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.”

turn and leave the shop.

back into the room from the yard, peering

counter area.

behind the counter

blinked in confusion.

the

behind. “Seems you’ve got too much free time.

in black, standing behind him. After saying that, he rolled

Calvert was speechless.-

marathon of math problem–solving, Cordelia’s performance in the math competition had improved dramatically. She was no longer using advanced knowledge beyond

increasingly pleased with her homework,

through a set of math problems, she stretched and

a new

I’m in

eyes lit up at the message Where are you?]

A patient here requires my attention, so ril

the address, Cordelia pondered before replying.

back. [Sure, I’ll introduce you

cap over her flowing hair, Cordelia grabbed a small

Delaney Manor, Juliana was practicing

the sofa, feigning sleep but opening her eyes to praise when

rolled her eyes inwardly “What did the country bumpkin know about

effusive, “Laurinda, you have great

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

kitchen doorway, a glint of envy

student of the world–renowned pianist

learning to paint and play piano. Maybe she could’ve been

just a fleeting wish. At this point, she just hoped for Lia’s

pride. “Lorna, if only Lia could play the piano. Then I could take her to meet Stanton,

face fell into an awkward smile as she replied,

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

word ‘pity‘ stung Lorna like a thorn.