Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 252

"If I die..."

"Hudson..."

Hudson leaned forward, resting both hands on the edges of the bed. He moved closer to Beatrice, his voice a low, gentle rumble. "I'm asking you to show her mercy. Let her go, and don't make it difficult for her."

Beatrice's lips trembled. She wanted to speak, but the words caught in her throat.

This was the first time since that tragic incident years ago that he had called her 'grandmother'...

And he was doing it to arrange his dying wishes.

Asking her to spare the girl he cherished above all else.

Hudson straightened up, adjusting his cuffs, his tone reverting to its usual cool detachment.

"Get some rest. I'll leave you to it."

The door clicked shut behind him.

Beatrice leaned back against the pillows, her eyes closed, her fingers gripping the bedsheets so tightly her knuckles ached.

A long time passed before she slowly opened her eyes, the rims slightly red.

She sat up with deliberate slowness, picked up the phone on the nightstand, and dialed a number.

It was answered on the second ring.

"Mrs. Lancaster Sr."

"Run a background check on that girl. I want every single detail. Especially... I need to know exactly how she's connected to Hudson's past."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Beatrice hung up and closed her eyes again, leaning back against the pillows.

Hudson's words echoed relentlessly in her mind.

She let out a heavy sigh.

This boy...

He was exactly like his father.

"A chat?" Penelope blinked in confusion. "About what?"

Jade shook off their hands and strutted into the living room in her heels. She dropped onto the sofa, crossing her legs and tilting her chin up haughtily. "She knows about the substitute bride."

Marcus and Penelope's faces drained of color.

Penelope's lips trembled, her voice tight. "She... she knows? What did she say? Is she going to punish us?"

Jade picked up a glass of water from the coffee table, took a slow, deliberate sip, and finally spoke.

"Punish us? Mrs. Lancaster Sr. said my name is on the marriage certificate. I am the rightful Mrs. Lancaster."

Marcus and Penelope exchanged stunned looks.

"Then... what about Nora?" Penelope asked cautiously.

Jade sneered. "Who cares about her? She's a fake. Does she really think she can steal my place? Mrs. Lancaster Sr. told me to take my identity back as soon as possible. I'm the daughter-in-law she wants."

She slammed the glass onto the table, leaning back and crossing her arms, her chin held even higher.

"What's mine is mine. So what if I ran away? Nora busted her ass trying to take my place, and they still don't want her!"