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.]

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

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?]

couldn’t dig up her real identity, and then she vanished. She might have changed her name, but talent like hers doesn’t just disappear. I’ve cast a wide net in my circles. You all have your connections. Hit me up if

replied, [No

said, [Got it.]

one they responded. Cordelia thought for a moment. She couldn’t paint, but Lorna could. Maybe there was a lead there. So

[Got

grabbed her book. It was physics–related, hard

the orphanage. But it wasn’t until she’d visited her grandparents‘ house that she realized how

were both university professors, and when she visited them with Lorna on weekends,

Chapter 119

a pile of books to delve deeper into

had offered them a place to stay, and her grandmother was supposed to arrive tonight, delayed by packing. Cordelia was eager for the new trove of books.

later, a car pulled up in front of Midnight Scent.

breakfast, descended the stairs and entered Midnight

the table effortlessly, prompting Everard to rise from behind the counter and approach.

then at Everard. These two didn’t seem like former colleagues at all. But Everard had

asking with a hint of curiosity, “You’ve been

when Everard’s

confused. Since when was he leaving? With a forced smile, he added, “Yeah, I actually came to

to kick him to

it didn’t come, he looked up, puzzled, to see Cordelia staring–not at him, but at his

was going on 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 making

thoughts and his gaze, she hastily grabbed his hand.

had been just a tool to her. But today, she noticed how attractive his hands really were–long, defined, with calluses that spoke

that heat

always teased her when they held hands, tracing her palm when she wasn’t paying attention. But today, when he did, Cordelia jerked away as if electrocuted, feeling a tingling sensation in

handhold to subside was gone

quickly, grabbing her backpack, I’m off to

Midnight Scent toward the school, pondering why she seemed different today.