Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 653

Hudson's lips curved upward, taking in her nervous little expression before he slowly added, "I'm just teasing you."

Nora froze for a second. Realizing she had been played, she punched him lightly on the chest. "You're awful!"

Hudson leaned back from the impact, making no effort to dodge as his chest rumbled with laughter.

He caught her wandering hand, enveloping it in his palm. Just as he lowered his head to kiss her fingertips, a loud bang echoed outside the window. A streak of light shot into the night sky, exploding into a dazzling display of gold and crimson fireworks against the deep blue canvas. It shattered into a thousand glittering sparks, raining down like a shower of light.

They both turned to look out the window.

The fireworks launched one after another, illuminating the night sky in a rhythmic pulse of brilliance.

Nora watched for a while before her eyes lit up, and she turned to him. "It's already early December. We only have a few weeks until the New Year... This is our first holiday season together."

She leaned back into his embrace. "No one has ever stayed up to ring in the New Year with me before..."

Hudson tightened his arms, pulling her securely against him, and rested his chin on the top of her head. "I'll be with you this year, and every year after."

Nora looked up from his chest and poked him playfully. "It's a promise, then. You said you'd never lie to me. Liars are dirty dogs."

Hudson lowered his head, leaning close to her ear. His voice was deep, magnetic, and laced with a wicked amusement. "Honey, I'm your devoted hound."

Nora's ears burned red instantly. She reached up to cover his mouth. "What... what are you talking about!"

She glared at him with flushed cheeks, her heart racing wildly.

She used to think he was just quietly intense, but lately, she had realized he was utterly shameless.

Hudson caught her wrist and gently pulled it away, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Am I wrong? Didn't you say you loved my stamina?"

"..."

Nora's ears were so red they looked ready to bleed. Mortified, she tried to hit him again, but he effortlessly scooped her up into his arms.

"Come on, let's take a shower."

"I can shower by myself!"

"We'll save water if we shower together."

"..."

Save water, my foot!

Nora tried to protest, but Hudson had already kicked the bathroom door shut behind them.

Hot water poured from the showerhead, quickly filling the room with steam. A thick layer of white fog condensed on the glass partition.

Nora braced her hands against the cool tiles. The sounds coming from behind her were even louder than the rushing water, prompting her to reach back and push against his abdomen.

The call connected after a single ring. Liam's voice came through, laced with a hesitant reluctance. "Mr. Lancaster, The Ivory Pill..."

He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

But Hudson had already guessed it. "The Ivory Pill is fake, isn't it?" he asked flatly.

There was a moment of silence on the other end before Liam's voice came through with difficulty. "Yes. Dr. Silas Vane verified it three times. It's definitely a fake. The appearance and scent were perfectly replicated, but the medicinal properties are completely wrong."

Hudson lowered his eyes, tapping his finger lightly against the railing.

He had mostly anticipated this outcome.

Ever since he acquired that pill, a string of tension had lingered in his mind. He couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, but it had all felt too easy.

River Sterling was the kind of man whose every move—from his sudden appearance to his elaborate traps—was calculated with terrifying precision. It was as if he had anticipated their every reaction.

He knew them too well.

"Anything else?" Hudson's voice betrayed no emotion.

Liam's tone dropped even lower. "That's not all... That River Sterling we captured was a fake, too."

Hudson's tapping finger stilled.