Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 512

"You brat, not even notifying your professor about your wedding. What? Did you think I couldn't afford a wedding gift?" Douglas looked up instinctively, a teasing glint in his eye.

But the moment his gaze landed on Nora's face, his hand froze holding the teacup, and a look of profound shock flashed across his features.

Those eyes...

Nora immediately greeted him politely, "Hello, Professor Campbell."

Seeing his prolonged silence, Hudson's brow twitched imperceptibly. "Professor?"

Douglas finally snapped out of his daze, hastily averting his eyes and pouring himself another cup of tea to cover his tracks. "You're a lucky guy, bringing home such a stunning woman..."

He paused, then asked in a feigned casual tone, "How old are you?"

Nora blinked in surprise, not expecting the question, but answered honestly. "I'm twenty-seven."

"Are your parents... doing well?"

Nora pursed her lips. "They're fine."

Douglas nodded and didn't press further. He stared intently at his teacup, as if suddenly fascinated by the liquid inside.

Confused, Nora shot Hudson a look, silently asking: What's going on?

Hudson simply squeezed her hand, offering no explanation.

He had known Douglas for over a decade and had never seen the man lose his composure like this.

Whether it was because of that brief interlude or not, the atmosphere during dinner remained tense and awkward.

Outwardly, Hudson maintained his stoic demeanor, but his mind was racing.

He had heard the rumors surrounding his professor, and he and Jude had joked about them in private.

Word was that the woman Douglas loved in his youth had ended up marrying Henry Fairchild, sparking a bitter, lifelong rivalry between the two men.

No one knew her true identity. They only knew she had died young, leaving behind a son and a daughter.

Tragically, the younger daughter had gone missing as a child and remained unaccounted for to this day.

For his professor to react so strongly... could it be...

Did Nora look like his old flame?

Hudson lowered his eyes and drained his teacup.

He would figure it out later. He'd find a chance to ask when the time was right.

Henry's expression remained composed, save for a slight twitch of his brow. "You're joking, Director. The Fairchild family operates on mutual benefit. No one is living off anyone else."

"Is that so?" Douglas took a leisurely step forward. "It sure doesn't look that way to me. You used to ride a woman's coattails, and now you're cozying up to men. I must say, your taste for leeching has remained remarkably consistent over the decades."

"Douglas, what are you trying to say?"

Douglas scoffed coldly. "Just stating facts. Everyone in our circle knows you used your wife to climb the ladder. Now that she's gone, you're trailing behind the younger generation, begging for scraps. You're pathetic."

Henry's face finally darkened.

He glared at Douglas for a moment before letting out a sharp laugh. "You've been a lonely bachelor all these years. I suppose no one even wants to offer you a meal ticket, do they? Not surprising. What woman could stand a temper like yours?"

Douglas's expression faltered slightly.

Henry pressed his advantage. "I may have lost my wife, but at least I have a son and a daughter by my side... Liana, say hello to Mr. Campbell."

Liana immediately put on a sweet voice. "Hello, Mr. Campbell. I'm Liana..."

But before she could finish, Douglas let out a harsh sneer, cutting her off. "Tell me, Henry, have you found that daughter you lost over twenty years ago? What, couldn't find her so you had to substitute her with a ward? A man who can't even protect his own wife and children. Fairchild, I'm embarrassed to share the same gender as you."

Henry's calm facade finally cracked.

"Douglas, you..."