Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 699

Hudson leaned back into the sofa, resting one long leg casually over the other, his voice laced with pure indifference. "I'm busy."

Finnian rubbed his temples, letting out an exasperated sigh. He had assumed that once Hudson knew Nora was his sister, the man would show him an ounce of respect as his brother-in-law. Clearly, he had expected too much.

"Busy doing what?"

"Spending time with my wife."

Finnian was momentarily speechless. He forced a strained laugh. "Aren't you worried about offending my father? Technically, he's your father-in-law..."

Hudson scoffed. "Don't jump the gun. He's my father-in-law if my wife decides to acknowledge him. If she doesn't, he's just another guy on the street."

A heavy silence hung on the line. Finnian's tone turned serious. "Are you still angry about what happened with Liana?"

"What do you think?"

"Liana didn't know Nora was Evangeline," Finnian defended quickly. "She's been spoiled by the family her whole life, so she lacks manners. Don't hold it against her."

Hudson's amusement vanished, his voice dropping to a glacial chill. "Are you absolutely certain she didn't know?"

Finnian's breath hitched. "...What exactly are you implying?"

Hudson ignored the question. "I told you your household was a toxic mess, and you refused to believe it. Do you honestly think my wife is desperate for your family's validation?"

Realizing Hudson was genuinely furious, Finnian immediately backpedaled. "I can explain everything. Let me just talk to Nora."

"No," Hudson cut him off ruthlessly. "We fly back to San Francisco tomorrow. We're done here."

"Wait, don't!" Finnian pleaded, panic lacing his words. "Tomorrow is the family banquet. Grandmother is over the moon; she wants to officially introduce Nora to the entire extended family. If you leave now, it will break her heart."

Hudson remained utterly unmoved. Emotional blackmail was useless against him; he wouldn't even give his own grandmother the time of day, let alone Matriarch Fairchild.

"That sounds like a Fairchild problem," Hudson replied coldly.

Desperate, Finnian softened his tone to a near-beg. "Hudson, please. Just for Nora's sake. Stay one more day. The entire family is gathering."

Nora, who had been listening quietly, reached out and gently tugged on Hudson's sleeve. Hudson glanced down at her pleading eyes, his expression softening instantly. He gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze before speaking into the phone.

Miles scowled. "Then what? We just sit here while Hudson dismantles us piece by piece?"

River lowered his gaze, his fingers drumming a slow, rhythmic beat against his knee. A sinister smile crept across his face. "Patience. I prepared a special gift for Hudson a while ago. It should be detonating right about now."

"What gift?" Miles demanded.

River didn't answer. He simply took a slow sip of his tea, his eyes glittering with dark anticipation.

***

The next morning, before the city of Northampton even woke up, the internet exploded.

The firestorm started with a notoriously sleazy San Francisco tabloid, The SF Insider, running a vicious headline:

[EXCLUSIVE: The Dark Past of a Billionaire's Wife! Rapist Father, Homewrecker Mother! The Ultimate Gold-Digger Exposed!]

Attached was a blurred paparazzi shot of Hudson and Nora, with a glaring red arrow pointing directly at her face.