Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 250

The hallway was now completely empty.

"Nothing..."

Nora shook her head. She just had a bad feeling about the way Jade had looked at her.

For the past decade, whenever Jade was plotting to ruin her life, she always wore that exact expression.

"Are you tired? It was a four-hour flight. I'll have Arthur take you back to Cloudwater Estate to rest."

"No, I'm not tired..."

Before Nora could finish her sentence, Hudson chuckled and playfully tapped the tip of her nose. "Can't you tell I'm trying to get you out of the crossfire?"

"..."

"My grandmother clearly knows about the substitute bride situation. She's bound to throw a fit. If you stay here, you're just going to get caught in the blast radius."

Nora gave him a helpless, amused look. "And I won't get caught in it if I go home?"

Hudson leaned in, his tone smooth and persuasive. "Do you know the secret to a perfect relationship with your in-laws?"

Nora shook her head.

"What is it?"

"No matter what goes wrong, the husband stands in front of the wife."

A rush of warmth flooded Nora's chest. She completely understood his intention.

"But..."

"It's fine. Trust me, my grandmother adores me. Having you here will only throw me off my game."

"Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you?"

"Well... um..."

As Nora wracked her brain for an excuse to stay, Hudson leaned down, his voice dropping to a seductive murmur meant only for her ears. "If you really care about me, go home and wait for me like a good girl. I bought some gorgeous lingerie. Pick one out and wear it for me tonight..."

Hudson let out a soft scoff, pulling his hand away. "Where is this coming from?"

Beatrice watched him, her gaze incredibly complex.

"You know exactly what I mean."

Hudson didn't reply. He simply pulled a cigarette from his pocket and placed it between his lips. He was about to light it when he remembered he was in a hospital room, and shoved the lighter back into his pocket.

Silence stretched between them until Beatrice broke it.

"I know about the substitute bride. Jade just confessed everything. Her stepmother orchestrated the whole thing and swapped the sisters."

"Her eloping with Archer... that was your doing, wasn't it? Were you testing her, or..."

Hudson took the unlit cigarette from his mouth, twirling it between his fingers. "What are you trying to say?"

Beatrice didn't answer immediately. She studied his face, her eyes searching for a crack in his armor.

"Hudson, tell me the truth. Are you serious about that girl?"