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

Chapter 52

Stanton's eyes widened in disbelief. Rubbing them, he looked again.

The girl was in a pair of light blue tracksuits. And those familiar, misty eyes slowly met his as she turned toward his voice. Their gazes locked, and Stanton drew a sharp breath.

With Cordelia there, why had the Delaney family gone to such lengths to seek him out?

The nanny beside him explained, "Mr. Stanton came up when he heard the piano, so..."

Stanton was the Delaney family's guest of honor that day, and Rachel had instructed the nanny to treat him with the utmost respect.

The nanny couldn't stop Stanton from coming up, leading to him standing behind everyone.

Rachel didn't mind the unexpected arrival. But why was Stanton staring at Cordelia? Could Cordelia’s beauty have struck a chord in him?

Frowning, Rachel glanced at Juliana. Like mother, like daughter. Juliana immediately understood her mother's concern and sidestepped to block Stanton's view of Cordelia.

Rachel approached with a beaming smile. "Mr. Stanton, your presence graces our humble home! How about we head downstairs for coffee first? Let the kids get ready so we can proceed with the auditions."

She had already briefed Stanton about a few more candidates for the audition.

But auditions for Cordelia? Stanton swallowed hard. "No, that won't be necessary."

Rachel paused. "No coffee? Then shall we begin the auditions now?"

She was aware of Stanton's fame for his go-getter attitude, but his eagerness took her by surprise.

"Well then," she agreed and started introducing the candidates, beginning with her daughter. "This is my Juliana. She's passed her Grade 10 piano and looks to further her studies with you. She's hardworking and academically excellent. You can test her skills! Juliana, play something for us, darling."

Juliana stepped forward, a mix of modesty and eagerness in her demeanor. "Mr. Stanton, I hope you'll give me the opportunity!"

After her plea, she approached the piano, took a deep breath, and played a piece she had mastered.

The music flowed effortlessly through the room.

Stanton finally snapped out of his reverie, listening to the music while stealing glances at Cordelia.

Once Rachel introduced Juliana, she turned to Mrs. Collins, looking at her earnestly. Mrs. Collins was a famed socialite from Greenmeadow, known for her pride and difficult nature. The Delaney and Smith families were well-off but were a step away from the upper echelons of society.

There was a charity gala in a few days. If Mrs. Collins could introduce her, Rachel would enter high society, greatly benefiting her husband's inheritance battle for the Delaney fortune.

With that thought, Rachel glanced at Lorna.

Lorna was virtually invisible on an occasion like this. Mrs. Collins hadn't given her a glance or word since she arrived.

As Juliana finished her performance and returned to her spot, Rachel asked, "Mr. Stanton, what do you think?"

He wasn't impressed. Stanton silently criticized, but this girl was Cordelia's family, right?

For Cordelia's sake, Stanton coughed and offered, "Not bad."

Those two words sent Juliana's chin tilting upward in pride.

In the piano world, Stanton was known for his strictness. A 'not bad' from him almost guaranteed mentorship!

Rachel suppressed her joy and then pointed to Joy. "This is Miss Collins of the Collins family. Her talent in piano is unsurpassed. Miss Collins had completed her Grade 10 piano by the age of ten. Unfortunately, she fell ill and has been deaf and mute since then."

Admitting Juliana's inferiority was one thing, but who would bother to teach someone with disabilities unless they were family?

As Rachel spoke the last sentence, Mrs. Collins' eyes dimmed, but she didn't blame Rachel for the necessary disclosure.

Mrs. Collins signed to Joy, who understood and played the piece again as Cordelia had shown her.

Stanton listened and gave his one-word verdict. "Pity."

There was only one Beethoven in this world!

Teaching someone with disabilities was challenging. The young girl indeed had talent, but Stanton wasn't a philanthropist.

That one word sealed her fate.

Mrs. Collins and Joy's eyes filled with disappointment.

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. The biggest threat was out of the way. She then turned to Rosina. "This is Miss Smith, a relative of ours and quite proficient at the piano."

Rosina's performance was even more average.

On any other day, Stanton would have been brutally honest, but before Lia, he shook his head, unable to offer critique.

After the three had played, Rachel finally said, "This is Cordelia. She's never learned piano."

Rachel glossed over Cordelia, ready to sing more praises for Juliana, but Lorna stepped forward anxiously. "Lia is gifted academically. She picks up things quickly, so please, Mr. Stanton, give her a chance."

Rachel sighed. "Lorna, I understand you’re eager, but Lia has never learned piano. The gap is too wide."

Lorna was about to say something more to plead her case when Stanton's incredulous voice cut through the silence. "You've never had a piano lesson?"

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Lia's skills on the ivories surpassed his own.

Seeing his reaction, Rachel quickly piled on. "That's right, Mr. Stanton. Lia grew up in an orphanage, you see. There's no way they could afford a piano teacher there. Plus, the poor girl's always been emotionally out of step. Getting into the soul of piano playing would be quite challenging for her."

Stanton was stunned. "An orphanage? Of course, they wouldn't have a piano teacher."

Rachel sensed something off in Stanton's tone.

Sensing an opportunity, Juliana cut in with feigned sympathy. "Mr. Stanton, I know it's an insult to your stature to assess someone who's never learned piano..."

After a pause, she turned to Cordelia with a sly look. "Cordelia, if you're genuinely interested, how about I give you some lessons?"

Goodness always prevails.

No sooner had Juliana entertained that thought than the world-famous pianist Stanton burst through the crowd, disbelief written on his face, and rushed up to Cordelia, exclaiming, "Lia, you've seriously never touched a piano?"

Silence fell.

Everyone was rooted to the spot in the upstairs living room, eyes wide and jaws slack. They couldn't believe their ears.

Had they misheard?

What had Stanton just called Cordelia?

A nickname? Were they that close?