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?”

don’t affect business deals!

eyes, “Mom, weren’t you just saying yesterday how Hackett would do anything for his grandson? Or… do you refuse to believe that the Griffin

face turned a shade of crimson, and she jabbed 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 make Yates listen to her? Is it her pretty face?”

drew everyone’s eyes to Cordelia, who sat there composed and

even more captivating than that of

wondering if Yates had indeed taken a fancy to his

began to ask, “Yates is really into

troublesome since day one, fighting and causing a ruckus. Lia can’t be

belittle Cordelia, snorted, “Oh, so you’re too good for Yates? What about Hanley? He’s a catch, but would he ever go

up, her voice tinged with

13.09

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

that, tears welled up in her

it. Gordelin, you’re dropping out of those

again when she heard this, slowly raising her head to

interjected, “That’s not fair! Lia is talented. Why shouldn’t she be in those clubs?

her voice breaking. “Hanley in my

Sanderson’s authoritative tone commanded attention as he glanced at Juliana, “Are you engaged?” Intimidated by her uncle, Juliana faltered. He was right.

suddenly grasping onto Laurinda, sobbing,

accusation, “I’ve already arranged this with the Foster family. What are

jaw. Juliana’s outburst had sparked an idea.

and Hanley had nothing in common, so he hadn’t pursued the match. But if Lia had feelings for Hanley,

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

back?”

every pair of eyes turned toward

and now that the chatter