Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 200

The stretch limo was a veritable beast of a vehicle, spacious enough to make a New York City studio apartment blush with envy. Even with four passengers lounging inside, there was room to spare. The seats were plush and wide, the kind you could sink into and drift off to dreamland without a second thought.

Yates, once he settled into the limo, wasted no time in reclining his leather seat to the perfect angle of comfort, then slipped on a sleep mask as if to ward off any potential conversation.

But his efforts were in vain, as Merry—bless her curious heart—wasn't one to let silence linger.

Ever since Merry had become Cordelia’s shadow, she had shed her former timidity around Yates. Add to that the bubbling excitement of meeting her idol in Ontoky City, and she was a chatterbox that wouldn't quit.

"Wow, our family doesn't even have a car like this! I heard these rides were the epitome of luxury, and boy, they weren't kidding! It's gonna be a seven or eight-hour drive to Ontoky City, but in this baby, it’ll be a breeze!" Merry's voice was a symphony of awe as she took in her surroundings.

Then, turning to Yates, she asked, "Yates, you're so good to us, but why are you tagging along?"

Yates pretended to be asleep, unresponsive.

Merry chuckled, "Oh come on, I don't buy for a second that you're actually asleep. We just got in the car. Spill it, Yates. Are you heading to Ontoky City because you've got friends there you're dying to catch up with?"

At the mention of friends, Yates sat bolt upright, his gaze sharpening. "Not at all!" he exclaimed, a touch too defensively.

Merry was taken aback, swallowing hard, "Then... then why are you coming with us?"

Yates mumbled something about not wanting the driver to get sleepy on the road and offering to take turns behind the wheel.

The driver upfront tried to suppress a smirk. When had their young master ever been so considerate? Besides, they had two drivers for this very reason. The co-driver was sitting right there, but he kept mum on the matter.

Merry shot a glance at the silent co-driver and then back at Yates, who looked like he was about to blow a fuse.

"I... I've never really explored Ontoky City, alright? I'm going as a tourist!" Yates finally blurted out, trying to save face.

The driver couldn't help but playfully jab, "Master Yates, weren't you just in Ontoky City earlier this year?"

Yates was left glaring, as Merry quickly mimed zipping her lips, promising silent solidarity. Yates lay back down, seemingly pacified for the moment.

In the backseat, Cordelia and Everard were watching the scene with mild amusement while also checking messages on their phones.

Cordelia felt a natural kinship with everyone from the Pioneers Group, which made it hard to refuse an invitation from one of them for dinner. But she was aware of the tension that Yates held towards Floyd, the one who had extended the offer.

After pondering for a moment, Cordelia finally spoke up. "Yates..."

Yates sat up again, irritation in his eyes, yet he held back any outburst.

"Floyd has invited us for dinner tonight," Cordelia continued, pausing to remember, "you... want to join?"