Norah lifted her glass and stated, “You heard my condition, Mr. Hayes.”
“Think it through before committing.” She gulped down half a glass of red wine in one go, set it on the table, and said, “Joanna, I’m heading out now.” As Norah reached for her purse, she anticipated Kason’s intervention.
“Stop!” Kason’s voice halted her as she rose to her feet. He promptly agreed, “I accept.”
Kason turned his gaze elsewhere and asked briskly, “When can you pay my grandfather a visit, Supernatural Doctor?”
Norah, with a sly grin, replied, “I’ll have Joanna arrange it. Until next time, Mr. Hayes.” She gestured a goodbye and moved toward the exit.
Kason walked over to the door, lifting his hand a bit to halt her.
“Just to be clear, Supernatural Doctor, should you heal my grandfather, I will accept your terms without dispute. However, if you fail…” Kason’s tone grew cold. “You should be aware that actions have consequences.”
Norah spun around and fixed her gaze on Kason. “Mr. Hayes, are you trying to intimidate me?”
Kason withdrew his hand, clarifying, “No threat, merely a caution. I’ll bring you the Hayes family’s gratitude.”
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
“Mr. Hayes, Mr. Scott is waiting for you.”
Upon hearing this, Kason’s demeanor softened. He addressed Norah, “I must handle something now. Supernatural Doctor, we’ll continue our conversation another time.” He then nodded their way and departed the room.
Spencer, lounging against the railing on the upper floor, noticed a familiar figure. He said to Kaiden, “Look, Kason’s coming out. He was just in that chamber.”
“Weren’t Joanna and Norah seen entering there earlier? When did your uncle become acquainted with them?” Kaiden, equally baffled, replied, “Since taking charge of the Hayes family, Kason’s been all business, rarely frequenting spots like the Glamour Club for leisure, much less mingling with women. For the past couple of years, he’s been on dates. Where’s he off to now? I’ll go and have a look.”
The door slammed shut. Joanna turned to Norah, attempting to lighten the mood. “Norah, don’t dwell on Kason’s words. With your skills, we shouldn’t worry about him. Norah, where are you going? I’ll drive you.”
Norah responded with a hint of annoyance, “Joanna, you think I’m intimidated? It’s been a while since we caught up. Have you forgotten who I am?” Her eyes gleamed playfully. “He may act high and mighty now, but once he witnesses what I’m capable of, he’ll regret it.”
Joanna, feeling uneasy, urged, “Norah, let’s leave quickly.” Joanna’s anxiety had spiked ever since she overheard Kason speaking with his bodyguards. “The Glamour Club doesn’t feel safe.”
Joanna rushed forward, seizing Norah’s hand, eager to whisk her away. “What’s going on?”
Suddenly, their conversation was drowned out by the distant sound of gunfire. Panic ensued throughout the Glamour Club. Norah’s face grew serious, and she swiftly took Joanna’s hand, standing in front of her like a shield. “Stay inside. There’s trouble out there.”
She hurried to secure the chamber’s door, then comforted Joanna. “Don’t worry. I’m here.”
With a quivering voice, Joanna said, “I should have taken you out as soon as I heard the mention of Mr. Hayes.”
“Scott! Someone called earlier, saying Mr. Scott would be at the Glamour Club and telling me to leave soon. I figured we would have been gone before his arrival. Norah, I’m sorry. I should’ve taken you and left with me earlier!”
Norah softly patted Joanna’s back and comforted her. “It’s okay. Was that the Mr. Sean Scott you were talking about?”
“Yes, that’s him.”
Joanna leaned on Norah, sharing her fears. “He’s a member of the Scott family, even more terrifying than Kason. His reputation precedes him as both ruthless and cunning. His presence here tonight isn’t without reason. We should’ve avoided coming.”
Joanna regretted not sharing the warning she had received sooner with Norah. Had she done so, they might have avoided this dangerous situation.
“Life is unpredictable. Sometimes, what seems like a setback might be a hidden opportunity. Good and bad fortune often come hand in hand, Joanna,” Norah said calmly. “When things get tough like this, staying calm is key.”
Growing up in a protected environment, Joanna was unaccustomed to real danger. While she had some basic self-defense training, the thought of facing actual gunfire was beyond her worst fears.
Norah gently imparted her wisdom. “In moments like these, ensuring your safety should be the top priority. Ignore the chaos outside and focus on staying safe.”
Joanna, covering her ears, nodded in agreement. “Understood.”
Joanna had always claimed she wouldn’t be scared in such situations.
Yet, without Norah’s presence, she might have collapsed.
Joanna said, “I’ll ask my parents to teach me how to handle guns and learn survival skills once this is over.”
Despite her reputation as the wild child of Glophia, Joanna had no real experience with firearms, sheltered by her family and her untouchable status.
Joanna was grateful for Norah’s presence. She couldn’t figure out why Norah wasn’t scared by all the chaos, but she knew Norah was something special. She really admired Norah. Norah was the most impressive woman she had ever known.
If only Derek hadn’t made the mistake of marrying Norah and confining her to his home to take care of him. They wouldn’t have lost touch.
Joanna was still puzzled by Norah’s decision to marry Derek and her commitment to his care and miraculous recovery, especially after Derek’s coma. While others might be oblivious to the truth behind his recovery, Joanna knew it was all because of Norah’s efforts.
Suddenly, a loud thud echoed against the door.
Joanna’s body shook with fear, yet she tried to mask her anxiety with a gulp. “Norah, there’s someone knocking on the door.”
Norah was cautious about the gun but reassured Joanna, “It’s fine. The door of the Glamour Club is tough. Let’s wait for help to arrive.” She had previously reached out to the Andrews family for assistance. Given their protective stance toward her, she was confident help would arrive soon.
Norah was confident that as long as the Scott and Hayes families were present, they would be safe, no matter what was happening outside. Joanna was the only one who seemed worried.
Norah took her time with her drink, making efforts to soothe Joanna. As her friend, Norah felt the need to protect and comfort her.
Joanna, drawing comfort from Norah’s composed demeanor, eventually relaxed, saying, “Alright.” The noise outside eventually died down, followed by another knock at the door.
“Is Miss Andrews here? I’m a bodyguard from the Scott family. It’s safe now. You can come out now.”
Joanna looked at Norah and asked, “Norah, should we answer it?”
After listening attentively, Norah said, “Just open it. Don’t worry. As a lady of the Andrews family, you should show some confidence.”
Joanna chuckled, regaining her usual self-assurance.
Kason, cleaning his hands of blood, noticed the distinguished man lounging on the couch and greeted, “Mr. Scott.”
Sean Scott reclined on the sofa with his legs crossed, exuding an air of nobility and aloofness despite his seemingly relaxed posture. “Bloodshed is inevitable whenever we cross paths.”
Tossing the bloody handkerchief away, Kason asked, “How did you know to find me here? Have you set a trap for me?”
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.