Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145 

The sound of footsteps echoed at the doorway, and just when they thought they had left the art exhibition center, Ballaster and Naylor strode back into the room. 

Ballaster’s gaze was sharp, his voice booming like a bell, “What’s going on here?” 

Fanny blinked rapidly, confusion swirling in her heart. 

She was sure she had someone keep an eye out, only unleashing her verbal tirade on Lorna after confirming Ballaster’s departure, setting her up for the fall. 

But how on earth had Ballaster returned? 

Turning to look at Lorna, Fanny saw that the panic had vanished from her face, replaced with a calm demeanor infused with anger and disappointment. 

Suddenly, Fanny felt panic grip her. She blurted out, “Here’s the thing, I asked Lorna to help sort out some paintings, but she’s harboring resentment against me and went ahead and destroyed this masterpiece! Such behavior is despicable, we must punish her!” 

Ballaster chuckled coldly, “Is that so?” 

Teagan chimed in hurriedly, “Such a blight on the art world should absolutely be excised!” 

Naylor interrupted with a sudden cough, halting the momentum of accusation. After regaining his composure, he turned to Fanny and asked in a calm tone, “Are you certain it was Lorn who damaged the painting?” 

A chill ran down Fanny’s spine as she asserted, “Yes, I’m certain.” 

With a clap of Naylor’s hands, someone entered carrying a laptop. 

Naylor remarked nonchalantly. “My father was concerned about security at the exhibition, so he had cameras. Installed in certain rooms. Since the painting was in Room 101 before, let’s have a look at the surveillance from there.” 

Fanny’s world seemed to spin. She shrieked, “How could you install cameras? That’s a violation of our privacy!” 

Naylor replied, lowering his gaze, ‘This is a public space, and Room 101 is where the art is displayed. To deter theft or damage, having a surveillance camera is reasonable, isn’t it?” 

Fanny’s eyes widened. She never anticipated being caught by such a simple trap. 

Greenmeadow was her turf; she knew the layout of the exhibition center, which rooms had cameras and which didn’t, and she had taken care of it all. But she had never imagined that B. Aster would secretly install additional surveillance! 

As the video was about to play, Fanny lunged forward, “You can’t watch it!” 

“Why so agitated?” Naylor inquired. “Is there something scandalous on that tape?” 

Fanny blurted out in desperation, “I changed clothes in that room because it was always without surveillance! It’s my privacy; you have no right to watch!” 

Ballaster’s brow furrowed as he commanded, “Hold her back.” 

Fanny shouted defiantly, “Who dares to lay a hand on me!” 

Her tenure at Greenmeadow had garnered her considerable influence, and the art exhibition staff, many of whom were her subordinates, hesitated at her command. 

As Naylor moved to step forward, he was seized by another fit of coughing. His tall frame was lean, and he looked rather frail. After a moment to catch his breath, he made to approach again. 

But it was Cordelia who stopped him and stepped forward instead, her tone indifferent, I’ll handle this.” 

Chapter 145 

As Fanny prepared to shove Cordelia aside, her arm was caught by Cordelia. 

And then- 

“Watch out! 

With a loud “bang,” Fanny was floored by a swift, precise series of military–style boxing moves. 

Cordelia, tall and slender, dressed in a blue tracksuit with a white cap, looked utterly adorable. Now, however, she dusted off her hands and turned to Naylor, “Play the tape.” 

Alright” After another cough, Naylor approached the laptop and hit play. 

The surveillance video was cued up to the moment Teagan sneaked back into the room and damaging the painting, making the damage discreet. 

The crowd turned to Teagan in shock, “It was you!” 

The footage continued, now at a neglected corner where Fanny was heard asking, “Is it done?” 

Teagan confirmed, “Yes, the painting is ruined. It looks fine on the outside, but once you open it up, it’s destroyed.” 

Fanny nodded in approval. 

Teagan hesitated, “Ms. Fanny, I only sold four pieces this month, just a million. Could we postpone the payment for this month?” 

Fanny sneered, “Teagan, don’t forget it’s my high praise that made you famous. Without that, your work wouldn’t even fetch five thousand! Ray and Joe in the association paint better than you!” 

– 

Ray and Joe, overhearing, widened their eyes, “So that’s why Teagan won the last competition there was a fix!” 

Fanny and Teagan’s knees buckled as they saw their world crumble. They knew they were finished, utterly finished. 

Ballaster’s eyebrows knitted together in frustration, “Fanny, is this how you manage the Greenmeadow Art Association? Painting is about creativity and learning! It’s not a platform for your deceit and self–glorification!” Fanny, still sprawled on the floor, muttered in daze, “I see now, it was your trap…”