Chapter 123
The CEO's Office.
Nora looked at her small desk that had been moved to the corner, feeling very uncomfortable. "Mr. Smith, maybe I should go back outside. It was fine out there."
The CEO needed private space too. What did it look like having her working in here?
"What does 'life assistant' mean?" Michael asked, putting down the contract in his hand.
Nora lowered her head and said nothing, not daring to make him angry.
"Coffee." Michael pointed at his coffee cup.
Nora quickly walked over and took the cup to make coffee for Michael.
"Noah won't give up Samuel's custody that easily. He's waiting for you to make a mistake," Michael reminded her casually, pretending not to care.
Nora paused at the doorway but didn't say anything.
"If you need it, I can have David go with you to handle Samuel's custody," Michael said proudly without looking up.
He just hadn't admitted that he actually really liked Samuel.
Before meeting Samuel, Michael thought he hated kids.
After meeting Samuel, Michael realized he didn't hate kids—he just hated Veda's son Joseph.
"Thank you, Mr. Smith, but that's not necessary." Nora shook her head.
Even if Michael wanted to help her, she couldn't do that.
If Samuel's custody was transferred to Michael's name, then her secret relationship with Michael would be discovered by the Wood family.
Besides, she and Michael were just in a business arrangement.
Just like Walter said, Michael would probably marry Aria sooner or later.
Three years at most—maybe Michael would get tired of it even sooner.
Why go through all that trouble?
Plus, if Samuel ended up under Michael's name, that would create a legal guardianship relationship. Legally speaking, Samuel could claim part of Michael's assets, which the Smith family would never allow.
Nora wasn't stupid, and she didn't want to bring trouble to herself and Samuel.
Michael didn't say anything. He understood Nora's concerns.
This marriage was a business arrangement from the start and could end at any time.
Leaving the office, Nora went to make coffee for Michael.
"Mr. Smith." Nolan arrived, and Nora stepped aside.
Nolan glanced at Nora and entered Michael's office.
"People from the Clark family came to see me today," Nolan got straight to the point.
"If it's not work-related, you can wait until I get home," Michael refused to discuss it.
"James is out of prison too. In half a year, Nora won't be a threat to the Smith family anymore. Get rid of her." Nolan frowned, telling Michael to send Nora away quickly. Keeping her around was like a ticking time bomb. "I don't need to spell out your relationship with Aria, do I? We're all adults. This isn't about being responsible or not. Once the Clark family makes an issue of that incident, are you planning to face rape charges or marry her?"
Michael threw down his pen. "Since we're all adults, both parties are responsible for what happened. The hotel room was under my name—why was she in my room? Being drunk is an excuse? How did she get in? Do you think I'm an idiot?"
If Aria was really as innocent as she appeared, how did she end up in his room?!
"So you're saying you're the victim here?" Nolan's face went white with anger.
Michael frowned. "If the Clark family insists on pursuing this, then I'll be the one holding the Clark family responsible. Marrying her is out of the question."
"This isn't up for discussion. This is about the Smith family's reputation. You can afford to lose face, but the Smith family can't! Don't think that just because you're all grown up and capable, you can do whatever you want. You're not the only one calling the shots at this company yet!" Nolan was angry at Michael's defiance.
"Then you marry her." Michael ignored Nolan, acting like he hadn't heard.
"You!" Nolan could barely breathe from anger. Was Michael even speaking like a human being?
"I've already agreed to the marriage alliance between the Smith family and the Clark family, and the Clark family has told the media. Tell that Nora to keep her mouth shut. If she leaks even a word, I'll make her disappear from Emerald City." Nolan lowered his voice threateningly.
Michael looked up at Nolan. "Are you threatening me?"
"I'm talking about that Nora! A woman with loose morals who had a kid with some unknown man—her private life is a mess. Keeping her around is a bomb waiting to go off. I'm doing this for your own good." Nolan slammed the table, truly angry now.
"Is Luna decent? She seduced a married man back then and had two kids with some unknown guy, but you still married her despite everyone's objections, didn't you? I should learn from you." Michael leaned back in his chair and spoke again.
"Also, Nora is my wife. When you insult her, you're insulting me. Is her private life a mess? Did you see it with your own eyes? It's true she had a child with an unknown man—Walter really isn't much of a human being—but that's his fault. What does it have to do with Nora?"
"You claim to be high society, a highly educated intellectual. Don't lower yourself." Michael reminded Nolan to think before speaking.
"Michael!" Nolan's hands shook with anger. "I see you've gotten bold. Think you can rest easy with those shares in your hand? You're thinking too simply. Legally speaking, your grandfather's shares still belong half to James. Your mother's shares, in terms of inheritance, belong to me first. Whether I give them to you depends on my mood."
Nolan was using the shares to pressure Michael.
"Do as you please." Michael wanted to see how far Nolan would go.
Would he really give Fallon's shares to James too?
"Michael, you've always been my pride. Don't disappoint me. If you listen and get engaged to Aria first, then marry her once we deal with Nora, I won't bring up the shares issue. But if you don't listen, don't blame me for being heartless as a father." Nolan snorted and turned to leave.
He came today to warn Michael.
Michael leaned back in his chair, his expression dark.
Nolan did have the leverage to threaten him.
From an inheritance perspective, he wasn't in an advantageous position.
Fallon's death was too sudden, and the will had been deliberately concealed by Nolan, not certified and claimed within the required time.
Vance's shares had the same problem.
So even though Vance and Fallon's shares were now in Michael's hands, if Nolan wanted to fight for them, he could still win.
Outside the door, Nora held the coffee cup, her heart tight.
Michael's situation at the Smith Group was truly more difficult than she had imagined.
"The coffee's gone cold." Michael stood in the doorway, smiling at Nora who was hiding outside.
Nora's eyes reddened as she walked in. "Mr. Smith, why don't we just get divorced?"
"Think I can't protect you?" Michael asked.
"No." Nora shook her head.
She didn't want to see Michael in a difficult position.
She didn't know why, but when Nolan threatened Michael, she actually felt sorry for him.
"Trust me." Michael didn't explain, just asked Nora to trust him.
Nora looked up at Michael and nodded, feeling strangely reassured.
"Nora! Come out here! Nora!"
"Nora, you bitch, get out here!"
Noisy sounds came from outside, Evelyn's crazy shouting.
Nora froze for a moment, not knowing what was happening, wanting to go out and see.
Michael grabbed Nora by the collar. "What are you going to join in for? Go write your reflection."