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.”

then did Cordelia turn and

minutes after her departure, Calvert sneaked back into

counter area.

space behind the counter

blinked in

the

got too much free time. Time

in black, standing behind him. After

Calvert was speechless.-

math competition had improved dramatically. She was

her homework, placing

math problems, she stretched and

a new message.

[Lia, I’m in Greenmeadow]

at the message Where are you?]

in Greenmeadow. A patient here requires my attention, so ril visit for five days each month. You can come by the clinic

before

[Sure, I’ll introduce you

white sneakers, and a baseball cap over her flowing hair, Cordelia grabbed a small backpack and

the Delaney Manor, Juliana was

sofa, feigning sleep but opening her eyes to praise when Juliana stopped “Wonderfull Juliana, you

her act, Rachel rolled her eyes inwardly “What did the country bumpkin

effusive, “Laurinda, you have great taste!”

lavishing praise on Laurinda, Rachel turned to Juliana. “Good job. You’ve kept up your skills without 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.

doorway, a glint of envy in her

of

up with her, learning to paint and

It was just a fleeting wish. At this point, she just

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

smile as

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

Lorna like a