Love on the Fast Track

Chapter 32:

Norah was surprised to get a reply from Derek.

Derek’s message read: “Let’s meet at the Oceanic Treat Cafe tomorrow at 10am_” After waiting for a reply to her numerous messages, Derek finally replied.

The next morning, Norah got up bright and early, picked out a sophisticated dress she had designed from < her wardrobe, and carefully applied her make-up, determined to look her best.

She was determined not to give Derek the wrong idea that she was not well after signing the divorce papers, her life had taken a turn for the better since she had parted company with the Carter family.

The aroma of coffee filled the Oceanic Treat Cafe, where the cosy wooden decor gave a warm welcome to Derek, who sat in a booth, glancing up from time to time,

He had decided to come alone today.

Rather than leave Madeline to confront Norah directly, he preferred not to expose Madeline to any harsh language he might use against Norah.

He felt that his beloved Madeline should not be exposed to such vulgarity.

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A stunning woman entered the cafe and caught everyone's attention.

She was dressed in a cream-coloured gown that accentuated her figure gracefully.

The dress flowed beautifully as she moved_ The woman's curly auburn hair was draped behind her and swayed with her movements.

This woman was beautiful, with a captivating face.

It took Derek a moment to realise that the woman was Norah.

Captivated by her beauty, Derek needed a few seconds to regain his composure. Norah sat across from him in the booth, clutching her purse.

"So, Mr. Carter, you've found the time to meet. Why not just proceed with the divorce?" Norah's tone was icy, yet her smile remained unwavering.

"Derek grabbed his coffee and took a sip. "I wanted to talk with you about something."

"Mr. Carter, please go ahead."

"I can't grasp why you keep sending me messages seeking my attention," Norah continued. "I need to clarify that there's no future for us. My heart belongs to Madeline alone."

"And your point?" Norah probed, her eyes cool and direct.

"I realized you're concealing quite a bit from me. I'm looking into it. We'll sort out the divorce once I have the investigation results."

"Fine by me," Norah replied, her frosty demeanor riling Derek even more.

"Norah, cut it out with this teasing, okay? It irritates me," Derek said, his voice edged with frustration.

With a light laugh, Norah retorted, "I find that you and Madeline have something in common. You both tend to flatter yourselves."

Hiding his growing irritation, Derek stated, "Norah, I'll ensure you receive what I've promised—nothing less, but certainly nothing more."

"Honestly speaking, I don't give a damn about those things," Norah replied coolly, her arms crossed as she leaned back. "I couldn't care less."

Norah assumed the money Derek had promised was nothing more than the service fees for taking care of him over the past years. Though it didn’t add up to what she had done for him, it was better than nothing.

Derek scoffed in disbelief. "Come on! Drop the act! Do you think you're somebody who can talk to me like this just because you're acquainted with Miss Andrews? What, does she finance you? You've become quite arrogant. It must be Joanna who’s fond of you and provides you with fortune, right?"

Derek eyed Norah skeptically, giving her a thorough once-over. He concluded his assumption was logical. Derek couldn’t fathom why Joanna, from such a wealthy background, would show kindness to Norah, whom he deemed unworthy. Derek was sure Joanna had hidden motives concerning Norah.

Norah nearly laughed at Derek's absurd accusations, finding his assumptions more amusing than offensive. "Think as you please, Mr. Carter. My only concern is, when will the divorce be finalized?"

"You're so eager about this divorce. Are you already scouting your next target?" Derek’s expression was one of continued annoyance as he stared at Norah’s striking features. "You’ll need to be patient. I’m in no rush to conclude our business!"

"Aren't you worried about Madeline being labeled as the other woman?" Norah replied calmly, fully aware that Madeline was nothing like that. "I pay no mind to gossipers. I don’t care what they say! The divorce will only proceed once the investigation into you concludes."

Norah's smile hinted at her resolve. "In that case, you should brace yourself for a legal notice."

Norah couldn't help but think that Derek's lack of intelligence was exactly why the Carter family had never ascended into high society.

"Norah, what are you implying?"

"My words are clear."

Rising from her seat, Norah towered over Derek. "Mr. Carter, don't assume you can manipulate everything in Glophia to your advantage. If I don't hear from you by Sunday, expect to be summoned by the court."

Just then, the cafe door burst open.

"Norah, shame on you! Derek has divorced you. Why do you cling to him?" Madeline stormed in, her eyes brimming with tears, and approached them. Her voice shook as she spoke, and by the end, she was openly weeping. "When I was overseas, I endured your marriage to Derek, but now that I’m back, can you please let him go? Our love for each other is real, I’m begging you!" Tears flowed as Madeline pleaded, her distress palpable.

"So, that elegant lady turns out to be the homewrecker? She married that guy while his true love was away. What a discreet thing to do," an onlooker commented.

"Don't be fooled by appearances. That expensive dress she's wearing is worth a fortune. She seems quite affluent."

"What good is wealth and beauty if one lacks morals?" The cafe buzzed with whispered judgments, and someone even began filming.

Norah quickly realized Madeline's attempt to tarnish her reputation.

Derek, caught off guard by Madeline's dramatic entrance, hurried to comfort her. "Madeline, please stop trying."

"Things between Norah and me aren’t as you imagine." He had planned today as a spa day for Madeline, seizing the opportunity to meet with Norah alone. Madeline’s unexpected appearance took him by surprise.

Madeline, through her tears, implored, "Is Norah troubling you again? She made a spectacle at the race to draw your attention, and now, she’s here the day my parents return to confront you. Norah, I ask you, can you give Derek back to me?"noveldrama

Norah gazed at her with a frosty demeanor. "Is Derek a possession? Something to be handed off?"

Derek bristled at her tone, saying, "Norah, mind how you speak."

"Did I say something wrong? Your beloved Madeline storms in here, making groundless accusations, and you? Why don’t you explain things to her earlier? I’m no pushover. I’ve no interest in your games." Norah cast a disdainful look at Madeline, who was still weeping in Derek’s embrace.

"Anyway, Carter, I’ve made my stance clear to you. Ponder over it. And do keep Madeline in check. I won’t tolerate any slander about me in Glophia. Cross that line, and I won’t hold back."

With that, Norah turned to the onlookers in the cafe and said, "Anyone who has recorded this, I expect those videos deleted. Should any footage surface online, my attorney will be in touch."

As Norah walked away, Derek clutched Madeline closer, his face a mask of fury, watching Norah leave.

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