Matthew Spencer, who had stayed silent until that moment, stepped between Marshall Ross and Norah Fisher.

"Marshall, this is between Norah and Lionel. Stay out of it."

Marshall opened his mouth, but Norah cut him off. "Matthew, I've got this."

Matthew frowned, worried. He knew Marshall could be a real piece of work.

Even so, Norah gently nudged Matthew aside and walked straight up to Marshall.

"Norah Fisher, apologize to Vivienne right now, and we'll pretend this never happened," Marshall demanded, all swagger and no clue who he was dealing with.

Norah knew exactly how little respect Marshall had for her.

Across the room, Elia Dean pushed, "Lionel, say something."

"Norah should apologize to Vivienne," Lionel said coldly, as if she had embarrassed him.

To him, Norah was just making a scene at the hospital, showing up only to stir up trouble.

With Lionel backing him, Marshall got even bolder. "Norah, get on your knees and apologize to Vivienne, and we'll let it slide."

Norah smirked, stepping close enough to rest her hand on Marshall's shoulder.

"Norah, what are you doing?" he asked. Before he could react, Norah delivered a swift, brutal kick to his groin.

She didn't hold back. Not even a little.

Marshall crumpled to the floor, groaning in agony.

Norah stood over him, completely unfazed, and landed another solid kick. "Marshall, didn't your cousin tell you I know self-defense?"

Matthew winced on Marshall's behalf, realizing his earlier worry had been misplaced.

"Marshall Ross, I tolerated you out of respect for Lionel. Now that Lionel and I are done, do you really think I'm going to stand here and let you disrespect me?"

Norah shifted her glare to Lionel.

"And you, Lionel. We're over. Stop talking to me like you have some kind of authority over me. You don't."

Lionel's expression flickered, anger bleeding into something that looked a lot like regret—worse, somehow, than any bruise.

"Norah Fisher, if you bring up breaking up one more time, we're done for good," Lionel warned.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Norah scoffed.

She turned to Elia. "Let's catch up another time. I'm leaving."

Elia nodded. "Okay."

Norah walked away without a backward glance, each step echoing with quiet resolve.

Lionel watched her go, a flicker of panic racing through him. It was a feeling he'd never had with her before, but it had been building, growing sharper after everything that had happened.

Matthew walked over to Lionel and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Lionel, you know Norah better than that. You really crossed a line."

"She attacked someone, and you're taking her side?" Lionel snapped.

To Lionel, Norah was just some spoiled girl throwing a tantrum.

Elia tugged Matthew away. "He's blind and heartless. Why waste your breath?"

People like him wouldn't listen anyway.

Ending things with Lionel was the right call for Norah.

Matthew sighed and followed Elia back inside.

"Lionel, don't be mad at Norah. If she's upset with anyone, it should be me for ruining your engagement," Vivienne Powell said, every inch the picture of innocence, her voice trembling with fake tears.

Marshall, still seething, added, "Bro, Norah's taking advantage of your feelings. She's out of control. If you don't put her in her place now, who knows what kind of chaos she'll cause once she marries into this family?"

"Shut up. She's your sister-in-law. Even if she's wrong, it's not your place to run your mouth," Lionel shot back.

Still, Norah's behavior genuinely irritated him.

Suddenly, Vivienne gasped, clutching her stomach.

"Vivienne, what's wrong?" Lionel rushed to her side as she let out a pained groan.

"It's my stomach... I must've hurt it when I fell," she said, wincing with far too much drama.

"Marshall, get a doctor," Lionel ordered, scooping Vivienne up and carrying her into the hospital room.

***

Outside the clinic, Norah took a deep breath, feeling unexpectedly light.

Breaking up with Lionel wasn't as hard as she'd imagined. She felt free—free to be herself, no strings attached.

She'd planned to head straight to the office, but she realized she'd left her phone behind in her rush and needed to grab it before dealing with the fallout of the breakup.

When she got home, Norah was surprised to find Jamie Olson still there. "You haven't left yet?"

"Are you trying to kick me out?" Jamie asked, feigning a wounded look.

Norah panicked a little. "No, that's not what I meant."

For some reason, the hurt flicker on Jamie's face tugged at her heart.

"I saw you rush out without your phone. I was worried and couldn't reach you, so I decided to wait."

She had, in fact, left in a hurry that morning.

"I went to the clinic. My best friend was in a car accident, and I went to see her."

Norah felt the need to explain—maybe because of the sincerity in Jamie's eyes, or because she didn't want him to get the wrong idea.

But what wrong idea was there to get?

Jamie's eyes brightened at her words. "Is she okay?"

"Just a few scrapes."

Thinking back to the night before, Norah asked hesitantly, "Jamie, I drank a lot yesterday. Did I... say anything stupid?"

"You were quiet. You fell asleep at the table," Jamie said earnestly.

Could that really be true?

Norah wasn't so sure. She'd been told before that she got chatty when she drank—once she'd even announced her feelings for Lionel in public.

But those days—when Lionel was still crazy about her—were long gone.

Love—or the lack of it—was painfully obvious now.

Still doubtful, Norah studied Jamie's honest face and decided to take his word for it.

"Have you eaten? Let me make you something."

"Okay." Norah didn't argue. She was hungry.

As she watched Jamie move around the kitchen, she couldn't help but say, "Jamie, with your cooking and the way you take care of people, any woman who married you would be really lucky."

She hadn't known him long, but Jamie seemed kind and considerate—a good man to have in her corner.

"Then why don't you marry me?" Jamie asked as he set a tray of food in front of her, his eyes completely serious, not a single trace of teasing in them.

Norah Fisher was suddenly only inches from Jamie Olson—close enough to make out every fine detail of his skin and feel the heat of his breath. Her heart gave an unexpected jolt.

"Jamie, are you serious?" Norah stepped back quickly, avoiding his gaze. But her racing heart wouldn't slow down.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Jamie's eyes, so brief she might have imagined it. Then he slipped back into his usual cool composure. "Let's eat."

He set the breakfast on the table.

"Okay," Norah said, joining him at the table.

"You go ahead. I'm just going to change," Jamie said, much to Norah's surprise.

"It's such a coincidence—I bought an apartment right next door to yours," he added.

Norah blinked. What were the odds?

Jamie headed next door while Norah started her breakfast. It was as if their conversation from moments before hadn't even happened.

After she finished eating, Norah got ready for work. Jamie mentioned he needed to handle some business at the office too, and they went their separate ways once they reached the lobby.

As soon as Norah arrived at her company, her secretary approached her. "Ms. Fisher, the chairman wants to see you in his office."

"Alright, I understand."

Norah knew exactly why her father was calling her in. She touched the faint palm print still visible on her cheek, let her hair fall over that side of her face, and walked to the chairman's office.

"Dad, you wanted to see me?"

Meir Fisher set his work aside as Norah entered. "Norah, I just got word that Ross Corporation is pulling out of the partnership with us?"

"Yes." Norah nodded.

"I'm sorry, Dad. It's my fault the company is in this position."

Meir stood and walked over to her. "Don't talk nonsense. It's not your fault. They're the ones mixing business with personal matters."

"Dad, I just found out that G.K International is expanding in Boston. I'd like to approach them," Norah said, laying out her plan.

Lionel Ross's cancellation was clearly a tactic to prove she couldn't move on. He probably assumed she'd have to come crawling back for the company's sake. But Norah was determined to find a partner who valued the project's merit—not one blinded by a personal vendetta.

Meir nodded, considering. "G.K International is a major conglomerate. Would they consider a project like ours?"

"In Los Angeles, our project might look small. But this is Boston. G.K is new here and will need partnerships to establish themselves."

Norah was confident their project had real value. The scale often depended on the partners involved.

Meir agreed. "You're right. While Fisher Corp isn't a giant, we've been an established name in Boston for a century."

"Then, Dad, I'll reach out to G.K International."

True to her word, Norah set off immediately, determined.

"Alright, I believe you can do it." Meir gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, but then he noticed the mark on her face.

"Norah, what happened to your face?"

Norah quickly tried to cover it, but Meir had already seen. His expression darkened. "Was it Lionel?"

Norah didn't deny it.

"How dare he," Meir fumed. "I'll confront him myself. My dear girl, I'd never lay a hand on you—what gives him the right?"

"Dad." Norah quickly stopped him. "I've already taken care of it."

Meir looked at her curiously.

Norah nodded. "Really, I have. Have I ever let someone walk all over me?"

The slap had its roots in Vivienne Powell's manipulations, and Norah had already retaliated. She hadn't struck Lionel directly, but she knew he had faced his own consequences.

Fisher Corp wasn't as powerful as Ross Corp, and her father confronting Lionel would only bring unnecessary embarrassment. She wouldn't allow him to go through that on her behalf.

"Norah." Meir's eyes filled with concern.

Norah brushed it off. "Dad, I'm fine. It's over. Please, let's not tell Mom. There's no need to make her worry too."

"Alright." Meir sighed, still heavy with fatherly worry.

Norah grinned. "Really, I'm okay. I'm off to work now."

"Go ahead." Knowing Norah didn't want him to fret any further, Meir held back his concerns.

Leaving the chairman's office, Norah returned to her own office and carefully reviewed the proposal for the Lakeside project. Once she was satisfied everything was in order, she headed to G.K International.

G.K, being new in Boston, would likely have plenty of companies competing for a collaboration. Norah had to seize the opportunity.

"Hello, I'm Norah Fisher from Fisher Corp. Here's my card. I'd like to speak with your project director—if you could let them know I'm here."

Norah handed her business card to the receptionist, her purpose clear.

The receptionist looked at the card and smiled warmly. "Are you Ms. Fisher?"

Norah was taken aback, nodding uncertainly. Did they know her?

"Please follow me, Ms. Fisher." The receptionist was polite and respectful, leaving Norah even more puzzled.

She was led straight to the project director's office.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Ms. Fisher is here to see you, Mr. Olson."

The director?

Norah briefly thought of Jamie Olson. Was this because of him?

That didn't make sense. Jamie had his own company. Why would he be the director at G.K?

"Let her in," came a man's voice from inside.

The voice was familiar—almost like Jamie's.

Could it be him?

The receptionist opened the door. "Ms. Fisher, please go in."

Norah gave a small nod and stepped inside, curious to get a look at this Mr. Olson.

"Hello, Mr. Olson. I'm Norah Fisher, project manager from Fisher Corp."

Norah introduced herself, then lifted her head to meet the man.

A man stood close—so close it startled her—and Norah instinctively stepped back.

It wasn't Jamie Olson, just someone with the same surname. A flicker of disappointment passed through her, though she didn't even notice it herself.

"I'm Maximo Olson. Please, have a seat. No need to be so formal."

Maximo's friendly demeanour left Norah slightly unsure how to react. For the head of a major project, he seemed way too relaxed.

While Norah sized up Maximo, he was studying her just the same.

Is this the woman Jamie is so hung up on?

"Mr. Olson, what did you say?" Norah asked, confused by his quiet mumbling.

Maximo quickly collected himself, shifting to a more formal tone. "Oh, nothing. What brings you to my office, Ms. Fisher?"

"I…"

Just as Norah began to speak, a voice outside interrupted them.

"Mr. Olson, the CEO of Ross Corporation is here to see you."

Lionel?

Norah's brow furrowed slightly.

Why was he here?

"Let him in," Maximo Olson said as the office door swung open and Lionel Ross and Vivienne Powell stepped inside. Both looked caught off guard to see Norah Fisher already there.

"Norah, what are you doing here?" Vivienne blurted, clearly thrown.

Before Norah could answer, Lionel stepped in front of her, irritation radiating off him. "What business do you have here?" he demanded.

"Oh, so you can be here, but I can't?" Norah shot back, ice in her voice.

Lionel's irritation spiked. "This isn't your place, Norah. I don't want to do this here, so just leave."

Norah let out a short, hollow laugh. "Really, Lionel? After everything?"

Maximo, picking up on the tension, cut in, "You two know each other?"

"She's my fiancée," Lionel said, his confidence strained.

"Lionel, you've got some nerve. We're done. I'm not your fiancée," Norah spat, hating the label.

Lionel's voice cut through the room, sharp with frustration. "Norah, you're making a scene. There's a limit to your theatrics, and this isn't the place."

Vivienne chimed in with a condescending edge. "Norah, you can't keep acting like a pampered princess everywhere."

Norah's hands curled into fists, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Lionel turned to Maximo with an apologetic smile. "Mr. Olson, I apologize for the unnecessary drama."

Maximo chuckled, letting his gaze settle on Norah. "Ms. Fisher, your personal life seems rather... lively."

Ignoring the mockery, Norah held her ground. "Mr. Olson, believe what you want, but Lionel and I are done. I'm here to discuss a possible collaboration on the Western District project. Here's the proposal. If you're interested, we can talk another time."

Norah handed him the document, hoping against hope. She knew her first impression probably wasn't great, but maybe she still had a shot.

Maximo accepted the proposal.

The Western District development project caught Lionel's attention, and his expression darkened.

"Mr. Olson, I'll leave you to it," Norah said, moving to leave.

Outside G.K International, she let out a long breath, though her anger still simmered just below the surface. She pulled out her phone and called Elia Dean.

"Hey, Elia, are you out of the hospital yet?"

She hadn't had a real chance to catch up with Elia in the chaos of the proposal these past few days.

"I'm fine, as you well know. I could've left ages ago, but Matthew insisted I stay until today. We're just finishing the discharge paperwork now," Elia replied, a smile in her voice.

Norah could hear the happiness in Elia's voice, almost feel it through the phone. Lionel had been that attentive once, too—before Vivienne came back and changed everything.

"Want to celebrate my discharge later?"

"Are you sure Matthew's going to let you out of his sight?" Norah teased.

"He can't keep me tied down! Let's meet at our usual spot."

"Perfect."

Smiling, Norah ended the call and was about to get into her car when the door slammed shut. Lionel grabbed her arm, his grip tight enough to make her stumble. There wasn't a trace of gentleness in it.

"Norah, what's this Western District project all about?" Lionel demanded, anger thick in his voice.

Vivienne appeared at Lionel's side, her tone scolding. "Norah, how could you do this? Lionel has supported this project for years. How could you just turn around and look for other investors?"

"Oh? So you back out of the partnership, freeze the funding, and expect my company to just grind to a halt?" Norah shot back, her voice cool.

Lionel hesitated. "Back out? Freeze funding?"

Norah laughed bitterly. "Don't tell me you really didn't know the partnership was canceled, Lionel."

Lionel's pride wouldn't let him admit he'd been kept in the dark, but it was obvious he'd been left out of the loop.

"Even so, do you really think G.K International would consider a project like yours? Come back with me, and I'll resume funding. We'll see it through together," Lionel offered, as if he were making some huge concession.

Norah couldn't help but laugh. All this time, Lionel had seen the partnership as some kind of charity. If he never truly believed in her project, what was the point?

"If you don't see the value in the project, then let's end it here. We're both free now, Lionel. Your business and your life are no longer my concern."

Her words weren't just about the project—they were about the end of their relationship.

"Norah, stop throwing tantrums. There's a limit to this behavior," Lionel scolded.

"Are you coming with me or not?"

Just then, Jamie Olson showed up, breaking the tension.

"There you are, Norah. What took you so long? I was starting to think something happened."

Norah beamed at Jamie, grateful for the distraction. She linked her arm through his and faced Lionel with no trace of distress. "Lionel, I have a boyfriend now. Please don't bother me anymore."

"Jamie, let's go."

"Sure."

Norah left with Jamie while Lionel watched them go, his expression torn between rage and disbelief, a vein pulsing at his temple.

"Norah's just trying to rile you up, Lionel," Vivienne said, clearly annoyed. "How could she move on that fast? She's still in love with you."

Lionel looked at her, confused. "Why would she want to provoke me?"

"Don't you see? She's playing hard to get. Norah's loved you for fifteen years. There's no way she'd fall for someone else overnight," Vivienne said, offering him a reassuring smile.

"She's just using reverse psychology to get your attention."

Lionel relaxed, soothed by the thought. Of course Norah wouldn't move on that fast. She'd been devoted to him for so long; this was just her way of getting him to chase her.

"By the way, do you know what's going on with the Western District project?" Lionel asked.

Vivienne nodded. "Marshall mentioned it. He's doing this to wake Norah up. Throwing a drink at your mom at that party was humiliating for her, and it made you look bad by association."

"Yes, she does need to learn a lesson," Lionel said, agreeing with Marshall's plan.

Vivienne murmured, "I didn't expect Norah to be this determined, even going as far as trying to get G.K to invest."

Lionel waved it off. "G.K International won't be interested in her project."

"Let her fail a little. It'll be a valuable lesson."