The Divorce That Brought Us Back novel Chapter 165

Back at Luna Bay.

Nora sat at the dining table, resting her chin in both hands, her cheeks puffed out slightly.

"Maloney," she began slowly. "I think your plan has two massive flaws."

The more Maloney looked at her, the more she resembled an angry little hamster.

He picked up a piece of shrimp with his silverware and placed it on her plate. "Eat first."

Nora dutifully ate the shrimp, then immediately put her fork down. "Listen to me. Nathan is incredibly timid. If you expect him to lie straight to his parents' faces, he's just going to freeze up. He can't do it."

Maloney calmly placed two large pieces of beef short rib onto her plate. "Then we remove that step from the plan."

Nora began chewing on the ribs.

Thinking about Nathan and combining it with everything Maloney had just said, she couldn't help but reflect on the past.

Nora had first met Jasmine in the fourth grade.

Through Jasmine, she was introduced to Valery.

After that, she frequently went over to the Smiths' house to keep Valery company and chat.

Later, during the middle school placement exams, Nora scored perfectly in Math, English, and Literature.

Vivian Cole had viciously scolded her for showing off, leaving Nora feeling miserable. Just then, Jasmine had invited her over for a celebratory dinner.

At the time, Nora had been incredibly touched.

But that evening at the dinner table, Valery was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a new face: Nathan.

Mrs. Smith had claimed Valery wasn't feeling well and was resting in her room, and since Nathan happened to be on school break, they asked him to join them.

That was the first time Nora had ever met Nathan.

Mrs. Smith had practically begged Nora to tutor Nathan on his study habits, and Nora had immediately agreed.

From that day forward, Nora stopped keeping Valery company. Instead, she spent every visit tutoring Nathan.

The funny thing was, Nathan was actually two grades ahead of Nora.

But he really was incredibly dim.

He was cowardly, slow to understand things, and totally withdrawn.

At the time, Nora hadn't thought there was anything weird about tutoring him.

The Smiths treated her well, and she felt obligated to return the favor.

Whether she was keeping a sick girl company or helping a boy with his homework, it felt the same to her.

Until she listened to Maloney's ruthless analysis today.

Maloney leaned back slightly. "And why exactly did Valery want them together? Were Jasmine and Yates deeply, passionately in love? Because I certainly didn't see any of that."

"If you really want a reason, it's simply this: Valery wanted to shackle the two people she loved most together, ensuring they would never leave her."

Nora softly interrupted. "Maloney."

"Valery is actually..." She suddenly didn't know how to finish the sentence. "She's actually not an evil person."

"No, she's not," Maloney agreed smoothly. "She just desperately wants someone to stay by her side. Is that really a crime?"

Nora shot him a warning glare.

"But did you notice something today?" Maloney continued, his gaze sharpening. "Valery doesn't actually need Yates. A new friend showed up today, and she was thrilled. Her eyes were entirely focused on Felix. She didn't spare Yates a single glance."

"So who is the one that actually needs Yates?"

"Nora." Maloney suddenly shifted gears. "Half of the Smith Corporation's annual profits come directly from their partnership with the Quigley family."

"A marriage between Jasmine and Yates cements that alliance. So, is this marriage truly Valery's dying wish, or is it the desperate ambition of the entire Smith family?"

"When I ran into Nathan in the stairwell earlier, the very first thing he said to me was, 'My parents said that if my sister breaks off her engagement, our family's company will collapse.'"

"Making Yates propose to Jasmine right in front of Valery's hospital bed... is that to make Valery happy, or is it just a convenient way to weaponize her?"

Maloney's brutal deduction sent a freezing chill straight down Nora's spine, leaving a dense layer of goosebumps erupted across her arms.