Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 332

People always said it was lonely at the top.

Yet, countless people still scrambled wildly to climb their way up.

It was a testament to the intoxicating allure of power and prestige.

With a faint smirk, Hudson wrapped his arm around Nora's slender waist and slowly lifted his gaze. "You'd better start getting used to this..."

That subtle shift in his posture was the only invitation the surrounding crowd needed. Instantly, eager guests swarmed them, beaming with overly enthusiastic smiles.

"Mr. Lancaster! It's been far too long! And Mrs. Lancaster, you look absolutely radiant tonight!"

"Hudson, thank you again for backing that last project. I'll have to take you out to dinner to properly express my gratitude!"

"Mrs. Lancaster is stunning! You have an elegance that is completely unmatched in all of San Francisco!"

"Isn't that the truth? Mr. Lancaster is a very lucky man!"

Nora was slightly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of it all. The people in front of her were practically glowing with praise, tossing out compliments one after another without ever repeating themselves.

She instinctively turned her head to look at Hudson.

He shot her a covert, knowing raise of his brow.

The look on his face clearly said, 'See? What did I tell you?'

She couldn't help but smile back, the last traces of her anxiety melting away.

...

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the grand ballroom.

Jade Reed walked in with her arm looped through Marcus Reed's. The moment she stepped inside, she spotted Nora standing a short distance away, surrounded by a crowd like a brilliant star orbiting its sun.

Hudson leaned down and whispered something in Nora's ear, making her blush and shoot him a playful glare. Hudson simply smiled, his gaze resting on her with unbridled, seductive affection.

Jade ground her teeth, a suffocating wave of jealousy washing over her. It took every ounce of her willpower to suppress the urge to march over and slap that bitch across the face.

She was the rightful Mrs. Lancaster.

She should have been the one standing there, soaking up the admiration and flattery of the city's elite.

"I will, I will."

Having pacified Jade, Penelope made a beeline straight for Nora.

The plan to have Nora take Jade's place at the altar had been her idea in the first place.

But she never could have predicted that things would escalate to this extent.

It didn't matter now.

Beatrice Lancaster's birthday gala was the absolute perfect opportunity to swap the girls back.

She weaved through the crowd, her eyes locked on Nora, who was still being fawned over by the elites.

"Nora."

Nora was in the middle of politely entertaining a group of wealthy socialites. Hearing a familiar voice, she turned her head slightly, only to find Penelope standing right behind her.

"Come here for a second. We need to talk."