The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 163

In the eyes of these colleagues, right and wrong meant absolutely nothing.

When Giselle stormed into the studio to smash things and spew vulgarities, they believed it was entirely justified because she had Gideon's backing.

But Janie stepping up to defend her—her act of defiance—was viewed as sheer stupidity and the sole reason they were losing their jobs.

They didn't dare hate Gideon for issuing the barbaric order, nor did they blame Giselle for starting the fight. Instead, they channeled all their rage and panic onto Nora and Janie, who were the actual victims.

"An answer?"

Nora let out a cold laugh that echoed through the hollow space.

"What kind of answer do you want?"

Nora took a step forward.

"When Giselle crashed in here and smashed the place up, you were all busy pouring her tea."

"When the bodyguards were beating Janie, none of you even had the guts to call the police. Now that Gideon is gone, you can't wait to play judge and jury."

Nora's gaze locked onto Sloane's heavily made-up face.

"If the studio's cash flow breaks, I will take full responsibility. I will answer to Arthur, and I will pay for all of Janie's medical bills. You cold-blooded bystanders have absolutely no right to stand here and yell at me."

"You!"

Exposed so publicly, Sloane's face cycled between a sickly green and white.

Nora paid them no more attention.

"Now, shut up, all of you."

Nora gritted her teeth. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, and a profound, intense hatred ignited in her eyes.

She turned around, crouching down to grip Janie's freezing hands.

She would remember this debt. Every single part of it.

By the next morning, the Hayes Group's blacklist had ripped through the industry at light speed.

The phones at Lawrence Atelier started ringing off the hook at eight in the morning, delivering nothing but disasters. The rough stone supplier from the South African emerald mines unilaterally refunded their deposit and refused to ship the goods.

The jewelry manufacturers shut down all of the studio's production lines overnight, boxing up the half-finished pieces and shipping them back. Several partner banks called in succession, demanding early repayment on all their loans.