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

Chapter 22

The silence in the room was palpable.

Sanderson had been puzzling it over the whole way home. He was the one who brought these coffee beans, so why did Hackett state that they were a gift from him?. What was that supposed to mean?

The family sat in contemplation until Laurinda scoffed, "Isn't that just a slap in the face? Do you think you're high and mighty enough to enjoy that fancy coffee? And all this talk of projects without a signed contract is just hot air. Probably just a ploy to get your hopes up for nothing!"

But Sanderson disagreed with her interpretation. The Griffin family was a force to be reckoned with. They could crush the Delaney family with a clear-cut dismissal. Why would they bother with such subterfuge?

Steward, always the thinker, asked, "Did he mention anything about Cordelia?"

Sanderson shook his head, "Not a word from Hackett. He seems to be oblivious to the kids' drama."

Steward's gaze then landed on Cordelia, who was silently devouring her meal, eager to retreat upstairs and hit the books. "Cordelia, did that Yates come looking for you today?"

She was shoveling her food, barely stopping between bites. At the mention of Yates, she swallowed hastily and replied in a drawl, "Uh-huh, he did."

Lorna was visibly anxious, "Did he do anything to you? Say anything?" Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Steward was also on edge, cutting in abruptly, "Cordelia, what's going on between you two? We need the full story."

Cordelia paused, placing her fork down with an air of courtesy before turning to Steward, "I haven't wronged Yates. As it stands, I'm his boss. He follows my lead."

"What?!" Steward and Laurinda were dumbfounded, and Lorna's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Only Juliana, who had seen Yates and his gangs obediently call Cordelia "boss," wasn't shocked but gripped her fork tighter.

Sanderson had an epiphany, "No wonder Yates, who's usually so standoffish, was so polite today. Did Hackett give the project to the Delaney family because of Yates' say-so?"

"Impossible!" Laurinda was the first to object, "Kids' squabbles don't affect business deals! Since when does Yates have that kind of pull?"

Sanderson hardened his eyes, "Mom, weren't you just saying yesterday how Hackett would do anything for his grandson? Or... do you refuse to believe that the Griffin family gave us the project because of Lia?"

With that, he hit a nerve. Laurinda's face turned a shade of crimson, and she jabbed a finger at him, sputtering before finally retorting, "So what if I don't believe it? What could she, an orphan from who-knows-where, have to make Yates listen to her? Is it her pretty face?"

The words drew everyone's eyes to Cordelia, who sat there composed and indifferent to the insult, her large doe eyes shrouded in mystery.

Her beauty was undeniable, even more captivating than that of movie stars.

Even Sanderson got nervous, wondering if Yates had indeed taken a fancy to his daughter.

Steward, slightly hopeful, began to ask, "Yates is really into you..."

But Sanderson cut him off, "No way! That kid's been troublesome since day one, fighting and causing a ruckus. Lia can't be with someone like that!"

Laurinda, always quick to belittle Cordelia, snorted, "Oh, so you're too good for Yates? What about Hanley? He's a catch, but would he ever go for her?"

Suddenly, Juliana snapped. She stood up, her voice tinged with accusation and a hint of desperation, "Cordelia, are you still hung up on Hanley? Despite your grades, you cling to the Math Club and now you've wormed your way into the Physics Club. Are you trying to show off and to catch his eye?"

With that, tears welled up in her eyes.

Laurinda was quick to comfort Juliana, "Don't cry, my dear. I'll take care of it. Cordelia, you're dropping out of those classes. You're not to see Hanley again!"

Cordelia had barely picked up her fork again when she heard this, slowly raising her head to respond.

Before she could speak, Lorna, visibly angry, interjected, "That's not fair! Lia is talented. Why shouldn't she be in those clubs? And let's not forget that Hanley was her betrothed!"

Juliana was quick to retaliate, her voice breaking, "Hanley is my boyfriend! Mine!"

"Is that so?" Sanderson’s authoritative tone commanded attention as he glanced at Juliana, "Are you engaged?"

Intimidated by her uncle, Juliana faltered. He was right. Without an engagement, Hanley wasn't technically hers.

Juliana staggered, suddenly grasping onto Laurinda, sobbing, "They're all against me!"

Laurinda glared at Sanderson, her voice tinged with accusation, "I've already arranged this with the Foster family. What are you implying?"

Sanderson clenched his jaw. Juliana's outburst had sparked an idea.

Sanderson once thought Cordelia and Hanley had nothing in common, so he hadn't pursued the match. But if Lia had feelings for Hanley, he was determined to reclaim his daughter's betrothal.

With resolve, Sanderson looked to Cordelia, "Lia, what do you want? Should we fight to get the engagement back?"

The room fell silent as every pair of eyes turned toward Cordelia.

Cordelia had been itching to get a word in edgewise, and now that the chatter had finally ceased, she spoke up leisurely, "There's no need for all this fuss."

She drawled, "I've already got a boyfriend."

Everyone was speechless.

A sinking feeling abruptly took hold of Sanderson. It couldn't be Yates, could it?

Lorna, anxious, pressed her, "Who is it?"

"...He's the owner of a variety store."

It’s not Yates. That was the first thought that hit Sanderson, and he was immediately stunned.

A variety store... those words conjured up images of a dim and cluttered little shop, with an income that was probably just scraping by.

He gazed at Cordelia in disbelief, "How on earth did you end up dating this guy?"

Cordelia sighed.

‘Couldn't they have just finished their dinner before delving into this?’

But she politely responded, "Well, I told him I'd pay him, and he agreed to be my boyfriend."

The room was deathly quiet. After a moment, Lorna trembled her lips as she asked, "Lia, just how far have you two gone?"

Cordelia pondered carefully and then replied, devoid of any sentiment, "When I don't see him, my heart aches."