Chapter: 208

Jordy prodded further, a smirk playing on his lips, “Well, come 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 ask your men to find out 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.

Glancing at Kathy, nestled in Jordy's embrace, Derek couldn't shake off a sense of unease. Just the other day at the Glamour 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 playful squeeze on her butt, shooting Derek a smug grin. “Sorry to cut this short, Mr. Carter. Catch you later!"

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 hand lashed out at Kathy, the slap 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. Kathy's outburst had jeopardized his attempts to curry favor with Norah. Jordy couldn't afford to let Kathy sour things with Norah.

Derek's gaze darkened. Not long ago at the Glamour Club, Norah had given Jordy a sound thrashing. Yet here Jordy 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'd complained, we'd be in hot water by now," Rhoda chimed in, her voice laced with apprehension.

Derek clenched his fist, his jaw clenching. “Norah won't dare.”

His gaze bore into Norah standing beside the towering figure of Kason.

“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 might even discard her soon enough."

Rhoda and Madeline exchanged uneasy glances, both visibly pale.

Watching as Jordy led Kathy into the auction house, Norah's interest waned. "Kason, let's head inside."

“Okay.”