?Chapter 98:


    Derek’s expression darkened, his features clouding over with a mix of concern and irritation. “Kathy, you’ve reallye into your own! Do you even know what kind of…”


    Jordy stopped, wearing a displeased frown. “Well now, Kathy, why don’t you enlighten me? What sort of fellow do you think I am?”


    Everyone knew Jordy was the type to throw his weight around,cking any moralpass. Knowing this, Derek bit his tongue, fearing Jordy’s potential retribution. The Carter n wasn’t exactly a force to be reckoned with.


    Suppressing her distaste at Jordy’s touch, Kathy lifted her gaze defiantly. “Jordy’s offered to take me to the auction. I can get in without your assistance.”


    The price? Just a single night with Jordy! But to Kathy, the tradeoff was negligible. Rubbing elbows with the elite outweighed a night’s inconvenience.


    Norah tapped Kasan’s arm, her expression amused. “Mind lending me a little attention while this ys out?”


    A hint of intrigue danced in Norah’s eyes as she stood by, observing the unfolding scene. Kasan stayed by Norah’s side, drawing curious nces at their undeniable attractiveness. Onlookers wondered why they just stood at the entrance. Beside Kasan was a stunning woman, unmistakably the wife of Derek, yet Derek was in an argument with Kathy.


    Since Kasan stood by Norah’s side, onlookers’ curiosity was piqued about their rtionship. Spection buzzed as bystanders passed by.


    Jordy prodded further, a smirk ying on his lips. “Well,e on then. What kind of man am I? I’m dying to hear your thoughts!”


    “Mr. Smith, everyone’s well aware of your reputation. No need for us to spell it out. We wish to avoid upsetting you. You can check for yourself if that’s what you want to know,” Madeline interjected, standing steadfastly by Derek’s side.


    Derek breathed a sigh of relief, silently grateful for Madeline’s quick thinking. ncing at Kathy, nestled in Jordy’s embrace, Derek couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. Just the other day at the mour Club, Norah and Jordy had squared off. So why was Kathy now cozying up to him? Regardless of the Carter family’s financial woes, Derek felt Kathy didn’t need to stoop this low.


    Derek spoke up, each word carefully measured. “Kathy, are you sure about this?”


    “Absolutely!” Kathy’s response was resolute. “Mr. Smith, let’s get inside, shall we?”


    “Alright then.” Jordy gave Kathy a yful squeeze on her butt, shooting Derek a smug grin. “Sorry to cut this short, Carter. Catch youter!”


    Derek was left baffled by Jordy’s cryptic remark. Turning to inquire, he caught sight of Jordy bowing deferentially to Norah.


    “Kathy, why the sudden respect for this woman? She’s just a castoff!” Kathy protested.


    Jordy’s handshed out at Kathy, the p echoing sharply. “Watch your mouth! Speak to Miss Wilson with respect!”


    Turning to Norah, Jordy’s demeanor shifted drastically. “Miss Wilson, Mr. Hayes, please pardon her rudeness. I’ll take her aside and straighten her out.”


    Jordy cursed Kathy silently. Her outburst had jeopardized his attempts to curry favor with Norah. He couldn’t afford to let Kathy ruin things with her.


    Derek’s gaze darkened. Not long ago at the mour Club, Norah had given Jordy a sound thrashing. Yet here he was, not only refraining from retribution but also treating Norah with deference.


    “So now Miss Wilson is to be treated like royalty, all because she’s hobnobbing with the wealthy? She used to be nothing in the Carter household, but now we’re expected to bow and scrape?” Madeline remarked dryly. “Even Jordy treads lightly in her presence.”


    “Thank heavens we didn’t push our luck back at the club. If she’dined, we’d be in hot water by now,” Rhoda chimed in, her voiceced with apprehension.


    Derek clenched his fist, his jaw tightening. “Norah won’t dare. No matter what we do or say, she won’t dare cross us. Besides, those men won’t give her the time of day.”


    Coen nodded in agreement. “Derek’s got a point. They’ll discard her soon enough.”


    Rhoda and Madeline exchanged uneasy nces, both visibly pale.


    Watching as Jordy led Kathy into the auction house, Norah’s interest waned. “Kason, let’s head inside,” she said.


    “Okay.”


    Handing over their invitation letters at the entrance, they encountered Phillip hurrying out. “Miss Wilson, why are you lingering outside? The auction’s about to start.”


    “I’ll manage,” Norah offered a cid smile, attributing her dy to themotion outside. She’d been drawn into the spectacle for a while.


    Phillip escorted Norah to the prime seating, strategically cing her next to Sean. Clearly, Sean’s adjacent seat was meant for Norah.


    Kasan trailed behind, settling in beside Norah.


    Sean cast a casual nce at Kasan. “Norah, what’s Kasan doing here?”


    Kasan found himself at a loss for words. Why indeed couldn’t he be here?


    Reserved for the crème de crème of Glophia, the front-row seats spoke volumes about one’s social standing.


    Seated beside Kasan, Bryson couldn’t help but notice Sean’s tenderness toward Norah. He was taken aback. Since when had Norah and Sean gotten so chummy? He’d worried about Norah after her divorce, yet she seemed to be thriving. Living in luxury, hobnobbing with the elite. Things were looking up for her.


    Norah replied with casual brevity, “Just happened to bump into him on the way.”


    “Mr. Scott, are you acquainted with Norah? You two seem quite close,” Kasan inquired. Sean even addressed Norah by her first name.


    Sean’s gaze remained inscrutable. “That’s between Norah and me.”


    “I don’t owe you any exnations, Mr. Hayes.” Sean had no intention of borating. Yet, an air of superiority emanated from him, suggesting there was more to his rtionship with Norah.


    It became clear that Sean was not someone to be easily challenged.


    Norah sat poised, her demeanorposed. “Call me whatever you like; it’s all the same to me.”


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