Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 487

Arthur's expression shifted drastically, his voice dropping an octave. "What do you mean by that? Didn't you say he had half a year left?"

Liam didn't look up. He pierced Hudson's fingertip with the lancet.

Dark, almost black beads of blood were squeezed out drop by drop, blossoming into shocking, terrifying stains on the white porcelain tray.

He instinctively glanced up at Hudson. Seeing that the man didn't even blink as all ten of his fingers were repeatedly bled, Liam let out a soft sigh. He lowered his eyes again and said hoarsely, "Mr. Lancaster has been exhausting himself trying to pave a safe path for Nora. On top of that, frequent emotional turbulence is a heavy burden..."

He paused. "He used to be able to tough it out with sheer resilience, but the poison has seeped into his vital organs. The worst thing for him right now is mental and emotional exhaustion. He's burned through more energy this past year than in the three years prior combined... How could he possibly be in the same shape as before?"

Arthur's Adam's apple bobbed. His hands, hanging by his sides, clenched and unclenched. "So... is there really no other way?"

"Making him give up Nora might buy him some time. But do you really think he'd ever agree to that?"

Arthur pressed his lips into a thin line and remained silent.

Sensing the shift in the room, Hudson frowned and looked up at Arthur.

"What are you two talking about?"

Arthur instinctively parted his lips to speak, but before he could, Liam looked at Hudson. "Mr. Lancaster, the bloodletting isn't working anymore..."

Hudson could read lips. He looked down at his ten fingers, all of which had been bled, yet the color of the blood remained a dark, sickly black.

He touched his ear. He still couldn't hear a sound.

They had already reached the maximum limit for bloodletting. Any more, and he would pass out from blood loss.

"Arthur."

"Yes, Boss." Arthur instinctively replied before realizing Hudson couldn't hear. He quickly took a half-step forward so he was in Hudson's line of sight.

"Tomorrow morning, pick a good time to call Nora. Tell her I've gone on a business trip and that I'll be back in about... a week."

Arthur nodded vigorously.

"Then... Boss, where will you stay tonight? There's a villa in the Financial District..."

She propped herself up on her arms, blinking in a daze. Had he really not come home all night?

This seemed to be the first time Hudson had ever stayed out all night.

For some reason, her mind drifted back to his unusual behavior the night before.

It seemed to start right when she brought up his 'first love'.

Did she say something wrong?

Or...

Nora shook her head, forcing those chaotic thoughts out of her mind.

She threw off the covers, got out of bed, washed up, changed her clothes, and went downstairs.

The maid had already prepared breakfast. A warm bowl of oatmeal, a plate of toast, and a glass of warm milk sat waiting on the table.