Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 193

Penelope's smile stiffened. "Hudson, I didn't mean it like that. I just felt..."

"Since my mother-in-law is so fond of toasting."

Hudson cut her off, his tone still flat. "Then you can do it on her behalf. How does that sound?"

Penelope froze.

"Just as you said moments ago—toast at every table, down the shot in one go. Don't take sips, or you'll make a joke of yourself."

He paused, his gaze dropping to the lingering red marks on Nora's wrist.

"Everything exactly according to the etiquette you preach. Deal?"

Penelope's face instantly went ashen.

Her lips trembled as she tried to speak, but meeting Hudson's pitch-black eyes, the words died in her throat.

She immediately forced a smile that looked worse than crying. "Alright... I'll do it. I'll go toast right now."

The lounge door clicked shut behind her, cutting off the noise from the hall.

Nora instinctively tried to go after her, but Hudson looped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her back.

"What are you doing?"

Hudson looked down at Nora's wrist. The redness had mostly faded, leaving only a faint outline.

"Does it hurt?"

Nora shook her head, looking up at him. His reflection was captured in her wide eyes.

"My mom is just like that... With you terrifying her like this, she probably won't be able to sleep tonight."

Hudson chuckled softly, his thumb gently caressing her wrist. "Good. If she can't sleep, drinking a few more glasses will fix that."

Nora was caught off guard, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

This man...

He really held a grudge.

...

During the second half of the reception, Penelope carried a glass and toasted at every single table.

Her alcohol tolerance was strictly average; usually, she only had a glass or two of wine during the holidays.

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