Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 331

Nora Reed felt like her face was about to freeze from smiling so much.

Just moments ago, she had been worrying about Arthur. Now, a group of older men in tailored suits was walking toward them. Their faces were incredibly familiar—some were even regulars on national television...

She knew Hudson Lancaster's work in military tech meant he rubbed elbows with top government officials, but her palms were still sweating. She silently prayed to just stand there like a pretty accessory and not get dragged into the conversation.

Hudson was chatting with the VIPs when he noticed the clammy sweat on her hand. Secretly amused, he cast a sidelong glance at the stiffly smiling woman beside him.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling alright?" Hudson squeezed her fingers.

Caught off guard by his sudden attention, Nora let out a dry laugh and forced the words through her teeth. "I'm perfectly fine."

She was more than fine!

She just wanted him to stop putting her on the spot!

The sudden shift drew the VIPs' attention directly to Nora. Though their gazes weren't aggressive, the sheer weight of their natural authority was suffocating.

"And who might this be?"

Hudson's lips curved into a smile as he pulled Nora closer against his side. "My wife."

He looked down at her, a teasing glint in his eye. "Say hello to the gentlemen."

With a group of powerful titans all staring right at her, Nora felt her cheeks burning, but she managed to maintain a polite, radiant smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."

"You're a lucky man, Hudson."

"Your parents always worried about you the most since you were the youngest. If they could see you married and settled down now, they'd finally be at peace."

Hearing them mention Hudson's parents made Nora's curiosity override her anxiety.

She had never heard a single detail about his mother and father.

All she knew was that they passed away when he was young.

Hudson paused for a second before a genuine, warm laugh escaped his chest. He finally understood what was going on in her pretty little head.

He tightened his grip on her hand, his thumb gently stroking her knuckles. "Relationships aren't maintained through sweet talk. When you're on equal footing, no one cares what you say."

"If you're not on equal footing, scrambling to please them just makes you a sycophant."

"Besides..."

He leaned in close to her ear, his voice dropping to a low, magnetic murmur. "My wife doesn't need to kiss up to anyone. All you have to do is stand there and let everyone else grovel to please you."

It was an incredibly arrogant statement.

But Nora knew it was the absolute truth.

Tonight at the birthday gala, she was finally experiencing the true, staggering weight of the Lancaster family's untouchable status.