Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Cordelia felt her heart leap into her throat.

[Author’s note: Leila will definitely be dealt with. Don’t worry, though, this is just the tip of the iceberg for her, her downfall is imminent.]

Chapter 164

Cordelia knocked again, her persistence rewarded only by silence.

She knocked harder this time, causing Lorna and Sanderson to emerge from their room, surprised to find her there. “What’s up?” Lorna asked.

Cordelia gestured towards the door, “No one’s answering.”

Sanderson glanced at Lorna, “Spare key.”

“I’ll get it. Hang tight, Lia.” Lorna said, sprinting towards the study.

She returned with the key and handed it to Sanderson, who motioned for Lorna and Cordelia to stand back as he unlocked the door.

F

The room was pitch black, save for the moonlight spilling through the open window, stirring the curtains. The sound of running water cfrom the bathroom, where frosted glass diffused a dim light.

Sanderson paused, hearing the water.

Cordelia moved forward, but Lorna grabbed her hand, stepping in front of her. She called out gently before flinging the bathroom door open.

“Merry?” Lorna gasped.

Cordelia rushed in to find Merry collapsed on the floor, unconscious.

They called 911, and in the dead of night, the family headed to the hospital.

After stests, the doctor said, “She’s had a shock. Lucky you found her when you did, or it might’ve been fatal.”

“How could she go into shock?” Lorna asked.

The doctor shook his head, “We’re not sure. All her tests are clear. Has she been under any psychological stress lately?”

Psychological stress? Cordelia remembered the running water and realized something, “Little Parrot has a fear

of water.”

The doctor was perplexed, but Lorna and Sanderson understood immediately, their hearts heavy with

unspoken sorrow.

The Jordan family was in disarray.

Leila had been distracted while doing her homework, one hand nursing the cheek she’d been slapped earlier.

Paulina, realizing her mistake, had applied ice to Leila’s face.

And now, as Paulina had left to fetch her a cup of warm milk, Leila wondered why she hadn’t returned yet.

After waiting another two minutes, she heard footsteps outside.

Leila stepped out to see Paulina and Cain hurrying downstairs.

“Where are you guys going?” Leila asked.

“We’re off to check on Merry. She’s fainted,” Paulina called back.

Once they left, Leila’s expression darkened. She went downstairs and saw the milk on the table, still cold.

The nanny offered to warm it up, but Leila declined with a scowl.

After the nanny retreated, Leila dumped the milk in the sink, gripping the glass with a fierce glare, “So visiting Merry at the hospital is more important than my warm milk?”

1/3

11:40 @

LET 104

Leila stormed upstairs, her anger palpable, leaving the nanny unsettled.

That night, Leila’s sleep was restless, haunted by a nightmare where she and Merry were both children, reaching out for Paulina’s embrace, but Paulina chose Merry.

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Leila woke with a start. No, she must be the one loved, the only one.

Merry woke up physically unscathed, her troubles more mental than anything. Once discharged, she apologized for the trouble she’d caused.

Lorna and Sanderson were understanding, but Cordelia suggested, “Let’s get Louie over here tomorrow.”

He was a whiz at dealing with psychological issues and could surely help Merry.

Lorna and Sanderson agreed.

On the way home, long past midnight, Cordelia messaged Louie, who surprisingly responded right away, “I’ll be there the day after tomorrow, first thing.”

“You’re still up, Louie?” Cordelia inquired.

“I was sleeping.” replied Louie.

“Sorry if I woke you.”

“Don’t apologize to me. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

After ending the chat, Cordelia noticed a message from a gamer friend Jungler, asking if she was up for a game. Not wanting to disturb anyone else, she chose not to reply.

They were just people they knew on the internet, not even friends.

Not wanting to leave Merry alone, Cordelia invited her to share a room. Lying in Cordelia’s bed, Merry found comfort in Cordelia’s steady breathing and the light scent of her body wash, and she drifted to sleep.

Feeling refreshed the next day, Merry decided to accompany Cordelia to school.

Lorna and Sanderson were hesitant, given Merry’s fragile state, but Mathilda encouraged her. “Go with Lia. And remember, whatever happens, take care of yourself.”

Merry promised she wouldn’t do anything foolish.

As the girls arrived at school, their peers were curious, “Merry, didn’t you transfer? What brings you back?”

Meredith shot back with her usual sass, “Why don’t you just manage heaven and earth while you’re at it with all your meddling?”

The other person was silenced.

But after that ordeal, it seemed like Merry had an epiphany. She actually started to pay attention during lectures.

During the break, she wanted to use the restroom, but seeing Cordelia engrossed in her book, she didn’t call out to her.

Just asMerry reached the restroom, she bumped into Leila on her way out.

Leila hadn’t planned on leaving, but catching a glimpse of Merry walking past the classroom door reminded her of her parents‘ absentmindedness that morning. On a whim, she grabbed her cup to go fill it with water.

As fate would have it, they ran into each other again on Merry’s way back. Leila swished the water in her cup and offered it, “Hey, Merry, need a drink?” The sight of water made Merry’s head spin, nausea creeping up on her.

Chapter 164

She shook her head, wanting to return to the classroom, but Leila blocked her path, “Dad and Mom said you’v been through something rough, toldto keep an eye on you. Here, drink up.”

That suffocating feeling was closing in on Merry again. Just as she was about to be overwhelmed, an angry voice cut through, “Leila, what on earth are you doing?.”