Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 129

Chapter 129

On the other end of the line, Zane stayed quiet. Nora pulled the phone closer to check the call was still

connected, then put it back to her ear.

“Should | be grateful that | ran into you that evening and got to dance with you?” Nora asked evenly, her eyes

bright with a hint of hope.

Nora thought, ‘Could Zane taking this call mean he values the friendship we shared that day? Maybe he still has

a soft spot forafter all.”

As these thoughts rushed through her mind, she felt a spark of excitement. Although she had regrets, having

even a small place in his heart was better than nothing at all.

“I think you're mistaken. You should thank Tom, as my willingness to take this call is solely because of him.”

Zane's voice sounded rough and distant. Nora's heart dropped at his words, and her expression fell flat.

“If you meet him in the future, be sure to thank him,” Zane’s words felt like a punch to Nora's gut. All her hopes

were in vain; he wasn’t reaching out for her sake.

Remembering the girl she had seen at the Grand Restaurant, Nora couldn't help but ask, “Do you have feelings

for Elysia?”

“This isn’t your business. If you want to talk about this, | see no point.”

Just as Zane was about to end the call, Nora hurriedly interjected, “Please don’t hang up.”

“You have one minute; say what you need.”

Nora realized twas short and quickly said, “My dad wants to meet with you.”

“Do you think just meeting will change my mind?”

Hearing this made her heart ache. Nora was finally sure Zane was behind this. From doubting to hearing him say

it outright -it hurt. “Why?” Her voice was shaky, struggling to understand his reasoning.

“I don’t owe you any explanations.”

“A meeting-this is my final request.”

“Fine, cto my office at two o’clock this afternoon.”

Zane abruptly ended the call. He was curious to see what kind of gMatthew would try to play. Nora buried

her face in her hands, replaying Zane’s cold words in her mind. Each memory stung her heart harder.

The last tthey met, she had boldly claimed, that one day Zane would be hers. Now it felt like a vast chasm

had opened up between them.

Nora was a member of the powerful Davis family-a determined woman who never backed down easily. She

wiped her tears, steadied herself, and pretended everything was fine as she dialed her dad's number.

Nora said, “Dad, Mr. Hartley has agreed to meet with you at two o'clock.”

Matthew's face lit up with happiness. As long as a meeting was secured, there was still a chance for

reconciliation. With his daughter, anything was possible.

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Chapter 129

Matthew said, “Great. Nora, get ready; we're going together this afternoon.”

Nora froze. “Am | coming with you?”

“Of course. Mr. Hartley agreed to meet mainly because of you, so having you there will definitely help the

discussion

Nora scoffed inwardly. ‘Can my presence really make a difference? Can Zane be swayed to change his mind?

Unlikely, especially since he has just been clear about his intentions.”

Still, Matthew thought it was her influence that brought Zane to the table. Nora didn’t want to let her dad down,

especially since the whole point was to save the company. She couldn’t afford to miss even one chance.

Feeling a glimmer of hope, she said, “Alright, | will go with you.”

Matthew beamed. “That's my girl.”

Fifteen minutes before their scheduled time, Matthew and Nora arrived at Zane’s office. “Mr. Hartley is in a

meeting; please wait a moment,” Barry said while placing two cups of coffee in front of them.

“We'll wait.” Matthew said with a smile.

Barry nodded and left, leaving them in a heavy silence. Matthew worried, unsure of what he would do if Zane

decided not to budge.

Barry informed Zane of their arrival. Zane responded in a low voice, “Let them wait for thirty minutes before

bringing them in.”

“Yes, Mr. Hartley.”

Zane walked back to his office. Barry noticed his disappearing figure and realized that the Davis family was likely

in for stough consequences for their past behavior.

It was well-known around the office that Zane took punctuality seriously, so making them wait for thirty minutes

was a clear indication of how they had offended him. Barry could already envision the unfortunate outcfor

the Davis family.

At two o'clock, Matthew expected someone to lead them to Zane. However, as tdragged on without anyone

coming, his anxiety grew, and Nora mirrored his worry, both feeling a sense of dread creeping in.

Barry cback to refill their coffee, and Matthew took the chance to ask, “Is Mr. Hartley still in the meeting?”

Barry nodded. “Mr. Davis, please wait a moment.” With that, he left the room, leaving Matthew unable to ask any

more questions.

Inside Zane's office, Zane asked, “What's the update?”

“I deflected his questions earlier; it's clear he’s getting restless,” Barry replied.

Zane felt satisfied. The Davis family had caused problems for Elysia, and now they would face the consequences

of their actions. An extra half hour to wait was just a beginning.

He wanted them to stew in discomfort all day and night. After all, they bullied Elysia. Glancing at his watch, Zane

said, “It's two twenty now; bring him in in ten minutes.”

“Yes, sir.” Barry left.

In the waiting area, Matthew shifted restlessly; Zane’s behavior clearly signaled that he was making them wait

on purpose.

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Chapter 129

Anxiety gnawed at him, and just as he turned to look at Nora, whose own face showed equal concern, Barry

returned. “Mr. Davis, please follow me”

In that moment, Matthew felt a weight lift slightly, only to be replaced by fresh worry, Barry led them to Zane’s

office door and knocked gently. “Mr. Hartley, | have brought them to you”

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