I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 82

The surrounding diners began to cast curious glances in their direction. A few servers slowed their pace as they walked by with trays, their eyes darting back and forth among the three of them.

Seraphina deliberately raised her voice, making absolutely sure the neighboring tables caught every word.

"We know you're heartbroken over the loss of your husband, but you can't just dump your daughter at home to come out and celebrate a phantom anniversary! Your daughter is the living proof of your love. She's the only thing you have left of him!"

At the next table, a middle-aged woman paused, her fork hovering in mid-air. The way she looked at Nora shifted. She pulled down the corners of her mouth and whispered something to her companion. Her companion shook her head and sighed, her eyes full of judgment.

Someone murmured, "Is it really necessary to act like that just because her husband died? Women who live in their own delusions are pathetic."

Nora desperately wanted to defend herself, but the suffocating whispers crowding in from all sides forced the words back down her throat.

Finnegan and Seraphina were weaponizing public opinion against her.

Nora frowned. Just as she turned her head, two figures walked through the restaurant's entrance.

Felix Ford strode in first, followed closely by an older man with gray hair.

The older man was dressed in a faded gray suit and carried a vintage black briefcase. He was short, his shoulders slightly hunched with age.

When Felix spotted Nora, his footsteps hitched. Seeing her being cornered, a flash of pure fury ignited in his eyes.

He marched over, his leather shoes clicking sharply and urgently against the marble floor.

"Who the hell dares to bully my colleague!"

He slapped Finnegan's hand away and pulled Nora securely behind him.

His broad shoulders formed a protective wall, entirely shielding Nora from the malicious glares of the onlookers.

Finnegan's face paled, turning even uglier than before.

Nora hadn't booked The Stratosphere for her wedding anniversary? She booked it to wait for Felix Ford and Arthur Caldwell?

How was that even possible? And why was Arthur back in the country so suddenly?

Arthur Caldwell, The Titan of Oncology. He had won the National Science and Technology Progress Award twice and had retired a decade ago. Finnegan hadn't received a single whisper of his return.

The Fletcher family's corporate intelligence network covered the entire city. It was impossible for a scholar of his caliber to enter the country without making waves, unless someone incredibly powerful had intentionally buried the news.

Swallowing his bruised ego, Finnegan quickly stepped forward and offered a deeply respectful nod. His attitude took a sharp pivot into pure humility. "My apologies, Professor Caldwell. I failed to recognize you. Please forgive my intrusion. I will personally visit you to offer a formal apology."

Arthur kept his face stern. He raised one hand in a dismissive gesture, keeping the other resting behind his back. "No need."