Novel Storm
Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Cordelia heard the news and looked up at the television.
Rachel, oblivious to the breaking story, continued to gossip with Lorna.
Lorna frowned, her voice tinged with annoyance, “Rachel, please don’t worry your head about this. Our family won’t be getting involved in an investment like that.”
Rachel rolled her eyes, sneering, “Come on, Rachel. I don’t buy that. With returns like that, you’re telling me you’re not even a little tempted?”
Before Lorna could retort, a sales associate approached a pair of stylish stilettos in hand, “Mrs. Delaney, your shoes are all wrapped up. Will that be credit or cash today?”
Rachel peeked at her bank balance to see a mere ten thousand left.
This morning, they had almost emptied their accounts to raise fifty million in cash to transfer to Kermit, who was supposed to invest it with Calvert.
The remaining ten thousand was meant for the car’s servicing, but now, Rachel couldn’t bear to lose face. before Lorna and Cordelia.
With a strained smile, she declared, “Credit, please.”
After all, in a fortnight, they would cash in on over twenty million in returns. Money troubles would be a thing of the past.
While Rachel went to pay. Lorna and Cordelia took a seat on a plush sofa to try on some shoes. Breaking the silence, Lórna sighed, ‘Lia, I’m completely useless, right?”
Cordelia looked at her, puzzled.
Lorna’s frown deepened, “All these years, I’ve hardly saved a penny.”
Since her daughter’s disappearance, Lorna felt like a zombie, barely managing to feed herself, let alone save money. Thankfully, Sanderson didn’t mind, but spending her own money would certainly feel more empowering.
With a deep breath, Lorna confessed, “Lia, I’ve been painting, thinking of trying my luck at the local art fair. Though, I’m not sure if anything will sell.”
Even if she could sell a painting for a few thousand, it could buy Cordelia a new dress.
Before Cordelia could offer encouragement, Rachel returned, having overheard the conversation. She laughed, “Why bother, Lorna? A painting takes ages, and even if it sells, what, for a few hundred? That won’t even cover a family dinner.”
Lorna’s face darkened, ready to respond, but Cordelia suddenly grasped her wrist, silencing her with a shushing motion.
Lorna paused, following Cordelia’s gaze to the TV.
Cordelia’s gesture had even confused Rachel, who turned to look just as the reporter said, “This is the work of at sophisticated fraud ring, led by Calvert, with accomplices at large. Police have issued warrants for their arrest. Here are their photos, and if you see them, please call the authorities.”
The first photo showed an average–looking man with those tiny eyes that gave a sense of familiarity.
As the first photo flashed on the screen, Rachel’s pupils shrank. It was Calvert.
Recognition dawned slowly on Cordelia, “Doesn’t he look familiar? That’s Calvert, right?”
Lorna’s worry was evident, “Rachel, that’s Calvert on the news. Did Kermit give him the money?”
As the reality set in, Rachel’s grip loosened, and her shopping bags fell to the floor. She stumbled, mumbling.
“No, this can’t be true.”
Ignoring the scattered bags, she frantically called Kermit, and then Jimmy, but no one answered.
A dreadful premonition washed over Rachel, and her knees threatened to buckle.
Lorna, growing concerned, steadied her, “Are you alright?”
Rachel straightened up, “I’m fine. It’s just fake news. Calvert can’t be a fraudster. It’s impossible.”
She picked up her bags and hurried out, desperate to find Kermit and make sense of the chaos.
Once Rachel had left, Lorna turned to Cordelia. “What should we buy, Mom?” Cordelia asked.
Focusing back on the task at hand, they chose some gifts together. Afterward, Lorna phoned Sanderson, sharing the troubling news.
Rachel returned to the family mansion, her mind in turmoil. As she entered, she saw Steward, frantic and pale, descending the stairs. He immediately asked, “Did Kermit invest the money?”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Rachel felt her legs weaken, “I don’t know.”
“Find Kermit, now.”
The household buzzed with urgency, but Kermit was unreachable. No one knew where he had gone.
Soon after, Sanderson arrived, his face grim as he approached Steward and asked, “Dad, what’s happened to Kermit?”
Grasping Sanderson’s hand, Steward’s voice trembled, “Sanderson, is it true about Calvert?”
With a heavy heart, Sanderson confirmed the worst, “It’s true.” Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
Rachel’s last hope shattered. She slumped onto the sofa, then sprang up in denial, “But they must have caught him, right? The money can still be retrieved?”
Sanderson, having spoken with the police, shook his head, “It’s uncertain. They’ve vanished without a trace from Greenmeadow. No leads.”
Rachel’s anger flared, “What are they doing? Three men on the loose and not one caught?”
The room fell into a despairing silence, the gravity of their loss sinking in.
Sanderson remained silent.
Rachel trudged upstairs, her spirits low and her head bowed. As she opened the door, she suddenly let out a gasp.
Hearing the noise, Sanderson bounded up the stairs in a few quick strides, only to be greeted by the sound of Kermit’s snores. The person the whole family had been frantically searching for was sprawled out on the bed, deep in slumber.
Sanderson strode over and nudged him awake, “Sleeping in the middle of the day?”
Kermit, with a face bruised and swollen, squinted up at him and immediately started ranting. “What do you want? Who do you think you are, bossing me around? What right do you have to control me? Do you think it’s still the good old days when I’d listen to you? Let me tell you something, Sanderson, once I get my cut from Mr. Wallace’s deal, I’m buying up all the company shares. Then we’ll see who’s calling the shots and who’s begging to call me ‘CEO‘
Lapter