Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 51

Cordelia had no intention of getting involved. After all, the girl was Juliana’s quest. But when Rosina called her a “deaf–mute,” it struck a chord The orphanage where Cordelia had grown up received children with disabilities who had been abandoned.

Her gaze returned to Joy. The girl offered Cordelia a kind, innocent smile, like those from the children at the orphanage. She was a cute girl, wasn’t she?

Cordelia gestured toward the couch on the other side of the room, inviting her to sit. Joy’s eyes lit up as she nodded and walked over.

Once seated, Joy looked at Cordelia with expectant eyes, reminiscent of a kitten awaiting affection from its owner, gentle and understanding. Despite Cordelia’s usual aloofness, her heart softened a touch. She joined Joy on the couch.

Joy sat quietly, her hands moving across the coffee table as though playing an invisible piano. Halfway through her silent piece, she seemed to hit a snag. Her fingers paused, and a frown creased her forehead, evoking a pang of sympathy.

Across from them, Rosina entered full–on mockery mode. “Aw, does she think she’s capable? A deaf–mute trying to join in? Pathetic.”

Cordelia glanced up, her gaze cold as she retorted. “Ever heard of Beethoven?”

Rosina blinked in confusion, taking a moment to grasp the implication. Flustered, she fired back. “How dare you compare her to Beethoven? Do you think sucking up to her will make Mrs. Collins favor you? Let me tell you. This mute can’t speak, so your time is wasted on her.”

Always concerned with appearances, Juliana worked hard on her piano skills to craft the image of a perfect lady. She wouldn’t mistreat a guest. It was just taking advantage of Joy’s inability to speak or complain.

At that moment, Joy, oblivious to the contempt directed at her, took out her phone and typed a message. [Juliana, I don’t quite understand a part of the piece I want to play later. Could you help me with it?] Juliana scoffed at the text but nodded toward the grand piano in the upstairs living room, signaling Joy to play. Grateful, Joy put her hands together in a silent thank you and approached the piano. Her fingers danced across the keys with fluid grace until she reached the problematic section, where she stopped and typed. [Is this part not quite right?]

Of course, it wasn’t right. Even Cordelia, from her vantage point, could hear the discordance. It was a composition by Joy, talented but imperfect. Despite being deaf, Joy had an acute sense for music!

Trying to maintain her composure, Juliana realized the extent of Joy’s talent. She feigned a smile. “Yes, it’s off.” After reading Juliana’s lips, Joy typed again. [What’s wrong with it?]

Juliana moved closer, her fingers correcting the passage on the piano.

frowned. Juliana’s “correction”

gnawed at Joy, prompting a perplexed frown as

onto Joy, “If you don’t trust me, Joy, why come to me for help?” Seeing her irritation, panic surged through Joy. Swiftly waving her

she followed Juliana’s instructions and played the segment on the piano. It may have sounded

the dissonancel

something was amiss but didn’t dare question it further, her expression one of

original composition ruined, how could she compete with Juliana in

then, a detached voice interjected. “That’s not

standing by Joy, making hand signs. “She’s wrong”

learned sign language to communicate with the deaf and mute children at the orphanage and had never

she began

they were discussing Could Cordelia play the piano, or had she seen through

adopted a pitiful demeanor “Cordelia, don’t teach Joy wrong. It’s not supposed to be played

Collins with urgency. “Lia, you

brow furrowed, visibly upset.

what are you doing? If you’re clueless, don’t meddle! Or are you just jealous and

rushed to Cordelia’s defense. “Lia, can

nodded, replying softly,

expression darkened

of distress. “Lia, you

watched the

was abuzz with too many voices, too swift for her to follow,

and, with the fluid grace of sign language, asked, “Do you