The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 172

Nora lowered her gaze, watching the ripples in her teacup.

"Janie was also badly injured."

Her voice tightened, but she forced herself to maintain a level tone. "The breach-of-contract penalty is five hundred million dollars. The liquid capital I have isn't even enough to cover the balance for the stones."

Reaching out with long, elegant fingers, Julian slid a folded checkbook across the marble table toward her. The leather cover gleamed faintly under the lights.

"I'm more than happy to help you with this. We can inject the capital immediately and take over all the subsequent guarantor procedures. The Solaris Project won't be delayed."

Hearing those words, the unbearable tension that had gripped Nora all night finally loosened a fraction.

She looked at Julian, a profound sense of gratitude welling up in her eyes.

In this city, at a time when everyone else was avoiding her like the plague, only Julian was willing to withstand Gideon's pressure and extend a hand.

Nora stared at the checkbook in front of her.

His promise solved all her immediate problems. With the Pierce family's massive capital and corporate backing, Lawrence Atelier would be resurrected instantly, and the project would be delivered smoothly.

She wouldn't have to face her family's wrath, watch Arthur's life's work turn to dust, or bow her head in defeat to Gideon.

However.

Having navigated the cutthroat corporate world for years, Nora understood the brutal laws of capital.

The Pierce empire wasn't a charity. A staggering five hundred million dollar investment, coupled with the risk of openly antagonizing The Hayes Group, was not something that could be dismissed as simple friendship.

Moreover, she had heard it loud and clear from outside the door. Gideon had explicitly warned Julian that if he interfered, The Hayes Group would launch a ruthless corporate assault on the Pierces.

"I'll handle the studio's crisis personally. I can provide the funds and shoulder the pressure from Gideon."

"Thank you, Julian. I will repay this loan at the highest market interest rate," Nora said gratefully.

Julian shook his head slightly.

He tapped his long fingers rhythmically against the edge of the table, the gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses turning dark and unreadable.

"Since I said I was happy to help, I have no intention of charging you exorbitant interest."

He paused, his eyes growing profound.

"However, you must agree to two conditions."