?Chapter 56:


    The City Hall was bustling with people today. It was easy for onlookers to tell that Norah and Derek were a couple seeking a divorce, while Madeline stood shamelessly as the other woman.


    Their presence at the entrance quickly became the center of attention, drawing more and more people to watch the unfolding drama.


    As soon as Norah stopped talking, numerous people spun around, muffling their giggles behind their hands. In the eyes of many, Madeline, the unmistakable other woman, was a figure of disdain, regardless of her beauty.


    Norah and Madeline were striking in their own ways. Norah was stunningly gorgeous, while Madeline had a more delicate appeal.


    The crowd secretly envied Derek for being in thepany of these two attractive women.


    “Miss Wilson, if you’re unwilling to sign, just be upfront. Why resort to embarrassing both Derek and me?” Madeline asked, visibly upset. “Derek didn’t ask for more. After all, you’re not exactly in need. Why insist on holding onto those assets?”


    Norah responded with a scoff. “Whether I need them or not is for me to decide. I’m merely iming what’s rightfully mine.”


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    Norah cursed Derek’s shamelessness silently. The nerve of him wanting to reim what he had promised her back when he asked her to sign the divorce papers! Yes, she was wealthy enough to give up on what he had promised her, but she was reluctant to let go of it without a fight.


    Norah refused to let Derek have his way, especially given his repeated unwillingness to finalize the divorce swiftly.


    “Mr. Carter, I once thought you were a man of integrity. Now you’re withdrawing from your promises? Ugh!” Norah grimaced.


    Derek suddenly remembered what Norah had said when Madeline wanted thekeside vi he had intended for Norah: “Mr. Carter, you ought to stand by your word. The choice is yours.”


    Norah reflected on the same lines, saying, “I acted foolishly before. Now, it’s time I im what’s rightfully mine.”


    Norah regretted the time she had wasted on Derek over the past two years and was resolved not to walk away empty-handed. With all her efforts in waking him from thea and helping with his recovery, he shouldn’t be here arguing with her. Her goal was simple—she was set on obtaining her rightful share before finalizing the divorce and severing ties with Derek.


    Remembering Derek’s terms regarding the allocation of the vis, Madeline waved her hand dismissively. “Miss Wilson, why continue this standoff?” Madeline clung to Derek’s arm, urging, “Derek, please exin to Miss Wilson that I want thekeside vi to be our new home. Speak with her.”


    Derek met Norah’s gaze, attempting to soften the situation. “Norah, let’s not escte this. The court’s involvement changes nothing. The oue of any legal battle is uncertain.”


    Norah’s gaze grew sharp.


    It made sense why Derek remained unfazed upon receiving the summons. Did he have a contingency in ce? However, he was the one caught in an affair. How dare he stand there and speak those words to her?


    “Mr. Carter, you’re well aware of my demands. These possessions are trivial to you. Why the reluctance to settle?” Norah retorted.


    Derek clenched his jaw, remembering his initial offer to Norah, which included thirty million dors, three properties, and a car—amounting to a third of his assets—as a gesture ofpensation for her efforts in taking care of him over the past two years. Back then, he had yed the generous man.


    Influenced by Madeline’s insinuations about Norah’s supposed new affluent connections, Derek had reconsidered his generosity. The notion that Norah could have been involved with someone else long before, and that he was oblivious, infuriated him. Why should he hand over anything to her, then?


    “Norah, you’re really testing my patience.”


    “Mr. Carter, am I the one testing your patience? You’re the one seeking a divorce so you can be with your lover, yet you’re reluctant to honor what we had agreed upon previously. Derek, it turns out I really knew you.” Norah crossed her arms, her jaw tilted slightly.


    Derek’s gaze fell, shadowed with turmoil. “Two years into our marriage, I realize I’ve never truly known you.” Their conversation reached an impasse.


    Norah, growing impatient, pressed, “Enough with the dys. Are we finalizing this divorce today or not?”


    Derek stood firm, saying, “Just sign the paper, and I’ll go through the formalities with you immediately.”


    Madeline interrupted with feigned concern, addressing Norah, “Miss Wilson, just sign it, and you’ll be free. Why hesitate over such a straightforward decision?”


    “If it’s truly inconsequential, why doesn’t Derek just relent? Derek, your actions reveal how petty you are!” Norah pointed out.


    Norah’sment struck Derek, who felt diminished whenpared to Sean and Kason. In terms of family stature, the Carter family paled inparison. Aesthetically, Sean and Kason were in a league of their own.


    “Petty? Damn! I dare you to say that again! I once had youpletely under my thumb. You never dared defy me.”


    Norah’s fleeting amusement vanished, reced by a steely gaze at Derek. His words reminded her of her routine existence among his family members. Whether in his vi or at Carter Manor, she conducted herself with the humility of a maid, never once defying him, with the illusion that he might one day see merit in her and fall for her.


    “Now, youbel me petty? So what if I am? How bold you’ve be since you signed the divorce papers! Shall I provide more examples?” Derek spat out in a fit of anger.


    Holding onto Derek’s arm, Madeline regarded Norahcently, enjoying the difort Derek’s revtion caused. It made sense now why Derek had once described Norah as merely a servant to the Carter family.


    “Derek, since we can’t reach an agreement today, let’s leave it at that.”


    “See you in court.” Norah’s expression was icy as she added, “I won’t give up what’s rightfully mine.” Regardless of the circumstances, Norah was determined to im her due, steadfast in her resolve to fight for her rights.


    Norah’s unwavering stance irritated both Derek and Madeline. With a grim expression, Derek tightly rolled the document and said, “We’ll just have to see whoes out on top in court.”


    Barely hiding her smugness, Madeline said, “We’ll meet again, Miss Wilson.”


    As Derek and Madeline walked away, Norah felt a surge of anger. Once again, Derek had managed to irk her while dying the finalization of their divorce. Settling back onto a nearby chair, a moment of reflection brought a smile to Norah’s face.


    A kind janitor approached, offering Norah a ss of water and sitting beside her. “Here, have some water.”


    Gratefully epting the ss, Norah held it without taking a sip. “Thank you.”


    “Everyone here caught wind of your conversation. That man is cheating and refusing to offer any settlement. My advice? Drag it out and see who bes desperate first. They’ll likely beg for a divorce once they’re eager to get money. You’ll hold all the cards then,” the janitor said, with an air of wisdom. “Plenty like this in my years here. The eager party for remarriage usually ends uppromising.”


    “Appreciate it. You’re right,” Norah responded, contemtive, and agreed with the janitor’s perspective.


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