The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 164

Gideon's methods were always ruthlessly efficient. He didn't even have to sign physical documents; all it took was Liam leaking a whisper to the business sector, and everyone immediately fell in line.

No one was going to risk angering the Hayes Group over a studio that the CEO had publicly abandoned.

A thick layer of gloom hung over the office. Sloane and the assistants gathered in the breakroom, loudly and shamelessly complaining, blaming Nora for the entire catastrophe.

The studio's glass doors were pushed open.

Janie walked in. She was wearing a baggy hoodie, a baseball cap pulled low, and a black medical mask covering her face. She walked over to her desk and pulled down the mask.

Several sharp gasps echoed through the room, followed quickly by blatant, malicious whispering.

Janie's face was swollen beyond recognition, her delicate features entirely distorted.

Deep purple bruises covered both cheeks, and medical tape held the corners of her mouth together. Even opening her eyes seemed to take massive effort. The hundred slaps from yesterday had landed with devastating force, leaving horrific marks.

Nora immediately stood up and hurried over to her.

"The doctor told you to rest at home for a week. Why did you come in today?"

Seeing Janie's battered face made Nora's throat tight.

Janie tried to stretch her taped mouth into a smile but ended up hissing in pain as she pulled the wounds.

"I'm fine, Nora."

Janie's words were slurred but stubbornly determined. "The studio is in huge trouble right now; I can't just hide at home. Every little bit helps. I can organize the supplier list and see if anyone is still willing to take our orders."

"Look, I found a few small, out-of-state factories online last night. They aren't directly under the Hayes Group's control. Maybe they'll work with us."

A young woman in a flashy red dress strutted in confidently, her heels clicking aggressively.

Nora's grip tightened instantly, a flash of undeniable shock crossing her eyes.

The visitor was Seraphina Sterling.

Seraphina was perfectly made up, carrying a limited-edition Birkin from the newest season. She showed absolutely no signs of the financial ruin that was supposedly plaguing her family; in fact, she looked radiant, her posture dripping with insufferable arrogance.

Nora stared at her, her mind going completely blank for a second.

Why?

Hadn't Gideon destroyed the Sterling family?