I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 54

Nora watched the city streets blur past the window, her expression perfectly serene. "I'm planning to let myself off the hook, Felix."

She had grown up a lot over the years. She simply didn't want to stay entangled in their toxic web.

Felix opened his mouth to argue, but Nora turned to look at him, her eyes burning with fierce determination. "But everything Finn took from me, I'm going to take back, piece by piece."

Looking into her eyes, Felix swallowed his words. He had known Nora for over a decade and knew exactly how stubborn she could be.

She was usually laid-back and easygoing, but once she set her mind on something, a team of horses couldn't drag her away from it.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he reached over and ruffled her hair. "Alright. As long as you know what you're doing."

The car crossed the bridge, the city lights reflecting off the river below, shattering into thousands of glittering fragments on the water's surface.

Leaning back in her seat, Nora let her mind wander.

Bonnie hadn't called her today. Xander had probably dragged her off to some extracurricular class. The little girl had explicitly mentioned she hated piano, but her dad insisted she learn.

Picturing Bonnie with her hands on her hips, boldly declaring how annoying her dad was, Nora couldn't help but smile. She actually missed the kid a little.

Soon, the car pulled up to the venue, a private club retrofitted from a historic western-style mansion.

Felix handed his keys to the valet, adjusted his cuffs, and glanced over at Nora. "Ready?"

They signed in at the reception desk and pushed open the doors to the grand ballroom.

The interior was decorated with old-school elegance. Waiters weaved through the crowd with trays of champagne. The room was already packed with elites chatting in small clusters, occasionally erupting into the distinctive, polished laughter of the wealthy.

Felix was well-respected in these circles. His medical expertise was top-tier, and carrying the title of Professor Vance's true protege was enough to command immediate respect.

The moment they stepped into the hall, a guest walked up with a wine glass to greet him.

"Dr. Ford, it's been a while."

Felix offered a polite smile, clinking glasses with the man as they exchanged pleasantries.

The man glanced at Nora, letting his gaze linger on her face for a second before giving a courteous nod.

Nora returned the nod without speaking. Her years with the Fletchers had taught her to keep a low profile at these events; the less you spoke, the fewer mistakes you made.

Felix guided her further into the room, quietly pointing out the VIPs in attendance.

"Why are you standing all by yourself, Nora? Is there no one here you can talk to?"

Nora couldn't be bothered to engage, not even sparing her a glance.

Ignored so blatantly, Seraphina's smile stiffened.

She was actually ignoring her! The audacity!

Taking a half-step closer, Seraphina lowered her voice. "Look around. This room is filled with powerful, influential figures. Someone like you doesn't even have the right to breathe the same air, let alone speak to them."

She feigned sympathy. "I'm just worried you're feeling out of place. It'd be better for you to slip out quietly before you end up embarrassing yourself."

Nora finally turned to look at her, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "You seem like you have an awful lot of free time, Seraphina."

Seraphina's brow twitched.

"Since you have the time to stand here chatting with me, does that mean you're just here for the free food and drinks?"

Seraphina scoffed coldly. "Don't lump me in with you. I'm here representing the institute."