The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 51

Gideon Hayes narrowed his sharp, cold eyes, his gaze sweeping over the man standing next to Nora.

The man happened to turn his head slightly, and his profile, along with the signature gold-rimmed glasses resting on his nose, fell clearly into Gideon's line of sight.

Julian Pierce.

With a faint click, the base of Gideon's crystal glass struck the solid wood railing, his knuckles turning a stark, bone-white from the force of his grip.

He had actually returned?

Back then, Julian had been forced overseas, and Gideon assumed he would never have to see that hypocritical face again. Now, this man had quietly returned to the city, and the very first thing he did upon stepping into this banquet hall was to walk over and chat merrily with Nora?

Gideon's gaze darkened completely, a terrifying hostility surging in the depths of his eyes.

An indescribable, bizarre sensation spread through Gideon's chest. He watched Julian lower his head slightly to speak closely to Nora, and watched her look up and clink glasses with him. The sight of the two of them standing together was so glaring that it filled him with a sudden, inexplicable wave of irritation.

He slammed his glass down and turned, striding toward the spiral staircase leading to the first floor.

Nora was just stifling a laugh at one of Julian's dry jokes when, out of nowhere, a gloomy voice crashed down between them.

"What are you talking about that's making you so happy?"

The smile on Nora's face froze instantly. She turned stiffly and saw the face she had been infatuated with for ten years—the face she now only wanted to escape.

Her fingers subconsciously tightened around her champagne flute, completely unprepared for Gideon's appearance here.

Gideon stood less than three feet away, his pure black tailored suit making him look even more imposing and unapproachable. The emotions churning in those dark eyes, however, were as bleak as the ocean right before a hurricane.

"Julian Pierce."

Gideon stopped just a step away from the two of them.

Julian looked at Gideon, a hidden sharpness flashing in his eyes. "Why? You don't seem very welcoming."

"Since you just got back, it would be best for you to keep your head down."

Gideon pulled at the corner of his mouth, revealing an incredibly dangerous smirk. "Reach too far and touch someone you shouldn't, and there will be a price to pay."

The air between them seemed to solidify.

The surrounding guests, originally admiring the paintings, sensed the explosive tension and tactfully backed away, leaving an empty circle around them.

Nora stood between the two men, clearly feeling the heavy scent of gunpowder that could ignite at any second.

She was full of doubts. Although the Hayes and Pierce families were both top-tier billionaires in high society, they had always stayed out of each other's way in the business world—one dominated domestic real estate and tech, while the other focused deeply on overseas investments and energy.