Chapter: 9

Joanna glanced at her phone and then looked up. "Norah, got any plans to disrupt Derek's stupid welcome party for that bitch Later? Do you want me to bring some people to make a scene?"

Norah's eyes were fixed on the golden liquid swirling in her glass as she gently moved it. "We didn't just come to the Glamour Club for no reason, did we? So, who's the person you've set me up to meet?"

Joanna looked surprised, then flashed a cunning smile. “Norah, what are you getting at? We're here just to stir things up! "The Glamour Club belongs to the Morris family. I'd rather not get on their bad side," Norah said calmly. “I know Derek's stupid party is just a sideshow. So, come clean with me. Who's looking to meet me through your arrangements?"

Their conversation was cut off by a ringing phone. Joanna quickly picked up, her face shifting with the call. Signaling she had to step away, she murmured, "I've got to take this. Be right back."

Norah saw the worry on Joanna's face and understood Joanna had something pressing to attend to. She nodded and set her drink down, the glass chiming lightly on the table.

Regardless of what plans were being made through Joanna, Norah trusted that Joanna wouldn't turn on her.

“Hey there, beautiful, are you all by yourself? Mind if I join you for a drink?"

Derek and Madeline had just arrived at the Glamour Club when Kathy and some of her close friends were seated in a booth upstairs.

"Madeline, you're back! I've missed you so much," Kathy said, giving Madeline a big, dramatic hug to show how thrilled she was.

Madeline returned the hug but was a bit reserved, softly saying to Kathy, “Why are you still behaving like a kid?"

Then, turning her attention to Derek, Madeline added, “Staying young at heart is nice. I think you're the only one who truly keeps me close."

Kathy, being sharp, caught the hidden message in Madeline's words.

She stood up for Derek, saying, "Madeline, Derek was so lost without you while you were away. When you returned, he promptly ended things with that woman from the Wilson family!"

Previously, Kathy had been upset with Madeline for the latter's leaving, especially since Derek had ended up in a coma after a car crash. But after watching Derek grieve and drink his days away, longing for Madeline upon waking, Kathy's hard feelings fade. She figured if Derek and Madeline were together and made Derek happy, she should be all for it. She was all in on cheering for Derek and Madeline getting back together.

After Kathy finished speaking, her friends around them burst into an excited conversation.

Madeline couldn't resist a smile as she savored the lively atmosphere.

She settled beside Derek, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

Derek had daydreamed about this moment more times than he could count, yet facing it in real life brought a strange mix of excitement and unease like his dreams didn't match reality.

He was about to speak to Madeline, but Kathy's voice cut in. "Derek, look, isn't that Norah?"

ALL eyes in the booth shifted in that direction.

Derek saw Norah, dazzling in a silver-white sequined dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her brown hair flowed beautifully down her back, and her makeup was flawlessly applied, making her stand out like a radiant goddess among the crowd.

With just a glance, Derek knew it was Norah without a doubt.

Several men surrounded Norah, led by a hefty guy, while a few others wore menacing expressions.

The dim light made it difficult for Derek to make out Norah's expression. He was unsure whether she felt scared or was enjoying the attention.