Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 142

Silas picked up his teacup and took a slow, deliberate sip. "You're too modest, Mrs. Reed. With her radiant complexion and elegance, your daughter is easily one of the most stunning women in San Francisco."

Nora remained silent, casting her eyes downward as she took a seat as far away from Silas as possible.

"I heard the Reed family has another daughter?"

The moment she sat down, Silas suddenly spoke up with a cheerful tone, his gaze lightly skimming over Nora. "Named... Nora, right?"

Penelope's hand faltered as she poured the tea, and Marcus's face stiffened in unison.

Silas set his teacup down, a meaningful smirk playing on his lips. "If she's as gorgeous as Hudson's wife... I'd divorce my current partner just to marry her."

The air in the living room was instantly sucked out of the space.

It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Penelope's smile froze. She kept the corners of her mouth turned up, but a flicker of sheer panic bled into her eyes.

She let out a dry, awkward laugh. "You must be joking, Mr. Lancaster."

Silas leaned back against the sofa, his expression unreadable. "Do you think I'm joking?"

Penelope felt a cold sweat break out on her back under his intense stare. Her smile was practically crumbling.

"Mr. Lancaster, you're a man of immense status. Our family couldn't possibly aim so high..."

Silas chuckled softly, his eyes sliding toward Nora. "Haven't you already aimed that high once? Doing it a second time wouldn't hurt."

Penelope's fake smile completely vanished. Her fingers gripped the porcelain teacup so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Sitting in the corner, Nora kept her mouth shut.

Her expression was perfectly calm, bordering on indifferent, as if the terrifying implications of Silas's words had absolutely nothing to do with her.

Silas let his gaze linger on her face for two seconds before a slow smile spread across his lips.

"It's just a shame... there's only one beauty quite like this."

Silas raised an eyebrow.

Seeing his reaction, Penelope knew she had hit the mark. She quickly gestured to Nora. "Jade, go down to the cellar and grab a good bottle. I remember your... your father bought a few excellent vintage bottles recently. They're on the furthest rack in the back."

Silas smiled faintly. "Since you're offering so graciously, Mrs. Reed, it would be rude of me to decline."

Relieved, Penelope immediately ordered the staff, "Hurry up and start prepping the kitchen. Make sure it's an incredible spread."

The maids rushed off to the kitchen.

Penelope turned back to Nora. "Jade, don't just sit there. Hurry and get the wine."

Nora pressed her lips together. After a long, suffocating pause, she gave a muffled nod and turned toward the cellar.

"I doubt my lovely sister-in-law knows much about wine."

Silas's smooth voice drifted from behind her. "I'll go with her and help pick one out."