Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 71

Nora had only been at work for a day when the weekend arrived.

Because she was still preoccupied with asking Xavier if he wanted to go to St. Paul's Preparatory, she headed to the Reed residence first thing in the morning.

When the black Maybach pulled up to the estate's entrance, Marcus and Penelope were already waiting on the steps.

Before the car even came to a complete stop, Marcus eagerly rushed forward to open the door.

But when he saw Nora sitting alone in the backseat, he froze for a second. "Hudson didn't come?"

"No, he has things to take care of at work."

The smile on Marcus's face faded slightly, though he tried to hide it.

Penelope, however, couldn't quite mask her disappointment. She gave Nora a chiding pat on the shoulder. "Honestly, you finally come home for a visit, and you don't bring Hudson with you?"

"Alright, let's talk inside."

Nora was ushered into the living room.

The maid served coffee and pastries. Marcus exchanged a few pleasantries before steering the conversation toward business.

"Nora... now that you're Mrs. Lancaster, there are a few things... I wanted to discuss with you."

Nora paused, her grip tightening slightly around her coffee cup.

"The company is short on projects lately. Several big contracts were snatched right out from under us, and our cash flow is incredibly tight."

Marcus sighed, his face lined with worry. "Do you think you could mention it to Hudson? Ask him to throw the Reed family a bone? Nothing major—just one or two small projects would do."

Nora set her cup down. "The Lancaster family operates on a completely different scale than we do. Even if he forced a project our way, the Reed company couldn't handle it. Besides..."

Her voice faltered slightly. "Hudson and I... aren't exactly at that stage."

Marcus's expression stiffened.

She had phrased it delicately, but the rejection was crystal clear.

Penelope's heart sank.

She knew it.

She had suspected it all along.

Hudson's illness was likely terminal, and it had clearly left him impotent.

That was the only reason he'd agreed to marry someone for luck.

Otherwise, a family like theirs would never be worthy of a Lancaster.

"Nora..." Penelope grabbed her hand, her tone softening. "I know this is incredibly unfair to you, but Marcus has been good to us. He's provided for you, paid for your education, and raised you for over a decade. You have to remember that."

Nora remained silent.

"And besides..." Penelope let out a soft sigh. "It's not easy for me in this house, you know that. His mother has always despised me. She thinks I climbed the social ladder to marry him. If his company goes under, I won't have a leg to stand on in this family."