Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 570

With a heavy gulp, Cade's Adam's apple bobbed. Liam froze in place as if struck by lightning. "You... you swallowed it?" After gulping it down, Cade even opened his mouth to show them, laughing with unhinged provocation. "I swallowed it! What are you going to do? Cut my stomach open?" Liam's rationality completely snapped. He tackled Cade to the ground, landing a brutal punch to his face. Pinning him down, Liam grabbed him by the throat and roared. "Spit it out! Spit it the hell out!" Cade's face turned purple under the crushing grip. His hands flailed wildly as he choked out curses. "Let... let me go! Help! Murder!" A few staff members rushed forward to pull them apart, plunging the hall into absolute chaos. Amidst the frenzy, no one noticed a silent figure standing on the distant balcony, a faint, sinister smile curving his lips. The hall remained a battleground until a firm hand clamped down on Liam's shoulder. Liam instinctively looked back. Meeting those pitch-black, predatory eyes, he stopped. He panted heavily. "Boss..." Hudson's expression was unnervingly calm. There wasn't a trace of visible anger. He looked down at Cade's disheveled state on the floor, then at Liam's furious, defeated face, and spoke with chilling indifference. "We're leaving." With that, he turned and walked toward the exit. Liam stood stunned for a second. Gritting his teeth, he released his grip, stumbled to his feet, and glared venomously at Cade before hurrying after Hudson. Cade's arrogant laughter echoed behind them. "Hahaha! That's what you get for messing with me! I'd rather eat the Ivory Pill than give it to you! Kill me if you have the guts!" Liam clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles popped, forcing the words through his teeth. "I hope you don't regret what you did today!" "Only losers feel regret!" Liam took a deep breath and walked away. Just then, Hudson paused in his steps. He glanced up toward the distant balcony, but only caught the briefest glimpse of a coat disappearing into the shadows. "Boss, what is it?" Hudson coolly withdrew his gaze and strode out the gates. The black sedan was parked at the end of the alley. Seeing them approach, Arthur quickly opened the rear door. Hudson got in, and Liam took the passenger seat. The moment the door shut, Liam slammed his fist against the headrest. "Damn it! That bastard! He did it on purpose! He was playing us!" Hudson remained silent. Arthur glanced at Liam through the rearview mirror, then at Hudson. "Boss..." "Tell Archer to start dismantling all of the Whitman family's assets. If Cade Whitman is left with a single cent to his name, I'll hold Archer personally responsible." Arthur felt a chill run down his spine and quickly nodded. "Understood." The car pulled out of the alley and merged into the traffic. The winter scenery of Northampton blurred past the windows. The gray sky hung low, threatening another snowfall at any moment. Liam's emotions were still running high. He leaned back against the seat, eyes closed, his chest heaving violently. After a long while, his voice came out hoarse. "I'm sorry... I was too impulsive. If I hadn't provoked him, he wouldn't have swallowed the pill. I failed you." Hudson leaned against his seat, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. After a long silence, he spoke in a slow, measured tone. "There's no point talking about that now." The car fell silent. Hudson looked out the window, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. He had been too arrogant, thinking he finally had everything he wanted. The memory of their passionate night felt like his heart was submerged in honey, only to be sliced open. The sweeter it was, the more excruciating the pain. Would Nora get pregnant? He knew the chances of it happening after just one night were slim, but what if? Just then, he spotted a pharmacy. "Pull over." Arthur signaled and brought the car to a smooth stop by the curb. "Go buy a box of Plan B." Arthur froze for a split second, quickly masking the emotion in his eyes. "Yes, sir." Before long, Arthur returned. He got back into the driver's seat and handed a small pharmacy bag to the back. Hudson took it, holding it in his palm without moving. He stared down at the bag, his thumb gently brushing against the paper edge. Watching his side profile, Liam felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. He had seen Hudson orchestrate corporate takeovers and decimate rivals without blinking an eye. Yet in this moment, clutching that tiny bag, his fingers were noticeably trembling. "...Boss." Hudson didn't look up. He simply gripped the bag tighter. "Back to the hotel." The engine roared to life as they merged back into the traffic. The afternoon sun slanted through the window, resting on the back of Hudson's hand draped over his knee. He stared at it for a moment, his fingers curling slightly before clenching into a tight fist.