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

Chapter 50

The two were upstairs chatting when a car broke the silence, followed by Laurinda's excited voice from outside. “Madeline, Rosina, you finally made it!”

Then came a boisterous shout, “Mom, why the tears? Don’t tell me Lorna has been giving you grief again!”

Just by the rudeness of the voice, one could tell the owner was not someone to mess with.

Lorna instinctively furrowed her brows and whispered to Cordelia. “That’s your aunt, Madeline. She’s...” Lorna, who never liked talking behind people’s backs, hesitated but cautioned, “She married young and, well, she’s a bit rough around the edges. Her daughter Rosina isn’t the easiest, either. Just keep your distance, Lia.”

Cordelia was stunned momentarily but understood the unsaid implications in Lorna’s words.

The middle-aged woman who helped Laurinda inside was tanned and huge, especially noticeable in her tight-fitting dress, with her belly fat layering one over the other, quivering with every step she took.

And trailing behind her was Rosina, a girl with a delicate name but a sturdy build with vulgar manners. As she entered, she plopped down on the couch and looked up at Juliana adoringly, “Juliana, you look so beautiful today. You’re sure to be chosen.”

Juliana had just finished a piano piece and responded with feigned modesty. “Nothing’s certain. There’s also Cordelia and the Collins family’s darling to consider! And Rosina, you play the piano, too!”

Rosina snorted, “Me? I’m here for fun. As for Cordelia, well, I heard she grew up in an orphanage surrounded by disabled kids. She probably doesn’t present well, just here to make up the

numbers...”

After her spiel, Madeline interrupted, “Rachel, where’s Lorna? They’ve found Cordelia, and why hasn’t she come to greet me? Isn’t she hiding because she’s too unsightly? Come on, we’re all family. There’s no need to hide!”

As Lorna descended the stairs, hearing this, her expression soured, and she intentionally stomped a little harder.

At the sound, all eyes turned to see the girl following Lorna. With her hair tied in a ponytail and a fresh face framed by delicate features, she was more dazzling than a movie star, her eyes clear and mysterious.

Madeline and Rosina were stunned.

Seeing their reaction, Lorna chuckled. “Lia, say hello to your Aunt Madeline.”

Cordelia spoke slowly, “Hello.”

Madeline felt a slap to her pride but quickly sought to recover. “If the mother’s pretty, the daughter can’t be far off. But looks aren’t everything. It’s academics and talents that count. Our Juliana aces in school, top five in her grade! Lia, you should learn from Juliana!”

The atmosphere in the living room instantly grew tense.

Both Rachel and Juliana’s expressions darkened. Why did this woman have to bring up the most awkward subjects?

Laurinda tugged at Madeline’s arm. “Enough already.”

When Madeline walked in, Laurinda had already muttered her discontent, suggesting that Lorna had overshadowed her in the Delaney family. Thinking her mother was intimidated by Lorna, Madeline scoffed, “Mom, what’s there to hide? If a child has weaknesses, we should point them out! Lorna won’t mind me saying so, right?”

Feeling vindicated, Lorna smiled with a gentle elegance. “I believe you’re right.”

Madeline nodded. “So, Lia, no matter your past, focus on your studies as a student. Have you had your mock exams for senior year? Don’t compare yourself to Juliana right away. That would be too much pressure. Set yourself a small goal, like breaking into the top one hundred in your grade. What was your rank?”

Without a word from Cordelia, Lorna happily interjected. “Our Lia is a fighter. She did quite well this time and ranked first.”

Madeline was about to launch into a lecture when she was stunned by Lorna’s words, “What?”

Her gaze returned to Cordelia, the gorgeous girl who shouldn’t have her mind on studies, right? Had she misheard?

Laurinda coughed, changing the subject. “In families like ours, academics aren't everything. Bookworms bred from exam cramming don't make waves. Look at Juliana. How beautifully she plays the piano!”

Madeline quickly shifted focus. “Yeah, Juliana’s piano skills are amazing. Four auditionees today, and the other three are just making up the numbers! Speaking of which, has the Collins family’s gem arrived yet?”

Rachel answered, “They should be here any minute.”

As they spoke, another car arrived. Rachel and Lorna went out to greet the newcomers and soon returned with a fashionably dressed, well-maintained woman, presumably Mrs. Collins. Following her was a girl in a white dress, slight and timid.

The girl’s hair cascaded down her shoulders, adorned with a pearl clip, her skin sickly pale. Upon entering, she hid behind Mrs. Collins, peeking at the others, her demeanor both endearing and pitiful.

Mrs. Collins smiled politely. “Joy loves the piano, so when I heard Stanton was coming to Greenmeadow, I couldn’t resist bringing her along. Rachel, I hope you don’t mind!”

Rachel maintained her smile, replying, “Not at all, I’ve heard great things about Joy’s piano playing. Let’s have Juliana show her around later!”

After her comment, Rachel added with a chuckle. “All of us here must have scared poor Joy. Why don’t we have Juliana take her upstairs to relax?”

Juliana's eyes twinkled as she said, "Sure, Joy, come up with us!"

Mrs. Collins coaxed Joy, "Aren't you having some trouble with that piano piece? Maybe Juliana can give you some pointers. Off you go, then. Have fun."

Joy cast a timid glance at Juliana and nodded.

Lorna joined the conversation. "Lia, you should join them."

The four girls ascended the staircase, heading to the upstairs parlor for fun. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

As soon as they entered, Rosina blurted out. "Juliana, why isn't Ms. Collins saying anything?"

With a cough to clear her throat, Juliana leaned in and whispered something into Rosina's ear, causing her to exclaim. "No way, she's mute! Can someone deaf and mute play the piano?"

Juliana pulled Rosina down onto the couch beside her, and they began to whisper among themselves, completely ignoring their guest.

Cordelia glanced at Joy and noticed her looking utterly lost, her fingers twining together nervously.

Meanwhile, they still had half an hour before Stanton would arrive.