Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 136

Time seerns to fly when you’re buried in books Cordelia had breezed through her day’s lessons and even managed to wrap up her homework during study hall. As the school day drew to a close, she shoved a book into her backpack to entertain her on the way to the auction she was attending later.

The charity gala was being held at the prestigious Greenmeadow Grand Hotel, a six–star beacon of luxury. By the time they arrived, the place was already teeming with guests.

Cordelia, trailing behind Lorna, had barely stepped out of the car when she heard a familiar voice call out. “Lornal”

There was Rachel, striding over in all her glittering finery, looking every inch the wealthy socialite. With Laurinda on her arm, she approached with a complaint ready on her lips. “Lorna, I know we’ve gone our separate ways, but we’re still family. I tried visiting your neighborhood, but they wouldn’t even let me in. I had no choice but to wait for you here.”

Lorna, ever the embodiment of understatement, was not a fan of Rachel’s flashy style. She spoke with detached tone, “What do you want?”

Rachel’s smile didn’t waver as she said, “I heard you were attending this gala and I was worried you might not have anything suitable to contribute. So, I brought something for you.”

She produced a box from her purse and handed it over. “Inside is a diamond brooch, worth a cool twenty grand. Why don’t you auction this off?”

Laurinda scoffed, “Lorna, you should learn from Rachel. Think of the bigger picture. Isn’t she magnanimous?”

Magnanimous? This was clearly a ploy to put Lorna in their debt, something to hold over her head later, most. likely an attempt to curry favor with Calvert.

Lorna saw through their game immediately. They’d grown a bit smarter, offering a favor first before expecting returns, never missing a chance to get what they wanted.

“I don’t need it,” Lorna said, pushing the brooch back. “I’ve already prepared something for tonight’s auction.”

Rachel was taken aback, “You’ve prepared something?”

on the long box Lorna held. “What’s that?”

guessed

from Lorna, Rachel burst into laughter. “Lorna, you’re auctioning off your own painting? Are you joking? Don’t you know your pieces barely fetch fifty bucks? Is that your

her. “We’ve already parted ways. What I donate is none of your

think that changes. that Sanderson

chimed in, her voice laced with urgency, “Lorna, if you don’t listen to me and it doesn’t sell, it’s our family’s reputation

till now, spoke up nonchalantly, “Who

auction where starting bids begin at fifty thousand, who do you

Lorna past the

her, she hesitated, not wanting to cause a scene. After a moment’s thought, she blurted out, “Did Sanderson arrange for someone to bid high? Is this some kind

not quite grasping Rachel’s insinuation, asked, “What do you mean?”

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Chapter 136

“It’s hype. The only way for Lorna’s painting to gain any attention now is if it’s artificially inflated at auction.”

plainly. “You mean

in confirmation.

just to give Lorna a

Lorna and Cordelia, she welcomed them warmly and directed a staff member to take their item backstage in preparation for the

operations were meticulous, and there was no chance of any

the painting in

unfurled it, one commented, “Mrs. Collins, we’re no art critics, but we’ve heard that Mrs. Delaney’s work is hardly worth

the painting. “Don’t jump to conclusions.