Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 12:

In the grand halls of Carter Manor, the butler glanced quickly at Madeline, who had been closely trailing behind

Derek, barely hiding his disdain. He considered Madeline a calculating figure, a stark contrast to the graceful

Norah.

The entire family gathered around the dinner table. Juliana, eyeing the fragile-looking Madeline seated next to

Derek with displeasure, burst out, “Derek, we're having a family gathering today. What's the reason for inviting

strangers?”

Derek's face tensed. Next to him, Madeline lifted her gaze, her eyes welling up with tears as she silently stared

at Juliana, waiting for the words to fall.

Kathy stepped in, “Grandmother, Madeline is an old friend of Derek’s. How can you consider her a stranger?”

While serving soup to Juliana, Kathy added, “Grandmother, anger harms the body. Please don’t hold any hard

feelings.”

Regaining calm, Derek explained, “Grandmother, as you're aware, my heart has always belonged to Madeline.

My marriage to Norah was arranged when | was on my deathbed, with no emotional bond between Norah and

me. Continuing that marriage would only cause us both misery. In case of a divorce, I'll ensure Norah is

compensated adequately...”

Juliana cut him off sharply, “Compensated? With your properties and vehicles? Can they match the years of

youth Norah dedicated to you? She devoted herself to your care for two years. Your recovery is due to her

efforts. Remember how you once chased after Madeline like she was your everything? And when you were at

your lowest after the accident, she turned her back on you! Norah was the one by your bedside, not her! Having

stumbled once, do you wish to make the smistake?”

Sharon chimed in, “Madeline becoming part of the Carter family? That's laughable! Not in this lifetime! Over my

dead body!”

Madeline rose and knelt before Juliana, her tears streaming. “Juliana, Sharon, | apologize. | know | failed Derek.

Since our separation, I've been in agony. I've missed him dearly every day. The past two years without him have

been unbearable. This torment has maderealize | can’t live without him. Now that I'm back, I'm determined

to dedicate my life to making things right with Derek. My actions will show my true feelings for him.”

Your escape begins with ga In ov els . com

Madeline's seemingly sincere plea touched Derek deeply. He moved to Juliana’s side, imploring, “Grandmother,

please. Madeline and | share a genuine love. We seek your blessing.”

Juliana sighed deeply, bracing for more conflict. Kathy quickly offered Juliana sfood, urging, “Grandma,

please try sfood.”

Sharon, watching Kathy's actions, couldn’t hide her irritation. “Kathy, have you forgotten the days Derek was

confined to his sickbed? Defending Madeline—do you still consider yourself part of the Carter family?”

Kathy, standing her ground, responded, “I am, without a doubt, part of the Carter family.”

Kathy looked around at the family, then said, “But shouldn’t Derek have a say in his marriage? Grandma, you

were the one who insisted on bringing Norah into our home. Derek was too sick to understand this arrangement

back then. His heart had always been set on Madeline.”

The quietness enveloped the Carter family’s living room. Juliana, holding her bowl of soup, looked down into it

and stated, “Let's eat first.”

As lunch continued, everyone sat in silence, each person lost in their own thoughts, trying to decipher the

others’ minds at the table.

Juliana couldn’t hide her frustration at Madeline's innocent facade. Abruptly setting down her spoon, she

demanded, “Derek, | need to speak with you in the study.”

Sharon interjected, “We haven't finished eating. Can't this wait until after the meal?”

“Missing a meal won't harm anyone,” Juliana snapped, her sharp look quickly silencing Sharon, who dared not

say another word.

Derek’s grip on his fork tightened.

“Derek, why don’t you head up first? Your grandmother wants to have a private word with you. She's just trying

to protect us from the conversation. After all, you're her favorite grandchild. She means well,” Madeline

suggested kindly, placing her fork down and gently taking Derek’s hand.

Hearing Madeline's soothing words, Derek relaxed a little. “Thank you, Madeline. Ill try to convince my grandma

to accept you. She'll cto appreciate you.”

Madeline modestly averted her gaze. “That doesn’t matter. Being by your side is all | ask. | won't hate your

grandma or mother, even if they treatthis way.”

Sharon exploded, “What exactly are you implying? You bitch! How dare you talk aboutlike this in front of

Derek? Is this how you repay our hospitality?”

Exhausted by the tension, Derek soothed both Madeline and Sharon before heading to the study.

Quietly settling beside Juliana, Derek hesitated before speaking. “Grandma, Madeline is the woman | want to

spend my life with. Also, the Powell family and the Carter family share similar backgrounds. Why are you so

against her?”

Juliana fixed him with a stern gaze, standing firm. “You were with Norah for two years, yet I've never seen you

this committed to her. Why shouldn't | have reservations about Madeline? Must | remind you of her past

actions?”

Derek responded with a touch of

q o « 2

indifference. “The marriage between

the Carter and Wilson families was

nothing more than a strategic m

alliance. The Wilsan& ought

=o NOV SC

filhahcial gain, while the Carters

hoped for a devoted daughter-in-law.

Everyone in Glophia knows the

disgrace. Norah, a lesser-known

daughter of the Wilson family,

managed to secure her place and

remained unproblematic as Mrs.

Carter for two years. The reasoning

q q » q

behind it escapes me.” The content is

on novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

q f q

Juliana's voice was calm but

“

measured. “When you were

bedridden, | vividly remembered the

)

seer's words that once foretold your

destiny when you were just a child.

He warned of grave cti@liengés

7

afread AdGhdntioned that marrying

a guardian angel would be crucial for

your recovery. Yet, who among

a0 ]

Glophia's esteemed young ladies

would have looked your way back

then? Norah stepped forward,

courageously joining our family and

dedicating two years to caring for

you with unwavering devotion. Have

these efforts slipped your mind?

)

Norah's presence marked the

beginning of your miraculous

3 q . »

recovery. Her contribution was vital.

Derek cast his gaze downward, his expression shadowed and complex. “All of this was beyond my knowledge. I'll

ensure Norah is fairly compensated for her dedication over these two years.”

« .

Is monetary compensation enough

”

to replace two lost years of youth?

Juliana sighed, her ot@erR drohing

keaat |

ag she at’her usually sensible

grandson, now inexplicably stubborn

f “

on this matter. “How can you

) : ”

overlook Norah's merits?” The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Reflecting on her recent conversation with Norah, Juliana concluded, “I've made my point clear. That woman out

there is not qualified to be your wife. You need to give this serious thought.”

Derek remained silent, a statue, not uttering a word for quite stime.

Meanwhile, oblivious to the discussions unfolding at Carter Manor, Norah enjoyed a peaceful rest, followed by

her skincare routine and a leisurely lunch. Afterward, she reached out to Derek with a message.