Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 239

The atmosphere in the gaming house was electric, charged with frustration and anger. Karl was dropping F-bombs like it was going out of style, while Clay had clenched his jaw so tight you'd think he was trying to crush diamonds.

"Stay in your lane, I've got mid," Waller snapped, his patience frayed to breaking point.

Floyd, the ever-aggressive player, was drawing enemies to the mid lane like moths to a flame, turning every encounter into a desperate fight for survival.

After another defeat, Waller's hand was throbbing so intensely his face turned pale, beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. "Ice," he managed to gasp out.

The coach, ever ready, rushed to provide some relief with an ice pack before Waller was thrust back into the fray.

But time, as always, was a cruel master. Waller was back in the game before he knew it, his hand shaking so badly he could barely click the mouse, let alone manage the keyboard.

Cordelia watched from behind, her heart going out to him. Initially, she had come to the club out of mere curiosity, somewhat put off by Karl's brusqueness. Yet, witnessing Waller's determination and the team's camaraderie in trying to protect him, even going so far as to divert enemy attention away from him, she couldn't help but feel moved.

Floyd was now boldly inviting aggression in the enemy jungle, while Wade arrogantly suggested they focus on mid lane, claiming Waller was on the brink of collapse.

And collapse he might. Waller's condition was dire. His shoulder, reinforced with surgical steel, ached unbearably, his wrist swelling visibly. The doctor had limited him to two hours of gaming a day, and he was already over time. This game could very well end his career.

Tears welled up in Waller's eyes as he failed to execute a crucial move, his character falling once again in the virtual battlefield.

"Floyd," Waller's voice broke the tense silence, "we can't give up."

Karl, on the verge of tears himself, echoed the sentiment. "Surrender? Never! It's not in EW Club's DNA!"

The team rallied, refusing to back down. Floyd suggested Waller stay back, conserving his strength.