Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia)

Chapter 20

Just as Juliana eagerly awaited the punchline of the anticipated joke, Yates, with a scowl that couldn't hide his reluctance, stood before Cordelia with his band of lackeys and called out in unison, "Boss Cordelia!"

Boss Cordelia?

The classroom fell into a hushed silence. All eyes swept over Yates and finally settled on Cordelia, who sat still and quiet.

Cordelia sat there demurely, her almond-shaped eyes quietly observing Yates for a couple of seconds before she responded with a simple, "Oh."

Yates jutted his chin up, shooting a glare at Flame No. 1, who quickly chimed in, "Boss Cordelia, school’s out. What's the plan? What fun stuff are we getting into now?"

Cordelia was already gathering her books. As she stood and walked towards the door, she answered leisurely, "…I've got an advanced math class."

Yates and Flame No. 1 were speechless and dumbfounded. Their gang's head honcho was going to a math competition class?

Some Flame Union members stepped aside to let Cordelia pass, then fell in line behind her. Yates, trying to seem casual, asked, "How can you stand those boring classes? You get any of it?"

"…It's okay." replied Cordelia.

Yates believed he'd caught her drift, his chin still held high, "Okay means not really, right? So what’s after math class?"

"…Homework."

Yates was speechless and had infiltrated the Flame Union like an alien, unwilling to let it go, he pressed further, "And after homework?"

Cordelia gave him a puzzled look, "After homework, it’s time for bed. Don’t you have a schedule?"

She wished there were more hours in the day for all the problems she wanted to solve!

Yates was dumbfounded and he'd never done homework in his life!

As Cordelia walked away, something struck her and she paused, turning back.

Yates was daydreaming and nearly collided with her. Barely steadying himself, he found himself close enough to see her flawless face... Instantly, Yates flushed.

Feeling the heat rush to his cheeks, he quickly lifted his head. As he was about to speak, Cordelia slowly began, "Your last name's Griffin?"

Yates blinked, "Uh... Yeah!"

Cordelia faltered her gaze for a moment before she had an epiphany, "Oh, it’s you!"

"Uh?"

Cordelia averted her eyes and continued forward, "They all say I offended you."

"Who the hell..." He bit back the rest of his sentence. Faced with her, Yates found it hard to curse. He paused before explaining, "You beat me, so I listen to you. There’s no offense."

They reached the lecture hall where Cordelia nodded at him, "I'm off to class."

She hugged her books and headed up the stairs.

Yates watched her slender figure disappear into the old academic building, feeling his heart oddly adrift, restless without a place to land.

Flame No. 1 noticed his dazed state and suggested, "Yates, how about we shoot some hoops?"

"Shoot your damn hoops!" Yates snapped irritably, kicking the ground, "I’m not in the mood, heading home."

Cordelia climbed the stairs and bumped into her physics teacher, who also coached the physics competition class.

She greeted him sweetly, "Hi, Mr. Sawyer."

Sawyer smiled upon seeing Cordelia and joined her ascent. Reaching the math classroom, Cordelia was about to enter when Sawyer suddenly said, "Cordelia, I've heard your scores in the math competition class haven't been too great. Have you considered joining our physics class?"

His words had barely landed when Latham's bellow echoed through the hall, "Sawyer, poaching students behind our backs is unethical! Cordelia chose math first!"

Cordelia turned to see Latham, along with Hanley and Juliana, just arriving upstairs.

Hanley frowned, and Juliana looked like a ticking time bomb, as if she would explode if Cordelia dared to agree with Sawyer.

Unfazed, Sawyer retorted, "Doesn't she look like a misfit for math? She aced her physics test too. Besides, it's Cordelia's choice. It's supposed to be voluntary."

Latham turned to Cordelia in desperation, "What do you think?"

After a pause, Cordelia assured him, "I'm not leaving."

Her words brought relief to both Latham and Hanley.

Juliana also relaxed but was soon bewildered. Why had she been so scared of Cordelia joining the physics class?

Sawyer, disappointed, sighed, "Seems like we're not meant to be."

As he was about to step into the physics classroom, Cordelia's voice slowly reached him, "I'd like to compete in the physics competition too."

Sawyer stopped in his tracks, his eyes lighting up, "Really? That's great!"

Juliana clenched her fists, her heart skipping a beat.

She glared at Cordelia and blurted out, "Are you kidding me? With such a tight schedule, you'll join two competitions?"

Latham also seemed unconvinced, "Yeah, Cordelia, you'll be stretched thin. You might not have enough time to organize your knowledge."

Cordelia glanced at Juliana, who was tense with anger. Meeting her furious gaze, Cordelia indifferently looked away, "It's fine."

At the sight of her determination, Latham and Sawyer could only negotiate and finally decided on a schedule.

Back at home, Sanderson left early from work, grabbing some coffee beans before intending to visit the Griffin family to probe the situation.

On his way out, Laurinda lounged on the sofa, her words dripping with sarcasm, "We should’ve pressed Cordelia to apologize. What use is it for you to go? Hackett spoiling his grandson is the talk

of Greenmeadow, isn't it?"

Sanderson took a deep breath to quell the rising fury in his chest. He remained silent. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

But Laurinda was relentless. "Anyway, if it's because of Cordelia that we offend the Griffin family, I'll never forgive you!"

Sanderson asserted himself. "Mom, if it's because of Cordelia that we offend the Griffin family, I'll take both Cordelia and Lorna away. You can rest easy. It won't come back to haunt the Delaney family."

With those final words, he didn't give Laurinda a chance to retort, storming out and slamming the door behind him.

Half an hour later, Sanderson stood at the entrance of the Griffin family, the towering walls barring him entry. The secretary blocked the iron gate, saying in a courteous way, "Mr. Delaney, please return home. Mr. Hackett isn't feeling well and isn't up for visitors."

"When would be a good time, then?" Sanderson inquired.

The secretary stood up straight, smiling. "That will be up to Mr. Hackett."

Sanderson was not even allowed through the door.

He furrowed his brow and handed the secretary the item in his hand, "Then please give this to Mr. Hackett. It's just a small token... some coffee beans."

The secretary glanced at the gift in his hand, his expression pausing momentarily.