Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 22

The silence in the room was palpable.

Sanderson had been puzzling it over the whole way home. He was the one who brought these coffee beans, so why did Hackett state that they were a gift from him?. What was that supposed to mean?

The family sat in contemplation until Laurinda scoffed, "Isn't that just a slap in the face? Do you think you're high and mighty enough to enjoy that fancy coffee? And all this talk of projects without a signed contract is just hot air. Probably just a ploy to get your hopes up for nothing!"

But Sanderson disagreed with her interpretation. The Griffin family was a force to be reckoned with. They could crush the Delaney family with a clear-cut dismissal. Why would they bother with such subterfuge?

Steward, always the thinker, asked, "Did he mention anything about Cordelia?"

Sanderson shook his head, "Not a word from Hackett. He seems to be oblivious to the kids' drama."

Steward's gaze then landed on Cordelia, who was silently devouring her meal, eager to retreat upstairs and hit the books. "Cordelia, did that Yates come looking for you today?"

She was shoveling her food, barely stopping between bites. At the mention of Yates, she swallowed hastily and replied in a drawl, "Uh-huh, he did."

Lorna was visibly anxious, "Did he do anything to you? Say anything?"

Steward was also on edge, cutting in abruptly, "Cordelia, what's going on between you two? We need the full story."

Cordelia paused, placing her fork down with an air of courtesy before turning to Steward, "I haven't wronged Yates. As it stands, I'm his boss. He follows my lead."

"What?!" Steward and Laurinda were dumbfounded, and Lorna's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Only Juliana, who had seen Yates and his gangs obediently call Cordelia "boss," wasn't shocked but gripped her fork tighter.

Sanderson had an epiphany, "No wonder Yates, who's usually so standoffish, was so polite today. Did Hackett give the project to the Delaney family because of Yates' say-so?"

"Impossible!" Laurinda was the first to object, "Kids' squabbles don't affect business deals! Since when does Yates have that kind of pull?"

Sanderson hardened his eyes, "Mom, weren't you just saying yesterday how Hackett would do anything for his grandson? Or... do you refuse to believe that the Griffin family gave us the project because of Lia?"

With that, he hit a nerve. Laurinda's face turned a shade of crimson, and she jabbed a finger at him, sputtering before finally retorting, "So what if I don't believe it? What could she, an orphan from who-knows-where, have to make Yates listen to her? Is it her pretty face?"

The words drew everyone's eyes to Cordelia, who sat there composed and indifferent to the insult, her large doe eyes shrouded in mystery.

Her beauty was undeniable, even more captivating than that of movie stars.

Even Sanderson got nervous, wondering if Yates had indeed taken a fancy to his daughter.

Steward, slightly hopeful, began to ask, "Yates is really into you..."

But Sanderson cut him off, "No way! That kid's been troublesome since day one, fighting and causing a ruckus. Lia can't be with someone like that!"

Laurinda, always quick to belittle Cordelia, snorted, "Oh, so you're too good for Yates? What about Hanley? He's a catch, but would he ever go for her?"

Suddenly, Juliana snapped. She stood up, her voice tinged with accusation and a hint of desperation, "Cordelia, are you still hung up on Hanley? Despite your grades, you cling to the Math Club and now you've wormed your way into the Physics Club. Are you trying to show off and to catch his eye?"

With that, tears welled up in her eyes.

Laurinda was quick to comfort Juliana, "Don't cry, my dear. I'll take care of it. Cordelia, you're dropping out of those classes. You're not to see Hanley again!"