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?”

accidentally add a hundred? I’d

leg! Merry, you’re

mean 88, right?”

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

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

you score?”

peacefully. Latham grabbed it, his eyes widening before scrubbing at them as if to clear away any

the buzzing of her classmates, Cordelia drawled, “Should I be worried? Did I do terribly?”

test. Since its inception, the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition has seen a national high of 271

a gold

he spoke, Latham couldn’t bear to return the phone, staring at the number repeatedly, his hands trembling with excitement.

ringtone cut through

of

Latham paused, “212”

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

replied almost reflexively,

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

circumstances, Latham would have hung up.

to gloat, but Latham stood tall this time, his voice brimming with

was stunned. “What do

couldn’t help but smirk, “Oh, I forgot to mention. My student Cordelia scored

“What?”

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

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

“Got it!”

Yates’s command of “Go!” they dived into

just scored in the fifties,

score eight? Oh,

and you’ll be

the

spam line. “Even if she fails, she’s still better than you! Type it out, copy and paste it. Save on typing time