Chapter 4. You Are a Disgrace!

#Flashback On

Cordelia sat in the large living room, uneasy feelings filling her mind. The phone call from one of the company’s board representatives still echoed clearly in her head.

“Miss Cordelia, you must attend the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders tomorrow. There is an important decision that requires your approval as the main heir of the Redford Group. We will discuss who will serve as the interim CEO,” said Harland as the call connected.

Cordelia frowned. Carter-her father-had suddenly passed away three months ago, leaving a void at the top leadership of the company he had built from scratch. No one knew who would replace him permanently, but rumors were already circulating.

“Who is proposed?” Cordelia asked flatly.

“Alan. You know him,” Harland replied hesitantly. “Mr. Carter’s ward.”

Cordelia was stunned hearing that name. Alan... The name brought a flash of childhood memories-someone she rarely saw at home but was always in the shadows. Alan was a ward secretly raised by Carter, far from public and family attention. Cordelia had never been close to him, but her father seemed to fully trust Alan.

“Dad already decided this, didn’t he?” Cordelia muttered to herself. “Alan, as interim CEO?”

“Yes, but he needs your approval. You are the only one who can decide this.”

Cordelia bit her lip. How could her father prepare someone almost unknown to the family to lead such a big company? Yet, on the other hand, Carter was always calculating; choosing Alan must have a strong reason.

The next evening, Cordelia entered the meeting room of the Redford Group’s building. Serious faces of shareholders stared at her as she took her place at the long table. Harland was at the end of the table, nodding at her. In the corner stood Alan, upright, his face calm but his gaze sharp.

“Let’s begin,” Harland opened the meeting. “As you all know, the late Mr. Carter Redford appointed Alan as the candidate for interim CEO, but for this decision to be official, we need the approval of his sole heir, Miss Cordelia.”

The room felt heavy. All eyes were on Cordelia. The beautiful woman felt the burden on her shoulders grow heavier. Her father had entrusted this decision to her, but she felt unprepared. Alan looked at her, and for a moment, Cordelia felt the gaze she had seen years ago-a hopeful look, like when Alan first came to their home.

Cordelia exhaled heavily, trying to think for a moment, then said firmly, “If Dad has decided, then I will respect Dad’s decision. I’m sure there is a good purpose behind all this.”

Whispers began to fill the room; some shareholders looked surprised, while others nodded in agreement. Cordelia signed the document, completing a major decision that would change the company’s direction.

“Thank you, Cordelia,” Alan said calmly but meaningfully. Their eyes met briefly, and Cordelia knew a new chapter in her life was about to begin.

“Of course, I hope you won’t betray me, Alan.” With a professional smile, Cordelia left the meeting room.

After the AGM, Cordelia decided to walk to the parking lot. The night air felt fresh, slightly calming her swirling thoughts after the big decision she had just made.

Suddenly, her steps stopped. Footsteps behind her sent chills down her spine. She turned her head but saw no one. Before she could react further, a rough cloth covered her mouth. A pungent smell filled her senses. Cordelia tried to resist, but her body grew weaker. Within seconds, her consciousness began to fade.

#Flashback Off

The cold night pierced Cordelia’s entire body. The beautiful woman ran, her body aching every time her feet touched the cold ground. Every second felt like a trial, but she kept moving forward, heading toward the house she hoped would bring some comfort.

Upon arriving home, Cordelia grasped the door handle with trembling hands. She entered her house with difficulty, gasping for breath. In the living room sat Brittany-her stepmother-along with Veronica-her stepsister.

“Ah, you just got home? Looks like you want to live wildly?” Brittany sneered, staring at Cordelia.

Cordelia swallowed hard. “M-mom... I-I-”

“Sit!” Brittany ordered firmly.

Cordelia sat in the grand living room, biting her trembling lip. Brittany looked at her with hatred. Veronica, sitting beside her with folded arms, wore a disgusted expression. The atmosphere was heavy, filled with tension that made Cordelia feel suffocated.

“Don’t you have any shame, Cordelia?” Brittany’s cold voice suddenly broke the silence. Her sharp eyes pierced Cordelia, who sat awkwardly. “How dare you disgrace the Redford family like that!”

Cordelia looked at Brittany in confusion, tears welling up in her eyes. “I... I don’t understand, Mom. What do you mean?”

Veronica snorted, leaning forward with anger in her eyes. “Someone saw you entering a hotel with an old man, Cordelia! Don’t you have any shame? Your father just passed away, and you’re already like this?”

Cordelia was shocked, her heart pounding faster. “Old man? No, Sis, that’s not true! I was kidnapped! I didn’t enter the hotel with anyone willingly! You have to listen to me!”

Brittany raised her hand, signaling Cordelia to be quiet. “Enough! No need for excuses. Do you think we’ll believe that stupid story? Everyone knows what they saw. You’ve embarrassed our family. Do you realize how ruined our reputation is now?”

Cordelia sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Mom, please listen to me! I didn’t do what you think. There’s been a misunderstanding. I don’t know how this happened, but I was attacked, and I-”

“You want to lie to us?” Veronica cut in sharply. “You’re so naive, Cordelia. Do you think we’re stupid? No one cares about your reasons. The fact that people are already talking about this is enough to destroy our good name. You are a disgrace!”

Cordelia felt her world collapse hearing her stepsister’s cruel words. She tried to reach for Brittany’s hand, but her stepmother quickly pulled away, as if unwilling to be touched.

“I didn’t do anything! I... I’m just a victim! For God’s sake, I’m just a victim. Please believe me,” Cordelia sobbed, trying to explain.

Cordelia no longer had a family. Her mother had died earlier, then her father married his former secretary. Unfortunately, fate was cruel. Her biological father died. Now Cordelia lived with her stepmother and stepsister-who was the child of her stepmother from a previous marriage. Veronica only used Cordelia’s family name but was not truly part of the Redford family.

Brittany’s face hardened. “Because you are a burden to us, Cordelia. Since your father died, you’ve only brought problems. Now, you’ve destroyed our reputation! The Redford family cannot continue to bear a disgrace like you.”

“But I’m not guilty, Mom,” Cordelia sobbed, her body trembling from emotion and despair. “I didn’t do anything shameful. I don’t know who spread that story, but it’s not true. I just want you to believe me.”

“Enough, Cordelia! We don’t want to hear more of your nonsense. Do you think we’ll believe this rubbish?” Veronica shouted emotionally.

Cordelia looked at them with a desperate gaze. Deep inside, she hoped her mother and stepsister would give her a chance to explain. She was still naive, thinking this was just a misunderstanding that could be resolved. But the cold expressions on their faces were enough to shatter her hopes.

“I don’t want to see your face again,” Brittany said coldly, her tone piercing. “Veronica, take her to her room. Make sure she doesn’t come out until we decide what to do with this disgrace.”

Veronica smiled coldly, then stood up and roughly grabbed Cordelia’s arm. Weak and shocked, Cordelia could only follow without resistance, tears streaming endlessly.

Veronica led Cordelia into the room, then slammed the door shut, locking her inside mercilessly. Just as the door locked, Cordelia collapsed to the floor, trembling. She covered her tear-streaked face with her hands.

“Why is this happening to me?” Cordelia whispered sorrowfully.