Chapter 155
From finishing breakfast to dropping Samuel off at school, Nora seemed down the whole time.
She was distracted, lost in her thoughts.
Michael glanced at Nora and asked in a low voice, "Are you not feeling well?"
Nora quickly shook her head, "No, I'm fine."
She was just worried about Jasper.
Nora knew her place. She understood that no matter how far things went between her and Michael, she couldn't cross certain lines. That was her bottom line.
But Jasper—he was completely inexperienced when it came to relationships.
Once, Jasper had loved a girl, but that relationship ended when Evelyn publicly accused him of molesting and abusing her.
After that, Jasper had been alone, living a simple life with Samuel. For the past five years, no one dared set him up with anyone. Those who were interested in him would back off as soon as they learned he had a child.
Jasper didn't want to find someone anyway. He was used to being alone. Apart from Samuel and his mother Opal who was still in prison, he had no other attachments.
Actually, during Nora's five years in prison, Jasper had suffered too—one inside prison, one outside.
"Pull over for a moment," Michael told the driver to stop by the roadside.
The driver paused, then quickly pulled over.
Michael got out and bought a cup of bubble tea from a shop by the road.
Nora got out in surprise and ran over, "Mr. Smith likes bubble tea? I can buy it for you next time."
Michael handed the bubble tea to Nora, "I bought it for you."
Nora held the cup, stunned for a long moment.
For her?
Her eyes reddened slightly as she lowered her head and followed Michael back to the car.
"I noticed you like adding lots of sugar to your coffee." Michael guessed Nora must like sweet things.
Nora didn't say anything. She only liked sweet things because life had been too bitter.
Because that day after taking the medicine, Michael had said, "Whenever you feel bitter, just eat a piece of candy."
"Thank you, Mr. Smith."
The Smith Group.
As his personal assistant, Nora entering the company with Michael was nothing unusual to everyone.
"Good morning, Mr. Smith," employees greeted Michael.
Michael nodded coolly.
It wasn't Nora's imagination—from the moment Michael entered the company, he became frighteningly cold and distant.
Michael was so different at home versus at the office.
"Nora, come here for a moment," David called out to Nora before they got on the elevator.
Michael frowned, "It's not work hours yet. What do you need her for?"
David looked confused, "Mr. Smith, you've had breakfast, but we haven't. I was going to take Nora to get breakfast."
Nora felt awkward. Actually, she had already eaten.
With Mr. Smith, no less.
"She's not available. She's busy," Michael said, closing the elevator doors.
David was left standing outside.
He thought Michael was really overworking his employees.
Nora was so pitiful.
Sighing, David felt even more sorry for Nora. He couldn't be so harsh with her anymore—he needed to treat her better.
Everyone bullied Nora, and Luna was evil enough to try to destroy her with sulfuric acid.
No matter how you looked at it, Nora was a pitiful person.
In the elevator.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Nora looked up and stole a glance at Michael, wondering why his mood had suddenly turned so dark.
"Mr. Smith," Nora called out softly.
"Stay away from David from now on," Michael said in a low voice.
Nora was confused, "David is nice. We still have to work together—how can I stay away from him?"
Nora didn't quite understand what Michael meant.
"What I mean is..." Michael started to say something but stopped, his Adam's apple bobbing. He huffed and said nothing more.
He knew David too well. David wasn't the type to be compassionate to just anyone—only to beautiful women.
Before, David had badmouthed Nora to him constantly, but now he was openly and subtly speaking up for her, reminding him not to overwork his employees. His intentions were clearly not good.
"Mr. Smith, here's this week's schedule," Nora said once they were in the office, handing Michael the work tablet. "The Smith Group's partnership with Mr. Warner from Shadow City has been successfully negotiated. According to company policy, there should be a celebration dinner tonight. Will you be attending?"
Michael's fingers tapped lightly on the desk. He never attended company team-building events.
Nora clearly knew this, but she was asking anyway, probably hoping he would break his usual pattern and attend for once.
"If possible, could you break your usual rule and attend, and publicly praise Kurt from the investment department in front of the executives and project team? It would really boost his sense of honor and pride in the company," Nora said softly, with a hint of pleading.
Michael was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, you arrange it."
Nolan had already called him, insisting he come home tonight, and mentioned that Luna was cooking herself.
Was this to apologize, or to shift blame?
"After the team building, can you come home with me?" Michael asked for Nora's opinion.
Nora nodded too, "Whatever you arrange, Mr. Smith."
Michael felt a bit helpless. Nora treated him in a completely business-like manner.
"Tonight, no matter what happens, don't be afraid. I'll be there," Michael said again.
He would never let Luna get away with putting sulfuric acid in the water.
Nora nervously clenched her fingers and nodded.
Kindergarten.
Samuel was in mental math class when a teacher called his name from the doorway.
Samuel obediently got up and walked out, looking at the teacher, "Teacher, did you need something?"
"Samuel, your hair has gotten so long. Haven't you had a haircut?" the teacher asked quietly.
Samuel shook his head, "Uncle Jasper said my hair isn't long yet and doesn't need cutting."
"Let teacher trim it for you," the teacher said, taking Samuel's hand and leading him to the office.
"Teacher, if you cut my hair, you need my mom's permission," Samuel said, somewhat warily, refusing to let the teacher cut his hair.
"Just trimming a little bit, it's fine," the teacher coaxed.
"No, Uncle Jasper said I can't let just anyone cut my hair," Samuel refused.
"Samuel, be good," the teacher said, clearly losing patience, reaching out to grab a few strands of hair with roots.
But Samuel quickly dodged, "If my hair gets long, Mom will take me to get it cut. I don't want the teacher to cut it."
"Alright then, let teacher just fix it up for you," the teacher said with a smile, putting down the scissors and waving at Samuel.
Samuel looked at the teacher suspiciously, then walked over.
"Teacher, you're pulling my hair," Samuel said, his eyes reddening as he felt hair being pulled out by the roots.
The teacher seemed to have pulled out several strands of his hair.
"Sorry, Samuel, teacher didn't mean to. Your hair was tangled, teacher was just fixing it," the teacher said with a smile, pretending to smooth his hair a couple times. "Go back to class now."
Samuel looked at the teacher doubtfully, then ran back to the classroom.
Looking at the hair strands with follicles in her hand, the teacher put them in a small plastic bag, "Ms. Clark, Samuel's hair with follicles is ready. I checked, and it's recommended to send it for testing within two weeks, otherwise if too much time passes, the results won't be accurate."
On the other end of the phone, Aria's voice was hoarse, "You did well. Bring the hair to me."
Samuel's hair with follicles was obtained. Now it depended on Pearl's side.
However, while children were easy to fool, Walter might not be.