Kaiden glanced at Kason and asked with interest. Since Kason stepped into the Glamour Club, Kaiden had been curious about his motives. He understood Kason very well and knew Kason had no interest in women and would never step into entertainment spots.
Seeing Kason at the Glamour Club with Spencer piqued his curiosity further. Learning that Kason had just met with Sean would only intensify his surprise.
Once the call ended, Kason listened to Kaiden and asked, “Derek’s wife? Are you referring to the lovely lady next to Joanna?”
Spencer answered, “Yes. I presumed you were acquainted. The earlier disturbance at the Glamour Club has been resolved. Perhaps we should find a quieter place for our chat?”
Kason took a moment to think. Having only recently assumed leadership of the Hayes family, he was still familiarizing himself with the influential figures of Glophia, including Norah from the Wilson family, who had joined the Carters two years ago.
Kason responded with ease, “Proceed with your plans. I have matters to attend to here.”
Spencer moved to enter the chamber Kason was heading for and asked, “Who’s inside? He seems like an important person. His men also helped during the earlier commotion.”
“Don’t let curiosity get the better of you,” Kason pivoted abruptly and replied sharply, giving them a brief look. “I’m off.”
Without waiting for their response, Kason stormed ahead and positioned himself outside the chamber. Inside, Sean was speaking to Phillip, “I’ve consulted with the Supernatural Doctor. Please arrange for me to meet Mr. Scott.”
Although he wasn’t familiar with Glophia’s affairs, Kason had heard plenty about Sean’s reputation. In Glophia, nobody dared to cross paths with Sean.
Even the most prominent individuals showed Sean respect. The Scott family’s high status in Glophia was largely attributed to Sean’s remarkable contributions. He had done a great deal to elevate the family’s reputation.
Phillip led Kason in after knocking. In the softly lit chamber, the classy Sean lounged with a cigarette in hand, surveying the room.
“Mr. Hayes, any updates?” he asked.
Kason straightened up and replied, “I’ve consulted with the Supernatural Doctor. She mentioned that if you win the Krusa Mountain Racing in five days, she will reach out to you.”
Hearing this, Sean smiled. “Well, thanks for relaying the message. Phillip, would you escort our visitor out?”
Sean inhaled deeply from his cigarette, exhaling a circle of smoke that briefly obscured his sharpened features.
As Phillip led Kason away, his thoughts drifted back to the striking Norah.
He instructed his assistant, “Find out everything about Derek’s former wife. I want all the details.”
Upon reaching Dreamview Villas, Bryson said, “Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
Norah smiled and responded, “Will do!”
Joanna, clinging to Norah’s arm, eagerly asked, “Norah, may I stay with you? I’m curious about life in Dreamview Villas.”
“Perhaps another time,” Norah replied gently. “Today, I’m looking forward to some rest.” She patted Joanna’s head, kindly refusing her request.
Feeling weary, Norah returned to the villa where she had first entered. Settling into a bath of warm water, she sighed in relief.
She found herself thinking that these moments of luxury were exactly what she deserved. Reflecting on the days she had spent humbly taking care of Derek and his family, she admired her own patience and endurance.
Resting her arms along the edge of the tub, enveloped in steam, memories began to surface. Back then, she had never truly finished her task. She had been starving, shivering in the icy streets, and burning with fever. A young man had braved the snow, offering her shelter under his umbrella, and directed his guard to rush her to a hospital, saving her life.
That young face often visited her dreams, providing comfort. Norah was determined to repay this kindness. That young man had been Derek.
She stirred the fresh rose petals in the warm water, plucking one and rolling it softly between her fingers, staining them with its essence. She cast her gaze downward.
What she had once thought was love in her youth now seemed uncertain. She realized it might just have been an obsession with something out of her reach. Before Madeline’s return, she comforted herself with the thought that if she stayed a little longer, Derek would eventually care for her. But Madeline’s return shattered that hope.
She realized Derek might care for many people, but not for her. She had pretended to be happy, but deep down, her heart felt heavy. Leaning back against the bathtub, she placed her hand over her chest and let her mind wander.
She comforted herself by saying there were plenty more men out there. She believed that neither she nor Derek owed each other anything anymore.
In the grand halls of Carter Manor, the butler glanced quickly at Madeline, who had been closely trailing behind Derek, barely hiding his disdain. He considered Madeline a calculating figure, a stark contrast to the graceful Norah.
The entire family gathered around the dinner table. Juliana, eyeing the fragile-looking Madeline seated next to Derek with displeasure, burst out, “Derek, we’re having a family gathering today. What’s the reason for inviting strangers?”
Derek’s face tensed. Next to him, Madeline lifted her gaze, her eyes welling up with tears as she silently stared at Juliana, waiting for the words to fall.
Kathy stepped in, “Grandmother, Madeline is an old friend of Derek’s. How can you consider her a stranger?” While serving soup to Juliana, Kathy added, “Grandmother, anger harms the body. Please don’t hold any hard feelings.”
Regaining calm, Derek explained, “Grandmother, as you’re aware, my heart has always belonged to Madeline. My marriage to Norah was arranged when I was on my deathbed, with no emotional bond between Norah and me. Continuing that marriage would only cause us both misery. In case of a divorce, I’ll ensure Norah is compensated adequately…”
Juliana cut him off sharply, “Compensated? With your properties and vehicles? Can they match the years of youth Norah dedicated to you? She devoted herself to your care for two years. Your recovery is due to her efforts. Remember how you once chased after Madeline like she was your everything? And when you were at your lowest after the accident, she turned her back on you! Norah was the one by your bedside, not her! Having stumbled once, do you wish to make the same mistake?”
Sharon chimed in, “Madeline becoming part of the Carter family? That’s laughable! Not in this lifetime! Over my dead body!”
Madeline rose and knelt before Juliana, her tears streaming. “Juliana, Sharon, I apologize. I know I failed Derek. Since our separation, I’ve been in agony. I’ve missed him dearly every day. The past two years without him have been unbearable. This torment has made me realize I can’t live without him. Now that I’m back, I’m determined to dedicate my life to making things right with Derek. My actions will show my true feelings for him.”
Madeline’s seemingly sincere plea touched Derek deeply. He moved to Juliana’s side, imploring, “Grandmother, please. Madeline and I share a genuine love. We seek your blessing.”
Juliana sighed deeply, bracing for more conflict. Kathy quickly offered Juliana some food, urging, “Grandma, please try some food.”
Sharon, watching Kathy’s actions, couldn’t hide her irritation. “Kathy, have you forgotten the days Derek was confined to his sickbed? Defending Madeline-do you still consider yourself part of the Carter family?”
Kathy, standing her ground, responded, “I am, without a doubt, part of the Carter family.”
Kathy looked around at the family, then said, “But shouldn’t Derek have a say in his marriage? Grandma, you were the one who insisted on bringing Norah into our home. Derek was too sick to understand this arrangement back then. His heart had always been set on Madeline.”
The quietness enveloped the Carter family’s living room. Juliana, holding her bowl of soup, looked down into it and stated, “Let’s eat first.”
As lunch continued, everyone sat in silence, each person lost in their own thoughts, trying to decipher the others’ minds at the table.
Juliana couldn’t hide her frustration at Madeline’s innocent facade. Abruptly setting down her spoon, she demanded, “Derek, I need to speak with you in the study.”
Sharon interjected, “We haven’t finished eating. Can’t this wait until after the meal?”
“Missing a meal won’t harm anyone,” Juliana snapped, her sharp look quickly silencing Sharon, who dared not say another word.
Derek’s grip on his fork tightened.
“Derek, why don’t you head up first? Your grandmother wants to have a private word with you. She’s just trying to protect us from the conversation. After all, you’re her favorite grandchild. She means well,” Madeline suggested kindly, placing her fork down and gently taking Derek’s hand.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.