Love on the Fast Track (Derek and Norah)

Chapter 108:

Juliana grasped Norah's hand and murmured, “Givea moment to think.”

“Juliana!” “Grandma!” Sharon and Derek’s voices rang out urgently.

Derek released Madeline's hand and took a seat beside Juliana. “Grandma, Norah is attempting to extort money

from us. She’s demanding an outrageous sum simply because she believes you'll avoid the involvement of the

police. Please don’t succumb to her manipulation.”

“Did I instruct Kathy and Madeline to abduct Norah?” Juliana retorted. “Consider this—if they hadn't acted

improperly, how could the Carter family find themselves in such a predicament?”

Madeline stood frozen, her expression a mixture of anxiety and guilt. “No, | didn’t do it.”

Kathy sneered, “Quit the act. Besides my gullible brother, who else is buying into your lies? Certainly not my

grandma and mom.”

Sharon and Juliana exchanged cold glances, fully aware of Madeline's complicity.

Derek’s expression darkened as he stated, “We can’t afford to relinquish two-thirds of the Carter family’s

property. Norah, you've crossed the line!”

Norah tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her bright eyes. “Oh? But it’s your own doing, not mine.” She wouldn't

stop if it meant making the Carter family suffer.

Rising to her feet, Sharon jabbed a finger in Norah's direction, scolding, “Norah, don’t be so greedy! | couldn't

fathom why you were obstructing the divorce proceedings earlier.”

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“Now it’s clear you were biding your tfor this moment. Are you aiming to claim all our properties? It's out of

the question! Be straight with us. Don’t toy with us here; we have matters to attend to once we resolve this

issue.”

Norah retracted her hand from Juliana’s grasp, crossing her arms defiantly. “I’m not jesting. This is my demand.

Agree, and we head to court for the divorce immediately. Otherwise, we'll see each other at the police station.”

She remained unfazed by Sharon's words.

Madeline glanced nervously at Norah, her voice soft. “The Carter family worked tirelessly for years to acquire

such modest holdings. How will they survive if you strip it all away? Couldn't you just settle for half?”

Juliana pressed her lips together thoughtfully. “Norah, I... Two-thirds is an excessive demand on the Carter family.

You know—"

“Take all the tyou need,” Norah interjected, her tone resolute. “I believe | have sixty or seventy more years

ahead of me. There's no rush. But make no mistake, | want two-thirds of the Carter family’s assets.”

Juliana may have been cordial, but she wouldn't compromise her principles.

Derek’s expression soured. “Show sgratitude!”

“Oh, you're reluctant to agree? And you're going to cautionand intimidate me?” Norah met Derek's gaze

with a cold, fearless stare.

“You have a few hours. Once you've decided, inform me.” Norah's frigid demeanor stirred panic and anger

among the Carter family members.

“Grandma,” Derek addressed Juliana, urging her not to accept Norah's conditions.

Norah's condition was the last thing he was willing to comply with. The family’s assets, amassed over

generations with painstaking effort, were something Derek could not easily relinquish. Surrendering them to

Norah seemed an insurmountable task.

Juliana countered, “And what, are you content to witness your sister and lover languish behind bars for years?

For men, it may not matter, but my concern lies with you.”

Juliana let out a heavy sigh. “You've been married to Norah for two years, yet you haven't fulfilled your duties as

a devoted husband. You've even brought a mistress into our home. To make matters worse, your sister has

always mistreated Norah. Now, your sister even attempted to harm her. We are at fault. Norah hasn't done

anything to deserve this. Why would you do such a thing?”

Juliana’s eyes glistened with tears, which slowly flowed down her cheeks.

Norah tenderly dabbed the tears from Juliana’s cheeks with a tissue. “Juliana, don’t stress about them. You're not

getting any younger. Why not just enjoy yourself? Focusing on such matters only hastens your aging.”

The situation between Sharon and Derek's father was a mess, and Derek and Kathy had never stopped

themselves from proving quite troublesome.

Juliana offered a helpless smile. “I can’t stand idly by while they plunge into turmoil. | can’t—Derek, what's your

verdict?”

Sharon voiced her objection resolutely.

After much deliberation, Derek finally reached a decision, swayed by the sight of his grandmother and his

sobbing sister on the ground. “Fine.”

Derek drew a deep breath, steeling himself. “I'll concede two-thirds of the Carter family’s assets to Norah on the

condition that she refrain from holding Kathy and Madeline accountable for this event.”

“Of course, provided they steer clear of trouble, | shall not concern myself with their affairs,” Norah smirked. It

was invariably Kathy and Madeline who stirred up mischief.

Juliana halted Sharon’s impending argument. “Consider your daughter's welfare.”

Sharon suddenly went quiet. Despite her frustration with her daughter, she couldn't bear the thought of Kathy

ending up in jail.

Madeline sat beside Derek, her lips pressed in consternation as she listened to Derek’s negotiations with Norah

regarding the divorce agreement. She cursed silently.

“Damn it! Why did the Fox Alliance fail to end Norah? If they had succeeded, Norah wouldn't be here, vying for a

significant share of the Carter family assets.”

Madeline was seething with fury, unwilling to accept this outcome. The Carter family’s holdings were modest.

Now that Norah had claimed such a sizable portion, Madeline wondered how she would manage in the days

ahead if she were to marry Derek.

Initially, Norah had intended to teach Kathy a lesson. Inadvertently, she saw her chance to wrap up her divorce

and secure two-thirds of the Carter family’s property. This outchelped alleviate sof her pent-up

frustration from dealing with the Carter family and Madeline.

To prevent any further complications and fearing Derek might resort to his old tactics, Norah promptly discussed

the divorce details with Derek before heading to City Hall to finalize the divorce.

Clutching the newly minted divorce certificate, Norah heaved a sigh.

Finally, she was free from the Carter family. She had endured a lot to obtain this divorce certificate, and she

couldn't help but kiss it, her feelings mixed.

Exiting the City Hall, Norah stowed the divorce decree in her bag and cast a frigid gaze upon Derek and

Madeline.

“Thank god | finally got this divorce certificate. From this moment on, we're strangers. I'm not particularly fond

of you two. If you happen to encounterin the future, please maintain your distance. Otherwise, | can't

guarantee my reaction. Just bear in mind that | don’t have the best temper. Provokingwill lead to

consequences,” Norah declared icily.

Contemplating the forfeiture of two-thirds of his family’s estate, Derek was consumed by anguish. “Take care as

you slumber. Wealth attracts unwanted attention. Pray nothing untoward befalls you.”

Norah smiled gracefully. “You needn’t concern yourself with that. | hope you two can be together happily ever

after. And, please do extend an invitation to your wedding. | have no interest in attending a wedding involving a

scoundrel.”

With a dismissive wave, Norah departed.