Chapter 127
Evelyn was shocked. Aiden was actually asking her to apologize to Nora?
"Aiden." Evelyn's voice was hoarse.
"Even if Nora owes you something, you shouldn't spread rumors and slander her private life. Apologize to her, and we'll go home." Aiden insisted that Evelyn apologize.
Behind Michael, Nora's eyes stayed on Michael the whole time. She was shocked by what Michael had said and hadn't snapped out of it yet.
Six years. From when the truth about the real and fake heiress came out, to when she went to prison.
A full six years.
In all those six years, no one had ever stood in front of her and spoken up for her objectively.
She wasn't good with words. When upset, she couldn't say anything. She didn't know how to explain, and no matter how hard she tried, she could never give a satisfactory answer.
But Michael, every sentence, every word seemed to hit right at Nora's heart, shocking her and moving her.
It was as if he had voiced all her grievances for her, and what's more, he was more convincing than she could ever be.
Her eyes felt hot. Nora couldn't control her urge to cry.
Before, she wanted to cry because she was wronged. Now, she wanted to cry because someone was speaking up for her.
"Why should I apologize to her? She does have a messy private life. Am I wrong? Six years ago at Ripple Court Hotel, a man went into her room—everyone knows about it, the media reported it too. Am I wrong?" Evelyn shouted, losing control.
Aiden raised his hand and slapped Evelyn across the face.
After doing it, Aiden himself was stunned. He had actually hit Evelyn.
The person he should hit most was himself.
His fingers kept trembling. Aiden's eyes reddened as he spoke in a low voice. "Apologize, then come home with me!"
Evelyn looked at Aiden in shock, raising her hand to cover her cheek.
Clearly, Evelyn was also frightened by Aiden.
Aiden's look just now was full of anger and threat.
Evelyn knew that Aiden was aware of the truth from six years ago—that she had arranged for someone to assault Nora at the hotel, that she had brought James and the media to catch them and ruin Nora.
Aiden knew everything.
Evelyn felt a bit scared for a moment.
All these years, Aiden had spoiled her so much, indulging her in everything, that she had almost forgotten that Aiden knew about everything she had done back then.
"Aiden," Evelyn looked at Aiden nervously, begging him not to say it out loud, not to let James know.
"Aiden, what are you doing!" James was obviously shocked, too. Aiden had actually hit Evelyn.
"I'll apologize, I'll apologize." Evelyn pretended to be wronged and turned to look at Nora. "Nora! I apologize to you. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone around talking about your private life."
Michael looked at Nora with a complicated expression.
Six years ago, Ripple Court Hotel?
Was it a coincidence?
David had checked—Nora was indeed at Ripple Court Hotel that day, but they weren't on the same floor.
So the possibility was almost zero.
Besides, Samuel's biological father was Walter.
He must be overthinking it.
"Evelyn, I don't accept your apology." Nora had been silent the whole time. After a long while, she spoke hoarsely.
She didn't accept this meaningless apology from Evelyn. "I have a clear conscience."
"Nora!" Evelyn got a bit agitated.
But Aiden looked very angry, so Evelyn had to back down first. "Nora, I was wrong to say you had sexual relations with Terry and the others without getting the facts straight. I apologize to you."
Nora didn't speak.
"Michael, it's my fault for disrupting everyone's work. I'm sorry." Evelyn gripped her fingers tightly.
She was apologizing with her mouth, but in her heart, she hated Nora.
"Since you made a mistake, you have to pay the price. A casual 'sorry' means nothing." Michael looked at James. "Evelyn is your person. She made a mistake, so you'll take responsibility. The company's desert expansion project—you'll personally supervise it. Don't let me see you until the project is complete."
Michael was sending James to be exposed to wind and sun in the desert for three months!
He was getting James out of the way, and Evelyn would behave herself.
Without James, Evelyn probably wouldn't even dare leave the house.
Looking at James in panic, Evelyn got emotional. "James, call your father. What gives him the right to send you to such a remote place?"
"Mr. Smith is the company's president. James reports directly to Mr. Smith. The desert project is the group's key project this year. How is it a remote place?" David looked confused.
James's face darkened, but he didn't look at Evelyn.
Obviously, he knew that Evelyn had gone too far this time.
Grabbing Evelyn's wrist, James left with his head down.
Today was embarrassing enough.
"Alright, alright, everyone disperse. Get back to work." David sent the onlookers away, too.
"Mr. Smith, it's time to go to the airport."
Michael nodded, signaling David to get the car, then reached out to grab Nora's wrist and brought her into the office.
Nora's fingers went numb. The moment Michael closed the door, she couldn't control her grief and burst into tears.
"When someone bullies you, bully them back. When someone slanders you, don't think about how to prove your innocence—think about how to make them prove what they're saying is true. If it's not true, then it's slander. You can be more assertive." Michael propped one hand against the wall, his voice low.
Nora was almost backed into a corner by Michael. She lowered her head and tugged hard at the hem of her clothes, speaking softly. "I didn't... I didn't have a messy private life."
Nora felt wronged. She was afraid Michael would misunderstand her.
Before, she didn't care if others misunderstood, because there was no one worth caring about or desperately explaining to.
But now, she cared. She cared about Michael's opinion and view of her.
"Then next time, what will you do to shut her up?" Michael's tone was fierce.
There was a questioning tone to it.
Nora glanced at Michael fearfully, then immediately lowered her head, like an elementary school student being called on by a teacher, flustered. "Make her prove what she's saying. If it's true, she should show evidence. If there's no evidence, call the police."
Michael was amused. "The police are so busy. You're going to waste police resources every time?"
Nora got nervous. Then what should she do?
"If you can use your hands, don't argue." Michael indicated for Nora to take her notebook and follow him downstairs.
Nora was shocked and followed behind Michael. "Mr. Smith, what if I can't win the fight?"
"I'm here. What are you afraid of?" Michael said leisurely.
Nora opened her mouth. "What if you're not there?"
Michael stopped and looked at Nora. "If I'm not there, call me. Wait until I arrive, then fight."
Nora sniffled and smiled, then quickly caught up with Michael.
Having someone to back her up felt really good.
She just didn't know how long Michael, this pillar of support, would let her lean on him.
Suddenly feeling anxious and panicked for no reason, Nora's chest ached as she lowered her head.
She couldn't depend too much on Michael.
Otherwise, a fish that escapes to the surface will die of thirst.
Airport.
Aria had already arrived at the airport early and was waiting with Michael's secretary for them to arrive.
"Evelyn went to the company to cause trouble. How did Nora handle it?" Aria asked.
"Mr. Smith stepped in to help her resolve it," Isaac quickly answered.
Aria's face looked extremely unpleasant. She looked at Isaac in shock.
Michael had even gotten involved in matters between Evelyn and Nora? What exactly were his feelings toward Nora?
She couldn't let Michael and Nora continue to develop their relationship. She had to marry Michael as soon as possible.
"Isaac, for this hotel trip, don't mess up what I asked you to do," Aria said meaningfully.
Isaac's face turned pale as he nodded nervously. "Yes."
Aria was actually going to drug Michael, then have reporters secretly photograph the scandal of her and Michael sleeping in the same hotel room.