Chapter 122
What Nora had done now not only failed to hurt them in the slightest, but she'd also ended up screwing herself over.
Once those arrested men pointed fingers at Nora, even without solid evidence, she and her family would be in deep trouble!
And if Victoria and Alexander joined forces, wouldn't their entire family be completely wiped out?!
The more Charles thought about it, the angrier he became, his fists clenching tighter and tighter.
"I... I didn't know Alexander would suddenly show up. If I'd known..." Nora still refused to accept responsibility, making excuses.
"By the time you knew, you'd already be behind bars!" Charles slammed his hand on the desk and roared, "I told you before—Charlotte is under Alexander's protection now. You needed to think twice before going after her! You completely ignored me!"
"Now you've caused this mess, and you're still making excuses. You really are..."
Nora must have finally realized how much trouble she was in—or maybe she was just afraid Charles would hit her—because she suddenly burst into tears, fat droplets streaming down her face.
Watching her pathetic display, the fury in Charles's eyes gradually turned to disappointment.
He collapsed into his chair, waved his hand dismissively, and made his decision with a heavy heart.
"You're leaving the country tomorrow. Don't come back for a few years. I'll handle things here!"
At the mention of going abroad, Nora's head snapped up, disbelief written all over her face.
"Dad, I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere!"
If she left at this critical moment, she'd essentially be shut out of the Langley family's inner circle completely.
When she came back years later, would there even be a place for her?!
"You don't have a choice!" Charles's word was final. "You think staying here will end well for you?! You'll be the first person Alexander and Victoria eliminate!"
"If you leave, I can still contain this mess and protect our whole family, so..."
"I'm not leaving!" Seeing his mind was made up, Nora became even more emotional, pleading desperately, "Dad, you can't do this to me! I'm your daughter! I did all of this for our family! For you! You can't just cast me aside now!"
"It's because you're my daughter that I'm arranging for you to leave! Otherwise, do you think you'd still be standing here crying?!" Charles's disappointment deepened, his brow furrowing. "Nora, when will you finally understand?"
"Given the current situation, leaving is your only way out!"
Looking at her father's cold expression, Nora's last shred of hope shattered, replaced by a surge of bitter resentment.
Why? Why did she have to slink away like a beaten dog?! Why did Charlotte get to waltz back and easily claim everything?! While she'd worked so hard for so many years, only to end up fleeing abroad in disgrace?!
She refused to accept it! She would get her revenge!
Gritting her teeth, Nora spun around and stormed out of the study without looking back.
Charles watched her stubborn, retreating figure and sighed, his eyes full of disappointment.
After rushing out of the house, Nora got into her car, gasping for breath as her trembling hands pulled her phone from her purse. She found Chloe's name.
She stared at that name, jaw clenched, hesitating for a long moment before pressing the call button.
The phone was quickly answered, and Chloe's lazy, impatient voice came through the receiver.
"Ms. Langley, it's so late. What is it?"
"I need your help."
Hearing Nora's unapologetic, almost entitled demand, Chloe let out a cold laugh, her words dripping with mockery.
"Help you? If I remember correctly, last time I asked for your help, you didn't even spare me a glance before walking away."
"And now you want me to help you?"
Detecting the sarcasm in her tone, Nora's expression soured, but thinking of her current predicament, she bit down hard and forced herself to endure it.
"I'm offering you a deal. If you help me, I'll help you. We'll take down Charlotte together. I can give you everything you want."
Hearing her promise, Chloe scoffed.
"Ms. Langley, if I'm not mistaken, you're barely keeping yourself afloat right now, aren't you?"
"So how credible is this promise, really?"
"Therefore, I have no interest in asking for trouble."
Nora was thoroughly enraged by her contemptuous attitude and could no longer hold back, lashing out at the woman on the phone.
"Chloe, do you really think you can stay out of this?!"
"Let me tell you—don't be naive!"
"You know exactly how Alexander protects Charlotte!"
"As long as he's around, Charlotte can do whatever she wants!"
"You think marrying Benjamin means you're set for life?! Dream on!"
"As long as Alexander controls the Harris family, you and Benjamin will never rise above him—you'll always be beneath her feet!"
Every word Nora spoke pierced Chloe's heart like a needle. She fell silent.
She had to admit—Nora was speaking the truth!
Benjamin had always been overshadowed by Alexander in the Harris family. As long as Alexander remained, their lives would be difficult.
And now that Alexander and Charlotte were bound together, they were, in a sense, already on the same team.
Even if she married into the family, she probably wouldn't have an easy time!
After a moment of silence, Chloe spoke coldly.
"So what do you want to do?"
Hearing this, Nora knew she'd gotten through to her. A vicious smile curved at the corner of her lips.
Then, lowering her voice, she spoke.
"I have a plan. One that will destroy Charlotte's reputation and make it impossible for her to stay in the Harris family."
...
The next morning, Charlotte was in her study handling some overseas documents.
Her arm had improved significantly overnight, though moving it still brought waves of dull pain.
But Charlotte wasn't worried. These things couldn't be rushed—she just needed to let it heal gradually.
Suddenly, her personal phone rang. An unfamiliar landline number.
"Hello, is this Charlie?" A kind, elderly voice came through.
Charlotte paused for a moment, then quickly realized. "Grandpa Edward?"
Edward's laughter was hearty. "Have you been busy lately? I haven't seen you in days. I've been missing you. Have you forgotten about me?"
"Of course not. How could I forget you?" Charlotte's tone softened considerably, taking on a slightly playful quality. "I've just had a lot going on recently, so I haven't been able to visit."
"Even when you're busy, you still need to eat." Edward decided without waiting for an answer. "Tonight, you and Alexander are coming back for dinner. That's settled! You have to come!"
With that, before she could respond, he hung up with a definitive click.
Hearing the dial tone, Charlotte felt somewhat helpless but could only agree.