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?”

over them, finally resting on the long

guessed

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

parted ways. What

think that changes. that Sanderson is my son, and I’m his mother? Blood ties

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

been silent till now, spoke up nonchalantly,

starting bids begin at fifty thousand, who do you think will buy her painting?”

past the two women and into the venue.

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 of stunt?”

quite grasping Rachel’s insinuation, asked, “What

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Chapter 136

way for Lorna’s painting to gain any attention now is if

blunt, put it plainly. “You mean he’s going

nodded in

just to give Lorna a

in full swing, with its president, Mrs. Collins, playing the gracious host. Upon spotting Lorna and Cordelia, she welcomed them warmly and directed a staff member to take

and there was no chance of any auction items being tampered with or damaged.

Lorna to the back, they placed the painting in a secure area under the watchful eyes

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

at the painting. “Don’t jump to conclusions. I find it quite