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? I’d believe

Merry, you’re full of it!”

mean 88,

eyes widened in disbelief, thinking Merry must have made a mistake.

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

you score?”

as if to clear away any illusion. The small phone screen was clear enough, though, and the number

her classmates, Cordelia drawled, “Should I be worried? Did

test. Since its inception, the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition has seen

gold

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

cut through the

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

Latham paused, “212”

a first prize for sure! But it looks like Jake from our

replied almost reflexively, “Congrats.”

First place is surely at our school. That Greenmeadow International School of yours getting 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 fat paycheck at Greenmeadow International. It’s a shame. As teachers, shouldn’t we take pride not in how much we earn but in how exceptional

circumstances, Latham would

his voice brimming with confidence. “You’re right, Zack. But about that first place, you might want to think

“What do

“Oh, I forgot to mention. My student Cordelia scored 288.”

“What?”

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

a step, announcing, “I’ve got two hundred insults printed here. We’re eight strong but need to come at them like we’re eight hundred.

“Got it!”

of “Go!” they dived into the forum.

scored in the fifties, right? Show the scorel] Someone sneered.

could score eight? Oh,

out. Get ready, and you’ll be

come the scores!”

ready to flood the chat! We have to bury their trash talk! Here’s the spam line. “Even if she fails, she’s still better than you! Type it out, copy and paste it. Save on typing time when it’s go–time. Now, flood