"Norah, we just got word from Ross Corporation—they're backing out of the Lakeside project and ending our partnership," Cassidy Griffin reported, worry heavy in her voice.
Norah Fisher froze for a beat, a wave of disbelief crashing over her. Lakeside was a huge investment for Fisher Corp—a commitment spanning more than five years. Lionel Ross had come on board during their lowest point, and that had cemented her faith in the partnership.
"If Ross Corporation pulls out now, the project will face indefinite delay," Cassidy continued grimly.
Norah understood the gravity of it. "I'll be out for a while."
She left the office and drove straight to Ross Corporation. If they really meant to cut ties, she at least deserved an explanation.
"Ms. Fisher." Jake, Lionel's assistant, straightened in obvious surprise.
Norah's gaze was sharp. "I need to see Mr. Ross."
"Mr. Ross is... tied up right now. Maybe you could wait?" Jake suggested, clearly uneasy.
"I won't take up much of his time."
Norah brushed past him, determined to confront Lionel. She suspected he was dodging her and using Jake as a shield. She was here now—she intended to face him directly.
Jake made a half-hearted grab to stop her, but she slipped past him. The office door swung open, and for a second, Norah froze at the scene inside.
Lionel and Vivienne Powell pulled apart fast. Vivienne wiped her mouth and quickly straightened her clothes, looking like a guilty cat caught in the act. Tissues littered the floor, hinting at what had just gone on.
"Norah, don't get the wrong idea. I just had a sudden bout of morning sickness, and Lionel was helping me," Vivienne offered quickly, though her excuse was see-through.
Norah glanced at the tissues on the floor. What kind of "help" needed that many tissues?
Lionel stayed composed. "Jake, help Ms. Powell to the lounge. Reassign her work for now."
"Yes, sir."
Vivienne's lips curved into a subtle, triumphant smile as she accepted the special treatment.
With that handled, Lionel focused on Norah. "What brings you here?"
Her surprise visit had caught him off guard. He hadn't expected Marshall's manipulations to work so well.
"Is it your call to pull out of the Lakeside project?" Norah asked bluntly.
Lionel's tone was detached. "I've assigned Marshall to manage the Lakeside project. Any concerns should go through him."
He'd once promised that the Fisher Corp collaboration would stay under his personal supervision—proof of their bond. Less than a year later, everything had changed.
Norah nodded before turning to leave. Asking anything else felt pointless.
"Norah." Lionel's voice followed her, edged with displeasure. "Aren't you here to say something else?"
A wry smile tugged at Norah's lips. "You expect me to beg?"
Was that the real point of canceling the partnership—to humiliate her after the breakup?
"I can overlook your dramatic exit at the engagement party, but you owe my mother an apology for ruining her outfit," Lionel demanded, self-righteous and sharp.
Lionel believed Norah had been pampered for too long. A lesson would rein in her spoiled streak—or she'd create chaos once they were married.
Norah's fist clenched at her side, then slowly relaxed. She faced Lionel head-on. "She insulted me. Doesn't she owe me an apology?"
Lionel's face darkened with frustration.
"Norah, she's his mother. She was just upset—how could you expect a mother to apologize to her son's fiancée like that?" Vivienne cut in, her tone sickly patronizing.
Norah fired back. "Why is this any of your concern? She's your mother, not mine."
"Norah Fisher, you—" Lionel's face flared red, the words stuck in his throat.
Before he could force the words out, Vivienne pulled him back. "Lionel, don't blame Norah. She must be upset with me. It's all my fault; I'm the one who disrupted your engagement party. Please, don't hold it against her."
Vivienne played the victim beautifully, her voice dripping with fake remorse.
"Maybe I should return to New York. As long as you and Norah are happy, a little hardship on my part is nothing," she went on, sounding noble and self-sacrificing.
Norah sneered. "Ms. Powell, how exactly have you been wronged? You're just his sister-in-law—not his lover."
A sharp slap cracked through the air, plunging the room into stunned silence. Norah's cheek burned, disbelief clouding her face. She hadn't thought Lionel would actually hit her. But the mark of his hand was clear.
Vivienne's surprise quickly became a brief, satisfied smile.
Lionel looked just as shocked, staring at his hand as if it belonged to someone else. He opened his mouth, but the words faltered.
Norah met his eyes, her gaze glassy with unshed tears. But she refused to let them fall. It wasn't worth it.
She shot Lionel one last steely look, then turned and walked away.
"Norah." Instinctively, Lionel reached out for her.
"Let go of me." Norah yanked free of his grasp and left.
Lionel watched her go, regret creeping in.
Vivienne stepped closer, her voice soft and probing. "Lionel, you shouldn't have hit her. It was only a few words—it didn't even matter."
The guilt that had flickered inside Lionel vanished, replaced with indifference. "It was her fault."
Vivienne probed further. "Maybe you should apologize to her?"
"No need. She needs to reflect on her behavior and cool off," Lionel dismissed, arrogant and sure he'd done nothing wrong.
He planned to let her calm down before going to her. It was her mistake, after all. A small lesson would teach her to remember and trust more in the future.
Leaving Ross Corporation, Norah got into her car. In the rearview mirror, the red mark on her face stared back at her, and her eyes burned with unshed tears. She knew going home like this would only worry her parents, so she called them with a quick excuse—she'd be late, they shouldn't wait up.
She drove to her own apartment, the private place she'd secured for herself. Every time she and Lionel argued, she came here. Lionel knew this was her sanctuary.
She had barely settled in when a knock echoed at the door.
