Chapter 166
"Mr. Smith, what are you looking for?" Nora saw Michael searching for something and walked over to ask.
"Nothing." Michael instinctively shoved the photo into the safe and cleared his throat, "Go to the finance department and have them bring over last quarter's report."
Nora nodded in confusion and turned to leave the office.
Last quarter's report? Didn't finance already give it to Mr. Smith?
Once Nora left, Michael finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He'd never felt this guilty in his entire life.
Samuel looked way too much like him as a child.
Rubbing his temples, Michael got up and walked out of the office.
"David, watch over Nora. Even when she goes to the restroom, wait outside for her. Don't let James near her." Michael pointed at David in warning, "Use your brain at work."
David scratched his head, "Where are you going? You don't need me to drive you?"
"I'll drive myself. If Nora asks, tell her I had to go out to sign a contract on short notice. I'll pick up Samuel on the way home. You drive her home after work." After giving his instructions, Michael hurried off.
David snorted. He'd really become Nora's babysitter. Whose assistant was he anyway?
But then again, it was better than following Michael around and getting scolded.
He'd been getting scolded by Michael at home since they were kids, and now he still had to take it as an adult. How could life be this hard?
"Assistant Jones." Outside the door, Aria called out softly, her eyes red and looking fragile.
David stood up, looking at Aria sympathetically, "Ms. Clark, are you looking for Mr. Smith?"
"No, I'm here to see Nora," Aria said quietly.
David glanced around, "Sorry, Nora might be busy with work. Would you like to wait?"
"Then I'll wait in Michael's office." Aria walked straight into the office.
David followed her in. His job didn't allow him to leave Aria alone in the office.
Better safe than sorry.
"Assistant Jones, I can wait here by myself." Aria smiled at David, her face somewhat pale, "Could you get me some water?"
David nodded and left the office to get Aria water.
Seeing David leave, Aria clenched her fingers and stood up, quickly walking to Michael's computer. She inserted a USB drive.
The USB contained a virus that could infiltrate Michael's computer, allowing hackers to easily break through his computer's defense system and access useful information.
Hearing David's footsteps, Aria quickly pulled out the USB and hurried back to her seat, nervously clasping her hands.
"Ms. Clark, your water." David handed Aria the water.
Aria thanked him with a pale face, drinking absent-mindedly.
When Nora returned, David and Aria were in the office, but Michael wasn't there.
"Mr. Smith went out to handle something. Ms. Clark is looking for you." David explained, standing to the side with no intention of leaving.
He had to protect Nora.
Aria wanted to say something, but glanced at David, looking a bit awkward, "Assistant Jones, could you let me talk to Nora alone?"
David's mind raced, trying to think of an excuse to stay.
"David, let me talk with Ms. Clark." Nora spoke up.
She also wanted to see what Aria wanted to talk about.
David had no choice but to leave the office and eavesdrop from outside the door.
"Ms. Clark, what did you want to talk about?" Nora asked.
"Tomorrow, our family will hold a press conference to publicly acknowledge all the terrible things Pearl did before." Aria's eyes reddened as she stood up and walked over to hold Nora's hand, "Nori, I really want to be friends with you. I'm sorry, I'm apologizing on Pearl's behalf."
Nora instinctively stepped back, not used to people getting close.
"Nori, we're friends. If you have any problems in the future, just tell me, okay? I don't have many good friends. You're my best friend." Aria said softly, "Okay?"
Nora clenched her fingers, wanting to say no.
"Nori, don't worry. At tomorrow's press conference, we'll only admit Pearl's mistakes. We won't mention you or expose you to the public again." Aria preemptively stated Michael's requirement, so that when tomorrow's press conference was released, Nora wouldn't think it was Michael being thoughtful for her.
Nora said nothing.
She didn't know if justice that came late still counted as justice.
But late was much better than never.
"Nori, the family will send Pearl abroad. Pearl will have a hard time coming back to Emerald City in the future." Aria moved closer to Nora again, "Nori, I hope you can become my sister. In the future, I'll protect you in Emerald City."
Nora still said nothing, finding Aria very fake.
Everyone in the Clark family was fake.
"When I join the Smith family later, I'll definitely take good care of you and Samuel together with Michael. You know Michael seems cold, but he's actually very caring. We had some misunderstandings, but he still cares about me a lot. I actually know that." Aria said softly, smiling shyly, "In the future, we'll be family."
"I have family." Nora shook her head.
Aria smiled, "Nori, don't be shy. It's settled then. Work hard, and tomorrow I'll take you shopping, okay? Don't you have tomorrow off?"
"No, I don't." Nora shook her head.
"Michael really overworks his employees. I'll ask him for leave for you. Wait for my good news." With that, Aria left happily.
Nora stood there, slowly unclenching her fists.
Aria always talked to her as if she were the lady of the Smith family.
This made Nora very uncomfortable.
But she had no other options.
The Clark family had already made the biggest concessions. If Michael continued to clash with Nolan and refused the arranged marriage, his position at the Smith Group might really become very difficult.
Downstairs at the company.
Aria got in the car with a stern face and answered James's call, "I've done what you asked me to do. I told you, I'm only helping you this once."
"Then thank you." James said with a smile.
He had Aria place the USB drive with the virus in Michael's computer so the hackers on his end could break through Michael's computer defense system in the shortest time possible.
"Only Nora was in Michael's office. If this gets exposed, I hope the first person Michael suspects is Nora." Aria said meaningfully.
"Of course." James smiled, "I've already arranged everything."
Aria snorted and hung up.
This time, she helped James, so Michael's position at the Smith Group would definitely become shaky.
Michael was smart. Once James gained more power, he would have to find ways to secure his own position.
At that point, agreeing to Nolan's arranged marriage and being with her would be the most suitable choice.
Otherwise, given Nolan's personality, Michael would lose more than he gained.
Aria wanted Michael to know that her value was far more than this.