Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 695

Lawrence shot up from his hospital bed, the violent motion tearing his fresh stitches. Crimson bloomed across his bandages, but he didn't even flinch. His eyes were wild, fixated on the trembling man before him.

"Say that again!"

The subordinate flinched. "It... it was Archer. He triggered the Equity Buy-back Clause. The lawyers confirmed it's completely airtight. The company is no longer in your name!"

A suffocating wave of dizziness crashed over Lawrence. His chest seized in agony, but he forced the words through his teeth. "What about the subsidiary holdings? My other companies?"

"Gone... they're all gone."

Lawrence swayed on his feet, his knees buckling. The subordinate rushed forward to catch him. "Boss! Are you alright?"

Lawrence couldn't hear him. The world was spinning out of control. His entire commercial empire—built over decades of ruthless scheming—had been annihilated in a single afternoon. Archer had taken it all back, using the exact same weapon Lawrence had forged against him. Lawrence opened his mouth to scream, but a suffocating grip of pure agony seized his chest. The heart monitor beside him began to blare a frantic warning. He staggered back, his vision plunging into absolute darkness as he collapsed into unconsciousness on the pristine hospital floor.

***

Meanwhile, Finnian Fairchild arrived at Fairchild Manor, clutching the expedited DNA results.

"Are you telling me that Hudson's wife, Nora... she's my Evangeline?" Matriarch Fairchild stared at the paperwork, her hands trembling violently as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Yes, Grandmother. It's her."

"My Evie... Thank God. We finally found her. She must have suffered so much all these years. It's my fault for not protecting her..." The elderly woman pressed the report to her chest, sobbing with overwhelming relief.

"Mother, please don't cry. This is a joyous occasion," Henry Fairchild rushed to comfort her, his own voice thick with emotion.

The Matriarch wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "You're right, I shouldn't cry. I won't cry..." She looked up at Finnian, her expression hardening with resolve. "Finnian, we must keep this an absolute secret for now. We can't let anyone use this against her before she officially returns to the family."

Henry nodded in agreement. "Exactly. After the last fiasco with the imposter, we need to secure everything. We'll lock down the information until she's safely home."

"Understood," Finnian said.

***

Two days later, Hudson and Nora boarded a private flight to Northampton.

The motorcade eventually slowed to a halt before the towering wrought-iron gates of Fairchild Manor. The estate was even more magnificent than Nora had imagined. Walking into the grand foyer, she noticed the house was surprisingly quiet.

"Grandmother and Dad are waiting in the upstairs study," Finnian explained softly. "Let's go."

Nora took a deep breath, steeling her nerves as she ascended the grand staircase.

Downstairs, Liana Fairchild was returning from a stroll in the gardens when she saw the massive convoy parked out front. It was the Fairchild family's highest-tier security detail. What VIP could possibly warrant this? She grabbed a passing maid.

"Who is visiting?" Liana demanded.

"I don't know, Miss."

Frustrated, Liana slipped into the living room, but found it completely empty. Whoever it was had been taken directly to the private study. As she stood there agonizing over the mystery, the head butler, Thomas, descended the stairs. She rushed over and grabbed his arm.

"Thomas, who is upstairs?"

"Mr. Hudson Lancaster and his wife, Miss."