Chapter 304

Daniel’s heart skipped a beat. The ease in Nora’s expression told him she wasn’t joking.
“I thought you were married,” he said, his pulse quickening.
Nora’s answer was breezy. “We’re not married.”
She needed his help that was the only reason she chose to be honest with him now. She had her own reasons.
Daniel was stunned. Nora and Louis… weren’t married?
He’d made a point of never asking after her life once he’d decided to let go. He didn’t know any of this.
“Why?” The question escaped him, his voice rough.
Nora frowned and pretended not to understand. “Why what?”
“You and him-”
“He’s the man Aurora loves,” she interrupted quietly.
Some lines shouldn’t be crossed. You don’t steal a friend’s love.
Daniel fell silent.
The party was only halfway through, but Nora was already exhausted. She excused herself, and Daniel set down his glass. “I’ll walk you out.”
In the car, Nora leaned her head against the window, faint shadows smudged beneath her eyes. Daniel drove in silence, his expression unreadable, lost in thought.
When they reached her house, the lights were low and Payne was already asleep.
Daisy, the housekeeper, spotted Nora’s wan face and asked if she was feeling unwell.
“Could you make me some pasta?” Nora rubbed her stomach.
She’d been diligent about eating regular meals these past three months, but today had been a blur, rushing from place to place. The food at the party was all cold appetizers-nothing she dared touch.
Now her stomach was empty, and the hollowness left her uneasy.
Daisy made a bowl of egg noodles. Nora managed a few bites before heading upstairs to her room.
After washing up, she crawled into bed. Sleep came fitfully, restless and shallow. Eleanor was making it clear-she had no intention of letting Una out. And there was no one but Daniel who could untangle this mess.
When Nora woke the next morning, she looked even paler.
She’d spent half the night thinking, and now she’d made up her mind.
She took Daniel’s number off her blocked list and sent him a message.
*Mr. Chambers, could you help me?* ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ
His reply came almost immediately.
*Come over.*
Nora stared at the message for a long time, then finally got up, got dressed, and left for Chambers Group.
Will personally escorted her upstairs and into Daniel’s spacious office. He was buried in paperwork, and Nora sat quietly on the sofa, waiting.
Half an hour later, Daniel buzzed his assistant, who came in to collect the files. When the door closed behind them, Nora finally spoke.
“Mr. Chambers, about what I mentioned-”
“What’s in it for me?” Daniel cut her off, his tone crisp.
He stood by the window now, tall and imposing, a quiet force in the room.
“I’m a businessman, Ms. Cooper. You’ll need to give me a reason to say yes.
Nora pressed her lips together. She knew exactly what he wanted-but she wasn’t about to surrender so easily.
“I can revive the fragrance division for Chambers Group,” she offered, negotiating.
Daniel arched a brow, his lips curling in a hint of a smile.
“Nora, you’re talented, I’ll give you that. But there are plenty of perfumers out
there, and fragrances are just a tiny piece of the company. Not exactly a game- changer.”
Her offer didn’t satisfy him.
Nora lowered her gaze, her nails digging crescents into her palm. Then she looked up and met his eyes.
“I can give you custody of the child,” she said quietly.
That had been his original motivation all along.
Daniel’s expression softened a little.
“I want you.”
He didn’t bother hiding his true intent.
He wanted Nora. This had nothing to do with the child anymore; it was solely about her.
Nora’s hand absently rested on her stomach, her smile tinged with irony.
“I’m still pregnant, Mr. Chambers. Or are you looking to be responsible for a tragedy?”
She deliberately twisted his words, refusing to give in so easily.