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

Chapter 31

It was the eve of the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition, an unofficial contest held in the neighboring town. The students from Greenmeadow International School who attended the competition were set to gather at the school on Friday afternoon for the weekend event, with the test on Saturday and their return scheduled for Sunday.

As Lorna set out from home early Friday morning, she was a bundle of nerves and must have checked Cordelia’s luggage a dozen times before she was satisfied nothing was left behind. She turned to Cordelia with a worried frown. "Lia, are you sure you can handle this? Maybe I should come with you."

Cordelia shook her head with slow resolve. "I'll be fine, Mom."

But Lorna's maternal instincts wouldn't settle. "Well, at least let me call Hanley to ask him to keep an extra eye on you."

Before Cordelia could protest, Laurinda chimed in with a scoff. "It's just a silly little test. Juliana has been acing exams since she was in diapers and never had any incidents. Some people just love to make a scene."

Ignoring her snide remark as if it were a fly buzzing by, Cordelia stepped out the door. Her phone buzzed with a notification as she climbed into the car. It was a daily query from her Little Fang.

Boss Wallace asked, ‘What's on the menu today?’

At Midnight Scent, Cordelia routinely grabbed Everard's hand with a poker face after breakfast. It was a grab, void of any shyness or the romantic tenderness expected in such moments.

Everard leaned back, his sharp features softening in the light. As Cordelia was about to let go, he caught her hand and chuckled, "Girl, hold on a little longer."

"Why?" she asked, puzzled.

"Because you won't be able to meet me tomorrow. You need to take your share for today and tomorrow all at once," he replied nonchalantly.

Cordelia pulled her hand back with force, about to walk away when she heard Everard's deep voice, "Girl." ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

She looked up slowly to meet his warm eyes. He was still smiling. "Remember to miss me."

She nodded obediently. "I will."

After all, not missing him would make her heart painful!

Turning to leave, she saw Little Fang and remembered his daily chatting and the breakfast he had prepared. Cordelia politely said, "Thanks."

Calvert was confused.

Once Cordelia left Midnight Scent, Calvert didn't need to turn around to feel the icy chill from Everard. He nervously blurted out, "Boss, hear me out... Wait, what did I even do? I didn't do anything, right?"

That afternoon, everyone boarded the school charter bus for the over-five-hour journey to the official competition site, where they checked into a five-star hotel nearby.

Greenmeadow International School had brought a delegation of eleven, eight boys and three girls. With the other two girls bunking together, Cordelia found herself solo.

It was the least of her worries, especially since before leaving, Sanderson had wired her an allowance that more than covered a single room.

Latham, however, was more concerned. "I worry you might get scared at night alone, so I've arranged for you to room with a girl from Greenmeadow High School who's also solo. It's good to have someone to watch out for."

Cordelia simply nodded.

Greenmeadow High School was known nationwide for its high college entrance rate. They had brought a whopping thirty-plus students!

Latham approached the group's leader and greeted, "Zack, sorry for troubling you."

Zack, a forty-something math department head with a beer gut, gave students from Greenmeadow International School a once-over with a condescending air. "Latham, aside from Hanley, none of your kids have ever won anything. This competition route isn't for them. You're just wasting time bringing them here. Don't take it the wrong way. I'm just being honest."

Suppressing a grimace, Latham scolded Zack in his mind.

If he hadn't been concerned about Cordelia, a delicate girl on her own, he wouldn't have bothered.

Ignoring the slight, he turned to a short-haired girl following Zack. "Yuna, I'd appreciate it if you could look after Cordelia for us."

Yuna glanced at Cordelia and grunted her assent.

Once they had checked into the hotel, Cordelia headed to room 508. As she was about to enter, she was nudged aside by Yuna, who barged in with her suitcase and claimed the window-side bed with a contented sprawl. "Ah, this is the life!"

Cordelia shot Yuna a cool look before entering. Without unpacking, she pulled out a set of exercises and headed for the desk, only to find Yuna had already commandeered the only workspace.

Lounging in the chair, phone in hand, Yuna said casually, "Sorry, I need this."

Without a word, Cordelia returned to her bed, placed a book on her lap, and resumed her work.

Yuna's phone was a constant distraction, her voice messages blaring through the room without a hint of consideration.

Half an hour later, Yuna finally picked up her math workbook. Just then, Cordelia's phone pinged.

It was Little Fang, ‘Have you arrived?’

Intending to type a response but caught up in her problem-solving, Cordelia sent a voice message instead. "Yeah, got here a while ago."

She was so focused on her work that she forgot to release the record button.

Meanwhile, Yuna, fed up, tossed her book aside. "Ugh, my roommate is so annoying. She won't stop with her phone. I can't concentrate on my studies. Aren't all students from Greenmeadow International School rich? Why do I have to share a room with her? Are all rich kids this bothersome?"

Cordelia had just finished her last math problem when she overheard the comment. Her fingers relaxed, and the voice message was sent.

Oblivious to the implications, her brow slowly furrowed.

Cordelia never cared much for others' opinions. A few words wouldn't cost her anything. But that didn't mean she'd take things lying down!

She glanced at Yuna with a lazy ease. "It’s you who is annoying," Cordelia drawled, "The person who's been jawing off for the last half hour is you, isn't it?"

Yuna was flushed with anger. "What are you implying? If it weren't for you, I'd be living solo. Why the heck do we have to be roomies?"

Cordelia's gaze turned icy. She set down her book and slowly rose from the bed, her voice cool but commanding, "If you don't want to live with me, you're free to leave."

Yuna was momentarily stunned, then blustered, "Why should I be the one to leave? This is my room. If anyone should go, it's you! Oh, let me guess, you're not from some fancy family, are you? You can't even afford your place."

As her words hung in the air, there was a knock on the door.

Yuna, unnerved by Cordelia's piercing look, leapt up and rushed to open it, only to find a hotel staff member standing there, "Excuse me, is Ms. Delaney here? Hello, your Presidential Suite is ready. Would you like assistance with your luggage?"

Yuna stood there, dumbfounded.