Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 246

Jade's immediate thought was that the substitute bride scheme had blown up in her face.

The Lancasters were here to settle the score.

She wanted to bolt right then and there, but the two massive bodyguards flanking the door looked like solid brick walls. She couldn't even dive out the window if she tried.

All the way there, she had been trembling, her mind spinning with a hundred different ways to pin the blame on Nora and Penelope.

Whatever happened, the substitute wedding was their idea. She had nothing to do with it.

But just as she had her excuses perfectly lined up, she spotted Nora and Hudson.

Jade's gaze lingered on the two of them for a split second, and her stomach dropped.

It was over.

The secret was out!

The Lancasters had summoned both sisters—were they going to confront them face-to-face?

Her legs turned to jelly. She stumbled, nearly collapsing, but the bodyguard behind her caught her with lightning speed.

"Careful," the bodyguard said flatly, giving her a firm shove toward the hospital room door.

Lawrence stood at the entrance, offering her a polite, genial smile. "Ms. Reed. Mrs. Lancaster Sr. has been waiting for you."

Jade's lips trembled, but her throat felt sealed shut. Not a single sound came out.

Lawrence knocked on the door. "Mother, Ms. Reed is here."

Silence hung in the room for a second before Beatrice's aged, commanding voice rang out.

"Let her in."

Lawrence stepped aside and gestured for her to enter.

Jade took a deep breath and forced herself to walk inside.

The door clicked shut behind her with a heavy thud.

The hallway plunged back into silence.

Nora stood outside, staring at the closed door. Her heart was hammering violently against her ribs, her fingers gripping Hudson's hand so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Standing nearby, Lawrence watched their quiet exchange, a meaningful smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Why so tense, Hudson? Mother just wants to chat with Ms. Reed. It's not like she's going to eat her."

Hudson didn't spare him a glance. He kept his eyes fixed on the closed door, his voice glacial. "Mind your own business, Lawrence."

Lawrence chuckled. "I'd love to, but I know my mother. She doesn't tolerate deception. A substitute bride is a scandal for any family, but for the Lancasters..."

He paused, his smirk widening.

"It's the scandal of the century."

Hudson shot him a sideways glare. "I see the head injury hasn't fully healed yet. You'd better stay out of things that don't concern you, before you forget what pain feels like."

At those words, Lawrence's smile froze, a flash of vicious resentment darting through his eyes.

A cold, predatory smirk curved Hudson's lips.

Struck a nerve, did I?

Oh, there was plenty more pain waiting for him.