“Nora!” Adrian snapped.

She straightened her neck. “Hit a nerve? You’re angry because I told the truth?

I never tried to break you two up. You were the one who chased me, saying it was love at first sight. Turns out you’re a liar!”

She had been spoiled since childhood, never one to tolerate injustice. She slapped the divorce papers down in front of him.

“Since your true love is back, I won’t cling to you. I’m setting you free — sign!”

Adrian frowned. “Nora, stop being unreasonable.”

He still wouldn’t admit it.

Her heart went cold. “My husband cannot lie to me — I must be his first priority. Mr. Cole, you’re done.”

She regretted wasting three years staying in Brookdale for a man unworthy of her love.

“Where will you stay after the divorce?” Adrian asked, still trying to control her. “Nora, you only have me in this world. As long as you love me, I won’t abandon you.

Vivian is just another woman. She won’t disturb us.”

Nora laughed outright at his shamelessness.

He never really knew her. When he found her on the street, she had just been robbed and hadn’t eaten in over a day, looking like a stray.

He thought she was poor — and she let him think so, playing the good wife.

If not for his sincere pursuit, she would never have stayed in Brookdale.

Many times she had wanted to tell him the truth, but swallowed it for fear of upsetting him.

It turned out his love was never real.

“After the divorce, we’re done. Split the assets however you want — I don’t need the house or the car. Just wire me the cash.”

“And if I refuse to sign?”

“Then I’ll go to your company and cause a scene.”

Adrian, a disciplined veteran working in a defense corporation, knew that Vivian’s actions technically amounted to breaking up a military marriage.

“You should leave yourself some dignity,” he warned. “Before you married me, you had nothing.”

Nora scoffed. “Once I have your signature, I have everything I need.”

He asked for three days to think.

While packing, Nora overheard him on the phone with Vivian:

“Don’t worry. She won’t ruin your reputation.”

Her heart, already full of holes, felt like a sieve now.

Dragging her suitcase, she left for St. Mary’s Medical Center without a word.

Three days later, she flew back to New York City.

It was late, so she didn’t call her father. Instead, she went straight to The Hudson Club for a drink.

Half-drunk, she remembered a man’s hand closing over hers.

She remembered being the one to make the first move.

He was even more muscular than Adrian — easily the best physique she’d seen in years of working as a doctor.

She couldn’t blame herself for losing control.

When she sobered up, she ran.

Moments later, the man stepped out of the shower, holding a red-sandalwood necklace in his hand.

Water dripped from his dark hair. His sharp nose and thin lips curled into a smirk, and his gray-brown eyes gleamed with mystery.

He looked at the empty bed, recalling her breathless cries.

Ethan Blake called his assistant to trace the necklace’s origin.

Back at home, Nora was greeted by a full-blown family party.

“Baby, you didn’t even tell us you were coming! I overslept and couldn’t pick you up,” said Robert Reynolds, her father.

“That’s okay, Dad. Why’s the house so lively?”

Robert winked. “We’ve arranged a social mixer for you. Go freshen up — wait till you see the guy I found.”

Back in her room, she looked at the rows of Hermès, Chanel, and Dior, the Turkish rugs under her feet, the Baccarat chandelier overhead, and the Teuco whirlpool bath.

Home really was better.

Adrian’s salary at the defense firm could only afford a modest apartment, not even in a good school district. She had paid for the renovations with her design commissions.

As for the luxury goods here? He couldn’t afford them even at half price.

She had fallen for him because he had taken care of her when she looked like a stray.

He was handsome — too handsome for her to resist.

What she once thought was a love story now seemed like his twisted fantasy.

“Little sister, why didn’t you tell me you were back?”

Her twin brother Daniel Reynolds knocked and ruffled her hair. “Nora! You’re so skinny! Haven’t been eating well?”

Her nose stung. For five years she had lied to Daniel and her parents, saying she was abroad, when in truth she had stayed in Brookdale working at the hospital.

Daniel hugged her shoulder. “No more suffering. From now on, I’ll make sure you eat and drink well.”

Nora smiled. “Thanks, Daniel.”

“You ready? Let’s go down together?”

“One sec.” She slipped off her wedding ring and tossed it into a drawer.

Nora went downstairs with Daniel.

The young men at the mixer were all top-tier, from prominent families.

She hadn’t expected Adrian to be here too.

When he saw her, he strode over, grabbed her hand. “Nora, this isn’t the place to make a scene. Leave now.”

She pulled free. “And why should I?”

“You didn’t come here following me?”

She laughed. “You think too highly of yourself.”

“This is a Reynolds family event — don’t tell me you’re claiming to be one of them?”

She snorted. “I never said that.”

“If you want a divorce, let’s argue at home, not—”

“Who’s this guy bothering you?” Daniel appeared, draping an arm around her shoulder.

The sight made Adrian’s face darken. He grabbed Daniel’s arm. “Take your filthy hand off her!”

Daniel released Nora and slapped Adrian across the face.

The sound echoed in the hall.

“Who the hell are you to interfere with me and my sister?”

“Sister?” Adrian’s eyes widened.

Nora knew he’d never believe it.

“Daniel, I’ll handle this. Go greet the guests.”

Daniel patted her shoulder. “Fine. But tell me the whole story later.”

Adrian’s expression turned ugly. “How is Daniel Reynolds your brother? Who are you really?”

“My cousin. We’re close. And I came here to see my cousin tonight.”

Then she gave him a cold look. “Aren’t you here for the social mixer too?”

He hesitated, then said, “The company wants to work with Chairman Reynolds. I came to talk business.”

“Then wait here. I’ll look around.”

Adrian grabbed her arm again. “Don’t wander off. Leave.”

Before Nora could curse him out, a delicate hand tugged Adrian’s arm.

“Adrian, let’s go. Don’t keep Chairman Reynolds waiting.” Vivian slipped her arm through his.

Seeing her, ignoring Nora completely — classic Vivian.

Nora’s contempt solidified. If anyone wanted this man, they could have him.

Adrian let Vivian cling to him, glowering. “This isn’t a place for you. Don’t make the Reynolds family throw you out.”

Even now, it was all about him.

Nora scraped her manicured nails across his hand. “Get lost.”

“You should be grateful I warned you,” he said darkly, rubbing the scratch. “Knowing someone here doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.”

“Mr. Cole,” Nora sneered, “my life isn’t yours to control.”

Vivian gasped. “Adrian, your hand’s bleeding! Nora, how could you be so cruel? Even if you divorce, you should remember his kindness.”

Nora’s eyes gleamed coldly.

Vivian was already talking as if the divorce was done. Clearly she had been waiting for this.

Nora crossed her arms. “Exactly. Since we’re divorcing, Adrian has no right to tell me what to do.”

Adrian clenched his fists. “Nora! Stop being unreasonable!”

“Congratulations,” she said with a mocking smile. “I wish you two a lifetime of happiness — rats and snakes together.”

He raised his hand to strike her, but she dodged, laughing. “Dare to hit me now, Mr. Cole?”

Vivian scowled. “I can’t believe a doctor would speak so viciously.”

“When the heart is dirty, everything sounds dirty,” Nora said coldly.

Adrian’s face was grim. “We’ll talk when we get home.”

Nora sneered. Who wanted to talk to him?

Vivian sniffed, still smug. “Don’t take offense. The Reynolds family isn’t like ordinary families. You don’t want to provoke them.”

Nora ignored her and walked into the crowd.

She moved with the natural grace of a society heiress. Even after five years away, the guests recognized her immediately.

“Look at you, Nora. You’ve grown into a fine young lady. That baby fat is all gone.”

“That’s right — Nora’s at the perfect age for marriage. Robert and Linda’s daughter must be both beautiful and talented.”

“If my son weren’t already married, I’d introduce him to you!”

At five-foot-six, Nora stood in the center of the tall uncles and aunts, feeling like a true jewel in the palm.

She hadn’t felt this loved since marrying Adrian.

With Adrian, she had learned that love could never match the warmth of family.

Her eyes glistened. On impulse, she blurted out:

“Uncle Xue, I heard your nephew graduated from an Ivy League school, just got his PhD last year, and moved back to New York City?”

Uncle Xue froze, then broke into a smile. “Nora, are you interested?”

She grinned playfully. “Do I sound like I’m joking?”

He chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare. You don’t need to go through me — Ryan Brooks is here tonight.”

“Really?”

“Look across the room.”

Following the direction pointed out, she saw two tall men talking. Both were striking, though in very different ways.

Normally she wouldn’t recognize Ryan, but she’d heard of him. He had visited their home years ago.

The man in gold-rimmed glasses turned, looking about thirty, refined and elegant.

When he saw her, he smiled warmly. “Nora?”

He still remembered her nickname after all these years — that surprised her.

“Ryan,” Nora greeted him with a bright smile.

But when she looked up, she met a pair of deep gray-brown eyes — an entire galaxy staring back at her.

She momentarily forgot her purpose.

But Nora was no stranger to society events. She quickly composed herself and smiled politely. “Hello.”

Ethan’s eyes briefly glittered before going cool again.

She was styled and dressed beautifully, soft as a rabbit — completely different from last night.

And she clearly didn’t remember him.

For some reason, Ethan felt disappointed.

He didn’t nod, just glanced at Ryan. “Is this your childhood friend?”

The teasing lilt in his tone was unmistakable.

Ryan pushed his glasses up. “Don’t say nonsense, or Nora will think you’re spreading rumors.”

Nora blinked, then extended her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Miss Reynolds, single, here tonight because I’m open to a match with Ryan.”

“Matchmaking.”

Ethan repeated the two simple words, somehow making them sound rich and deep, like a cello’s first note — but the next second his tone turned sharp, almost mocking.

Nora frowned slightly.

Handsome as he was, this man clearly came with arrogance in spades.