Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 121

The painting depicted a serene landscape, a canvas of rolling hills and undulating waves, with the vast river’s surface mirroring the silhouettes of distant towers amidst the misty ripples. It exuded a subtle elegance and a timeless charm.

In the bottom right corner, a red seal marked the creator’s pseudonym: Nana.

Lorna gazed at the name, her expression tightening just a notch.

It was a moniker her college professor had given her, but she preferred the one she had casually chosen for herself, Lorn.

However, with Fanny breathing down her neck, her artwork had no place in the studio. Friends had suggested a change of pseudonym might do the trick.

And so, today, she had painted another piece, ready to test the waters.

Setting the stamp aside, Lorna looked up to see Cordelia peering curiously at her work, prompting her to ask, “Hey Lia, do you want to learn watercolor painting?”

The thought sparked a gleam in Cordelia’s eyes as she nodded vehemently, “Yes, please!”

Lorna, hearing this, peeled the painting off the easel and laid it on a nearby table. She then spread out a fresh sheet of watercolor paper and handed Cordelia a paintbrush, saying, “Watercolor painting is all about balance ink for form, color for life. To capture a landscape, you’ve got to master brushwork, ink flow, composition, and color…

After a succinct introduction, Lorna demonstrated with a few strokes of her brush, and a distant mountain cto life on the paper.

Handing the brush over, she encouraged, “Give it a shot.”

Cordelia, who had learned calligraphy back at the orphanage, wasn’t versed in painting but had a knack for imitation. Her slender script had once been indistinguishable from the original, deceiving many.

She pondered for a moment before making a couple of marks on the paper.

Lorna was astounded, “You sure you’ve never done this before?”

Cordelia just shook her head.

“You’ve got a steady hand there! And this mountain… it’s the spitting image of mine!” Lorna’s eyes shone with excitement. “Lia, how about’l teach you after school?”

Lorna had always loved painting

it was a passion that calmed the soul and was steeped in knowledge.

Cordelia gleamed with joy. “I’d like that.”

Lorna pointed out the books on the shelf, filled with photographs of famous paintings. “Take a look at these when you can,” she said, then gesturing to the rolled–up canvases beside them, Those are my works from eighteen years ago. One even won a prize.”

Cordelia, intrigued, reached for a scroll, unfurling it halfway when Lorna offhandedly asked, “Oh, did you needfor something?”

Cordelia paused, then remembered, “Oh, it’s dinner time.”

The two shared a moment of silent understanding before Lorna coughed lightly, “Shall we head down for dinner then?”

“Sure,” Cordelia replied, glancing at the half–unrolled masterpiece in her hands, reluctant to leave it behind.

Seeing her attachment, Lorna offered, “Do you like it? I’ll get it framed and hang it in your room – consider it a gift from your mom.”

Cordella’s eyes sparkled with delight, “Thank you!”

They descended to find the rest of the family already seated in the dining room. Sanderson was biting back a smile, and Everard raised an eyebrow, already mingling with the others.

Mathilda huffed. “I told them not to call you two, I wanted to see how long it’d take for the bookworms to remember food. Huh, only forty minutes not bad!”

Lorna laughed at the sarcasm, saying to Cordelia, “I used to lose track of twhen I painted as a girl. Your granny wouldn’t callor wait miss mealtime, and I’d go hungry. At least now they wait for us.”

“I’m waiting for Lia, not you. Don’t starve my granddaughter. Lia, chere- the soup is fresh and warm,” Mathilda beckoned Cordelia over.

Cordelia found only two seats left at the round table. She sat between Everard and Mathilda.

As she approached, Everard unexpectedly stood and pulled out her chair, a gesture of chivalry that hadn’t been present at their previous casual meals at Midnight Scent.

The meal unfolded with Everard playing the attentive suitor, serving Cordelia her favorites, while Lorna took mental notes, appreciating the details that Everard seemed to know about her daughter’s tastes.

When Lorna inquired what Everard liked, Cordelia, who had been surprised to learn of her supposed preferences for chicken wings and eggplants, looked up blankly, “I… don’t know.”

Lorna and Sanderson exchanged glances, their looks toward Everard filled with empathy.

Their daughter’s mind was occupied with her studies, not romance. Only someone like Everard could endure, right?

Such was the perplexing state of affairs at the dinner table.

Everard had just captured a wave of attention when he spoke, his gaze calmly cast downward. “Mrs. Delaney, I’m up for anything, as long as Lia likes it.”

Cordelia was at a loss for words.

After the meal, Lorna warmed up considerably to Everard. When he was leaving, she even made a point to tell him, “Everard, you should cover for dinner more often.”

Everard glanced at Cordelia, the tall six–foot–two guy asking in a hushed tone, “Is that okay?”

Before Cordelia could respond, Lorna chimed in, “If I say it’s okay, it’s okay.”

Sanderson also joined in, “If there’s anything you’re unsure about in business, feel free to askany time.”

“Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Delaney, take care,” Everard said before turning to Cordelia, “Looks like Lia’s eager to hit the books upstairs? Then you don’t need to seeout.”

Cordelia, who had no intention of walking him out, managed an, “Oh… right.”

Once Everard was gone, Cordelia made her way back to her room. After a moment of thought, she opened her laptop and typed a message into the Pioneers Group chat:

LearnLover said, I want to ask about someone.]

Mathster replied, [Lia, go ahead.]

Planoman asked, [Who?]

Painter echoed, [Who?]

LearnLover continued, [Do any of you know someone named Everard Watkins?]

Chapter 122