The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 225

Nora spoke with a mocking tone.

"So you used Janie's future to threaten me, and used the survival of Lawrence Atelier to force my hand. All just to make me your human shield?"

Listening to Nora's questioning, the smile on Julian's face didn't fade in the slightest; instead, it deepened.

"Don't make it sound like you're so wronged."

"When you shamelessly chased after Gideon all those years ago, insisting on marrying into the Hayes family and forcing your way into their lives, did you ever consider Giselle's feelings?"

Julian leaned forward slightly, his tone turning sharp and caustic. "Why don't you think Giselle was wronged?"

"Why didn't you ask back then how disgusted a girl who had been pampered since childhood felt when faced with a scheming woman like you barging into her brother's world? What right do you have to stand here playing the victim with me?"

The color instantly drained from Nora's face, leaving her as pale as paper.

She had tried with all her might to warm that cold stone of a man, wanted to repay the kindness Silas had shown her on his deathbed, and tried to hold onto that faint glimmer of light from the orphanage and the dark alley in her memories.

Those seven years she had carefully buried in the passage of time, everything she had sacrificed for Gideon.

In the eyes of these people, Nora's love was completely worthless.

"But it's fine. Giselle is too innocent; she doesn't understand the filthy possessiveness hidden in men's hearts at all."

Julian suddenly lowered his voice, his tone taking a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.

"She just sees Gideon as a brother, naturally enjoying his spoiling."

"That lunatic Gideon."

Julian's eyes abruptly grew cold, his normally gentle face twisting slightly with jealousy.

"Keeping her caged in that golden birdcage of the Hayes estate, not even allowing a single fly to get close. If I don't think of something, how can I ever legitimately take her away?"

"If you can't manage it, you can go find a good spot under a highway overpass in the suburbs for your former little assistant. Tell her to get a cracked bowl; if she's lucky, she might beg for a few bucks a day."

Fighting back the nausea churning in her stomach, Nora stared icily at Julian.

"I'll keep your teachings in mind, Mr. Pierce."

Nora's voice was completely flat. "I will take the draft back and redraw it. I will follow your instructions, erase all the sharp edges, and create a flawless necklace for Giselle."

"As for my marriage with Gideon, you don't need to trouble yourself over it."

The smile on Julian's face faltered slightly.

Nora turned around, and just as she approached the office doors, her footsteps paused. She tilted her head slightly, returning the icy mockery in her eyes without holding anything back.

"If you have the time to stand here lecturing me, Mr. Pierce, you'd be better off spending more effort trying to win Giselle's favor. After all, she probably relies more on her dear brother. It seems your music box didn't keep her happy for very long."