The Love I Begged For Was Never Real novel Chapter 77

With his terrifying grip on the city, Gideon's team could map out her entire professional network in five minutes flat. One single, icy phone call from his office would absolutely terrify Arthur into crushing the toxic gossip instantly.

And the timeline matched up way too perfectly—everyone suddenly lost their bite the exact morning after he forcibly dragged her back to the manor.

But the second that spark of hope ignited, she aggressively snuffed it out.

Lowering her lashes to stare at the dark liquid, she brutally mocked her own delusional ego.

There was absolutely zero chance it was him. He despised her. He thought she was petty, vindictive, and a walking liability to the family brand.

Why would he ever stick his neck out to defend her? He hadn't bothered to check on her once in the entire month she'd been gone. He had stood there and watched Nathan publicly humiliate her for Giselle's sake without uttering a single syllable in her defense.

The only emotional wellbeing he cared about belonged exclusively to Giselle.

The chauffeur was just a leash to keep her from acting out in public. Tossing her back into the manor was just a power trip to remind her who owned her. He would never waste a second of his day managing her office politics.

The sudden shift in the bullpen was probably just related to the upcoming collaboration with Julian's company.

Since Julian had practically announced his favoritism toward her, Sloane and the others were likely just terrified of alienating a multi-million-dollar client, forcing them to swallow their venom.

Unable to piece it together, she simply gave up trying.

Whatever the reason, the silent treatment was a godsend. She desperately needed the quiet to finish her drafts.

"You're watching too many movies, Janie."

Nora forced a hollow smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just a nobody coming off a gap year. I don't have billionaires fighting my battles. Arthur probably just cracked the whip because he needs us focused on the exhibition, not high school drama."

It was the anniversary of Silas Hayes's death.

Staring at that bold red ring, Nora's hardened expression melted into something incredibly soft.

Three years already. Time had absolutely flown by.

Back when he was alive, Silas was the only soul in that entire, miserable dynasty who ever treated her like a human being.

After the absolute horror she had endured in the orphanage, she had returned to her biological family completely shattered. Her parents found her weird and socially awkward, effectively treating her like a ghost in her own house. Back then, Silas was still running his empire, and the two families socialized frequently.

Whenever he came over, he would spot her cowering in the corner, immediately wave her over, and sneak her whatever gourmet sweets he'd brought along.

He would pat her head like a doting grandfather, gently asking about her classes and making sure no one was giving her a hard time.