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

Chapter 27

The classroom erupted into chaos.

"Who cares about the $3,000 anyway? How could it be stolen? Maybe you misplaced it," one student hollered.

"Yeah, take another look," another echoed.

Besides the few on scholarships, everyone else was born with the silver spoon. Otherwise, they couldn't afford the $80,000 annual tuition fee at Greenmeadow International School, let alone stoop to theft.

But Daniel, the president of the student union and math geek, furrowed his brows and insisted, "I'm sure I left it in my desk pouch yesterday. There's no way I'm mistaken."

Suddenly, with a hint of accusation, Juliana spoke up, "It's not like everyone's rolling in dough. Someone's credit card got confiscated by their folks, right?"

All heads swiveled toward Merry.

Cordelia paused her texting, nudged Merry and drawled, "What's up, Merry?"

With a complex look, Merry slumped her shoulders, "Lia, I dyed my hair back, didn't party this weekend, did my homework like you said... and this morning, my parents actually praised me."

She smirked bitterly, "They've always thought I was the rebel, never liked me, pretty much gave up on me. They only have eyes for Leila. I got used to it, and pretended I had no parents. But today..." Her voice trailed off into confusion.

Cordelia, unable to grasp Merry's inner turmoil or how to comfort her, was searching for the right words when Daniel approached, "Merry, did you take the class funds?"

Merry bristled, "You're accusing me of stealing? That's defamation, Daniel!"

Daniel, not one for confrontation, scratched his head, "I was just asking..." and turned to leave.

Impatient, Merry reached into her desk and pulled out a book. In doing so, an envelope fell to the floor with a slap.

Daniel, recognizing the familiar envelope, was stunned. He picked it up, revealing a stack of crisp $50 and $100 bills.

Furious, Daniel accused, "Merry, it was you!"

Merry was flabbergasted, "How did the class funds end up with me?" Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Juliana snorted, "That's what we'd like to know. Merry, even if you're short on cash, you don't have to stoop to stealing."

With tensions high, Merry panicked, "I didn't steal it! Someone's framing me. There's a security camera in the classroom, check the footage!"

Latham's math class was next, but with the commotion, he didn't bother teaching. Instead, he quickly pulled up the security footage.

The video showed Merry entering the classroom after hours the previous evening, lifting the money from Daniel's desk, and almost bumping into Cordelia on her way out.

At the sight of this, Merry was dumbfounded.

Juliana's voice rang with self-righteousness, "Cordelia, you saw her acting shady. Why didn't you testify earlier? Is friendship an excuse to cover for her? You're not doing her any favors!"

Cordelia, though stunned by the video, shot Juliana a cool glance, "Sometimes what you see isn't the truth."

But Juliana was relentless, "The footage shows Merry. Cordelia, you're still defending her. Are you an accomplice?"

Merry clenched her fists as a realization dawned on her and bolted from the room with Cordelia close behind. Merry stormed into the neighboring classroom, kicked open the door, and shouted, "Leila, get out here!"

Cordelia landed her gaze on a girl with a striking resemblance to Merry, the only difference being her short and student-like haircut compared to Merry's long locks. In that instant, Cordelia knew that the thief was her.

In the office, Leila stood beside her teacher, Lucille, sobbing quietly.

Lucille sneered at Merry, "Latham, the footage shows Merry. With her poor grades and behavior, it's not a stretch to imagine her stealing. What does this have to do with Leila?"

Latham frowned, turning to Merry and Cordelia, who stood defiantly with a mix of rebellion and anger in her eyes, while Cordelia remained calm, an outsider to the conflict.

"Did you see Leila?" Latham asked Cordelia.

She nodded slowly, "Yes."

The teacher Lucille scoffed, "Leila is top ten in her year. She wouldn't steal. This is Merry and Cordelia trying to frame her!"

The argument was interrupted by hurried footsteps as Merry's parents burst into the room, having been briefed by Lucille.

Upon entering, Merry’s mother Paulina glared at Merry. With a swift motion, she slapped Merry hard across the face, "I thought you had changed for the better, but you've sunk even lower now! Teaming up with classmates to frame your sister!"

Merry snapped her head to the side as the slap connected, her fists clenched in disbelief, the incredulity in her eyes overshadowed by a weary sense of the inevitable. "I knew it," she muttered, her voice tinged with resignation, "It doesn't matter what I say, you all believe her. She gets the grades as the golden girl, so she could never do any wrong. It's always been me who's in the wrong. Even now, when I have a friend standing ready to vouch for me!"

Paulina scolded sharply, "Vouch for you? You're framing Leila! Whoever is siding with you must be cut from the same cloth if they're willing to play along with your trick!"

Latham furrowed his brows, "Paulina, please watch your words. This is a school, after all."

Paulina dismissed him with a wave, "There's no need for you to say anything. I'll take her home and we'll sort out her suspension paperwork later."

With that, she grabbed Merry, shoving and dragging her toward the exit.

Merry struggled, but her adolescent strength was no match for Paulina's.

Just as Merry was about to be pulled out of the office, a hand landed firmly on Paulina's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

Cordelia's eyes were cold as she fixed her gaze on Paulina and said calmly, "Let her go."