Norah and Madeline were striking in their own ways. Norah was stunningly gorgeous, while Madeline had a more delicate appeal.
The crowd secretly envied Derek for being in the company of these two attractive women.
“Miss Wilson, if you’re unwilling to sign, just be upfront. Why resort to embarrassing both Derek and me?” Madeline asked, visibly upset. “Derek didn’t ask for more. After all, you’re not exactly in need. Why insist on holding onto those assets?”
Norah responded with a scoff. “Whether I need them or not is for me to decide. I’m merely claiming what’s rightfully mine.”
Norah cursed Derek’s shamelessness silently. The nerve of him wanting to reclaim what he had promised her back when he asked her to sign the divorce papers! Yes, she was wealthy enough to give up on what he had promised her, but she was reluctant to let go of it without a fight.
Norah refused to let Derek have his way, especially given his repeated unwillingness to finalize the divorce swiftly.
“Mr. Carter, I once thought you were a man of integrity. Now you’re withdrawing from your promises? Ugh!” Norah grimaced.
Derek suddenly remembered what Norah had said when Madeline wanted the lakeside villa he had intended for Norah: “Mr. Carter, you ought to stand by your word. The choice is yours.”
Norah reflected on the same lines, saying, “I acted foolishly before. Now, it’s time I claim what’s rightfully mine.”
Norah regretted the time she had wasted on Derek over the past two years and was resolved not to walk away empty-handed. With all her efforts in waking him from the coma and helping with his recovery, he shouldn’t be here arguing with her. Her goal was simple-she was set on obtaining her rightful share before finalizing the divorce and severing ties with Derek.
Remembering Derek’s terms regarding the allocation of the villas, Madeline waved her hand dismissively. “Miss Wilson, why continue this standoff?” Madeline clung to Derek’s arm, urging, “Derek, please explain to Miss Wilson that I want the lakeside villa to be our new home. Speak with her.”
Derek met Norah’s gaze, attempting to soften the situation. “Norah, let’s not escalate this. The court’s involvement changes nothing. The outcome of any legal battle is uncertain.”
Norah’s gaze grew sharp.
It made sense why Derek remained unfazed upon receiving the summons. Did he have a contingency in place? However, he was the one caught in an affair. How dare he stand there and speak those words to her?
“Mr. Carter, you’re well aware of my demands. These possessions are trivial to you. Why the reluctance to settle?” Norah retorted.
Derek clenched his jaw, remembering his initial offer to Norah, which included thirty million dollars, three properties, and a car-amounting to a third of his assets-as a gesture of compensation for her efforts in taking care of him over the past two years. Back then, he had played the generous man.
Influenced by Madeline’s insinuations about Norah’s supposed new affluent connections, Derek had reconsidered his generosity. The notion that Norah could have been involved with someone else long before, and that he was oblivious, infuriated him. Why should he hand over anything to her, then?
“Norah, you’re really testing my patience.”
“Mr. Carter, am I the one testing your patience? You’re the one seeking a divorce so you can be with your lover, yet you’re reluctant to honor what we had agreed upon previously. Derek, it turns out I really knew you.” Norah crossed her arms, her jaw tilted slightly.
Derek’s gaze fell, shadowed with turmoil. “Two years into our marriage, I realize I’ve never truly known you.” Their conversation reached an impasse.
Norah, growing impatient, pressed, “Enough with the delays. Are we finalizing this divorce today or not?”
Derek stood firm, saying, “Just sign the paper, and I’ll go through the formalities with you immediately.”
Madeline interrupted with feigned concern, addressing Norah, “Miss Wilson, just sign it, and you’ll be free. Why hesitate over such a straightforward decision?”
“If it’s truly inconsequential, why doesn’t Derek just relent? Derek, your actions reveal how petty you are!” Norah pointed out.
Norah’s comment struck Derek, who felt diminished when compared to Sean and Kason. In terms of family stature, the Carter family paled in comparison. Aesthetically, Sean and Kason were in a league of their own.
“Petty? Damn! I dare you to say that again! I once had you completely under my thumb. You never dared defy me.”
Norah’s fleeting amusement vanished, replaced by a steely gaze at Derek. His words reminded her of her routine existence among his family members. Whether in his villa or at Carter Manor, she conducted herself with the humility of a maid, never once defying him, with the illusion that he might one day see merit in her and fall for her.
“Now, you label me petty? So what if I am? How bold you’ve become since you signed the divorce papers! Shall I provide more examples?” Derek spat out in a fit of anger.
Holding onto Derek’s arm, Madeline regarded Norah complacently, enjoying the discomfort Derek’s revelation caused. It made sense now why Derek had once described Norah as merely a servant to the Carter family.
“Derek, since we can’t reach an agreement today, let’s leave it at that.”
“See you in court.” Norah’s expression was icy as she added, “I won’t give up what’s rightfully mine.” Regardless of the circumstances, Norah was determined to claim her due, steadfast in her resolve to fight for her rights.
Norah’s unwavering stance irritated both Derek and Madeline. With a grim expression, Derek tightly rolled the document and said, “We’ll just have to see who comes out on top in court.”
Barely hiding her smugness, Madeline said, “We’ll meet again, Miss Wilson.”
As Derek and Madeline walked away, Norah felt a surge of anger. Once again, Derek had managed to irk her while delaying the finalization of their divorce. Settling back onto a nearby chair, a moment of reflection brought a smile to Norah’s face.
A kind janitor approached, offering Norah a glass of water and sitting beside her. “Here, have some water.”
Gratefully accepting the glass, Norah held it without taking a sip. “Thank you.”
“Everyone here caught wind of your conversation. That man is cheating and refusing to offer any settlement. My advice? Drag it out and see who becomes desperate first. They’ll likely beg for a divorce once they’re eager to get money. You’ll hold all the cards then,” the janitor said, with an air of wisdom. “Plenty like this in my years here. The eager party for remarriage usually ends up compromising.”
“Appreciate it. You’re right,” Norah responded, contemplative, and agreed with the janitor’s perspective.
Norah regretted trusting Derek once again. The divorce hadn’t been finalized yet, and now, she had to take it to court. The delay in the proceedings didn’t matter as long as it displeased the other party.
The janitor was right; Derek wasn’t in a hurry now. However, he might not remain calm in the future. After all, Norah had seen Derek meeting Madeline’s parents the last time. Marriage was the only solution to free Madeline from the accusation of being a mistress.
If Derek wanted to marry Madeline, he’d have to plead with Norah to get a divorce. He would soon be crying and begging Norah for one.
Norah no longer rushed for a divorce. She wanted to sever all ties with Derek, but she would patiently wait for the day when Derek and Madeline came running to her, seeking to finalize the divorce. She was determined to make them have a tough time by then.
Meanwhile, Madeline fastened her seatbelt and turned to look at Derek. “Norah refused to sign the papers today. Do you think we will win the case if we go to court? What do we do now, Derek?”
Derek gripped the steering wheel with one hand as he did the mental math. “Wait! Do you remember those photos of Norah in the report of her background? With those photos, what could she use against me in court?”
Madeline’s eyes widened as she thought about the photos. “You’re right, Derek. Norah has nothing against us. Everything is under your control.”
“Gosh, you’re amazing!”
When Norah was with the Carter family, she maintained a low profile. The moment she left, she began acquiring skills and getting acquainted with influential people. Despite working in the company for several years, she never had the chance to connect with the Scott family. But now, she personally knows Mr. Scott. That’s unbelievable,” Derek commented.
“Perhaps Norah is living in the Scott family’s mansion at Dreamview Villas. People know Sean lives there. Other residents there are rarely heard of. Norah seems to be quite close with Sean…” Madeline said meaningfully.
“Madeline,” Derek interrupted. “Look, I have nothing to do with Norah anymore. I don’t care where she lives or whom she knows. It’s none of my concern. I only care about you. Will you stay with me forever?”
Madeline looked at him dotingly. “Derek, as long as you’re by my side, I will never give up on you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
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.