The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 230

Nora's eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

She couldn't believe Faye was kicking her out based purely on the word of a hysterical crasher, without even bothering to hear her side of the story.

"Ms. Faye—"

"Ms. Hayes," Faye interrupted, her brow furrowed in deep distaste. "I have no desire to be harsh, but tonight is a charity gala hosted by the Devereaux family. Given your appalling lack of moral character, I highly doubt you have any real interest in philanthropy. Please, leave now and salvage whatever dignity you have left."

Nora's face went completely rigid.

She had never been subjected to such vicious, baseless slander in her entire life. And the architect of this entire nightmare was standing right in front of her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the sickening glint of triumph hidden beneath Aaron's pathetic, tearful facade. He was practically screaming it with his eyes: *Look at you now, Nora. Did you really think you could ruin me and just walk away into high society?*

Nora's hands curled into tight fists.

"I will leave," she said, her voice eerily calm as she took a slow, deep breath. "But not before I clear something up."

Completely ignoring Faye's furious glare, Nora stepped right up to Aaron and slapped him across the face with everything she had.

The sharp crack echoed through the ballroom. Aaron stood frozen, his brain entirely short-circuiting.

The surrounding crowd gasped. No one expected this quiet, isolated woman to resort to sudden, physical violence in front of the city's elite. For a second, the entire room was dead silent.

Before Aaron could even process the pain, Nora raised her hand and slapped him again, just as hard, on the other cheek.

The second blow snapped him out of his shock. His face twisted into a mask of pure, unhinged rage. "Nora Hayes!"

Nora smoothly pulled her phone from her clutch, her gaze locking onto his without a shred of fear. "Every single piece of garbage that just fell out of your mouth is recorded. Have you ever heard of slander?"

"Yes, we dated for seven years. But are you brave enough to tell this room exactly why I dumped you?"

"This is only the third time I have ever spoken to Nolan Devereaux in my entire life. Claiming I threw you away to climb into his bed is an absolute joke."

Nora shot him one last look of absolute disgust. She turned, fully prepared to offer her final goodbyes and walk out with her head held high, when a bloodcurdling scream shattered the tension in the villa.

"Murder!"

...

Nathan Peyton slammed his car door shut and jogged rapidly toward the front entrance of the Devereaux estate, his invitation in hand.

Just as he handed the stiff card to the security guard, his phone buzzed violently in his pocket. Nathan pulled it out, answering as he pushed past the gates. "What's the situation?"

"Captain Peyton," the frantic voice of a dispatcher came through the line. "We just received a 911 call. There's been a murder at the Devereaux charity gala. Can you head over there immediately?"

Nathan's boots hit the pavement and stopped dead. He slowly lowered the phone, his eyes scanning the chaotic, panicked crowd spilling out of the grand entrance.

He let out a heavy sigh. "I'm already here."