Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 123

The contract was handwritten, in strokes defiant and sharp–clear signs that the girl who penned it wasn’t in the best of moods.

Everard’s initial thought was that the kid had pretty good handwriting, not too delicate, but with a certain firmness to it. Then he focused on the content.

1. Hold hands once a day. If I don’t initiate, you keep your hands to yourself.

2. One kiss per week, on my terms. Other than that, don’t even think about it or dream about it.

3. No inviting yourself over to my place for dinner.

4. Don’t call me unless it’s absolutely necessary!

5. TBD. Will add more rules as I think of them.

Everard raised an eyebrow. Holding hands was already a daily routine; the kissing frequency seemed a bit low–surely exceptions could be made. As for dinner, a nod from her dad would sort that out, and for phone calls, “necessary” could be quite subjective.

As he mentally critiqued each rule, he looked up to see the girl staring at him seriously, her dewy eyes filled with solemnity, like a cat on the verge of a hissy fit, ready to pounce at any hint of bargaining.

He chuckled softly and answered, “Fine by me.”

Her tension eased at his agreement, and she picked up the breakfast she’d prepared and set it on the counter.

Everard, feeling proactive, took it and arranged the spread on the dining table.

grave seriousness and held his hand with even greater solemnity, making him too wary to tease her. A few minutes later, she released his hand and asked with a deadpan expression,

bemused. “I guess so,

attention to

which explained the tingling sensation during their hand–holding. She

the girl often had

off to school.”

grabbed her backpack and

fiery red hair bent over his phone, and Flame No.1 engrossed in what seemed to be a language arts textbook. Something felt

followed them

“I hired a martial arts instructor yesterday,” he announced with a lift of

Cordelia was puzzled.

me some time to train, and then I’ll be ready to challenge you again.”

offered a noncommittal “I

her encouragement lacked sincerity and suddenly kicked Flame No. 1, who was still

to reveal a comic book hidden inside. “Lia, do you read this?”

was stunned. “I thought it was an actual

laughed. “See, I can read during class, and the

Cordelia felt enlightened.

dabbed at her tears. Cordelia returned to her thoughts of Everard, wondering if he too used books as a

home to the Delaney residence. A white Mercedes in

couch while her grandfather’s therapy session took place behind closed doors. Cordelia joined them, discussing the artwork she had chosen, and the painting Lorna had failed to sell–a matter of little consequence to Mathilda, who valued the nobility of art over