The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 125

Gideon explained, “She went skiing in Switzerland with some friends the day before yesterday, and she won't be back for another two weeks. It's just the butler and the staff at the manor right now. I need to go back to retrieve some old contracts from the safe, and we can just have a quick dinner while we're there.”

Nora froze for a second.

Giselle was actually gone? The girl who practically lived attached to Gideon's hip was actually willing to leave him for two whole weeks to play abroad?

Nora looked into Gideon's honest eyes and weighed her options.

Giselle's absence meant she wouldn't have to deal with any suffocating provocations or schemes.

Since Gideon had laid it out so reasonably, if she continued to refuse, it would make her look ungrateful and could spark a fresh argument.

It was just a dinner. Without Giselle there, the manor was nothing more than an empty, oversized house.

“Alright.”

She opened her appraisal book again and agreed.

The following evening, the black Maybach pulled into the Hayes family estate nestled halfway up the mountain.

The massive black iron gates slowly swung open, revealing the sprawling traditional estate inside. The leaves on the French plane trees lining the driveway had turned completely yellow, shivering and rustling loudly in the autumn wind.

The car glided to a smooth stop in front of the white marble steps of the main house.

Franklin, the silver-haired butler, was already waiting on the steps. Seeing Gideon step out of the car, Franklin hurried over and bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet laced with deep familiarity.

“Mr. Hayes, welcome home.”

In this estate, the older staff who had served the Hayes family for decades stubbornly retained their old habits, holding onto the traditional titles.

Franklin straightened up, his eyes falling on Nora as she stepped out from the other side. He gave a polite, measured nod. “Mrs. Hayes.”

Nora nodded back and followed Gideon into the grand foyer of the main house.

Gideon looked at Nora, his tone mild as he explained, “I'm going upstairs to the study to handle it, it should take about half an hour. You can wait here or take a walk in the gardens. We'll head back to the villa as soon as I'm done.”

Nora nodded, gesturing for him to go handle his business.

Gideon turned and marched quickly up the stairs, his broad back disappearing around the corner.

Nora sat alone in the massive dining room and set down her utensils.

The staff silently stepped forward to clear the plates. Nora stood up, left the room, and wandered aimlessly down the corridor, her shoes sinking into the thick wool carpet.

She rarely ever came to the manor.

In her memory, the only time she visited frequently was when Silas Hayes was still alive.

Back then, she and Gideon had just gotten engaged. The old man would constantly send a driver to pick her up, having her accompany him in the sunroom by the back gardens, drinking tea and playing chess.