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

Chapter 200

The stretch limo was a veritable beast of a vehicle, spacious enough to make a New York City studio apartment blush with envy. Even with four passengers lounging inside, there was room to spare. The seats were plush and wide, the kind you could sink into and drift off to dreamland without a second thought.

Yates, once he settled into the limo, wasted no time in reclining his leather seat to the perfect angle of comfort, then slipped on a sleep mask as if to ward off any potential conversation.

But his efforts were in vain, as Merry-bless her curious heart-wasn't one to let silence linger.

Ever since Merry had become Cordelia's shadow, she had shed her former timidity around Yates. Add to that the bubbling excitement of meeting her idol in Ontoky City, and she was a chatterbox that wouldn't quit.

"Wow, our family doesn't even have a car like this! I heard these rides were the epitome of luxury, and boy, they weren't kidding! It's gonna be a seven or eight-hour drive to Ontoky City, but in this baby, it'll be a breeze!" Merry's voice was a symphony of awe as she took in her surroundings.

Then, turning to Yates, she asked, "Yates, you're so good to us, but why are you tagging along?"

Yates pretended to be asleep, unresponsive.

Merry chuckled, "Oh come on, I don't buy for a second that you're actually asleep. We just got in the car. Spill it, Yates. Are you heading to Ontoky City because you've got friends there you're dying to catch up with?"

At the mention of friends, Yates sat bolt upright, his gaze sharpening. "Not at all!" he exclaimed, a touch too defensively.

Merry was taken aback, swallowing hard, "Then... then why are you coming with us?"

Yates mumbled something about not wanting the driver to get sleepy on the road and offering to take turns behind the wheel.

The driver upfront tried to suppress a smirk. When had their young master ever been so considerate? Besides, they had two drivers for this very reason. The co-driver was sitting right there, but he kept mum on the matter.

Merry shot a glance at the silent co-driver and then back at Yates, who looked like he was about to blow a fuse.

"I... I've never really explored Ontoky City, alright? I'm going as a tourist!" Yates finally blurted out, trying to save face.

The driver couldn't help but playfully jab, "Master Yates, weren't you just in Ontoky City earlier this year?"

Yates was left glaring, as Merry quickly mimed zipping her lips, promising silent solidarity. Yates lay back down, seemingly pacified for the moment.

In the backseat, Cordelia and Everard were watching the scene with mild amusement while also checking messages on their phones.

Cordelia felt a natural kinship with everyone from the Pioneers Group, which made it hard to refuse an invitation from one of them for dinner. But she was aware of the tension that Yates held towards Floyd, the one who had extended the offer.

After pondering for a moment, Cordelia finally spoke up. "Yates..."

Yates sat up again, irritation in his eyes, yet he held back any outburst.

"Floyd has invited us for dinner tonight," Cordelia continued, pausing to remember, "you... want to join?"

At the mention of Floyd, Yates's demeanor shifted, his face tightening as if bracing for impact.

After a tense pause, he managed to squeeze out, "I don't know him."

Cordelia interpreted his response as an agreement to meet as strangers and confirmed the dinner plans for around five in the afternoon after their arrival.

Merry was quick to express her enthusiasm, and Yates, though silent, did not object.

Turning to Everard, Cordelia inquired

about his accommodations in Ontoky City Everard simply smiled, assuring her he had a place to stay. Still, Cordelia leaned closer and whispered, "Do you have enough for a hotel?" before slipping a bank card into his hands, whispering, "Use this, spend freely."

Everard 'Penniless' Watkins was both amused and touched by the gesture.

Cordelia, meanwhile, had already picked up a book and immersed herself in it, ignoring Everard's playful attempts to get her attention.

Eventually, the limo glided into Ontoky City, and Cordelia directed the driver to a restaurant where Floyd was waiting. As they pulled up, she was the first to step out and noticed a man leaning casually against the restaurant's entrance, his eyes glued to his phone.

His stance was reminiscent of

Yates's cool posture, but his attire was decidedly more casual, and a

pair of glasses gave him an air of et

scholarly charm. When he looked up and saw Cordelia, his phone disappeared into his pocket, and his initially cold demeanor warmed into a welcoming smile.

"Hello, I'm Floyd," he said, extending his hand.

Cordelia nodded in response, and the rest of the group disembarked from the limo, ready to experience whatever Ontoky City had to offer.

When Floyd caught sight of Everard, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he instinctively straightened his posture, a touch of deference shaping his stance. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Everard's subtle shake of the head.

In that instant, Floyd understood Everard's silent message, grinned at him, and sidestepped both him and Merry to turn his attention to the last of the group, a defiant-looking youngster.

The boy appeared to have slept the entire journey, his cheek marked with the telltale crease of a pillow. An air of impatience was woven into his demeanor, and his gaze carried a wild, untamed edge. As he stepped out of the car and caught sight of them, his body tensed, a clear sign he was struggling to keep his emotions in check. Content belongs

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Hands thrust into his pockets, he didn't say a word, just started walking forward. As he approached Floyd, Floyd called out, "Hey Yatesy..."

But Yates, acting as if he hadn't heard, marched straight up to Cordelia and asked, "Lia, we grabbing a bite here?"

The rest of the group exchanged glances, sensing something amiss but remaining silent. Floyd let out a resigned sigh and then announced, "I've booked a private room. Let's go inside."

They followed him into the restaurant, with a few leading the way. Merry, ever the inquisitive Little Parrot, glanced between Floyd and Yates, then gave Floyd a nudge on the shoulder.

Floyd turned and saw Merry's questioning eyes. "So, what's the deal with you and Yates?"Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

At the mention of his name, Yates's ears perked up, even as he continued walking ahead.

With a helpless smile, Floyd lowered his gaze and parted his lips to speak slowly...