Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 702

Nora knew exactly what Liana was doing. Now that Nora's true identity was out in the open, Liana's previous arrogance and hostility were no longer sustainable. Nora was the blood heir, and Liana was merely the adopted ward—the power dynamic had completely shifted. If her past bullying was dragged into the light now, the family would exile her. This hysterical breakdown wasn't an apology; it was a desperate survival tactic to preemptively secure sympathy.

Nora looked at her with glacial indifference. "Get up."

Liana shook her head, sobbing violently. "Not until you forgive me... I won't get up..."

Nora let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Then stay on the floor."

Liana's sobbing hitched in sheer disbelief before she forced herself to cry even louder.

Nora remained entirely unmoved. "Liana, there is no law in this world that says just because you say 'I'm sorry', I am obligated to say 'It's okay'."

"Exactly!"

Matriarch Fairchild's voice cut through the room like a blade. "Liana, if you realize you made a mistake, you quietly make amends. You do not throw a hysterical fit on the floor to emotionally blackmail someone into forgiving you. Today is a joyous occasion for this family. Must you always make everything about yourself?"

The reprimand was brutal.

Liana froze, her tears drying up as she stared at the Matriarch in absolute shock. What was happening? In the past, she only had to shed a few tears and her grandmother would instantly forgive any transgression. Why was she being publicly humiliated for apologizing? Just because Nora shared their blood? She had been the dutiful daughter for twenty years!

Seeing the tension skyrocket, Henry Fairchild frowned deeply. "Enough, Liana. Get up. Your grandmother is right. It's a holiday, and your sister has just come home. What exactly are you trying to accomplish by weeping on the floor like a child?"

He glanced at a nearby maid. "Help her up."

The maid stepped forward and firmly gripped Liana's arm. "Please stand, Miss. The floor is cold."

Before Finnian could ask what was wrong, his phone buzzed frantically.

"Finnian, you need to see this..."

Hearing that it involved Nora, Finnian's blood ran cold. He immediately opened his social media feed. The moment he read the explosive headline at the top of the trending list, his pupils constricted in horror. The blue light of the screen illuminated his pale face as he rapidly scanned the vile article, his stomach plummeting.

Xander noticed his brother's panic and leaned over to read the screen.

"What the hell is this garbage?!" Xander roared, his voice echoing through the silent hall. "Who wrote this trash?! Who dares to slander our sister?!"

In a fraction of a second, the joyous banquet erupted into absolute chaos.