Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 27

The classroom erupted into chaos.

"Who cares about the $3,000 anyway? How could it be stolen? Maybe you misplaced it," one student hollered.

"Yeah, take another look," another echoed.

Besides the few on scholarships, everyone else was born with the silver spoon. Otherwise, they couldn't afford the $80,000 annual tuition fee at Greenmeadow International School, let alone stoop to theft.

But Daniel, the president of the student union and math geek, furrowed his brows and insisted, "I'm sure I left it in my desk pouch yesterday. There's no way I'm mistaken."

Suddenly, with a hint of accusation, Juliana spoke up, "It's not like everyone's rolling in dough. Someone's credit card got confiscated by their folks, right?"

All heads swiveled toward Merry.

Cordelia paused her texting, nudged Merry and drawled, "What's up, Merry?"

With a complex look, Merry slumped her shoulders, "Lia, I dyed my hair back, didn't party this weekend, did my homework like you said... and this morning, my parents actually praised me."

She smirked bitterly, "They've always thought I was the rebel, never liked me, pretty much gave up on me. They only have eyes for Leila. I got used to it, and pretended I had no parents. But today..." Her voice trailed off into confusion.

Cordelia, unable to grasp Merry's inner turmoil or how to comfort her, was searching for the right words when Daniel approached, "Merry, did you take the class funds?"

Merry bristled, "You're accusing me of stealing? That's defamation, Daniel!"

Daniel, not one for confrontation, scratched his head, "I was just asking..." and turned to leave.

Impatient, Merry reached into her desk and pulled out a book. In doing so, an envelope fell to the floor with a slap.

Daniel, recognizing the familiar envelope, was stunned. He picked it up, revealing a stack of crisp $50 and $100 bills.

Furious, Daniel accused, "Merry, it was you!"

Merry was flabbergasted, "How did the class funds end up with me?"

Juliana snorted, "That's what we'd like to know. Merry, even if you're short on cash, you don't have to stoop to stealing."

With tensions high, Merry panicked, "I didn't steal it! Someone's framing me. There's a security camera in the classroom, check the footage!"

Latham's math class was next, but with the commotion, he didn't bother teaching. Instead, he quickly pulled up the security footage.

The video showed Merry entering the classroom after hours the previous evening, lifting the money from Daniel's desk, and almost bumping into Cordelia on her way out.