The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 16

He didn't even furrow his brow at those borderline humiliating remarks.

After a long moment, perhaps feeling the awkwardness in the private booth, Gideon set down his glass and said flatly, "That's enough. Drop it before things get ugly."

That was the extent of his defense for her.

He didn't refute their words; he merely found the drama bothersome.

Everyone treated Giselle like a precious treasure meant to be pampered by the whole world, while Nora was just a bitter woman who forced her way into their circle for money, jealous of a young girl.

Arriving at the meeting spot, Nora pushed open the heavy glass door of the cafe.

Lucia Xander was already waiting at a window booth, stirring her iced tea.

The second they made eye contact, Lucia shot out of her seat, fury practically radiating from her eyes.

"What happened to your face?!"

Lucia gritted her teeth, her finger trembling with rage as she pointed at the swollen red mark. "Gideon did this, didn't he? How dare he lay a hand on you!"

Nora pulled Lucia back down, dodging the curious glances of a waiter, and recounted exactly what had happened at the gala the night before.

"Is he out of his mind? Over Giselle? I knew nothing good ever came from that adopted sister of his! You should have called me last night; I would've brought people to smash the Hayes Group headquarters to pieces today!"

Lucia's chest heaved with indignation. She waved over a waiter to order an iced Americano, then turned back to Nora with an exasperated sigh.

"I told you from the start that Gideon was heartless. But you insisted on throwing your life away for him. Does the Xavier family know you've been treated this way? What did they say?"

Nora lowered her gaze and spoke softly.

"They told me to pick out an expensive gift and go to the Manor to beg for his forgiveness."

When it finally registered, she nodded emphatically, reaching across the table to grip Nora's cold fingers.

"Do it! You absolutely have to! What's the point of living this miserable life anyway!"

Lucia raised her voice, her eyes red with secondhand rage. "You are Nora Xavier! Why should you put up with this garbage from the Hayes family? You'll thrive without Gideon holding you back."

Nora felt the warmth on the back of her hand.

It was the only voice of unconditional support she had heard all day.

Lucia grabbed the newly arrived iced Americano, took a huge gulp, and went right back to blasting Gideon.

"Gideon is a blind, cold-blooded bastard! I never agreed with you marrying him! You gave up so much for him over the last ten years, dealing with office politics and swallowing your pride at home. You could've melted a block of ice by now. Who the hell does he think he is!"