in Repulse Bay.
Cormac stole a glance at her and held out his arm. “Take my arm.”
Loredana followed suit and together they entered the villa.
“Please, please, come in. I’m so honored you could join us for dinner this evening.” Garrett welcomed them with open arms.
He didn’t act like his usual arrogant and entitled self at all. Instead, he was gracious and flattering.
Cormac never had any good feelings toward Garrett, so he just nodded slightly while keeping his mouth shut and maintaining his indifference.
Garrett froze slightly when he realized that Cormac wasn’t going to banter with him and ease the tension in the air. He hoped Cormac would have a different attitude, seeing that Garrett was
Loredana’ father and his father-in-law.
He realized he was rapidly losing face and had to do something about it.
Loredana simply laughed. “He’s always like this.”
Garrett managed to brighten his expression as he invited them inside. “Come in now.”
Beulah was playing the role of a decent wife and mother. They saw her arranging the cutlery on the table. At the sight of her guests, she flashed an insincere smile. “You’re finally here. Come sit down.
Lola, you would never have thought that your dad asked me to prepare a scrumptious meal after he learned you were coming for dinner today. I hope you find the food to be enjoyable.”
Loredana looked at her with a smile on her face. They were just putting on an act at that moment.
“I’m not an outsider, you don’t have to stand on ceremony.”
As she replied, she tightened her grip on Cormac’s arm. She was only doing it for show.
Beulah studied Loredana’ appearance as she tried hard to suppress the resentment in her heart. She continued with her fake facade.
“You’re indeed right.”
Loredana settled into her seat, still holding on to Cormac’s arm. Beulah and Annabelle sat opposite them.
Annabelle had put on a red dress and delicate make-up. Despite being so young, she had a mature and flirtatious look at the moment. Loredana sneaked a scornful glance at Annabelle and snickered coldly to herself. Was Annabelle trying to seduce Cormac?
As she looked into Annabelle’s fixed expression, she joked. “Sister, why are you staring at your brother-
in-law like that? Is there something on his face?”
Cormac’s eyes twitched slightly as he pondered Loredana’ intentions.
He was uninterested in looking at such a heavily made-up face and, although both of them were wearing a red dress, Loredana, who had light make-up, looked infinitely better than her sister. She was a sight to behold around the dining table.
Annabelle immediately lowered her head. Beulah was holding Annabelle’s hands under the table. She was trying to calm Annabelle down.
“Alright, it’s nowhere near lunch anymore; you guys are probably ravenous.”
Garrett was finding the chance to start a conversation with Cormac, but he couldn’t settle on a suitable topic. From the moment Cormac set foot in the villa, he looked like he was trying not to have anything to do with any of the Flores family.
From time to time, he would pick up some food and place it on Loredana’ plate in a show of affection.
Garrett watched their interactions silently. He didn’t expect his daughter, who never garnered his attention, was the apple of Cormac Mendelsohn’s eyes. He couldn’t help but change his mind about
Loredana.
Loredana never intended to only have dinner with her family.
She placed the contract on the table and raised her voice. “This is what you always wanted. Since I’ve brought this here, you didn’t forget about your promise, did you?”
Since it wasn’t easy for her to gain Cormac’s support in the matter, she had to cherish the opportunity and get back what belonged to her and her mother.
The smile on Garrett’s face slowly faded. “We’re still family in the end. Just tell me straight if you have any favor to ask from me.”
His priority was to resolve the crisis in his company. He wouldn’t have much use for the piece of land at the moment.
He was hinting at Loredana hard by blinking several times to start the topic in front of Cormac, but
Loredana pretended not to understand him as she asked with concern, “Is there something wrong with your eyes?”
If Cormac hadn’t been there, Garrett would have jumped up in fury. Cormac glanced at Loredana one more time and realized she was feigning ignorance, although she knew what she had to do. It made her look smart… No, it actually made her look adorable.
Beulah interrupted them in an attempt to clear things up.
She spoke up while scooping some food onto Loredana’ plate. “Lola, your dad’s company has some problems right now…” As she began, she focused her gaze on Cormac, “Cormac is our son-in-law and we need your help this time. If I have offended you in the past, I hope you can let it go for now.”
Loredana’ face darkened at the mention of Cormac as their son-in-law. They really knew how to garner all the prestige for themselves.
“Were you only involved in giving me life, or did you raise me too?” Loredana asked, inching toward
Cormac as she looked at him. “Since when did my husband suddenly become your son-in-law?”
Beulah curled her hand into fists underneath the table, but she could still maintain her smile. “I know you’re still mad about me and your dad, but we really do love each other—”
“I’m coming here today to get back what rightfully belongs to me!” Loredana didn’t give Beulah a chance to finish her sentence.
Did Beulah just say that they were in love? Loredana wanted to see for herself what choice Garrett would make when he was presented with benefits and love.
Garrett noticed the atmosphere turned sour and there was no way to carry out a proper conversation anymore.
He stood up and turned to Loredana. “Let’s continue this conversation in the other room.”
Loredana got up and glanced at Cormac. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”
Cormac mumbled a faint response. Loredana followed Garrett into his study.
As soon as they were alone, Garrett changed his expression into one of cruelty immediately. “Have you told Cormac about my problem?”
Loredana just stared at Garrett without any emotion on her face. It seemed she had gotten used to getting hurt, so she couldn’t be stirred by anything anymore.
“Give me back what belongs to me first.” It was a rare opportunity for her.
She had to get back her stuff first.
Garrett glared at her and replied. “I’ll return them to you, but you have to make sure Cormac will help my company through this crisis.”
“Our deal last time only encompassed the piece of land and my things. The matter about your company is completely unrelated. I’ve mentioned this before. If you want me to convince Cormac to help you, divorce Beulah. If you do that, only then will I help you.” Loredana paused before continuing. “You can see for yourself Cormac loves me very much. He would immediately agree to help you if I’m the one who brings it up.”
Garrett sank into a deep silence upon hearing that.
Loredana continued. “You have to consider which is more important to you: your company or your wife who can’t even give you a son.”
Loredana turned around and was about to leave the study.
At the last second, Garrett blurted out. “I agree to your terms.”
Loredana smiled to herself. Just as she expected…
Loredana stopped in her tracks and turned around to gaze at him. “I want my things back today.”
She didn’t want it to drag on, fearing things would take a turn for the worse. It didn’t matter that she couldn’t retrieve everything at the moment, but she could still collect things such as money for now. Her mother’s medical bills were going to be due soon.
Garrett gnashed his teeth, “Lola, remember we are still a family.”
Loredana smiled in response. “I know, but what belongs to me and my mother always belonged to us.
Shouldn’t you return them to no matter what?”
They were a family? He finally remembered they were a family only when it suited him.
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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