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?”

you accidentally add a hundred?

You’re pulling my leg! Merry,

mean 88,

in disbelief, thinking

Latham rushed over to Cordelia with a look of eager anticipation. “Cordelia, how much

you score?”

her phone over peacefully. Latham grabbed it, his eyes widening before scrubbing at them as if to clear away any illusion. The small phone screen was clear enough, though,

drawled, “Should I be worried?

Latham explained, “This isn’t a regular test. Since its inception,

a gold medal at IMO.”

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

loud ringtone cut

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

Latham paused, “212”

like Jake from our school has snagged

replied almost

a first prize is a miracle. But, Latham, I’ve got to say you’ve got the math chops to coach our competition team, yet you went for the

normal circumstances, Latham would have hung up.

Zack was calling to gloat, but Latham stood tall this time, his voice brimming with confidence. “You’re right, Zack.

“What do you

forgot to mention. My student Cordelia scored 288.”

“What?”

Flame Union assembled, their ranks seated in a neat line on the steps, each with a phone

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

“Got it!”

of “Go!” they dived into

fifties, right? Show the scorel] Someone

Oh, my bad, you don’t qualify for

Get ready, and you’ll be blown

the

bury their trash talk! Here’s the spam line. “Even if she fails, she’s still better