Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia)

Chapter 17

Once Cordelia was ready, Calvert extended a hand in front of him, emphasizing with a bit of a taunt, "Hit it hard and fast. But then, you're a girl, so your reflexes might be slower..."

He didn't get to finish his sentence before Cordelia's foot came flying at him.

"Thud!" Calvert was sent staggering back several steps by the powerful kick before he managed to regain his balance.

As he caught his breath, he was dumbfounded. How could this little lady pack such a punch?

Cordelia landed gracefully and turned her head towards him, “Need me to go harder?”

She'd grown up in an orphanage, accustomed to the heavy labor, which had given her strength beyond that of the average person.

Unfortunately, she had never learned any form of fighting.

Calvert quickly waved off, "That's enough." He flexed his numb hand, continuing, "Let's work on the punching motion, and take it easy. Don't need all that strength."

After going through the moves twice, Cordelia had the basics down pat. Checking the time, she hurried over to where Merry was.

By now, the alley was dimly lit, the streetlights casting a soft glow. When Cordelia arrived, she saw the seven members of the Flame Union plus Merry squatting under the faint light. Yates was still leaning against the wall nearby, engrossed in his video game. The scene had an inexplicable comedic feel to it.

Flame No. 1, who had found a blade of grass to chew on, grumbled, "Damn it! She's not gonna bail on us, is she?"

Merry piped up anxiously, "It's not even her fight. Yates, just beat me up and let me go!"

Yates snorted dismissively and didn't reply. Instead, he perked up his ears and heard light footsteps approaching.

He glanced sideways to see Cordelia making her way over, her expression blank, her eyes indifferent, and her speech slow as she said, "I've learned it."

Merry was quick to say, "Cordelia, don't be foolish, you better leave! Yates is tough. No one around here can beat him..."

Yates raised an eyebrow. He wasn't picky about his opponents, taking on both guys and gals, but something about this docile girl made him hesitate to strike.

Maybe he'd go easy on her, so she wouldn't lose too badly. At this thought, Yates said, "Let's start."

No sooner had he spoken than the seemingly demure Cordelia sprang into action, "Kick, punch, throw, seize, twist". With a fluid sequence of maneuvers, Yates was on the ground, his arm twisted and controlled by her.

Silence fell over the crowd. The rest were stunned, watching the scene unfold before them.

It happened too fast. They hadn't even had time to stand and cheer before it was over.

Yates struggled to break free, but despite her seemingly effortless hold, he was trapped.

"I wasn't ready, let's go again!" he protested.

Cordelia nodded, released his arm, and resumed her stance. Fist ready, right leg back, her face serious but her eyes vacant.

After Yates limbered up, he called out, "Start!"

Twenty seconds later, a prone Yates began to question his life choices. He had anticipated her moves, yet he couldn't keep up with her speed!

Wasn't she supposed to be slow?

Flushed and frustrated, he clenched his fists and finally conceded, "I give up."

Cordelia let him go.

Yates stood, dusting himself off, his face a mix of defiance and defeat, "You wait, one day I'll beat you, and then you'll be dyeing your hair red under my command!"

Cordelia responded with a noncommittal, "Okay."

Yates felt like his punch had landed in cotton, with no strength behind it.

He took a deep breath, gestured to his gang, and they all straightened up and bowed in unison, "Boss Cordelia!"

Cordelia was puzzled. All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Flame No. 1 glanced at Yates and then asked, "Boss Cordelia, do we need to dye our hair back?"

Cordelia eyed their locks, replying, "Whatever."

She believed in individuality and wouldn't impose her preferences.

Taking her backpack from Merry, she turned and left.

Yates couldn't help asking, "Where are you going?"

Cordelia paused before replying, "Home to do homework."

Silence followed her departure.

Once the students had gone, Everard and Calvert emerged from the shadows.

Calvert remarked, "Boss, your girlfriend got some moves. She's a natural!"

He sneaked a peek at Everard, only to find him tense, his gaze lost in thought.

Calvert couldn't resist asking, "What kind of secret is she hiding that's got you personally sticking around?"

Everard gave him a cool look, and Calvert promptly shut up, pretending his question had never been asked.

At the Griffin household, the sixty-something Hackett paced his study anxiously. When his secretary arrived, he demanded, "Well, did you find anything?"

The secretary bowed respectfully, "There's no trace of Mr. Watkins, sir."

Hackett frowned and took a puff from his cigar, exhaling a cloud of smoke before speaking, "Mr. Watkins moves in shadows. It's no wonder we can't find him. But since he's come to Greenmeadow, we need to be cautious. Tell the others the weekend gathering is canceled. We won't accept any gifts. If Mr. Watkins gets wind of it, there will be hell to pay."

"Understood, sir."

Hackett thought for a moment more, "Start with the coffee beans. Find out where they are been sent. Mr. Watkins' fiancée is in Greenmeadow, and we can't afford to offend her, not even accidentally."

"Yes, sir."

At the Delaney family, Sanderson, fresh from a business trip, greeted Laurinda before pulling Lorna aside into the bedroom, his worry evident, "Are you hurt?"

Lorna shook her head, recounting the previous events.

Sanderson grew stormy at the mention of the family discipline, and Lorna sighed, "Laurinda wasn't always this harsh. What's gotten into her lately? She seems to have it out for me."

Having been married to Sanderson for nearly two decades, Lorna had never encountered aggression from Laurinda. Even though Laurinda might not be fond of her, she had never resorted to physical violence. Even in public, she ensured that Lorna maintained her dignity.

A shadow passed over Sanderson, and he let out a heavy sigh. "It's because I'm about to take over the family business."

Lorna wasn't some damsel in distress. She had kept to herself after Cordelia went missing, her world shattered. Lorna had since then withdrawn from all conflict. But with his words, the penny dropped.

Was Laurinda grooming Kermit to take over the business instead?

Fear flickered in Lorna's eyes as she considered the implications. "If I had left yesterday, your reputation would've been trashed... That's... That's just too much! Her favoritism knows no bounds!"

After saying this and noticing Sanderson's grim expression, she realized his heart must be heavier and quickly tried to comfort him. "It's okay, you still have me and Lia!"

Sanderson nodded and embraced Lorna, the couple finding solace in each other's arms. After a moment, Lorna piqued her curiosity and asked, "By the way, where did you get those coffee beans?"

Sanderson froze at her question. "Wasn't it Mathilda who bought it?"