The Hide and Seek Game That Lasted a Lifetime novel Chapter 24

Chapter 14

The Whitmore Group’s deal had fallen apart.

The cause? Chase had publicly lost his temper and started a fight. The potential business partner deemed him unstable and decided to back out.

“I’m sorry,” Nora said softly as she carefully applied iodine to Dominic’s wound. “I only suggested provoking him because I felt like we had no other options left. I never imagined he’d actually lose control like that…”

Dominic met her gaze steadily. His Adam’s apple moved slightly, but his voice stayed composed. “It’s okay. What Chase did… it was truly unforgivable.”

Nora blinked, a bit taken aback by his calm acceptance.

Dominic continued, “But your plan worked. Stirring up a scene with Chase was actually more effective than our original approach.”

A radiant smile spread across Nora’s face, lighting her up from the inside out. It struck Dominic deeply, warming his heart.

After a brief pause, he added, “You know… I think we could keep using this tactic.”

“What do you mean?” Nora asked, confused.

Dominic looked a little embarrassed. “I mean… you telling people you’re my fiancée.”

“Oh,” Nora said, nodding slowly. “Faking a fiancée? Yeah, that makes sense.”

“It’s not pretending,” Dominic corrected her gently. “What I’m saying is… you can say it to others. But maybe… you could also think about making it real.”

Nora’s eyes widened in shock.

Dominic quickly turned his head away, his cheeks flushing a deep red.

“I… you…” she stammered, utterly flustered.

“Let’s talk later!” she blurted out, practically running from the room.

She hadn’t expected Dominic to harbor feelings like this for her. Their once strictly business partnership suddenly took a sharp, unexpected turn.

Nora needed time to gather her thoughts.

Meanwhile, back at the Whitmore residence, Chase had just received two devastating documents: a contract termination notice from his former business partner and divorce papers delivered straight from the County Clerk’s Office.

The papers meticulously detailed the division of their assets and custody arrangements for their daughter.

Assets were split evenly, fifty-fifty.

Custody was awarded to the innocent party.

At the bottom of the page, in stark red ink, was Nora’s fingerprint—like a dagger aimed directly at Chase’s eyes.

He refused to accept that she had truly left him. That she would abandon him for another man.

How could she be so heartless?

Had she really forgotten all the promises they’d made? The vows they had once sworn to each other?

That cold, ruthless woman.

A flicker of vindictive fire ignited in his eyes.

“Get me every video and photo of her,” he commanded harshly. “The beach pictures, the bedroom shots—everything. Especially the one where that guy was groping her. Upload them everywhere. Make them go viral. Let the whole world see.”

“Let’s see if she still acts so high and mighty after this.”

At the same time, at the Faulkner estate—

Nora nearly fainted when she saw the videos.

Her hands trembled violently as she dialed Chase’s number. “You leaked those pictures?”

“Yeah,” he said casually, as if it was nothing. “So? Changed your mind yet? Come back to me, and I’ll take them all down.”

Nora’s voice cracked with pain. “You’re disgusting.”

“Me? You’re the one who ran off with another man right after the divorce. Who’s the shameless one here?”

Chase paused, then softened his tone just a little. “But look—if you come back home, I’ll forgive you. I won’t hold your thing with Dominic against you.”

Nora slammed the phone down, the sharp click echoing in the room.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she scrolled through Weibo.

A tidal wave of hatred crashed across the screen.

[Damn, look at her face—like she’s enjoying it. What a whore.]

[Wait… isn’t she that ex-wife from the Whitmore Group?]

Dominic gave a small, wry smile. “Yeah. I’m not the kind of man who freeloads off women. Especially not the kind who mooches and then acts like he’s doing them a favor.”

Nora paused, sensing a pointed undertone.

Dominic went on, “I’ve spent years chasing status and wealth. Now that I have both, life feels… kind of dull.”

“You? Bored?” Nora raised an eyebrow. “With money and time like yours, the world’s at your feet.”

Dominic’s gaze was teasing but serious beneath it all. “Sure, but I still don’t have someone to share it with.”

“If this company had a lady boss by my side, that’d be even better.”

He looked right at her as he said it.

Nora’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to change the subject quickly, but Dominic gently pulled her back.

“Nora,” he said softly, “I mean it.”

Atop the hotel, under the shimmering city lights that spilled like liquid gold, Dominic finally confessed:

“Nora, I’ll admit—at first, I approached you with a purpose. But the more time I spent with you, the more I saw the real you. You’re an amazing woman. Kind, strong, and resilient.”

“It’s not love at first sight—that would be too easy. What I feel is deeper. Something that’s only grown stronger with time.”

“Nora, would you give me a chance? Let me protect you, care for you… and make sure you never have to flinch again.”

Nora’s eyes filled with emotion.

She had just broken free from Chase. A new relationship was the last thing on her mind.

She didn’t feel ready.

But she didn’t know how to say that to Dominic. Everything had happened so fast tonight.

Dominic watched her silently, encouraging her gently.

“I…” she began.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the perfect pair of adulterers!”

Suddenly, a voice thundered from outside the room.