Chapter: 119

The nerve of Madeline bringing up what had happened when the divorce papers were signed irked Norah.

"Oh, are you referring to when I walked in on you two together? I had to act quickly to leave you to your activities, didn't I?" Norah stood with her arms folded, a playful smirk on her face, saying, "Here's an idea. If the two of you demonstrate your affection right here and now, I'll sign the papers immediately, without any hesitation."

Derek's expression turned stormy. "You..."

Norah's cutting remark visibly struck a nerve, leaving Derek and Madeline glaring at her angrily.

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

Their presence at the entrance quickly became the center of attention, attracting increasing onlookers to watch the unfolding drama.

Right after Norah stopped talking, numerous people spun around, muffling their giggles behind their hands.

In the eyes of many, Madeline, the unmistakable other woman here, regardless of her beauty, was a figure of disdain.

Norah and Madeline were striking in their own ways. Norah was gleamingly gorgeous while Madeline was with a more delicate appeal.

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

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

Norah responded with a scoff, "Whether I need them or not is for me to decide. I'm merely claiming what's rightfully mine."

Norah cursed Derek's shamelessness silently. The nerve of him wanting to reclaim what he had offered to 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 Derek have his way, 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 made a face.

Derek suddenly remembered what Norah had said when Madeline wanted the lakeside villa 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 claimed 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. Without her efforts of waking him up from the coma and helping him with his recovery, he couldn't have been here arguing with her. Her goal was straightforward. She was set on obtaining her rightful share before finalizing the divorce and severing ties with Derek.

Remembering Norah's lines on Derek's terms on the allocation of the villas, Madeline waved her hand dismissively. "Miss Wilson, why continue this standoff?"

Madeline clung to Derek's arm, urging, “Derek, please explain to Miss Wilson that I want the lakeside villa to be our new home. Speak with her."

Derek met Norah's gaze, attempting to soften the situation, saying, "Norah, let's not escalate this. The court's involvement changes nothing. The outcome of any legal battle remains uncertain."

Norah's gaze grew sharp. It made sense why Derek remained unfazed upon receiving the summons. Did he have a contingency in place?

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 dollars, three properties, and a car, amounting to a third of his assets, as a gesture of compensation for her efforts in taking care of him over the past two years. Back then, he was playing generous.