Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 29

Lucille had always had high hopes for Leila, one of the top five students in her class. With the SATs around the corner, she was counting on Leila to ace the tests and bolster the school's academic reputation.

But when the likes of Yates and his crew showed up, Lucille instantly lost her nerve and clammed up, not daring to utter another word.

Latham, on the other hand, furrowed his brow and confronted them, "Yates, what are you doing here instead of being in class?"

Yates, arms crossed and with an impatient glance at Merry, responded, "Heard someone's been bad-mouthing our Flame Union. Just wanted to see who's got the guts."

His gaze shifted to Leila, who shivered the moment their eyes met.

She was confused. Wasn't it rumored that Cordelia had taken over as the head honcho of Flame Union? Yates should be holding a grudge, so why was he sticking up for Merry?

As Yates' gaze unintentionally brushed past Cordelia, he fixed his eyes on Lucille, "Since Leila is fessed up, how do you plan on punishing her?"

Before Lucille could respond, Paulina stepped forward, "This little mix-up? Let's just settle it with ten times the dues for the class fund."

Yates, however, tilted his chin up slightly, "Theft and slander are two offenses... Hmm, by the school's code of conduct, that's grounds for major disciplinary action. Don't worry, Ms. Lucille, I'll take it up with the vice principal."

Every high school has its rules. No dyed hair, for instance. But Yates and his Flame Union seemed to strut around Greenmeadow International School with impunity, mainly because one of the school's trustees was none other than Hackett, his grandpa!

After laying down the law, Yates stepped aside, "Lia, shall we?"

Cordelia, who had been the sole eyewitness, had spent the entire period in the office, missing her class. "Oh, right," she muttered, leading Merry towards the door.

As they were about to leave, Paulina shouted desperately, "Merry, how could you ruin Leila like this? How can you be so selfish and cruel?"

Merry closed her eyes in pain at the accusation.

Just then, a voice tinged with confusion cut through the tension, "But... didn't she bring this upon herself? Why are we saying Merry's the one who ruined her?" asked Cordelia.

Paulina was at a loss for words.

The entire office turned to look at Cordelia, whose distant eyes seemed to be searching for an answer from Paulina.

After a tense silence, Cordelia turned and left the office.

The group made their way out of the administration building and towards the academic wing. Cordelia walked ahead, with Yates, his chin held high, trailing beside her.

Having dealt with the situation, Cordelia finally checked her phone for a message from Louie.

Louie asked, "Lia, you got a boyfriend?"

Cordelia paused, belatedly realizing something she hadn't picked up on before. She played back the voice message she had sent earlier. It began with Everard's voice saying, "My dear girlfriend, you can talk now," followed by her own, "Louie, what's up?"

She stopped in her tracks, puzzled.

Yates, overhearing the message, was equally stunned. Girlfriend?

The others behind them didn’t notice the exchange, and Flame No. 1, after getting the full story from Merry, inquired, "Lia, why didn't you just call the cops? That would've put Leila behind bars!"

Cordelia lazily replied, "Little Parrot touched the envelope."

Flame No. 1 was perplexed, "What?"

It took him a moment to realize Little Parrot was a nickname for Merry.