NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 225
At that moment, not long after, Cora's car pulled into the quiet parking lot of the small, upscale restaurant Robert had chosen. It wasn't a flashy place, but it had a calming atmosphere lighting, soft jazz in the background, and big windows that let the sunlight pour in gently.
She stepped out, composed and sharp as ever, wearing a dark olive blazer with a black dress underneath. Her heels clicked with confidence across the tiled floor as she made her way in.
Robert was already there, he sat at a table near the window, a cup of coffee in front of him, untouched. His fingers tapped lightly against the table as if his mind wasn't at rest. But the moment he spotted Cora walking in, he immediately stood up like a gentleman. His expression was neutral but laced with unease.
However Cora didn't rush. She walked over, her eyes never leaving his, her face unreadable. When she reached the table, she didn't sit right away.
Robert offered a small smile, but there was no real joy behind it. Instead, his voice was firm and direct.
"Cora, thank you for coming. I was just about to message you again, but I'm glad you made it."
She gave him a small nod and finally took her seat, crossing one leg over the other. Her posture told him she was listening, but not in the mood for drawn-out pleasantries.
Robert took a breath. His fingers stopped tapping. Then, he leaned forward slightly, his voice low and clear.
"I'll go straight to the point. A piece of news came to me not long ago, and it honestly shook me. I believe you may already have an idea about it… but I still felt I needed to face it directly and clear the air before things spiral further."
Cora didn't respond. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but she waited for him to continue.
"I'm really sorry, Cora. I'm sorry for how my sister spoke to you. I just found out she approached you, and in the most unpleasant way possible. That wasn't supposed to happen. I didn't send her, I didn't even know she'd done it until today. And when I did… it made me sick."
There was a pause.
Robert's voice had softened, but it held weight. The kind that came with regret, and fear of what that disrespect could cost him.
"She crossed the line. And I want you to know… I don't support what she said. I know you can handle yourself, Cora. I've seen how you carry yourself, how you work. You didn't deserve that kind of treatment, and I hate that it came from a member of my family."
At that moment, Cora leaned back slightly in her chair, her hand resting on the edge of the table. Her voice was calm but firm as she spoke. "Robert, it's not your fault. I don't even put that in my mind anymore. I've forgotten about it, and honestly, I don't even want to talk about it again." Her eyes softened for a brief moment, showing she meant what she said.
But Robert wasn't letting it go. His posture straightened, and his tone carried both guilt and urgency. "Cora, I know how my sister can be," he said, shaking his head slowly. His brows pinched together as if even recalling her behavior annoyed him. "Her attitude is irritating at times, and I can imagine the things she might have said to you. I know they weren't nice." He let out a short breath, his jaw tightening before his voice softened again.
"She's just a big talker, Cora. That's all she is. She runs her mouth more than she thinks. Half the things she says, she doesn't even mean." His eyes locked on Cora's, earnest and steady. "But even with that, it doesn't excuse her. Talking too much doesn't give her the right to throw insults at you, or to try and make you feel less than you are."
Still Cora stayed quiet, watching the way his hand gripped the coffee cup now in front of her, his knuckles pressing pale against the porcelain. He was bothered, truly bothered, and she could see that.
"I'm very sorry," Robert continued, his tone carrying a weight that showed he wasn't just saying it out of obligation. "I'll keep apologizing if that's what it takes. I know you've already forgiven her in your heart. I can see that. But I'm asking you… for me… to forgive her again." He paused, his voice dipping low, more personal. "Not for her, but for me."
He leaned forward a little, his expression softening. "And I'll make sure of something else too. She will come to you herself. She will stand in front of you and apologize, sincerely, from her heart. That I promise you."
At that moment, Cora then slowly raise her eyes and look at Robert. Her tone was calm, but it carried weight. "No problem," she said softly. "When the time comes, and she actually apologizes sincerely, then I'll think about it. But for now, I don't want to talk about that anymore. I have something else to discuss with you. It's important… and no, it's nothing bad."
Robert adjusted his posture, sensing a shift in her mood. He didn't interrupt.
Cora continued, "It's about the shares. The ones I told you to keep for me… the ones I transferred to your name a while back. I want them back now."
There was a brief silence as Robert blinked, trying to process the sudden switch. Then he exhaled through his nose and nodded slightly. "I figured this day would come. And honestly, I've always known they were never mine."
He looked her directly in the eyes, his tone respectful. "As for that, definitely… you know I'll get it for you. I mean, immediately. But just so you understand, it will take a little time like a few days for the transfer to be processed completely. It's not something I can do in a snap. But definitely, before the week runs out, it'll be yours again."
Hearing Robert words, Cora narrowed her eyes just a little. She didn't look upset, but she wasn't smiling either. "Why not now?" she asked him. "Like… can't you do it now? Is there something else that's going to delay it?"