Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 35

Merry’s voice cut through the chatter in the classroom, drawing every eye in her direction.

Was the result a cause for celebration or commiseration?

While the students were pondering, Cordelia’s brow furrowed, and her surprise was evident. She had felt confident in her answers. How on earth had she lost 12 points?

The sight of her expression made a wave of relief wash over Juliana, her heart brimming with a sense of schadenfreude. Maybe Cordelia had only scored in the fifties, so Merry’s shock meant a dismal failure. After all, Cordelia had aced the previous math quiz.

Juliana could barely conceal her glee and shot Hanley a sly glance, her voice dripping with faux sympathy. “Cordelia, don’t beat yourself up. We’re talking about the math competition here. It’s brutal. Plenty of folks are thrilled to even score in the fifties.”

Latham, who had harbored hopes for Cordella, paused at Juliana’s words, swallowing his disappointment to offer consolation. “Cordelia, chin up! There’s always next time.”

On the other hand, Hanley smirked with self–satisfaction. He had lost to her in the last quiz due to a fluke, but not this time. Surely, Cordelia would recognize his superiority.

Some classmates, eager to see Cordelia knocked down a peg, bit back their snide remarks, recalling her commanding presence in earlier classes. Instead, they ducked their heads and anonymously hit the school’s online forum with their phones.

[Live update. Scores are out! Someone’s world just got rocked!]

[Waiting for her result!]

[So much for the know–it–all, huh?]

[Drop the score!]

The forum buzzed with gossip as Merry remained in shock. The same group of girls who thrived on rumors swallowed hard.

Scoring an 88 on a math competition test was no small feat for the average Joe!

Juliana teased, “For all we know, some people are happy to scrape by with barely double digits. So, Cordelia, how many points did you get?”

Cordelia remained silent, but Merry could hold back no more and blurted out. “288!”

“What? Did I mishear, or did you misspeak?”

hundred? I’d believe

You’re pulling my leg! Merry,

88, right?”

and Juliana’s eyes widened in disbelief, thinking Merry must have

with a

you score?”

at them as if to clear away any illusion.

classmates, Cordelia drawled, “Should I be worried?

was speechless. Struggling to contain his excitement, Latham explained, “This isn’t a regular test. Since its inception, the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition

a gold medal

Latham couldn’t bear to return the phone, staring at the number repeatedly,

loud ringtone cut through the

the head of the math department, his voice booming through the phone as if on speaker. “Latham, how

Latham paused, “212”

“Not bad, a first prize for sure! But it looks like Jake from our school has snagged the

almost reflexively,

to say you’ve got the math chops to coach our competition team, yet you went for the fat paycheck at Greenmeadow International. It’s a shame. As

Latham would have hung

time, his voice brimming with confidence. “You’re right, Zack. But about that first place, you

stunned. “What

forgot

“What?”

seated in a neat line on the steps, each with a

on a step, announcing, “I’ve got two hundred insults printed here. We’re eight strong but need to

“Got it!”

“Go!” they dived into

probably just scored in the fifties, right?

eight? Oh, my bad, you don’t qualify for the test.]

Get ready, and you’ll be blown

come the

the spam line. “Even if she fails, she’s