Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 39

Cordelia stood frozen, her mind a whirlwind of disbelief as Rachel’s seemingly rational but ultimately twisted words filled the air. “You nailed the national first place in the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition, so acing that math league and getting that scholarship is a given. Diving into the physics contest is the icing on the cake. But if Juliana breaks into the national top sixty in physics, she can snag a scholarship, too. Imagine the Delaney sisters both getting a free ride to college. It’ll be the talk of the town.”

Laurinda was quickly convinced. “Exactly! That way, our family can finally shake off the nouveau riche label. Cordelia, drop that physics prep class tomorrow.”

Cordelia gave the three a detached glance, paused a little, and then drawled, “Top sixty all get scholarships.”

It meant aside from her, there were fifty–nine other spots up for grabs.

Juliana was good at physics but wasn’t anywhere near number one in the country. So Cordelia didn’t need to give up this competition at all.

Rachel cut in with a sly grin. “Isn’t it true that one less competitor means a better chance? Lia, do you agree? How about I sweeten the deal with a new Hermès?”

“No need! With that kind of money, we’d better get Juliana a new dress!” Laurinda scolded. “We’re family. We should help each other. It’s settled! Did you hear, Cordelia?”

Cordelia responded leisurely, “Yeah.”

Laurinda managed a rare smile. “That’s more like it…”

“But I don’t agree.”

Laurinda’s smile froze. “What?”

Cordelia didn’t look at her again, returned the gift box to Rachel, and headed upstairs.

Laurinda cursed, “Such an ungrateful little bitch, I knew it. She’s nothing but trouble to this family! And her mother can’t even keep the books straight. Now that you’re back, Rachel, you should take over the household!”

Rachel’s eyes flickered. “Let’s talk about that later, Laurinda.”

stairs, Cordelia paused upon hearing that. She turned to the maid cleaning on the second floor, asking, “Where’s my mom?”

garden.” The maid

off her backpack and headed downstairs toward the

was pounding.

end, they couldn’t pin down the culprit. Lorna decided to dock everyone half a month’s wages and promoted Fiona to the new kitchen

her responsibility, a tactic she

seemed to have descended into chaos throughout the day. She didn’t even have

August’s financial

family’s financial affairs were managed by Laurinda’s nephew, Hank, a man in his forties who didn’t think much of Lorna. He was reporting with a smug grin. “Lady Lorna, this page details the daily expenses. Eggs were at $1.8 each, with

the cost for eggs, and then there’s the greens, pork, beef, chicken… Lorna, are you following?”

“Just give me the total

an outrageously inflated figure.

didn’t need to spend so much But Hank either itemized everything

approve next month’s budget so I can make the

was the first of September. If she didn’t approve on the spot, Hank

Lorna was fuming.

been skimming from the

she could get him

contempt grew. “Madam, please hurry up. Everyone’s waiting for their money. If you can’t handle it, you’d better hand the reins back to Lady Laurinda.”

humiliation and anger. Just as Hank was basking in his arrogance, a cold voice interjected. “The

to see Cordelia walking toward them.

behind her, Cordelia exuded an inexplicable sense of authority as she approached.

stood beside Lorna like a guard and gazed at Hank. “You

skeptical, rattled off a complicated list of organic vegetable costs, each varying

on for five minutes, expecting Cordelia to be lost. But when he finished, she delivered an exact figure. Stunned and sweating, Hank faltered under Cordelia’s relentless scrutiny. One by one,