Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 84

Nora slowly lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Serena Sinclair. Serena was smiling, a toxic mix of absolute triumph and mocking superiority twisting her features.

Nora's expression remained perfectly neutral. She broke eye contact and returned to her paperwork.

Serena's smirk widened. She picked up her coffee cup and began a slow, deliberate march toward Nora's desk. The sharp click of her stilettos echoed like gunshots in the dead-silent office, drawing the morbid curiosity of every single employee.

Stopping right beside Nora, Serena leaned down, dropping her voice to a malicious whisper meant only for her.

"I know exactly who you are, Eleanor Vance."

Nora's pen stopped moving.

Serena straightened up, towering over her, waiting for the devastating reaction. She wanted to see Nora pale, tremble, and beg.

But Nora didn't say a word. She simply looked up, her dark eyes entirely devoid of panic or fear. There wasn't even anger. Just a chilling, absolute indifference.

She looked at Serena like she was a pathetic, squawking bird.

Serena's smug smile faltered. This wasn't the terrified breakdown she had anticipated.

"Keep playing dumb," Serena hissed, losing her composure. "Do you really think changing your name erases your past? Eleanor, you're nothing but a—"

"Serena Sinclair."

The cold, commanding voice sliced through the tension like a blade. Every head in the office whipped toward the entrance.

Leo stood in the doorway, radiating a lethal fury. Behind him hovered Milton Zade, the Director of the Management Department, looking pale and thoroughly stressed.

Leo had his hands shoved into his hoodie pockets, his face an emotionless mask, but his brown eyes were burning with cold fire. Despite his youth, his overwhelming presence sucked the air out of the room, leaving the staff completely paralyzed.

His gaze bypassed everyone else, locking directly onto Serena. "Step outside."

Inside the glass-walled conference room, the temperature felt like it had plummeted below zero.

Serena sat stiffly at the long table, arms crossed defensively, her chin jutted out in stubborn defiance. Milton sat at the head, sweating profusely, his eyes darting frantically between the two.

Leo leaned casually against the window, spinning his phone in his hand. He didn't bother with formalities. "Serena. You're the one who started the smear campaign against Jade, aren't you?"

Serena's eyes flashed, but she kept her voice steady. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Leo."

"No idea?" Leo scoffed, tossing his phone onto the polished wood. The screen lit up, displaying a long thread of text messages. "I tracked down the idiot who first posted the rumors in the main chat. She confessed that you fed her every single word. Do you want me to drag her in here right now so you two can hash it out?"

Serena's composure violently unraveled. She slammed her hands on the table and shot to her feet.

"So what if I did?!" she shrieked. "Where is the lie? Her resume is completely fabricated! There is no record of her degree anywhere. She doesn't even have a high school diploma! Why the hell is a fraud like her allowed to work at Star Entertainment?!"

"Because it's none of your damn business!" Leo roared back.