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

Chapter 18

As Sanderson spoke, a voice echoed from the entrance, "Mr. Sanderson, Mr. Steward requests your presence downstairs."

Lorna didn't catch Sanderson's last words and didn't dare to ask again. They both hurried out the door.

Downstairs, Steward sat on the sofa, his face stern, and the tension in the room was palpable. The house staff tiptoed around, cautious not to disturb the heavy atmosphere.

Adjusting the button on his shirt collar, Sanderson asked with calm authority, "Dad, what's going on?"

Furrowing his brow, Steward asked icily, "Think hard. Have we done something to offend the Griffin family?"

Sanderson blinked in surprise, "What makes you say that?"

"The secretary from the Hackett family called," Steward began, "He said there's no need for us to attend this gathering at the weekend."

Just then, Juliana, who had returned from school, overheard their conversation and her eyes lit up, "I think it's because of Cordelia!"

At this, Lorna immediately became anxious, "What about Lia?"

Juliana pouted, "In school, Merry pissed off Yates, and he cornered her after class. Cordelia, always playing the hero, had to step in. But Yates is Hackett's dear grandson. We've been counting on the Griffin family's support. Isn't she just causing trouble for us?"

After Hackett's only son passed away in a tragic accident, leaving only his grandson Yates, Hackett became notoriously protective. This was the primary reason Yates could bully his way through Greenmeadow International School without repercussion.

Laurinda slammed her hand on the table, "This is outrageous! I've always said that a wild child should never have been brought into this house. It's only been a few days, and she's already causing such a mess!"

Lorna steadied herself, clutching at her chest.

Yates was known as a real bruiser, once breaking a girl's ribs. Lia, so slight and frail, could lose her life to one of his punches.

In the midst of her worry, Sanderson's gaze fixed on Juliana, "Where are they? How long ago did this happen?"

"It's in the alley next to the school, about an hour ago," Juliana replied.

Sanderson was furious, "Why didn't you call home when Cordelia was in trouble?"

Juliana darted her eyes around. She had secretly hoped Yates would give Cordelia a good beating, perhaps even cripple her. The last thing she'd do was call for help.

Before Juliana could concoct an excuse, Laurinda snapped, "Call for what? Cordelia needs to learn her lesson the hard way!"

"Mom!" Sanderson cut her off, with no more time to waste. Cordelia's safety was the priority.

"Get the car ready!" Lorna trembled her voice, fearing for her Lia's safety.

As Sanderson and Lorna rushed out, the rest waited to see the drama unfold, a slender figure walked through the door.

Cordelia had walked home with her backpack. As she entered, she saw Sanderson and Lorna about to leave in a hurry. She stepped aside, polite and considerate as always.

But Lorna stood still, looking at her daughter for what felt like an eternity. Cordelia, innocent and confused, blinked and asked, "Mom, are you going out?"

Silence fell over the hall. Everyone stared.

After five seconds, Lorna finally examined her daughter. The oversized school uniform hid her thin frame, and Cordelia's jeans were smudged with dirt. Lorna rose her panic, "Lia, are you okay?"

Cordelia sighed, "Not really."

Lorna immediately reddened her eyes as she grabbed Cordelia's hand, "Where does it hurt?"

Cordelia looked baffled by Lorna's agitation and slowly replied, "Mr. Latham gave me five sets of papers to do today. I might not finish them now."

She had planned to come straight home after school to study, but the incident with Merry had cost her an hour and a half. It looked like she would be up late tonight.

A worried Lorna, checking for injuries, was confused, "That's it?"

Cordelia nodded, her grip tightening on her backpack as she moved to head upstairs, "Mom, I need to get to my studies."

But before she could take two steps, Laurinda halted her, "Don't use studying as an excuse! Cordelia, since you're not seriously hurt, you will go to the Griffin family to apologize right now!"

Cordelia was filled with confusion, thinking, ‘Apologize for what?’

Sanderson spoke firmly, "Mom, we don't even know the full story yet. Besides, kids will be kids. It's not that serious."

After speaking, he turned to Lorna, "Take Lia upstairs." All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Lorna nodded. As Cordelia ascended the stairs, she heard Laurinda’s scolding, "Sanderson, you can't coddle her like this! If you don't make her apologize, how are we going to manage our business with the Griffin family?"

Sanderson was resolute, "I brought Cordelia back into our lives, not to be mistreated. I will handle this."

"You?" Laurinda's voice rose with incredulity, followed by a sneer, "Fine, when you fail to win over the Griffin family and the shareholders reject you as chairman, I'd like to see what you'll do then!"

All the way to the bedroom, Cordelia was still clueless about what had happened.

The Griffin family... she didn't know anyone form the Griffin family!

She looked to Lorna, asking in confusion, "What's going on?"

Lorna gently reassured her, "Don't be afraid, with me and your dad here, we won't let you suffer."

Cordelia, who had never sensed fear, was left perplexed.

The door swung open, and Sanderson stepped inside, causing a slight discomfort to stir within Cordelia. She had come home just after Sanderson had left for a business trip. As a result, she hadn't really spent much time with her father.

Sanderson greeted her with a gentle smile, "Lia, time to do your homework, huh?"

He reached out with his broad, calloused palm to pat her head softly, his voice reassuring as he said, "Don't worry, I've got your back."

Cordelia managed only a quiet, "...Okay."

She bowed her head, staring blankly at the problems before her for a moment. Though she didn't quite understand what had transpired, Sanderson seemed to instill in her a sense of security.

As she allowed a small smile to grace her features, she felt her sense of belonging to this family intensify slightly.

Shaking her head to clear it of all the unnecessary thoughts, she dedicated herself to tackling the questions with renewed earnestness.

Sanderson and Lorna left the room without further interrupting her train of thought.

It wasn't until they were back in their bedroom that Lorna was overwhelmed by worry, "What are we going to do?"

If Lia had been disciplined, given Yates' usual way of handling things, this would all be over. But since Lia was unscathed, it meant Yates wouldn't let things lie.

Sanderson sighed, "I'll pay a visit to the Griffin family tomorrow."

As a man, for the sake of his wife and child, Sanderson knew when it was time to bow his head.

Lorna hated her powerlessness, the desire to grow stronger kindling within her. She nodded reluctantly, "Take coffee beans with you. Hackett loves it. Perhaps the gesture will smooth things over, right?"

Though Sanderson held little hope, he agreed, "Okay."