The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 215

Nora rolled her eyes, making zero effort to hide her contempt. "Can we just drive? Let's get there quickly before I throw up in your car."

Leonard's body went completely rigid at her blatant disgust. "You—"

Seeing that the driver hadn't moved, Nora simply rolled down her window. Leonard's jaw clenched, his face a tight mask of anger and humiliation. Up front, the driver stared straight ahead, terrified of being caught in the crossfire between the wealthy CEO and his estranged daughter.

"Sigh."

Leonard finally gave in. He waved a weary hand, his voice thick with resignation. "Just drive."

The driver, looking like he'd just been granted a pardon, slammed on the gas and focused intently on the road.

The wind whipped through the open window. Afraid it would ruin the elegant updo Paul had spent hours perfecting, Nora leaned deeper into the plush leather seat and casually hit the button to roll the window back up.

Watching her quiet grace, looking so poised and stunning in the pearl-white gown, Leonard couldn't help but think of his ex-wife.

He and Grace Hayes had been through hell to build a life together. At their absolute lowest, they had nearly ended up sleeping on the streets. It was Grace who had swallowed her pride and begged her family for a loan to pull them through the darkest days. While Leonard wasn't exactly a self-made man who started from zero, Grace was undeniably the woman who had stayed by his side when he had nothing.

Everyone who knew them thought a marriage forged in that kind of fire would last a lifetime. No one expected it to end in such an ugly, shattered divorce.

As men age, they tend to romanticize the past. Leonard reached into a compartment and pulled out a velvet jewelry box. "Your stylist mentioned pearls would suit this dress perfectly. I won this set at an overseas auction a while back. Take it."

A flicker of guilt crossed Leonard's face. "It... it's just a temporary measure."

Nora let out a dry, humorless laugh and turned her face toward the window, refusing to speak to him.

Knowing exactly how vile his actions sounded, Leonard rubbed his nose awkwardly. "I know I was wrong. But I promise you, the moment we secure this project with the Devereaux Group, I will immediately bring your mother back to you."

Nora hadn't seen her mother in a while. The sheer ache of missing her made her throat tighten, and a slight tremor broke her voice. "Did my mother and I owe you a massive debt in a past life? Why won't you just let us go?"

Hearing the raw pain in his daughter's voice nearly broke Leonard's heart. It reminded him so vividly of his fights with Grace. She was always the gentlest woman, yet stunningly stubborn when they argued. He knew she only fought with him because she had a strong moral compass and didn't want him making terrible decisions.