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

Chapter 30

Silence held the room hostage for a few heartbeats.

Calvert stiffened his frame as a chill skittered up his spine. Swallowing hard, he dared not meet Everard's piercing gaze and hurriedly shoved his phone into Everard's hands, trying to sound official, "Boss, this phone will be yours, okay?"

Calvert was at a loss for words.

Five seconds ticked by before Everard picked up the phone, his voice cool and detached, "Then why the hell were you eyeballing my phone?"

Calvert was confused.

Gazing mournfully at his brand-new smartphone he had just got his hands on two days ago, he silently bid it farewell and then took a few steps back without a word.

Watching him retreat, Everard began to type with his slender and pale fingers.

Cordelia had just finished a physics exercise when her phone vibrated.

She slowly lifted her head and glanced at the screen, noting a message from Little Fang.

Boss Wallace asked, ‘What are you doing?’

Cordelia thought it was a silly question. She was a student, what else would she be doing at this hour?

Little Fang seemed sharp enough, so why ask such a dumb question? Still, she patiently replied.

LearnLover answered, ‘In class.’

'Then you should chat less with others. It distracts from studying.’

Cordelia was perplexed about what “others” refer to.

She responded with a simple reply and submerged herself back into her studies.

After two classes, Cordelia walked towards her classroom, only to notice people gossiping and pointing in her direction. Confused, she arrived back at her classroom to find the back row commandeered by the Flames.

A group of Flames huddled together, their phones in hand, furiously typing and exclaiming.

‘Do you think you can just mess with our Flame Union boss? Buddy, I've got your ID logged!’

‘Lia's in the advanced math class because she's legit. If you're so great, try getting in yourself. Latham's known for his ironclad impartiality and he would never take you!'

‘Lia's the bomb!’

‘Yeah, the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition is coming up. We'll show you what Lia's got!’

Amidst their discussion, Merry looked up and caught sight of Cordelia, coughing to grab attention.

The Flames immediately clammed up.

Yates leaned casually against the back wall, ignoring Merry's coughs. He was busy clapping back at the trolls on the forum. He didn't talk much in person, but when it came to a verbal spat, he wasn't lacking in ferocity.

‘Flame Union's getting involved. Better scatter, folks. Wait until the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition results are out, and the truth will be crystal clear!’ Someone commented.

Yates himself replied, ‘Don’t run away. Let's go a few rounds if you're man enough.’

‘Man, I'd hate to get on Flame Union's radar. You wouldn't even know how you died.’

Yates continued, "Nonsense."

After roasting a few trolls, he suddenly spotted an anonymous comment.

‘Cordelia joined the Flame Union as soon as she got to school. We all know what kind of people they are. Can such a group really produce a top student?’

Yates froze at that comment. His hand paused over his phone, not responding right away.

The comment seemed to resonate, amassing over four hundred likes in a school of barely a thousand students across three grades.

More comments followed. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

‘There was a theft in the experimental class today. The surveillance footage showed Merry, and the money was found in Merry's desk. But somehow, Leila got blamed in the end! I saw Yates talking to the principal to get Leila punished. Funny, isn't it? Dyeing hair, tardiness, leaving early, bullying other students. Aren't these all Flame Union trademarks? Why no punishment for them?’

‘Haha, no offense, but Flame Union? Just hearing it makes me cringe for them. As for the theft, there are only two truths. One, Merry did it and framed Leila. Or two, Leila's been pushed around by Merry one too many times, maybe even bought a wig to impersonate Merry and commit the theft. I genuinely feel sorry for Leila.’

‘Sympathy for Leila too.’

After a string of sympathetic comments, the topic switched back to Cordelia.

‘Just imagine a bunch of no-goods with no academic standing. Without the Griffin family, what are they? Cordelia hanging out with them, that top spot must be fishy. Wouldn't be surprised if the Griffin family got her the test papers in advance!’

Yates clenched his fists. He had always been a maverick, never caring for others' opinions.

No matter his course of action, Hackett would always encourage him, frequently quipping, "Why bother learning that? With the family fortune at your disposal, you won't ever need to lift a finger!"

So he never saw a problem with his lifestyle.

He only came to check the forums because he heard Cordelia was being slammed. But what he saw shocked him. His beloved Flame Union, which he'd been proud of since junior high, was now dragging Cordelia through the mud. Merry, a Flame Union member, was victimized even though it was Leila who stole the money...

For the first time, he felt shame.

Just then, Cordelia stood before him, her voice tentative, "What are you doing?"

Startled, Yates looked up to see Cordelia standing before him, her beauty doll-like and delicate.

Such a girl radiated light by her very nature.

But now, Cordelia was mired in scandal because of the Flame Union.

With that thought, Yates quickly locked his phone and stood up straight, a touch of guilt in his voice, "Nothing much."

Why was he so on edge?

Cordelia had barely registered her bewilderment when Merry, true to its gossipy nature, gave her the lowdown, cherry-picking some of the more representative comments. “... Can you believe the nerve? They’re all waiting to laugh once the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition scores are out! Lia, you’ve got to outdo Hanley, show them up!”

As Merry finished speaking, all eyes in the group turned toward her.

Flame No. 1 tentatively asked with a hint of caution in his voice, “Lia, how’s your math skills really? Think you can snag an award?”

They had never hung out with a real brainiac before!

Folks like Hanley and Juliana, if they crossed paths with them on the street, would just pretend not to see them, as if exchanging a single word would spoil their good fortune.

If Cordelia could pull off a decent score, the Flame Union could finally walk tall!

With this thought, they listened as Cordelia slowly began, “... I’ll manage.”

The group exchanged puzzled glances.

Manage? That sounded like code for 'no chance'!

Flame No. 1 was momentarily stunned, then he cleared his throat and rallied, “You know, just being in the competition is an honor in itself! Ranking or not doesn’t matter!”

Other Flame members chimed in, “Yeah, that’s right!”

Merry quickly added her words of comfort, “Lia, it’s okay if you don’t ace it, no pressure, it’s all about taking part!”

Cordelia was perplexed. She didn’t bother to elaborate, just slung her backpack over her shoulder and headed home after school.

The weekend arrived in a blink. With it, the Galaxy Math Whiz Competition was about to commence!