Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 71

Juliana glanced backwards and sighed in relief when she saw Cordelia, head down, engrossed in a book, seemingly oblivious to their earlier conversation and uninterested in the upcoming auditions.

Hayley was about to add a snide remark when Juliana stopped her.

Frowning. Hayley rolled her eyes, her sharp features accentuating her displeasure. “Why not?”

Julians looked down, her eyes veiling the complex emotions swirling within. Hands resting on her knees beneath the desk, she clutched the fabric of her uniform pants and said in a subdued tone, “It would hurt her feelings.”

At the next desk, Hanley had been pretending to focus on his book, but his ears had perked up the moment Hayley started mocking Cordelia. Feeling a twinge of disapproval, he now looked up approvingly at Juliana’s defense and said, “You’re doing the right thing, Juliana.”

In Hanley’s mind, Juliana might not have matched Cordelia’s academic prowess, but she was known for her kindness and generosity. Plus, her piano skills made her seem more like a true lady than Cordelia’s aloof demeanor.

Since his engagement was called off and he found out about Cordelia’s many talents, Hanley had felt a sting of discontent. Now, he finally felt a sense of calm.

He gave Juliana an encouraging nod. “Keep it up.”

She mustered a weak smile in return.

Seeing Hanley speak up, Hayley bit back her retort, choosing not to dwell on Cordelia. Instead, she shifted her target. “But why did Latham ask Merry to join? Her plano playing is just for show, right?”

Juliana shrugged it off. “Maybe they just needed to fill the numbers”

“I’m just there to make up the numbers!” Merry had a clear–eyed understanding of her role but remained positive. “Never mind the students from other classes. I’m not even in Juliana’s league, but it’s about taking part, right?”

Quick to regain her spirits, Merry chimed in, “And who knows, maybe I’ll run into my idol at the auditions!”

The thought of the post–school event had Merry back in fighting form, her voice taking on a fierce edge. “Bland is so amazing, anyone who tries to swindle people in his name won’t get off easy!”

Cordelia explained in her unhurried way. “It’s probably not a scam.”

The members of the Pioneers Group were generally trustworthy. There was Mathster, who had helped her with her paper. Stanton, who played the piano and seemed to have a decent reputation, then there was Louie and Mr. All–Round.

occurred to Cordelia that her teacher might be even more formidable than Louie. Did he know about the curse

phone and texted Mr. All–Round, “Sir, I have a

replied, “Go

you

At Midnight Scent.

counter, read her message and stared at his phone for a while before replying,

quickly,

up too much time from my

of Keen and Yates, only to be undone by her studies.

13.07

to respond when another message

want to be forced

deepened for a long time, as if he could see through the screen.

message, Mr. All–Round, who might have been busy, didn’t reply instantly as usual. She didn’t think much of it and put down her phone to continue

rang and the classroom burst into a flurry of activity, the seniors dashed to the

emptied, Cordelia leisurely stood up, tidied her desk, and said

go.”

out. She noticed a new

here. When

tone… seemed

“Lia, don’t get your hopes up. This has

like that?”

find out the truth soon enough. She replied with a simple “Okay” and led Merry out.

chattering non–stop, pulled a pencil case from her pocket. “I’m going to catch that imposter of my idol and give him a piece of my mind. Bland is

my hands? He’s asking for it! But I’ve got auditions during

glanced back at Merry, who clutched her hands to

her eyes filled with resolve. “Lia, do

shook her

and began, “You know my family situation. On my sixteenth

dress was ruined and her parents accused her of sabotage, giving her dress to her sister Leila, Merry ran out of the house, tears streaming down her