Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 119

The Pioneers Group chat had been silent for days, so when someone finally piped up, the others quickly bubbled to the surface of the conversation.

Mathster replied, [Never heard of ‘em.]

Bland replied, [Farly bird interrupts my sweet dreams, huh?]

Painter said, [Ever heard of mute?]

Bland replied, [Set this chat to priority alerts, man. What if the boss needs me and I miss it?]

The others mentally rolled their eyes at his brown–nosing, but no one dared to say it out loud. Instead-

Painter said, [Same here, bro.]

Chef echoed, [And me]

Clothing Retailer said, [Me too]

Pianoman asked, [Who’s this person, anyway? Never heard of them. Are they famous or something? @Painter]

Painter said, [This person had a real flair for painting 18 years ago. Young and talented. But then I heard she married into some high society and stopped painting altogether. Not many people know her because of that.]

Bland asked, [So why are you looking for her?]

Painter replied, [To paint, obviously.]

Bland said, [? But you’re a renowned artist yourself. Why do you need someone else to paint for you?]

Painter said, [Let me school you, newbie. Watercolor themes fall into three categories, landscapes, figures, and still lifes. I specialize in figures, not landscapes.]

Painter said, [I got roped into this game design gig, doing character art. I need a landscape artist for the scenery. Most of the famed landscape artists here have either aged out of the game or their work is too superficial for my taste.]

thought, only Lorn from 18 years ago caught my eye. Her landscapes had the touch. of a master, truly spirited. I really like her work!]

said, [You’re a big shot in the art world, chairing the Superiority Country Fine Art Association and heading the Superiority Art Academy. You must have the widest network. If you can’t find her, how can we?]

then she vanished. She might have changed her name, but talent like hers

[No problem.]

said, [Got it.]

by one they responded. Cordelia thought for a moment. She couldn’t paint, but

replied, [Got

down and, as usual, grabbed her book. It was physics–related, hard to understand, but she

self–studied her way through college courses back at the orphanage. But it wasn’t until she’d visited her grandparents‘ house that she realized how superficial her knowledge was.

when she visited them with

Chapter 119

books to delve deeper into the

her grandmother was supposed to arrive tonight, delayed by packing. Cordelia was eager for the new trove of books.

car pulled

the stairs and entered

set the table effortlessly, prompting Everard to rise from behind the counter

two didn’t seem like former colleagues at all. But Everard had a presence that naturally commanded respect.

but glance at Calvert, asking with a hint of curiosity, “You’ve been hanging around for two months now. Don’t you have

was about to reply when Everard’s smooth voice

added,

kick him to the curb

handshake. But when it didn’t come,

with her. After the kiss yesterday, she should’ve been mad at him today, but she wasn’t. And now, the idea of even touching his hand was

gaze, she hastily grabbed his hand.

she noticed how attractive his hands really were–long, defined, with calluses that spoke of work but didn’t detract from their appeal.

heat seemed

palm when she wasn’t paying attention. But today, when

ten–minute handhold to subside was gone

up quickly, grabbing her backpack, I’m off

her leave Midnight Scent toward the school,