Chapter 230

Payne pressed a noisy kiss to Daniel’s cheek—a little show of gratitude.
“Mr. Chambers, Mom said you’re busy and didn’t have time to visit me.”
He scratched his head, puzzled as to why the always-busy Mr. Chambers had shown up after all.
Nora felt a twinge of awkwardness. Fresh chapters posted on
Daniel looked at her for a long moment, then ruffled Payne’s soft hair.
“Of course I’d come see you, Payne. I’m just waiting for you to get better so you can protect your little sister.”
Payne clapped his hands in delight.
Nora rolled her eyes inwardly.
She could see right through Daniel; he was deliberately dangling the idea of a little sister in front of Payne.
He knew she would never let Payne get hurt or disappointed.
So as long as Payne loved and looked forward to his sister, she would have to take good care of the baby she was carrying.
Sometimes, when a man played his cards right, a woman could only admit defeat. Payne was still weak, so after a short visit, Nora and Payne were politely ushered out by the nurse that Mrs. Winters had sent.
The elderly Mrs. Winters took care of every detail when it came to Payne.
Whether out of guilt or some other motive, Nora was grateful to her all the same.
She and Daniel got into the elevator together.
The elevator hummed quietly as it descended floor by floor.
Daniel watched the numbers tick down. “I have a dinner to attend. You’re coming with me.”
“I’m not,” Nora shot back.
The doors slid open on the ground floor.
Nora started to step out, but Daniel grabbed her wrist and pulled her back in.
The doors closed, the elevator continued downward.
“I’m informing you, not asking for your opinion,” Daniel said, his tone leaving no room for argument as he guided her rather forcefully into the front passenger seat of his car.
Nora didn’t want to argue. She buckled her seatbelt in silence.
They pulled out of the garage, and half an hour later, the car stopped outside a restaurant.
Nora, resigned to her fate, let Daniel lead her upstairs to a private dining room. The space was elegant, several people already seated around the table.
Nora immediately spotted Mrs. Chambers and Mr. Hogan Chambers. She assumed it must be a family gathering, but then she saw Hans, Eleanor, and Monica as well.
Seated beside Monica was a stern-looking, middle-aged man.
Daniel led Nora to the last two empty seats.
The man beside Monica-her father, David Cooper-smiled as he spoke. “Dan, you take such good care of your loved ones. Makes me feel guilty, almost let Monica make a terrible mistake.”
He was talking about the marriage arrangement.
Previously, Mrs. Chambers had favored Monica to join their family, and Monica’s actions had caused more than a few problems.
David sounded apologetic, but his words were clearly a defense of his daughter, with a hint of reproach.
Mrs. Chambers’s expression darkened.
Daniel gave a cool smile. “Mr. Cooper, you really should keep a closer eye on Monica. I’ve refused her time and time again, yet she keeps pushing my boundaries. If you keep indulging her, who knows what mess you’ll have to clean up next.”
He didn’t bother sparing David’s feelings, bluntly pointing out the Cooper family’s lack of discipline.
David’s face tightened, but he swallowed his pride-he needed Daniel for business, after all.
Monica’s eyes filled with tears; she was both angry and humiliated.
Eleanor whispered words of comfort.
A waiter entered with the food, setting a delicate porcelain bowl in front of Nora—
a serving of nourishing soup.
Daniel picked up the spoon, placed it gently by her hand. “Try it.”
Everyone at the table watched.
When all the dishes were served, it was clear: only Nora had been given this special bowl.
Everyone could see just how much Daniel favored her.
Monica looked as if she might flip the table, barely holding herself together.
Mr. Hogan Chambers cleared his throat-pleased, and in good spirits.
“All right, Dan, let’s get down to business,” he said, tone brisk. “Let’s not keep our guests waiting.”