Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 5

Cordelia mulled over the day’s bizarre events as she walked home, her pale fingers brushing against her chest, where her heart beat with a sense of foreboding. Her usually stoic eyes betrayed a hint of confusion. At school that afternoon, she had fell perfectly normal, but the pain from the morning loomed in her memory, stark and startling.

Love or die. “What could cause such a thing?

Even after returning home, she couldn’t unravel the mystery Lost in thought, she was about to head upstairs

when Juliana’s voice, filled with surprise, echoed behind her. “Edwin, Belinda!”

Cordelia paused mid–step, only then noticing the quests in the house.

Ainda sat on the living room sofa, her smile warm and welcoming. However, Lorna was the picture of

istress beside her, eyes red rimmed from crying.

Across from them were a man and woman, both middle–aged. The woman glanced at Juliana with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, then turned a critical gaze on Cordelia, lips curling as she said in a flippant tone. “So this is Lia? Pretty enough, I suppose…”

Before Cordelia could respond, Laurinda huffed, “Yes, she grew up in an orphanage, has no manners to speak of, and doesn’t even know how to greet you properly. Dull as a doorknob. Not like our Juliana here, who’s been bright and sensible since she was a child, diligent and studious.”

Cordelia promptly shut her mouth.

Juliana beamed a smile, trotting over to sit beside Laurinda and cooing, “Edwin, Belinda, what brings you here?”

The couple exchanged awkward glances, remaining silent.

declared, “They’re here to discuss a marriage arrangement! You’ll soon be turning eighteen, and after your birthday, you’ll get engaged

for Lia. You can’t just change that!” Laurinda’s gaze turned stern. “The Foster family and we have been close for years. The engagement was supposed to strengthen our bond. If you insist on

hurt. “How is Lia marrying into their family

intellectual discussions with Hanley? Can she dance at balls? Play the piano? She’s clueless! Them together would be a laughingstock. But our Juliana is

her any chance, instead turning to Cordelia,

eyes landed on

looked down on her. And she had noticed Hanley at school, nowhere near the perfect guy they made him out to be. Compared to the charming man from the store, he fell short.

as she said coldly. “Let’s just leave it

indifference suggesting she wasn’t interested in Hanley.

Cordelia knows her place, it’s

details.”

relaxed, Juliana excused herself. Tl go check on Cordelia. She seemed off today and handed in her test paper after just half an

the chance to run down Cordelia,

scornful glance, and hurriedly explained, “Lia hasn’t had the chance to learn high school material at the

The Delaney kids

flushed with shame. She clenched her

the Wilson family. Her father was a college professor but suddenly suffered from mental disease a few years ago. Since

her.

cursed her daughter, Cordelia.

me as you like, but you can’t talk about Lia like that!”

Snap!