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

Chapter 85

Calvert?

Cordelia had a moment of confusion when she heard the name. It seemed everyone at home had been searching for a businessman by that name. It was a common name, and oddly enough, Little Fang went by

Calvert, too.

She didn’t think much of it. After all, the successful individual her family had been seeking was probably someone of Sanderson’s age. Besides, Little Fang, who looked barely into his twenties, was working for the penniless Everard, and his life must be more difficult.

With a casual “Oh,” she was about to add something else when a cough interrupted her thoughts.

Everard ‘Penniless‘ Watkins strolled over, hands plunged in his jean pockets, and Calvert Immediately clammed

1. up.

Everard was in his usual black hoodie, towering in height, which made him stoop slightly with a hunched back. He was lean, the hoodie hanging loose on his frame.

As Cordelia’s thoughts wandered this way, her mind flashed back to a recent glimpse of his abs and waistline. How could she have thought of him as frail?

Shifting her gaze away, she sat at the dining table and grabbed a burger, sinking her teeth into it without a second thought.

Everard shot Calvert another look. Cordelia was eager to chat with Calvert, but when it came to him, Everard had to fish for topics. “Is it good?” he asked casually

Cordelia froze mid–bite, gripping the burger. Slowly lifting her head, she blurted out. “Don’t even think about another indirect kiss with me.”

Everard stopped in his tracks, surprised by her comment. He hadn’t given it much thought, just making small talk. But why was Cordelia suddenly so astute? Flirting just got a whole lot harder.

Calvert silently bowed his head, almost used to his boss‘ failed attempts at charm.

Cordelia bumped into Latham as she arrived at the classroom.

Latham seemed to be in high spirits, his smile broadening at the sight of Cordelia. “Ah, Cordelia! You make us proud!”

Having a prodigy like Cordelia under his tutelage had given him quite the swagger around the school.

Cordelia greeted respectfully, “Good morning, Mr. Latham,” before entering the classroom.

She had barely stepped in when she saw Merry, starry–eyed and dreamy, suddenly turning away as if she had a world of gossip to share.

“Oh my gosh, Lia, you’re finally here! I was about to explode holding all this in! Lia, can you believe it? Bland initiated a chat with me! I’ve added him on social media but wasn’t planning to disturb him. As a fan, we’ve got to respect his space. So, I only casually checked his profile photo seventy or eighty times a day. But then, last night, he messaged me first!”

Merry hugged her phone as if it were a precious gem. “How can he be so sweet? I can’t even!”

“Will

you all keep it down, please?” Before Cordelia could reply, Latham took the stage, his reprimand accompanied by a beaming smile. Seeing this, the class began to tease. “Mr. Latham, what’s the occasion?”

His eyes crinkled with joy, and Latham cleared his throat. “Ahem, thanks to Cordelia’s achievements, the school awarded me a bonus! So, I’ve decided to spend it on you guys!”

“Mr. Latham, you’re the best!”

“Generous!” This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Amidst the cheering, someone asked, “Hey, Mr. Latham, are you treating us to dinner?”

Latham’s grin stayed plastered on his face. “You all come from well–off families. You don’t need a meal from me. I’ve decided to get each of you test papers!”

Groans and protests filled the room, with Merry piping up. “Come on, Mr. Latham. We don’t need those tests Save that money and get yourself a new bikel”

Latham’s commute was a daily marathon on his old bicycle. The thought alone was exhausting.

The students‘ complaints were cut short by Latham’s stern voice. “My bike’s still good. If you all get better results in math on your finals because of these test papers, I’ll be happier than any new bike could make me! Okay, the film crew’s gone, and it’s time to focus. Hand over yesterday’s tests…”

The classes flew by, and though already well–prepared, Cordella listened intently, always seeking a deeper understanding of the material,

As students returned from their exercises during the break, Cordelia had just settled down when Merry’s water bottle crashed to the floor with a loud “bang.”

Cordelia wasn’t perturbed, but a few minutes later, Merry turned around, her cheeks flushed, her eyes brimming with infatuation. “Lia, my celebrity crush has texted me again! We chatted a bit, and he reminded me to get you to set up a social media account. The production team will make an official announcement tonight, and oh, the show premieres Friday night prime time!”

Cordelia looked at Merry, somewhat bewildered, and uttered, “Oh.”

Merry knew her well. “You don’t know how to register, right?”

Cordelia nodded.

Merry reached out her hand. “Let me help.”

Within minutes, Cordelia’s account was set up. Since it was related to her acting role, Merry suggested the handle be her name, Cordelia, with the bio stating an actress.

After sending the details to Bland, the production team verified Cordelia’s account soon, completing it with a coveted checkmark.

Then, an unexpected follower appeared. It was Bland.

The news spread like wildfire.

Bland, the top–tier celebrity, who mostly follows his past co–stars, just added someone new to his following list. His fans swarmed Cordelia’s profile, only to find a freshly minted account with a welcome post.

What was going on? Bland’s fans, though curious, refrained from bombarding Cordelia with messages.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the production team tagged Cordelia on social media, announcing that she would play the ethereal Vivienne, the leading man’s first love in the hit TV series Echoes of Time

Instantly, Twitter erupted into a frenzy.

Echoes of Time, which starred the heartthrob Bland in a contemporary setting with a beautifully crafted storyline, had skyrocketed in popularity. Fans clamoring for the reveal of Vivienne’s actress were legion.

With Bland’s star power casting a long shadow, anyone taking the role would face criticism. Moreover, in the cutthroat world of Hollywood, no actress seemed to possess the sheer charisma to eclipse Bland’s on–screen presence, making the role of Vivienne hotly contested.

The public harbored countless malicious speculations about Cordelia, especially since the production kept her under wraps like a precious gem without a teaser photo:

Skeptical tweets flooded the platform.

[Heard it’s just some high school girl. Seriously? Could the casting be any more careless?]

[Exactly! Can she even hold a candle to Landie’s presence? She better not ruin the series!]

]There is a scene in the book where she plays the piano, right? Oh man, the show’s got that, too. Can a student like her handle it? I doubt it!]