Chapter 141
Nora felt inexplicably flustered. Why did she feel like Michael's anger was directed at her?
Her back tensed up, and Nora lowered her head anxiously, not knowing what to do.
Was Michael upset?
"Take him away and question him thoroughly about who put him up to this!" Lyle's expression was grim as he glanced meaningfully at Luna and snorted.
Most people just enjoyed watching the drama unfold between wealthy families.
If this matter hadn't affected Lyle's personal interests, he would have been happy to watch the show too.
But Luna had schemed against him, and that wasn't acceptable.
Luna's face looked terrible as she watched James leave without looking back. She was so angry she could grind her teeth to dust.
That useless, embarrassing fool!
She had worried herself sick over James, and what did he do? For some little tramp, he humiliated her in front of all these people!
"Mrs. Warner, this whole thing is obviously..."
"The bidding is about to start. Lyle, get everyone inside." Liliana's voice was low as she cut off Luna.
She glanced meaningfully at Nora, her expression softening a bit.
"I trust Michael's judgment. Someone who runs the Smith Group, such a huge company, supporting so many people—how could he not even choose a good assistant?" Liliana said seriously, walking over to Lyle. "From now on, learn from Michael. His abilities are worth studying."
Lyle nodded quickly, "Okay, Mom."
Luna was so angry she could barely breathe and almost lost her balance.
Her assistant quickly steadied her, "Mrs. Smith, are you alright? Should we still go to the venue?"
"Go where!" Luna snapped.
James had already run off—what was the point of going!
Once again, she'd lost to Michael.
It was mainly that little tramp, Nora. How had she never noticed before how sharp-tongued she was?
Wasn't she supposed to have almost become mute and unable to speak?
"I think Nora should become mute," Luna said furiously as she walked out in embarrassment. "Find a way to teach Nora a lesson. I want her to actually become mute!"
The assistant paused, then nodded quickly, "Okay."
---
The Venue
Nora kept her head down, following behind Michael.
Not paying attention for a moment, just before entering the venue, someone pulled her into a corner and pressed her against the wall.
Michael's face was dark, his eyes looking like they could devour someone.
Nora panicked, her eyes reddening as she explained frantically, "Mr. Smith, I really didn't. That person was slandering me."
After her anxious explanation, Nora lowered her head, not knowing what else to say, "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I've caused you trouble."
Besides saying sorry, she didn't know what else to say.
"You were with James for five years?" Michael asked through gritted teeth.
Nora had been with James from the age sixteen to twenty.
They had been each other's first love.
In David's words, they were childhood sweethearts.
This kind of relationship was damn enviable.
Michael didn't know why, but he was jealous to the point of madness.
So out of control that he wanted to punch James.
If he'd known James wouldn't cherish her, he should have appeared when Nora was sixteen.
Too bad he couldn't go back to the past.
Nora glanced anxiously at Michael, then lowered her head, "Yes."
She had indeed been with James since their first year of high school. That was a fact.
"You loved him a lot?" Michael demanded in a suppressed voice.
"I did love him." Nora didn't lie.
She really had loved James deeply.
"Forget about him!" Michael gripped Nora's chin, his voice threatening.
Nora had probably never felt Michael's real oppressive presence before, never seen him truly angry.
She'd only known that everyone was afraid of Michael, including the Smith family servants.
But when Michael actually put pressure on her, Nora felt a chill run down her spine.
"Don't forget your current status. You're my woman." Michael reminded her.
Nora's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip without making a sound.
Releasing Nora, Michael straightened his tie with a stern face and walked into the venue.
Nora stood there, leaning against the wall for a long time before recovering.
She didn't know why Michael was angry, only that she kept blaming herself.
Her very existence brought Michael endless trouble.
Giving Luna opportunities to slander him.
It was all her fault.
Her existence itself was the original sin.
---
The Bidding Venue
Michael's mood was dark, and people around him didn't dare talk to him.
Nora hid in a corner, not daring to appear before Michael, only having David stay by his side.
Until the meeting ended, Michael's expression remained grim.
Unsurprisingly, the Smith Group won the bid, with Michael personally responsible for project coordination and cooperation.
Lyle and Michael exchanged pleasantries for a long time before finally signing the contract.
Originally, all the business leaders were supposed to stay for a dinner banquet, but Michael left early, citing that he wasn't feeling well.
At the venue entrance, Nora kept her head down and quickly followed Michael.
All the way back to the hotel, Michael didn't say a word to Nora.
His mind was full of James saying Nora had no birthmark, and Nora saying she had loved him.
He really wanted to kill James.
Michael wanted to kill everyone who had touched Nora.
He was truly going crazy.
Hiding in the corner, Nora secretly wiped away tears.
David looked back and saw, frowning slightly.
He thought Nora was quite pitiful.
A woman constantly slandered and gossiped about in public—even the strongest person would break down.
He secretly handed Nora a tissue and slipped her a piece of candy.
Nora looked at David gratefully, then leaned against the car window, watching the traffic outside.
"Mr. Smith, should we head back to Emerald City tonight, or..." David thought Michael might want to rush back to Emerald City tonight, seeing how he'd left the venue early and skipped the banquet in such a mood.
"Keep the schedule as planned," Michael said with a frown.
"Are you really not feeling well?" David was shocked. Given Michael's personality, he should be flying back to Emerald City right now.
Going back to the hotel this early and staying another night?
Was he actually sick?
Michael glanced back at Nora. She'd had a fever today. Staying one more night would let her rest properly.
Michael made a sound of agreement.
"Then let's get back to the hotel quickly so you can rest," David said with concern.
Michael said nothing, wishing David weren't in the car, being an eyesore.
---
Ripple Court Hotel
In the stairwell, Luna's assistant spoke quietly to a hotel staff member, "Put this bottle of water in Nora's room. After something happens to Nora, immediately pour the water into the toilet. Don't leave any evidence. There are no cameras in the room, so they can't trace it to you."
Luna wanted Nora to become mute, so he'd tampered with the water.