The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 165

Why was Seraphina Sterling here?

Nora clearly remembered the business banquet a month ago. To suck up to Giselle, Seraphina had publicly mocked Nora's lack of pedigree, claiming she had no right to stand by Gideon's side.

Gideon had immediately called security, thrown Seraphina out of the hall, and declared on the spot that the Sterlings were blacklisted.

Soon after, rumors circulated that the Sterling family's cash flow had snapped and they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

Given Gideon's usual scorched-earth tactics, Seraphina should be dodging debt collectors right now, and her family should have been permanently erased from the elite circle.

Yet here she was, looking glamorous and standing right in the middle of Lawrence Atelier, infinitely more arrogant than before.

Seraphina strutted over to Nora's desk. She glanced down at the frantically crossed-out supplier lists, and her smirk grew wider.

Reading the shock on Nora's face, Seraphina spoke with a laugh.

"What, surprised to see me?"

She leaned her hands on the edge of the desk, looking down at Nora. "Did you really think that just because Mr. Hayes protected you that night, I'd be sleeping on the streets, or crawling on my knees begging for mercy?"

Nora didn't say a word, just stared at her with a calm, flat gaze.

Seraphina straightened up, casually tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Do you honestly think you matter that much, Nora?"

Seraphina didn't shout, but every word dripped with venomous mockery. "You thought Mr. Hayes shielding you meant he cared? Keep dreaming. Giselle said a few words afterward, and he let us off the hook completely. Our family didn't lose a dime. In fact, the Hayes Group just handed us a massive South American project."

Nora stood perfectly still, her hands hanging limply at her sides.

She and Gideon were sitting in the car heading home. He had pulled her tightly into his arms.

He had whispered in her ear, promising she would never have to say 'thank you' to him again.

In that moment, she had felt a long-lost sense of safety. She had even allowed a tiny, fragile spark of hope to ignite for their broken marriage.

But the second they arrived back at the villa and stepped into the foyer...

Liam had rushed over with his phone, whispering something into Gideon's ear. Gideon's face had changed instantly.

Without even giving her a full explanation, he threw out a quick excuse about a corporate emergency, turned on his heel, and drove off into the night.

Nora had naively believed the company was in crisis. She had even told him to drive safely.