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?”

a hundred? I’d believe

You’re pulling my leg! Merry, you’re full of

88, right?”

eyes widened in disbelief, thinking Merry must have made

Cordelia with a look of eager

you score?”

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

Cordelia drawled, “Should I

a regular test. Since its inception, the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition has seen a national high of 271 points by a genius who

clinched a gold medal

bear to return the phone, staring at the number repeatedly, his hands trembling

loud ringtone cut through the

from his pocket and answered the call. It was Zack, the head of the math

Latham paused, “212”

Jake from our school has snagged the top spot again with 224 points!”

almost reflexively,

got 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 teachers, shouldn’t

would

gloat, but Latham stood tall this time, his voice brimming with confidence. “You’re right, Zack. But about that first place, you might

stunned. “What do

I forgot

“What?”

on the schoolyard, the Flame Union assembled, their ranks seated in a neat line

hundred insults printed here. We’re eight strong but need to come at

“Got it!”

they dived into

the fifties, right? Show

score eight? Oh, my bad, you don’t qualify for

and you’ll be

come the scores!”

trash talk! Here’s the spam line. “Even if she fails, she’s still better than you! Type it out, copy and