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Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon (Cordelia and Sanderson) novel Chapter 1

Chapter

In the oppressive swelter of August, a sense of restlessness pervaded the air

Outside the orphanage gate, a wellkept middleaged woman, her eyes swollen and red from crying, barely able to stand, was supported by her husband, Sanderson Delaney. Is this our poor lost daughter?she asked

Sanderson also had reddened eyes, nodding. “Yes.” 

Sanderson and his childhood sweetheart, Lorna Wilson, were a picture of marital bliss, but their daughter went missing under tragic circumstances. After 18 years of searching, hope had faded. Yet, surprisingly, their prayers were answered when they found her in an orphanage

Sanderson’s gaze shifted to the two approaching him, settling on the polite girl trailing behind the headmistress

She sported a white baseball cap, dressed in a clean set of blue jeans and a tshirt, her hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, and her fair face featured delicate features, with beautiful and clear eyes looking at them, misty and bewildered

Compared to the emotional couple, she seemed too calm

Sanderson blinked in confusion

As they drew closer, the headmistress presented the girl to them. Mr. and Mrs. Delaney, this is Cordelia Delaney 

Turning to the girl, she said, Lia, these are your parents. They’ve come to take you home.” 

After hearing that, Cordelia’s gaze finally focused, settling on Lorna

Overwhelmed with emotion, Lorna looked at her with restraint and longing, her lips trembling with the desire to connect, yet tentative for fear of rejection

After a moment, Cordelia spoke softly, Hello.Her tone was distant, somewhat indifferent

Oblivious to the oddity, Lorna couldn’t contain herself and embraced her daughter tightly, weeping loudly. Oh, my darling girl, I have finally found you! You’ve suffered so much” 

The soft and warm embrace made Cordelia stiffen, unaccustomed to such affection

Yet, pushing her away seemed too harsh

Caught in her dilemma, Cordelia noticed Sanderson signaling the headmistress, and they stepped away slightly. In a voice he thought she couldn’t hear, Sanderson asked the headmistress in a low tone, Miss, there’s nothing wrong with Lia, is there?gesturing to his head

The headmistress quickly responded, Not at all. Cordelia is intelligent, a real genius. She’s known in our orphanage for her brilliance. She’s more absorbed in her studies than social interactions, so she might seem a bit slow to respond.” 

A genius

To Sanderson, her being a genius mattered less than her not being foolish. He sighed in relief, and once Lorna had calmed down a bit, they got into the car to head home

Through the car window, Cordelia/silently observed the outside world. The chaotic streets and the slightly worn door of the orphanage receded slowly as the car moved away until it turned a corner and was out of sight. Only then did a faint feeling of loss belatedly sweep over her

None of them saw that. After they left, a sleek black Range Rover pulled up quietly in front of the orphanage

Inside sat two people

The driver turned around. Mr. Watkins, we’re a step too late.” 

Chapter

Everard Watkins in the back seat sat rigidly, his jawline firm. The dim light in the car cast his nearly perfect features in a shadowy veil

His sharp eyes emitted a sincere intensity that made it difficult to meet his gaze

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