Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 405

Daniel edged into the back seat, careful not to wake Nora.

He gently let her rest her head on his shoulder, then draped his jacket over her to keep her warm.

Even this simple closeness was enough to fill him with quiet contentment.

He held her hand softly, the touch lingering with longing.

Then, unable to help himself, he leaned in and pressed a restrained kiss near her lips.

He missed her.

But he refused to take advantage of her in this vulnerable state.

Just this brief moment alone together was enough for him.

By the time Carol arrived home, Nora had already made it back as well.

Carol called Hans, telling him that Daniel had taken Nora home.

Hans looked at the man in front of him—so calm, so unruffled—and felt a headache coming on.

“Dan, can’t you let it go?” he pleaded. “All you’re doing is hurting yourself. Aurora won’t be happy like this, either.”

Daniel lit a cigarette, his face unreadable behind a cloud of smoke.

“I’m leaving,” he said.

Without another word, he turned and walked away, not bothering to answer Hans’s question.

Nora was completely unaware of any of this. She slept soundly and, when she finally woke up, realized with surprise that she was in the old family house.

The scent of food drifted through the air.

She went downstairs.

A servant brought out breakfast.

Mrs. Cooper, the family matriarch, greeted her warmly, “Aurora, have some soup. I asked the kitchen to make it for you early this morning to help you feel better.”

Nora took a few sips. Still feeling the effects of her hangover, she found she didn’t have much of an appetite.

Eleanor, her voice cool and measured, remarked, “Honestly, Nora, you don’t have to work so hard. I know Grandma and Hans would much rather see you rest at home.”

As if opening a studio wasn’t enough—you had to start your own company, too.

The atmosphere was cozy and full of laughter.

Across the room, Judy watched with a tight-lipped expression. “She’s back.”

Louis nodded. “Yeah.”

“Aren’t you going to say hello?” Judy’s voice held a hint of challenge.

Louis frowned, but his face quickly smoothed over. “Judy, what’s wrong?”

Ever since news of Nora’s return, Judy had been in a foul mood.

Louis had been busy these past few days and hadn’t pressed her, but now he was starting to notice something was off.

Judy turned to go, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s nothing.”

A flicker of coldness passed through Louis’s eyes.

He didn’t chase after his wife. Instead, his gaze lingered on Nora, filled with admiration.

When the party ended, Louis walked Nora to the door.