Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 40

Calvert was about to spill the beans when a low cough echoed through the room, sending a shiver down his spine. He turned to find Everard, who seemed to dwell in the shadows forever.

The courage Calvert had mustered deflated like a pin–pricked balloon.

Yet Cordelia locked her gaze on him, commanding. “Speak.”

The strength of her presence made Calvert swallow hard,

Suddenly, he felt that opening his mouth might be worse than staying silent, trembling between two formidable forces. After a prolonged silence, he picked the safest thing to say, “Boss has no ill intentions toward you.”

After speaking, Calvert ducked his head, fearing Everard’s reprimand, and trotted toward the back of the Midnight Scent. “I’ll go, uh, boil some water for coffee!”

Cordelia stood motionless, her expression unreadable.

Calvert’s words had plunged her into a sea of confusion.

What she had first called a “curse” had nothing to do with Everard. But how did he know that date was necessary if it didn’t?

Yet she quickly remembered that Everard had never forced her. The hand–holding had been with her consent.

He made his request for that kiss when she was about to be late for school and tried to leave, ignoring the pain in her chest. And that kiss, as she thought about it, was restrained, within the bounds of what she could.

accept.

Cordelia glanced deeply at Everard, who sat behind the counter, his sharp features half–hidden in the dim light, his eyes unfathomable, his whole being exuding an aura of mystery.

This man must have secrets

After a moment of silence, Cordelia finally spoke. “I’m off to school.”

It was a truce to their recent cold war.

Everard seemed surprised she spoke first. His eyes lifted slightly, and he smiled. “Okay.”

did Cordelia turn and leave the

sneaked back into

counter area.

behind the counter was

in confusion.

the boss?

you’ve got too much free time. Time

behind him. After saying that,

Calvert was speechless.-

the math competition had improved dramatically. She was no longer using advanced knowledge

with her homework, placing his greatest hopes

set of math problems, she

a new

texted, [Lia, I’m in

the message

here requires my attention, so ril visit

pondered before

I’ll introduce you to a friend]

a baseball cap over her flowing hair, Cordelia grabbed a small backpack and informed Lorna she was heading out.

at the Delaney Manor, Juliana

her eyes to praise when Juliana

“What did the country bumpkin know about music?”

she was effusive, “Laurinda, you have great

practice. Work hard in the next few days to get back in top form. I rushed back from abroad when I heard Stanton was in Greenmeadow. I’ve pulled so many strings to get you a chance. Amongst your peers here, no one can match your piano skills.

observed from the kitchen doorway, a

of the

and play piano. Maybe she could’ve been Stanton’s pupil, too. But there were no

a fleeting wish.

caught Lorna’s look and straightened up in pride. “Lorna, if only Lia could play the piano. Then I could take her to meet Stanton, too.

smile as

“True. The orphanage environment isn’t great. Lia probably hasn’t even touched a piano.

Lorna like a thorn.