Love or Die: CEO’ s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia) novel Chapter 41

Stanton was practically buzzing with excitement as he addressed the room. "Look at that. Even this girl thinks I've got screws loose! What kind of shrink are you, not taking your buddy's headcase seriously?"

Louie just stood there, silent.

Knowing Cordelia's easygoing nature, he didn't immediately argue with Stanton. And sure enough, after a brief pause, Cordelia spoke up unhurriedly. "It's not your head. It's your playing that's off."

The room fell into a hush.

As a world-renowned piano virtuoso, Stanton was not used to such criticism. It was the first time anyone had dared suggest his playing was flawless.

After a moment, Stanton asked, "What's off?"

Cordelia shook her head. "I don't know exactly."

Stanton raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “Are you kidding me?” he thought inwardly.

Louie's voice, ever calm, broke the silence. "Why would you say that?"

Standing straight as an arrow, Cordelia answered like a diligent student responding to a teacher's question. "There was a part that just didn't sound right."

Raised in an orphanage, Cordelia had never had formal training. She had taught herself everything she knew about music.

Unable to articulate Stanton's mistake in technical terms, she offered. "Let me play it for you."

Stanton was about to snort dismissively at the thought of a young girl identifying an error in his performance, but Louie gently pushed him aside to clear the way to the piano. "Go ahead."

Cordelia sat down, her hands finding their place on the keys. She didn't play the entire piece from start to finish but zeroed in on the segment that Stanton had botched.

As she played, the smirk on Stanton's face faded, replaced by an expression of deep concentration and, eventually, amazement.

Stanton had played this signature piece for years, habitually glossing over a wrong note that had become ingrained in his muscle memory. The tempo was so fast, the mistake so well-embedded. It was nearly undetected.

When Cordelia finished playing, Stanton stood there, dazed, his mind racing. "So, that's how it is... That's how it is!"

He stepped forward, eager to shake her hand. "Who are you?"

This girl who could detect such a subtle error on a single listening couldn't be a nobody, could she?

Cordelia stepped back, avoiding his grasp.

Louie interrupted, "This is Cordelia. I was thinking of introducing her to you as a potential student, you see..."

Before Louie could finish his thought, Stanton stood up and declared emphatically, "No way!"

Louie was puzzled.

The next moment, Stanton practically shouted, "How can I teach her? I should ask her for lessons! From now on, she’s my teacher!"

Cordelia was baffled. She just thought she could play the piano. How was she supposed to teach anyone?

But then, Stanton was already pulling out his phone. "Cordelia, what's your number? Let's swap digits! We can give each other pointers. Do you want to learn some music scores and piano techniques? I can show you."

The promise of learning had attracted her.

Cordelia took out her phone and, after they exchanged numbers, she saved his contact as Piano Man.

Immediately, 'Piano Man' sent her a link to join a group chat.

The group's name was Pioneers Club.

Cordelia was momentarily stunned. Then Piano Man added, "Cordelia, this group's full of aces. Louie's in there, too. I'm adding you so we can all share knowledge, okay?"

Cordelia couldn't resist the allure of learning. So, she looked up inquiringly at Louie.

Sensing Cordelia's wish, Louie took down her baseball cap, ruffled her hair, and said with a smile. "Join it. You've been too isolated. It's good to make friends."

Cordelia's eyes lit up, and she requested to join the group.

Stanton called out, "Louie, you're an admin. Approve it, will you?"

Louie tapped 'accept,' and Cordelia was in the "Pioneers Club."