The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 169

The Pierce family possessed independent overseas mining zones and a mature manufacturing supply chain.

Julian's power and background gave him the absolute capability to bypass Gideon's blockade and provide Lawrence Atelier with the raw materials and production channels they desperately needed.

The Pierce family's legacy and financial might made them one of the few entities in the city capable of going toe-to-toe with The Hayes Group.

More importantly, Julian had explicitly extended an olive branch to her in the tearoom.

"If there ever comes a day when you feel exhausted, or if you need any help, my doors are always open to you."

Nora reached out and grabbed her phone.

She unlocked the screen, opened her contacts, and scrolled down to his name.

She hadn't wanted to drag Julian into this. He had extended a helping hand time and time again, providing emotional and tangible support that far exceeded the boundaries of a standard business partnership. She didn't want to owe him a debt she couldn't repay.

Above all, legally speaking, she was still Gideon's wife.

Until those divorce papers were finalized, while the marriage still technically existed, she didn't want any ambiguous entanglements with another man. She refused to give anyone ammo to attack her already battered dignity.

But now, Gideon had pushed her to the brink, and Janie was severely injured because of her.

She couldn't watch her life's work turn to ashes. She couldn't let those mocking her win.

Staring at the faint glow of her phone screen, the conflict in Nora's eyes was slowly replaced by a cold, hard resolve.

If Gideon could go back on his word and force her into a corner just for Giselle, severing every escape route she had, then what right did he have to demand she stay quietly trapped in the cage of being Mrs. Hayes?

She was out of options.

Nora hit dial and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Nora."

Julian's gentle voice came through the speaker, carrying a profoundly reassuring strength.

She gripped her phone tighter and took a deep breath.

Standing before the full-length mirror in the entryway, Nora stared at her reflection.

Gideon thought that by severing her funds and resources, she would throw in the towel. He thought she would just cower beneath the Hayes family's wings, gasping for air.

She was going to deliver The Solaris Project flawlessly. She would use her actions to prove it to Gideon, and to everyone else.

She, Nora Xavier, was no longer the pathetic accessory trailing behind Gideon, begging for scraps of his affection.

She didn't need to survive on the Hayes family's charity. She could stand tall on her own battlefield and face every ounce of their suppression head-on.

At nine-thirty in the morning.

Nora arrived at The Lanarkshire Lounge half an hour early.

She stepped up to the carved wooden doors of the suite. Just as she raised her hand to push them open...

A familiar voice suddenly drifted from inside.