Chapter 117

Cordelia had been ready to fight tooth and nail, but when she realized that it was Everard who hadgrabbed her, an inexplicable calm washed over her. She was stunned by her own reaction.

There was a time when she found Everard dangerous, someone to steer clear of. But why did shenow feel so safe in his presence?

As Cordella pondered the shift in her feelings, Everard suddenly dipped his head and captured herlips In a kiss. It was as if thunder had exploded next to her ear. Cordelia could feel an overwhelmingforce invading her senses.

Everard’s kiss was fierce, a voracious claim on her breath, as he explored every inch of her mouthwith urgency. The sweet scent of her, reminiscent of fresh strawberries, began to soothe his rage,and his movements gradually became tender and entwining.

He nibbled gently, his lips caressing and grazing hers as if he sought to capture every ounce oftenderness within her.

Cordelia’s body tingled, and her mind went blank. She forgot to struggle or resist, simply respondinginstinctively to him.

Time seemed to stand still, perhaps a moment, perhaps an eternity, until footsteps and Merry’spuzzled voice echoed from outside, “Didn’t Lia say she was coming up to see us? Where is she?”

That voice snapped Cordelia back to reality. Just as she prepared to push him away, his stronghand pressed against her back, pinning her against his chest.

Everard released her lips and, before she could voice her anger, a finger was placed against herlips as his deep voice teased her heartstrings, “Sweetheart, do you want them to know we’ve beenkissing?”

Cordelia’s eyes widened, and she clamped her mouth shut in embarrassment and rage.

The storage room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of a street lamp filtering through the smallwindow. In this light, Everard could see the usually cool cheeks of Cordelia flushed a deep red.

Whether from embarrassment or anger, he couldn’t tell.

She was wearing a strapless evening gown, her hair cascading over her shoulders, offering himglimpses of her elegant, swan–like neck and delicate shoulders.

Everard felt his pulse quicken, a rush of blood he had to fight to contain, as he averted his s gaze.

Cordelia was oblivious to his turmoil, focusing intently on the noises outside.

Yates joined in, asking, “She’s not up yet?”

Merry was puzzled, “Yeah, could Lia have gotten lost in your living room?”

Yates replied indifferently, “Doubt it, just wait.”

After these words, he started a round of mobile gaming, leaning casually against the wall by thestorage room door.

Through the door, which did little to block sound, Cordelia could clearly hear the game’s welcomemessage from Yates‘ phone, She held her breath.

If Little Flame and Little Parrot found out she was hiding here, she’d never live it down.

Cordelia shot Everard an angry look, and it was his fault, for dragging her here, why did he kiss?

1965 The realization of what just happened dawned on her He had kissed her? She had warned him before if he dared to kiss her, she’d sock him one. Butwhy didn’t che feel the urge to hit him now? It must be because the storage room was too crampedfor a good swing.

She surveyed the tiny space, and the storage room was indeed small, so much so that she wasforced to press close to Everard.

In the tight, dark space, her senses sharpened.

The heat from his palm on her shoulder was intense, making the room feel hot and stifling as if shewas struggling to breathe. She gasped for air, but all she could smell was his vanilla scent. In thequiet, she could hear his strong heartbeat.

Cordelia clutched her chest, feeling a tight knot of discomfort.

Was this unease because of that curse about “Love or Die“? She needed to hold hands.

She groped around, seeking his hand in the darkness.

Everard was taken aback.

Her restless hand pressed against his chest, reigniting the desire he had fought to subdue. His jawclenched, his body tensed, and it seemed like the veins on his forehead were about to burst with theeffort to remain still.

Finally, her hand found his, their fingers intertwined, and she stopped her fumbling.

Everard exhaled in relief.

In the quiet, dark room, the only sounds were the game’s background music and character linesfrom Yates” phone.

Everard felt that if they didn’t get out soon, he would be the one burning up.

After a while, another game quote echoed, “I foresaw the beginning, but alas, I did not foresee thisending.”

The ending?

The thought suddenly struck Cordelia that without the curse of “Love or Die,” she and Everardwould break up, wouldn’t they? At that thought, the dull pain returned.

She had felt better after his kiss, so now….

Suddenly, she tiptoed and pecked Everard on the lips.

Once, the pain in her chest persisted.

Twice, it seemed to ease a little. Three times, four times….

Everard’s eyes were filled with an unfathomable depth of emotion, and the tension within him feltready to snap at any moment.

“Damn it.” He cursed inwardly, then abruptly pulled her closer, resting his chin on her shoulder toavoid her kisses. His voice was rough as he whispered, “Stop moving. Otherwise, your boyfriend isgoing to lose control.” In that instant, Cordelia’s usually slow emotional intelligence seemed tosurge. She understood his meaning and froze, not daring to move an inch.

After what felt like an eternity, a victorious sound came from outside. The game was over, but Merryand Yates were still waiting for Cordelia.

Yates spoke in a serious tone to Merry, “Go downstairs and check.”

“Alright.”

Merry’s footsteps receded as she went downstairs, but Yates remained.

A few minutes had passed when the sound of footsteps returned. Merry piped up, “I couldn’t findLia downstairs. I checked with Lorna, and she said Lia headed up ages ago. Where could she havegone? Don’t tell me she’s snuck off for a date with her boyfriend?”

Yates chimed in with an alternative theory, “I reckon it’s more likely she found a quiet spot to cramfor that exam.”

“You know, I hate to admit it, but you might be onto something. I’ll just shoot Lia a text and seewhere she’s at.” As Merry spoke, she grabbed her phone and quickly tapped out a message.

The moment she hit send, a loud “ding” echoed from the storage room.

Cordelia and Everard exchanged an awkward glance.

I Yates and Merry looked puzzled.

In unison, they turned their heads towards the storage room.