Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 237

"If you want to learn, pay up properly."

Hudson spun her around, pressing her back against the edge of the pool and caging her in with his arms. The water lapped at their chests, reflecting the overhead lights like thousands of shattered gold coins.

He looked down, his gaze sliding from her flushed cheeks to the soaked neckline of her swimsuit, watching the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

Nora shifted under his intense stare. Just as she was about to speak, the phone resting on the poolside chair began to vibrate.

"Your phone," she urged, desperate for a distraction.

Hudson climbed the pool stairs, settled onto the lounge chair, and answered. "Aunt Eleanor..."

A second later, his relaxed demeanor vanished, replaced by heavy tension.

"What did you say? What happened to Grandmother?"

...

Meanwhile, in Northampton.

Edmond Sterling was a completely different man since returning. He had given up the bars and poker nights. Now, he was at the office by seven-thirty every morning and didn't leave until eleven at night, working straight through the weekends.

Starlight Media was dead.

Caleb Miller's scandal had spread too fast. Investors pulled out, partners broke their contracts, and artists jumped ship. The stock flatlined with no hope of resuscitation.

Edmond handed the mess off and poured all his energy into the Sterling Group.

Sitting in the Executive Suite, Edmond leaned back in his chair. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and a rough stubble lined his jaw. He had been working overtime for a solid week, losing so much weight that his cheekbones looked sharp and his tailored suit hung off his frame.

"Mr. Sterling," his assistant said, stepping inside with a mug. "Your coffee."

Edmond blocked the number without a flicker of emotion and went back to his files.

A few minutes later, his office door was shoved open.

"Edmond!" Juliette stood in the doorway, eyes red, holding a takeout bag. "Did you block me again? Why? I just came to bring you lunch."

Edmond looked up, his gaze ice-cold. "Get out."

"No!"

Juliette set the bag on the coffee table and reached for his hand. "Edmond, please don't do this. You've lost so much weight. You haven't been eating, have you?"

Edmond yanked his hand back, stepping away. "I said, get out."

Juliette finally snapped, her expression twisting. "It's because of Nora, isn't it? She's been gone for so long! You're still thinking about her? That bitch was never good enough for you! Her real father is a..."