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

Chapter 298

Lorna and Sanderson exchanged a worried glance. Sanderson, his face a mask of fury, was just about to storm into the room when Lorna quickly grabbed his hand, shooting him a look that said, "Do you really want to barge in on the kids right now? Think of how awkward that would be." Sanderson, still seething, hissed, "Then what do we do?"

Lorna furrowed her brows, signaling for patience, "Leave it to me."

She coughed deliberately outside the door, hoping to alert the kids inside without startling them too much.

Ideally, upon hearing the cough, the kids would pause whatever they were up to, right?

Sure enough, they heard Everard's muffled voice from inside, "Dude, your parents are back, and I was only halfway through."

Cordelia, a hint of urgency in her voice, whispered back, "Hurry up, then."

Everard took a sharp breath, "Alright, I'm going all in..."

Cordelia cut him off, "Don't move! Back up a little!"

Lorna and Sanderson were dumbfounded.

Was the situation inside not what they feared, and Lia was the one taking the lead? And Everard felt pressured?

Even so, they couldn't just let Lia go on like this!

Lorna coughed again, louder this time, ready to add a few more coughs as a clearer signal, but Sanderson had already kicked the door open, roaring, "Everard, you beast! I'm going to kill-"

He froze mid-sentence.

Because there, in the middle of the room, was Everard sitting in a chair, holding up a molecular model, while Cordelia was intently studying another, a chemical molecule model. Everard's model was fitting into Cordelia's model, demonstrating a chemical reaction.

Both kids looked up, stunned by the sudden intrusion. Everard, confusion written all over his face, asked, "Uncle, what's going on?"

Sanderson's anger fizzled out, replaced by embarrassment, "I...uh, thought you were doing what? A science project?"

Everard nodded, "Yeah."

"And that's all you're doing?" Sanderson couldn't hide his disbelief.

Both Everard and Cordelia looked puzzled, "What else would we be doing?"

Sanderson felt his face heat up in embarrassment.

So, it was all a misunderstanding. They were just working on a school project, and here he was, thinking...

Cordelia, sensing the tension, asked hesitantly, "Is it not okay to work on our project?"

Sanderson, now completely flustered, mumbled, "No, it's fine. Carry on!"

He backed out of the room, his gaze falling on the door he had just kicked open. Trying to salvage some dignity, he coughed, "I was just testing how sturdy the door is. Looks good, solid craftsmanship in this house!"

Cordelia and Everard exchanged glances, both bewildered.

Lorna, feeling guilty for the misunderstanding, quickly changed the subject, "You kids continue with your project. I'll whip up some late-night snacks for you!"

After the parents left, Cordelia, still confused, shook her head and went back to the science project. She had been stuck on a particularly challenging problem and hoped to find inspiration by borrowing the models from school.

The interruption had sparked an idea, and she eagerly said, "Move over."

Everard stood up, offering her the chair. Cordelia sat down, her pen flying over the paper, connecting dots that previously seemed

unrelated. She had been trying t

explain a theoretical concept in chemical reactions, which, until now, seemed impossible. But with the models and the interruption, she found a new angle.

to

On paper, she outlined a revolutionary theory that could change the way we understand chemical synthesis. It was all theoretical, of course, but it was a start.

Everard, peeking over her shoulder, realized the significance of her work. To Cordelia, it was a solution to a school problem, but to the world of chemistry, it could be groundbreaking.

Cordelia, her task completed, casually set aside her work, planning to test her theory in a real lab someday.

"Maybe Dad's new company could help," she mused, knowing they specialized in chemical engineering.

That night, Everard stayed over, becoming almost a part of the Delaney family. Sanderson and Lorna, knowing his own parents were often busy, had grown fond of him.

Yet, Everard's plans to bond over science projects were thwarted as Cordelia remained absorbed in her studies, asking him not to disturb her focus. This routine continued until school resumed, and Everard returned to his own home.

Meanwhile, Sanderson's company

faced challenges of its own. An accident in the lab on the first day

back led to an explosion, causing chaos and financial strain.

Sanderson took responsibility for the damages, but the company's funds were rapidly depleting.

"Mr. Delaney, we're running out of cash. We might not make payroll," Dagmar, a loyal employee, reported with concern.

The team, dedicated as they were to Sanderson's vision, felt disheartened by the company's struggles.

Sanderson, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, promised to find a solution, though he had no idea where to turn.

Back at the Delaney residence,

Cordelia returned from school to

el.ne

find Lorna fretting over the finances. With ease, Cordelia helped her mother with the calculations, revealing a bleak picture of their financial situation, a mere two

hundred thousand dollars left in the

account.

Although he never voiced it, the weariness of each day never escaped her notice. Starting a business required capital, and after budgeting for household expenses, they were down to their last $200,000.

When Sanderson got home, he spotted a card on the table. He was about to decline whatever it suggested, but Lorna smiled and said, "We're in this together, for better or for worse."

In it together. For richer or poorer.

Sanderson felt a wave of emotion. Even if he lost everything else in the world, having Lorna by his side was enough.

He asked like a child, "What if the company goes under?"

"Don't worry," Lorna replied with a smile, "I can always sell my paintings to support us."

His heart ached at her response.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

As a man, he thought he could handle any hardship, any amount of sweat and toil, but in that moment, his eyes stung with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, "I still haven't been able to perfect the formula for that medicine."

Lorna knew he was doing everything for her and patted his shoulder comfortingly.

Just as they were sharing this tender moment, Cordelia suddenly piped up, "Dad, can I use your company's lab for a bit?"

Sanderson blinked in surprise, "For what?"

Cordelia explained, "I have an idea to prove a theory about a particular neurotoxin. I want to see if it's feasible."

Sanderson was taken aback, "Neurotoxin?"