Chapter 287 Cordelia's Great Performance
Sophia sat next to Willian, looking very proud, as if she, the mistress, had become the legitimate mistress of the Cunningham family.
Wilson noticed that Cordelia did not look well and felt a pang of heartache.
"Sister, congratulations. I never imagined that after so many years, you finally found your daughter," Sophia said, taking the initiative to speak.
Cordelia glanced indifferently at Sophia without saying a word. "Is this Annabelle?" Sophia smiled and spoke to Annabelle. Annabelle looked embarrassed and frowned at Sophia before silently walking away.
She was Cordelia's daughter now, and she couldn't talk to someone of such low status. But Annabelle also knew that she needed Sophia's help if she wanted to secure her position.
"Annabelle, don't offend that woman," Lance pulled her aside. "Once today is over, no one will doubt your identity. Don't cause unnecessary trouble." Annabelle nodded.
They were now allies with the Douglas Residence, and if she got into trouble, the Douglas Residence would be the first to be implicated. So, Howard had to clear any obstacles for her. She had to get what she wanted. The celebration banquet was about to begin, and the commotion was silently suppressed.
Zelda stood angrily in the corner. She couldn't sit openly and had to stand at the back like the other guests. In the front row, Ethan continued to hold Wilson's hand tightly, refusing to let go. "If what you said is true, and Cordelia's daughter cannot be found or is already dead, then the shares will belong to Sophia and William's illegitimate daughter.
According to this logic, Sophia should be the one least eager for Cordelia to find her daughter, so why doesn't she seem panicked at all, as if she's watching a show?" Wilson expressed her concerns with a low voice.
Ethan huffed. "Annabelle might not be Cordelia's daughter at all. Someone has orchestrated this great scheme, teamed up with Sophia, and deceived Cordelia. The possibility of them working together to deceive Cordelia is more likely."
Wilson's heart tightened, and he looked at Cordelia with distress. She was such a good person, and if Annabelle wasn't her daughter but instead collaborating with Sophia to deceive her, it would be truly pitiable. "Ethan, Cordelia is a good person. I don't want her to be deceived," Wilson knew it wasn't the time for her to meddle, but she also wanted to know the truth.
"You want to know the truth?" Ethan whispered in Wilson's ear. Perhaps his action was too intimate, and Wilson's ears turned red.
Behind him, Edgar looked at the two of them with resentment, reaching out to pat Ethan on the shoulder. "What are you trying to do in front of everyone?"
Ethan turned around and glanced at Edgar, now resembling a disgruntled 'housewife'.
"This is my wife, and I do whatever I want," Ethan declared arrogantly.
Edgar ground his teeth. "Let's see if you can still be so arrogant when Wilson no longer wants you."
Ethan raised an eyebrow at Wilson. "Darling, would you not want me anymore?"
Wilson shook her head solemnly.
Ethan looked triumphantly at Edgar.
"Childish," Nolan said coldly, snorting.
"Nolan, your sister is supposed to be 27 this year, while Annabelle has always claimed to be 29. Haven't you ever had any suspicions about their ages not matching?" Ethan asked.
Nolan glanced at Ethan. "Mr. Ethan seems quite concerned about my family affairs."
"Just curious," Ethan shrugged.
"Annabelle was born prematurely and has always had poor health. She couldn't attend regular school with her peers before college and had private tutors at home. The Harper Residence consulted a master to calculate her fate, claiming that she was a lucky star who brought fortune to their family. They made her age older to keep this child," explained the Harper Residence.
Nolan couldn't help but feel that it was the Harper Residence changing Annabelle's age that had kept their Cunningham Family from finding her for so many years.
Ethan sneered; the Harper Residence was quite good at making up stories.
But he couldn't argue against it because the paternity test was there as evidence.
After selling the child, human traffickers would indeed change the child's age to prevent them from being found.
"Thank you all for taking the time to attend the celebration banquet of my Cunningham Family. Today, the main purpose is to celebrate the success of the Cunningham Family in acquiring the Westing Town project," Cordelia spoke on stage.
In fact, today's celebration banquet was essentially a business event.
It was meant to inform people in the Silverlight City commercial district that the Cunningham Family had officially returned to the Silverlight City market.
In the future, they might focus more on the Silverlight City market.
This was also a signal.
Wilson knew Cordelia was a formidable woman, a powerhouse who could endure sadness and accomplish great things.
Wilson admired Cordelia greatly. She even wondered if she were Cordelia, could she have raised three sons and managed to live until now?
"Annabelle, look at the jewelry beside Cordelia. I heard it's her most precious collection. Oh my God, she must be announcing your identity today and giving it to you. We're so envious."
"Annabelle, you're so lucky."
"I envy you, the Cunningham Family's only daughter, doted on by three brothers. I heard you also have shares in the Cunningham Family, just like your brothers."
Annabelle smirked proudly as she looked at Cordelia on stage.
Of course, she knew about that jewelry. She heard that Cordelia acquired it at a royal auction in Country Y. It was a symbol of power and prestige.
The value of this jewelry was now incalculable.
"Annabelle, I really envy you. That jewelry and you are a perfect match."
Annabelle reveled in her triumph, waiting for Cordelia to announce her identity.
Sophia glanced meaningfully at Annabelle, a smile playing on her lips, but said nothing.
Wilson had been observing Sophia's subtle expressions.
In theory, there were many suspicious aspects to Annabelle being the Cunningham Family's daughter, and even if there weren't any, Sophia, with her identity, would likely create suspicious points to disrupt Cordelia and her daughter's reunion. But she seemed too calm and confident about it.
Seeing Wilson's constant worry for Cordelia, Ethan gently pinched her finger, comforting her in a low voice.
"There are obvious loopholes we can all see, can a smart woman like Cordelia really not suspect that Annabelle might not be her daughter?"
Wilson was surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Life is like a play, and people are just competing in acting. The conspiracy behind this is far from being as simple as it seems to us now." Ethan understood the dark schemes and dirty tricks within the wealthy family very well.
If it wasn't for Joe being raised by the Cunningham Family, owing them a favor, Ethan wouldn't bother getting involved in these matters.
Wilson breathed a sigh of relief, actually hoping that all of this was just their speculation and that Annabelle was indeed Mrs. Cordelia's biological daughter.
In this way, Mrs. Cordelia would have less trouble and suffering.
"Mrs. Cordelia, we heard that your biological daughter has been found. Are you really going to take out this favorite collection of jewelry today to give to her?" a journalist asked.
All the cameras and lights were focused on Annabelle.
Annabelle smiled arrogantly, like a proud swan.
She looked down at the reporters, waiting for Cordelia to call her to the stage.
"Today's banquet is mainly to celebrate the success of the Cunningham Family in acquiring the Westing Town project. This gift is prepared for the employees of the Cunningham Family. She is a kind, brave, and intelligent girl, whom I really like," Cordelia smiled and denied the journalist's words.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
