The Ceo’s Contract Lover

“Hey!” he greeted her and took a seat beside her on the two-seater couch.

The person in question was tall and had a head full of blonde hair. He was Kristopher Steele, Krystal’s twin, and also Nora’s cousin.

Having been friends with both Nora and Krystal, Nina was also acquainted with Kris, who recently moved to Spring City.

She acknowledged him with a nod before returning to her contemplative state.

After settling himself, Kris did not disturb her and poured himself a drink.

Perched at the bar counter on a high chair, Nora watched as Liam mixed another drink for her. Her well-manicured fingers tapped on the polished surface of the bar.

Her gaze wandered across the lounge until it settled on Nina, who sat alone in a corner. Seeing her lonely figure, she felt melancholic.

She was acutely aware of the hardships and challenges that Nina had faced throughout her life, and seeing her treated unfairly tugged at her heart.

In fact, her intentions for tonight’s gathering were to uplift Nina’s spirits and help her move on from the complexities of her relationship with Jayden.

Setting her drink aside, Nora descended from the high chair and moved toward Nina. She stopped in front of her and wrapped her in a warm embrace.

“I’m sorry for all you’ve been through. Please don’t let a man’s actions make you doubt your worth. You are one of the most incredible people I’ve ever had the privilege to know, and I’m grateful to have you in my life. Remember, you’re never alone; I’ll always be here by your side.”

“Me too,” chimed in Krystal.

Not wanting to be left out, Kris hastily added, “Me three,”

The two remaining men exchanged a glance and found themselves in a dilemma.

It wasn’t their behavior to act all chummy, and they hesitated if they should continue with the counting.

Hence, they raised their hands, silently conveying their heartfelt agreement with Nora’s words.

Nina’s eyes welled up with tears, touched by their warmth and support.

If it was in the past, she would have never imagined having such a supportive group of friends by her side.

She sniffled and reached out to hug Nora even tighter.

Nora comforted her, but Liam soon realized she seemed to get off-topic. He encircled his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

“I’m sorry, she’s had a bit too much to drink tonight.” Liam turned to Nina and offered an apologetic smile. She was so drunk that she was beginning to lose her sanity.

Nina shook her head, indicating that she didn’t mind.

However, the moment Liam pulled her in his arms, Nora separated herself from him and pointed her finger at him.

“This is all your fault,” she accused Liam. She then gestured toward Nina, her tone filled with concern and frustration. “Just look at her! Why did your brother have to divorce such a beautiful soul? He should be thanking the heavens for giving him such a precious wife, considering his terrible personality.”

Turning around, she walked up to Sean, Krystal’s boyfriend, and said angrily. “It’s your fault too. Why can’t you develop some awareness? My cousin is suffering because you just can’t stop being a playboy.”

Sean was taken aback, unsure of how he was to blame for the current situation.

Krystal, in response, blinked her eyelashes and decided not to intervene, letting Nora take the charge

Liam followed Nora and pulled her aside. “She’s had a bit too much to drink tonight.” He explained, offering Sean an apologetic look.

Tonight, Nora seemed determined to address everyone’s shortcomings.

Standing in the center of the room, she pointed her fingers at all the men present. “It’s all of you guys’ fault,” she exclaimed.

Why do these men even enter relationships if they can’t treat their partners right? Was it too much to ask for?

Though he agreed with Nora, Kris felt she had not included all the men. To be fair, he added, “In that case, Stefan is also at fault.”

As soon as Kris’s words landed, a deafening silence enveloped the room.

Everyone’s eyes widened in horror, and they glared at Kris. Even Nina’s body stiffened slightly in fear, as his words seemed to have struck a nerve.

“KRISTOPHER STEELE!!!”

A deafening roar reverberated through the entire room, so loud that it nearly left Liam, who was closest to Nora, almost deaf from her piercing scream.

F***!

Didn’t this brat remember Nora had a brother complex? How could he just shoot off his mouth?

Nora’s voice held a fierce warning as she threatened Kris. “Kristopher Steele, I’m warning you. Before I resort to violence, you better take your words back and apologize.”

“I’ll count till three,” she declared.

Kris sat there, dumbfounded.

“One,” Nora began counting.

“Two,”

The room held its collective breath.

As Nora reached the second count, it finally dawned on Kris.

He widened his eyes, realizing the gravity of the situation. Gathering his courage, he shot back at her, “Why should I apologize?”

“Don’t you know I speak without thinking first?”

“Thr-”

“I’m sorry!” he yelled.

Although it wasn’t enough for the disrespect caused, Nora begrudgingly left him off the hook.

She then turned her attention to Liam, pointing an accusatory finger at him, “It’s your fault, too.”

Feeling wronged, Liam couldn’t help but ask, “What did I do?” He swore he had been on his best behavior.

Nora wasn’t ready to let him off, though. “I can’t help but remember the times when you reacted the same way. Tell me, is it hereditary in William Luxton’s blood?” she inquired.

“Don’t forget, it was you who broke up with me first.”

Nora shot him a glare, “And who made me do it?”

Liam touched his nose, admitting sheepishly, “My twin brother.”

Fine, in that case, he accepted he was at fault, too.

Acknowledging his mistake, Liam pulled Nora back to the couch. He positioned her between his legs, ensuring she wouldn’t run off recklessly again.

Nora didn’t resist and allowed him to hold her as she refilled her glass with beer.

After another round of silence, the door to the private room swung open.

Steady footsteps were heard as Jayden and Stefan walked in through the door.

They exuded an intimidating aura that sent shivers down one’s spine. Coincidentally, both men were dressed in black outfits.

Except for their handsome faces, they looked very much like those gangsters who raided a bunch of youngsters.

Upon seeing her brother, Nora couldn’t contain her emotions. She burst into tears and pushed Liam away. Her force was so strong that Liam almost bounced back on the couch.

Seeing the tears of his beloved little sister, Stefan’s sister complex mode was activated. He hurried over, even bumping into Jayden’s shoulder, as he embraced Nora.

His force was equally strong as his sister, causing Jayden to almost stumble in his steps.

“Who dared to bully you?” Stefan demanded, his eyes scanning the room with an icy gaze.

“All of them bullied me!” Nora exclaimed, pointing at Liam, Sean, and finally Kris.

Kris cowered under Stefan’s gaze when he sensed another pair of eyes on him. He looked around and noticed Jayden’s cold, piercing stare fixated on him.

Apart from Stefan, the only person who could intimidate him was none other than the legendary Jayden Luxton.

Realizing his mistake, he quickly stood up from his seat and retreated to an inconspicuous corner so that no one would point at him again.

Satisfied, Jayden walked over with his long strides and took a seat next to his wife.

Sorry. Ex-wife.

Meanwhile, Stefan settled himself between Nora and Liam.

A waiter appeared from a corner and served them the drinks before disappearing into the background.

Jayden held his wineglass with a thoughtful expression.

Why did Liam tell him it was a party? It looked more like a mourning hall to him, only short of a dead body.

He swirled the rich liquid within the glass, his sharp eyes assessing the heavy atmosphere that hung over the gathering.

Finally, his gaze settled on the person who held his heart.

Having too much to drink, Nina leaned against the couch, her face resting on her knuckles. Lost in her world, she did not even notice when Jayden sat down beside her.

With a tenderness that only he possessed, Jayden reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind Nina’s ear, revealing her flushed and alluring side profile.

“Why did you drink so much?” Jayden asked softly, his voice laced with concern.

Noticing his presence, Nina gave him a side-eye. “Why do you care? And who are you to tell me?”

Jayden wanted to tell her that he was her husband, but upon realizing that they had separated, he swallowed his words. “I’m just concerned about your health.”

“Did I ask for your concern?”

“Nina, I’m sorry, okay? But please try to understand it from my perspective,” he said helplessly.

However, Nina was determined not to forgive him. “You want me to forgive you? Sure, why don’t you kneel on a washboard and prove your sincerity?”

Jayden closed the distance between them and spoke in a voice only audible to both of them. “Why don’t I kneel at home? I will kneel for as long and in any position you desire.”

Nina was speechless.

F***!

How could she not have noticed this man was such a hooligan before? Even in such a serious situation, he did not forget to flirt with her.

Ignoring his comment, Nina signaled the waiter and requested a washboard.

Jayden felt like he had dug his own grave. He exchanged a glance with Liam, who gave him a look that said, “You brought this upon yourself. Now, face the consequences!”