The Contracted Ever After novel Chapter 551

Ronan gently nudged Cordelia, who was slumped over a booth in the bustling gastropub. The loud chatter and clinking of pint glasses did nothing to stir her.

"Let's head home. What a state you're in," Ronan chided, though his words were lost on the inebriated Cordelia. Without a second thought, he scooped her up into his arms.

Cordelia instinctively curled into Ronan's embrace, showing signs of coming to as she mumbled to Victoria, who was equally disoriented. "Are you coming home with me?"

Victoria's response was slurred and confused. "Am I mad? Why would I let my future mother-in-law see me like this, a complete mess?"

Then, she slumped back onto the table, succumbing to sleep once more.

Ronan settled Cordelia into the back seat of his car. Her hair fell into her face, causing her discomfort. She tried to flick it away, but it stubbornly refused to cooperate, eliciting frustrated hums from her. Ronan gently tucked the stray lock behind her ear, and she finally settled down.

"Drunken mess," he muttered under his breath as he headed for the driver's seat. He dialed his driver to pick up Victoria from the gastropub and take her home.

When his car pulled up to the gates of the half-timbered mansion, Ava's car arrived simultaneously. Ronan, carrying Cordelia, bumped into Ava at the entrance.

"Perfect timing, Mr. Evans. I want to know what’s going on with this business about Thomas and Alana and if Cordelia has any proof. She wouldn't marry my son when she had the chance, and now that we're welcoming a new daughter-in-law, why is she stirring up drama?" Ava glared at Cordelia, who was oblivious in Ronan's arms, her presence slightly deflating Ava's resolve.

Ronan's brow furrowed. He knew the scoop about Alana and Thomas. Cordelia had shared it with him, but how Ava came to know of it was unclear. “Cordelia didn’t say anything! If you want to know what happened, you should ask Thomas,” Ronan said curtly before carrying Cordelia into the house and shutting the door in Ava’s face.

Ava stomped her foot in frustration. If Thomas had told her anything, she wouldn’t have bothered coming here.

Once inside, Ronan told the housekeeper, Janice, to whip up a hangover cure. Victoria had spoken highly of Cordelia, so Janice was quick to oblige.

With a steaming bowl in hand, Ronan propped Cordelia against him and helped her sip the remedy. Her cheeks flushed from the warmth, and after a moment, she cuddled into Ronan, finally settling into a deep slumber. She slept the entire afternoon away.

When Cordelia awoke, she searched the room frantically.

"What are you looking for?" Ronan's deep, resonant voice asked.

Caught off guard, Cordelia felt a twinge of embarrassment. She turned to find Ronan lounging on the couch, casually reading a book with one leg crossed over the other.