Chapter: 324

Patience wearing thin, Luna lifted Shayla into her arms. “Enough with the calling. Who do you prefer, your mom or your aunt? Just stay with me quietly and stop mentioning her."

Still too young to grasp the situation, Shayla simply adored Norah.

She sulked. “Mom, auntie. Pretty..."

In the banquet hall, the air was alive with the murmur of conversation among business elites, dressed in their finest and holding glasses of wine. Children's laughter and playful shouts filled the space, adding a light-hearted tone to the sophisticated gathering.

Upon Norah's entrance, heads turned. Her makeup was flawlessly applied, her presence radiant, and she moved with undeniable elegance.

“Is Norah really a Wilson? After her divorce, she ceased all contact with the Wilson family. It led many to assume she was estranged from them," someone remarked.

“Originally, Norah had married into the Carter family as a Wilson.

Despite her divorce, she remains a Wilson at heart," another added.

"I've caught wind of her having secured a considerable fortune from the Carter family when divorcing. Whether it's fact or fiction, I couldn't say."

"And why would the Carters let her walk away with such wealth?

Sounds more like gossip to me."

Upon her entrance, Norah was met with murmurs that filled the air.

Choosing to pretend not to hear the whispers, she made her way to the table and gracefully picked up a glass of champagne.

With a flight ahead of her, Norah opted for the lighter choice of alcohol.

Standing solitary in a corner, her beauty, reminiscent of a blooming rose, caught the eyes of many. Previously unnoticed, her newfound single status now drew attention and curiosity from those around her.

Only a select few were privy to her connection with Sean, a detail that, if known, would deter many admirers.

Men gazed at Norah in awe, while women looked on with a tinge of jealousy. Her allure was undeniable. Even simply standing there, she radiated amidst the crowd.

Seldom resting at home, Derek had spent the previous night in a whirlwind of passion with Madeline. Awoken by the ping of a message, he found Madeline clinging to him once more.

"Derek, stay with me..." Madeline's voice, filled with allure, caused him to pause.

"I just need to check my phone," he murmured.

"Alright," she replied.

Turning on his phone, Derek discovered messages from Kathy waiting for him. “Derek, mom and I are here at the Wilson family's birthday celebration. You'll never guess who we bumped into?"

A photo was followed by her texts.

Derek's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing it. Norah captured in the image wore a red fishtail gown, her presence both delicate and captivating, reminiscent of a mermaid emerging from the sea. She appeared stunning, though her posture suggested a hint of impatience.