Chapter 239: Refusing Cooperation

Claire had always known Nolan had another woman in his heart.

That woman had given him a child, but he couldn't give her a legitimate status. She was his first love, the one he could never truly have.

So, Nolan harbored a bit of resentment towards Claire.

If Claire hadn't married into the Moore family, he might have had a chance to fight for his first love. Claire's arrival had completely severed any possibility between them.

Arguments were nothing new in the Moore family, which had always been complicated. So when Claire heard Nolan's words, she didn't get angry, just turned around and went back inside.

Out of sight, out of mind. They had been living apart for so long; she didn't want to see Nolan.

However, Claire's act of avoidance only made Nolan even more furious. In front of Matthew, he pointed at her retreating figure and cursed.

"Are you really that stubborn? You don't even live at the Moore Estate. How long are you going to keep this up?"

Matthew had just returned, and the entire Moore family was already in chaos.

Hearing Nolan's near-insulting words, Matthew didn't hesitate. He walked up to Nolan, blocking his view, and his face showed a clear threat.

"Watch your mouth. You're too old to be acting like a lunatic."

Nolan, who had married late and was now in his fifties, glared at Matthew, enraged.

"I'm your father. Is this how you talk to me?"

Matthew sneered, "Father? Do you even see me as your son? Get out of here!"

He waved to the security guards at the estate's gate. "What are you standing around for? Get him out of here."

Seeing that things were only getting worse, Nolan shot Matthew a glare and turned to leave.

"No need. I'll go myself. You'd better get to the office today and handle the piled-up issues. If anything happens to Obsidian Group under your watch, don't blame me for being harsh!"

The father and son parted on bad terms. Claire watched the scene from the window and sighed softly.

No wonder Matthew didn't come back often. With a family like this, anyone would feel suffocated and want to avoid it.

By the time Matthew came inside, he had already composed himself and smiled nonchalantly.

"Mom, come over and open the gifts."

Claire smiled slightly, putting the earlier events out of her mind.

Nolan sped back to the Moore Estate, arriving just as Francis returned.

Francis had spent the night out, lying in a woman's bed, when a friend called to inform him that Matthew had returned today. He immediately got dressed and came back.

Seeing Nolan's expression, he knew Matthew must have already met with him.

Francis was about to ask when Nolan's furious gaze turned on him.

"Where have you been this time? Can't you do something worthwhile? I raised you and Matthew as heirs, and look at you now, a complete waste!"

Looking at Francis, Nolan grew even angrier.

He had always hoped Francis would take over the Moore family, giving him the best of everything and painstakingly grooming him.

But Francis was not only slow to learn, unable to keep up with Matthew, but also loved to play around.

Nolan had repeated himself countless times, but Francis never listened, always acting like a playboy.

Nolan valued the Moore family's business more, so he reluctantly chose Matthew as the heir, entrusting everything to the son he despised.

Seeing Francis now, he was too angry to speak and went straight into the house.

Francis was left at the door, laughing in frustration.

What nonsense. He was just having sex with a woman, not committing a crime. Was it that big of a deal?

Francis didn't want to stay in this house either. He turned and got back into his car.

But with Matthew's sudden return, something must be up.

After so much scheming and fighting, Francis was looking forward to what would happen next.

What he, the eldest son, couldn't have, Matthew wouldn't get either!

Francis drove off, calling a friend to find out Nova's location. Once he got the information, he sped off.

When he arrived at the bar, he walked straight in and grabbed Nova by her clothes, pulling her aside.

Nova, who had been enjoying her drink, looked displeased. She struggled free and glared at him.

"I know you. You're Francis."

Francis smiled faintly. "Good, you know me. I know all about you. I'm here to help you."

Nova didn't believe him. She knew all too well that Matthew and his half-brother were enemies. She would never betray Matthew and team up with his most hated rival.

"Get lost. I have nothing to say to you."

Nova turned to go back to her drink, where a handsome male model was already waving at her. But Francis blocked her way again.

Nova smirked sarcastically, looking up at Francis, and didn't hesitate to insult him.

"You're just a bastard. What right do you have to talk to me? You're nothing but a rat in the gutter. Don't dirty my eyes!"

Francis was momentarily stunned, not expecting Nova to say such things. He laughed in anger.

"Who do you think you are? Matthew doesn't even care about you. I'm giving you a chance because I pity you, and you're acting all high and mighty?"

"You have no choice but to team up with me. Otherwise, you'll be a woman nobody wants. Got it?"

He pointed at Nova's chest, his smile malicious and his attitude cold.

But Nova looked at him like he was a clown and walked away.

Francis hadn't expected Nova to dare show him such disdain. He wasn't one to beg, so he left, fuming.

Francis knew very well which side she stood on; he wouldn't let that worthless woman get away with it.

However, after returning to the bar, she didn't pay any mind to the earlier incident.

She looked at the male model who resembled Matthew, touched his chest, and laughed happily.

After drinking, she took a cab straight to Claire's estate.

The parking lot security recognized Nova, knowing Claire liked her, so they let her in.

So, at midnight, while Matthew was in the garden drinking coffee and talking to Elizabeth on the phone, Nova appeared out of nowhere, smiling warmly.

"Matthew, I knew you'd be here!"