Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 9

Cordelia slipped off her sneakers and was about to head back to her room when Lorna, dressed in a flowing lavender dress that hinted at her bohemian spirit, emerged from the kitchen.

Catching sight of her, Lorna offered a tender smile and beckoned her over.

By the time Cordelia reached the dining area, Lorna handed her a delicate little bowl, her voice a soft whisper, “Lia, feeling peckish? I’ve just whipped up some hearty and nutritious soup for you. Have a little taste.”

Touched by Lorna’s kindness, Cordelia softened her eyes and took a sip. The soup was a tad bland for her taste, but the creamy taste made it a comforting treat.

Just as she was about to finish it, a scolding voice echoed from the staircase, “All you do is to eat! Did you not see Juliana in tears?”

Startled, Lorna tensed up, then quickly tried to appease, “Mom, she’s just a kid. It’s normal to be a little upset. I’ll go up and talk to Juliana…

Lorna skirted past Cordelia, intending to ascend the stairs, but Laurinda halted her progress, her droopy eyes scanning Cordelia with disdain. Spotting the bowl in her hands, her eyes bulged with fury, “Who said she could have soup? That was made for Juliana!”

Lorna hurriedly explained, “Mom, I know. Juliana’s portion is still in the warmer. I made two servings today. I’ll give Juliana hers in a moment…”

It was a daily treat for Juliana, a habit ingrained in her routine.

Lorna believed that as daughters of the Delaney family, it was only fair for Cordelia to have her share each day too. But she hadn’t anticipated such a vehement reaction from Laurinda, “Juliana needs her soup because she’s exhausted from studying so hard. She needs to replenish, Cordelia might as well be stuffed with straw for all the good it’ll do. Don’t you dare make her another serving!”

Lorna stood there, dumbstruck.

For the Delaney family, soup was a trivial expense. Sometimes when they had extra, they’d even share it with the housekeepers.

She couldn’t fathom why Laurinda would be so cruel to Cordelia.

Cordelia glanced at the soup in her hand. She was never one to crave such luxuries, having learned to be content with simple meals at the orphanage.

She placed the bowl on the dining table and prepared to head upstairs.

Then, Laurinda blocked her path, “And are you the reason Juliana’s been crying?”

Lorna waved her hands dismissively. “Of course not, Lia…”

Before she could finish, a grunt interrupted her. Both she and Laurinda turned their attention to Cordelia.

“I knew it was you! You loon, what did you do to Juliana? Why

“What?”

aback, doubting her ears. Is Cordelia’s grades better than Juliana’s? Impossible!

and handed

scanned

Math: A+

Science. A+

Literature: B+

about Juliana’s grades, was well aware of what these scores represented. She couldn’t believe Cordelia she had dismissed as dull and foolish was

the leg of a dining chair with her toe. In a cool and swift motion, she pulled it in front of her and gently pushed Lorna to sit down before

If my grades are better than Juliana’s,

reddened her face, her

she looked down upon in front of the housekeepers? No

her eyebrows together and suddenly clutched her chest, “Oh, my

angina acting up again? Let me help you

rest.

beat a hasty retreat from the dining

at a loss for

evening, at dinner, Laurinda and Juliana finally came downstairs. Steward, the family patriarch, had wrapped up a major acquisition and was returning home for a rare family meal, so the

care.

Lorna, laying eyes on the

a traditionalist, his authority still resonant in his booming voice, even at seventy. He surveyed. Cordelia briefly before nodding ambiguously, “Good

but turned. to Laurinda with a pointed question, “Everything alright at home these past few days?”

Laurinda replied.

“Are you sure?”

Laurinda faltered, confused.

continued, his gaze fixed on her, “Did you forget to

question made Laurinda stiffen as if she was about

Steward know

clenched as she felt a wave of humiliation she had never experienced before.

Steward, she turned begrudgingly to Lorna, “About what happened the other day… I shouldn’t have hit. my fault.”

sensing the bitterness in Laurinda’s eyes, felt a jolt