Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 1

In the oppressive swelter of August, a sense of restlessness pervaded the air.

Outside the orphanage gate, a well–kept middle–aged woman, her eyes swollen and red from crying, barely able to stand, was supported by her husband, Sanderson Delaney. “Is this our poor lost daughter?” she asked.

Sanderson also had reddened eyes, nodding. “Yes.”

Sanderson and his childhood sweetheart, Lorna Wilson, were a picture of marital bliss, but their daughter went missing under tragic circumstances. After 18 years of searching, hope had faded. Yet, surprisingly, their prayers were answered when they found her in an orphanage.

Sanderson’s gaze shifted to the two approaching him, settling on the polite girl trailing behind the headmistress.

She sported a white baseball cap, dressed in a clean set of blue jeans and a t–shirt, her hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, and her fair face featured delicate features, with beautiful and clear eyes looking at them, misty and bewildered.

Compared to the emotional couple, she seemed too calm.

Sanderson blinked in confusion.

As they drew closer, the headmistress presented the girl to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Delaney, this is Cordelia Delaney

the girl, she said, “Lia, these are your

gaze finally focused, settling

looked at her with restraint and longing, her lips trembling with the desire to connect, yet tentative for fear

a moment, Cordelia spoke softly, “Hello.” Her tone

her daughter tightly, weeping loudly. “Oh, my darling

made Cordelia stiffen, unaccustomed to such affection.

her away seemed

away slightly. In a voice he thought she couldn’t hear, Sanderson asked the headmistress in a low tone, “Miss, there’s nothing wrong with Lia, is there?” gesturing to his head.

genius. She’s known in our orphanage for her brilliance. She’s more absorbed in her studies than social interactions, so she might seem a bit slow to

A genius?

being foolish. He sighed in relief, and once

window, Cordelia/silently observed the outside world. The chaotic streets and the slightly worn door of the orphanage receded slowly as the car moved away until it turned a corner and was out of sight. Only then

of them saw that. After they left, a sleek black Range Rover pulled up quietly in

two

turned around. “Mr. Watkins,

Chapter 1

in the back seat sat rigidly, his jawline firm. The dim light in the car cast his nearly perfect features in a

that made it difficult to meet his gaze.