Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 333

The VIP lounges at Lancaster Hall were tucked away at the end of the east corridor. Reserved exclusively for prestigious guests and private meetings, it was an area completely off-limits to ordinary attendees.

Penelope Reed followed Nora smoothly, without any interference.

The moment the lounge door clicked shut, the deafening noise of the gala was entirely cut off.

Penelope instinctively glanced around, the sheer opulence of the room only reinforcing how monumental the gap was between the Reed family and the Lancasters.

She had always thought the Reeds were the absolute peak of high society that she could ever reach. She never expected Jade could secure a match this powerful purely based on Astrological Compatibility.

If Jade hadn't been so willful, she would be the one living this ultra-luxurious lifestyle as the billionaire's wife.

It just went to show how brilliant her decision had been to send Nora as the substitute bride.

Otherwise, how would Nora have ever stumbled into such incredible luxury?

In a way, Nora had coasted on her mother's coattails...

Comforted by this twisted logic, Penelope's initial stiffness melted away. She unconsciously straightened her posture, strode over to the plush sofa, and patted the seat next to her.

"Don't just stand there. Take a seat."

Nora didn't move an inch. She just stared at the older woman with clear, piercing eyes.

"Mom, what exactly do you want to say?"

Penelope shifted uncomfortably under her intense gaze. She let out a dry, hollow laugh before getting straight to the point. "Nora, when are you planning to switch back with Jade?"

Nora let out a soft, humorless laugh, as if she had predicted this exact question.

But ever since Penelope married Marcus Reed and took on Jade as her stepdaughter, Nora finally saw the truth. Penelope was perfectly capable of showing warmth, of spoiling a child, and of fiercely shielding her from the world without any reservations.

It was just that she would never extend that same devotion to Nora.

Taking Nora's silence as submission, Penelope eagerly pressed her advantage. "Don't worry, as long as you agree to switch places with Jade, Marcus will make sure you're well taken care of..."

"We're already looking into suitable matches for you. These are all prominent families in San Francisco. You won't be settling, and it'll help support the Reed family. It's a win-win situation. You—"

Nora ripped her hands away, laughing out of sheer disbelief. "You forced me to act as a substitute bride to save the Reed family from a crisis, and now that you've used me up, you want to pawn me off in another arranged marriage to keep benefiting the family?"

Penelope's expression faltered. "Oh, come on, that's not what I meant..."

Nora tuned out the excuses. Her voice dropped to a cold, flat register as she asked, "Mom... what exactly am I to you? A tool? A bargaining chip? Or just your ticket to securing your place in the Reed family?"