Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 143

Lorna furrowed her brow upon hearing those words, her thoughts a tangled web

The old Lorna would have found such matters distracting. Aside from her art, she didn’t want to get involved in anything else. But after all the upheaval she’d been through, especially after making a name for herself this very evening, she felt a shift in her mindset.

She wasn’t blinded by vanity, she too needed to put bread on the table, needed to live. She had parents to consider and Cordelia to care for–she couldn’t afford to be whimsical.

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, she looked at Ballaster and nodded, “Alright.”

Fanny’s pupils shrank in surprise.

Alright?

The Lorna she knew had always looked down on such affairs, but now she was agreeing? She must have known Fanny wanted this collaboration and snatched it away on purpose!

That was just too much!

Resentment and madness flickered in Fanny’s eyes. No, she couldn’t let Lorna have her way!

With Lorna’s agreement, Ballaster invited her to discuss the details of their collaboration at the gallery the next day. After setting the time, Ballaster and Naylor took their leave in their car.

Fanny approached Lorna.

By now, most of the crowd had dissipated, leaving few bystanders.

Dropping all pretense, Fanny stared at Lorna with a mocking smile, “Feeling good, Lorna? Pity though, your four paintings sold for a mere five million, nowhere close to mine!”

Lorna cast her eyes down, speaking with quiet dignity. “The value of art isn’t measured in money.”

She had never seen her art as a means to wealth; her passion for painting cfrom the heart. The setbacks she’d faced had only dampened her spirits. But now, her pride had returned!

Fanny sneered, “Still playing the saint, Lorna? Just wait, I’ll show you what status can bring!”

After Fanny left with her grievances, in the distance, Naylor coughed and dabbed at his lips with a

handkerchief before asking. “Dad, why did you provoke Fanny like that?”

Ballaster’s expression was shrewd, “How else to make her reveal her true colors?”

Not to mention Mr. Watkins‘ directive to make Fanny pay, her audacity to deceive Ballaster was not something to be brushed off lightly!

The parking lot soon cleared out.

Lorna and Sanderson headed towards the Delaney family car. Sanderson turned to Everard, “How are you getting back, Everard? Got a ride?”

Everard glanced at Cordelia, a smile playing on his lips, “I don’t have a ride.”

Just as Sanderson was about to offer a detour to drop him off, Cordelia beat him to it, “You could always hail a

cab,”

Everard, Lorna, Sanderson were all stunned.

Seeing the tlooking at her oddly, Cordelia checked her clothing, wondering if something was amiss. After straightening her attire, she saw Everard still hadn’t moved, so she added, “Needto call you a cab? I have theon my phone.”

“…No need,” Everard said, his mouth twitching into a half–smile. He bid farewell to Sanderson and Lorna and

walked off towards the hotel’s exit.

As they watched his retreating figure, Sanderson and Lorna shared a look, both feeling an inexplicable twinge of heartache

Why did Everard have to fall for their daughter? What a pitiful young man!

As Lorna and Sanderson got into the car, Cordelia was about to join them when she spotted Louie approaching the parking lot in the distance.

“Loule,” she called out.

Hearing her voice, Louie cover. His gentle features seemed to brighten at the sight of Cordelia, and he greeted her with a smile, “Are you leaving?”

“Just about to,” Cordelia replied. “You got a ride?”

‘I do. Would you have offered to sendif I hadn’t? Louie teased.

Cordelia was momentarily at a loss for words, managing only to nod, “Yeah, I’d have offered”

Lorna, from inside the car, was speechless.

Such a stark difference in treatment of her daughter!

She decided to stand up for Everard, clearing her throat and addressing Louie, “Dr. Adams, did you meet Everard today? That’s Lia’s boyfriend. What did you think of him?”

At that, Cordelia turned to Loule with eager eyes.

Though her relationship with Everard was somewhat involuntary, she’d begun to care about others‘ opinions of him, especially those close to her.

Noticing Cordelia’s gaze, Louie’s only thought was that Cordelia was growing up and starting to care about her boyfriend.

Masking a tinge of sadness, Louie adjusted his glasses and smiled, “He’s quite handsome, and there’s an air of integrity about him. He’ll treat Lia well in the future.”

Because, unbeknownst to her, Everard had already been psychologically influenced by Louie.

Cordelia felt a surge of inexplicable joy at the praise for Everard and nodded in agreement before saying goodbye and leaving.

After the Delaney family’s car pulled away, Loule remained standing there, the moon’s pale light casting a frosty glow on his white–clad figure.

The weekend brought a new day.

Cordelia awoke and learned that Lorna was heading to the gallery to discuss a gproject with Ballaster. “Lia, want to calong? We can look around the gallery smore.”

Cordelia immediately agreed, “Sure.”

They arrived at the gallery together, and Lorna was warmly ushered into Ballaster’s office to sign the contract and talk specifics about the project.

Cordelia meandered through the gallery, admiring the artwork.

After a while, Lorna wrapped up the discussion and texted Cordelia, who made her way backstage. Meeting outside Ballaster’s office, they headed out together.

As they were about to leave the backstages of the art exhibition, they ran into Fanny by sheer coincidence. She was trailed by a few members of the Greenmeadow Art Association, seemingly in the middle of discussing sissues about the show.

Upon seeing them, Fanny shifted from her previous confrontational demeanor to one of graciousness. She

Chapter 143

introduced Lorna to the members following her, “This here is Lorn, the artist who rocked the art world just last night.”

Her words prompted looks of admiration from the members, and one of them spoke up, “Ms. Lorn, we’ve heard your piece ‘Lone Bluff‘ is quite the embodiment of solitude. I’d love to see it if I ever get the chance.”

Lorna chuckled, “That painting has been auctioned off to B. Aster, it’s no longer with me.”

The members‘ faces fell in disappointment. –

Fanny, however, smiled, “Lorna, you’ve cat the perfect time. Today’s exhibition is a bit hectic, and we’re all pitching in for the love of Watercolor Painting. Could you lend us a hand?”

Lorna frowned, about to say something, but Fanny interjected with a laugh, “Surely you haven’t let B. Aster’s praise get to your head, thinking you’re too good to muck in with the rest of us? We’re all family here, aren’t

We?”

The arts community was niche, and there was a strong sense of solidarity. Fanny effectively cornered Lornal

with her words.

If she refused to help, it would only serve to solidify her reputation as arrogant, giving off the impression that Lorn considered herself superior to the members of the association. That kind of talk could lead to being ostracized by the entire art community. But to help? That meant working under Fanny’s direction!

Chapter 144