Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 22

The silence in the room was palpable.

Sanderson had been puzzling it over the whole way home. He was the one who brought these coffee beans, so why did Hackett state that they were a gift from him?. What was that supposed to mean?

The family sat in contemplation until Laurinda scoffed, “Isn’t that just a slap in the face? Do you think you’re high and mighty enough to enjoy that fancy coffee? And all this talk of projects without a signed contract is just hot air. Probably just a ploy to get your hopes up for nothing!”

But Sanderson disagreed with her interpretation. The Griffin family was a force to be reckoned with. They could crush the Delaney family with a clear–cut dismissal. Why would they bother with such subterfuge?

Steward, always the thinker, asked, “Did he mention anything about Cordelia?”

Sanderson shook his head, “Not a word from Hackett. He seems to be oblivious to the kids‘ drama.”

Steward’s gaze then landed on Cordelia, who was silently devouring her meal, eager to retreat upstairs and hit the books. “Cordelia, did that Yates come looking for you today?”

She was shoveling her food, barely stopping between bites. At the mention of Yates, she swallowed hastily and replied in a drawl, “Uh–huh, he did.”

Lorna was visibly anxious, “Did he do anything to you? Say anything?”

Steward was also on edge, cutting in abruptly, “Cordelia, what’s going on between you two? We need the full story.”

Cordelia paused, placing her fork down with an air of courtesy before turning to Steward, “I haven’t wronged Yates. As it stands, I’m his boss. He follows my lead.”

“What?!” Steward and Laurinda were dumbfounded, and Lorna’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. Only Juliana, who had seen Yates and his gangs obediently call Cordelia “boss,” wasn’t shocked but gripped her fork tighter.

Sanderson had an epiphany, “No wonder Yates, who’s usually so standoffish, was so polite today. Did Hackett give the project to the Delaney family because of Yates‘ say so?”

object, “Kids‘ squabbles don’t affect business deals! Since

his grandson? Or… do you refuse to believe that the Griffin family gave us the project because

a finger at him, sputtering before finally retorting, “So what if I don’t believe it? What could she, an orphan from who–knows–where, have to

eyes to Cordelia, who sat there composed and indifferent to the

captivating than that of

wondering if Yates had indeed taken a fancy

hopeful, began to ask, “Yates is

cut him off, “No way! That kid’s been troublesome since day one, fighting and causing a ruckus. Lia can’t be with

so you’re too good for Yates? What about Hanley? He’s a catch, but would he

snapped. She stood up, her voice tinged with accusation and a

13.09

you still hung up on Hanley? Despite your grades, you cling to the Math Club and now you’ve wormed your

that, tears welled up in her

comfect Juliana, “Don’t cry, my dear. I’ll take care of it. Gordelin, you’re dropping out of

picked up her fork again when she heard this, slowly raising her head

is talented. Why shouldn’t she be in those clubs? And let’s

voice breaking.

engaged?” Intimidated by her uncle, Juliana faltered. He was right. Without an engagement, Hanley

staggered, suddenly grasping onto Laurinda, sobbing, “They’re

tinged with accusation, “I’ve already arranged

clenched his jaw. Juliana’s outburst

common, so he hadn’t pursued the match. But if Lia had feelings for Hanley, he was

Sanderson looked to Cordelia, “Lia, what do you want? Should we

back?”

as every pair

itching to get a word in edgewise, and now that the chatter had finally ceased, she spoke up leisurely. “There’s