Chapter 170
That evening, Joseph was left behind like an abandoned child. His parents heartlessly dumped him, and it seemed like no one in the Miller family cared about Joseph.
Word was that the Miller family was having cash flow problems. Mason's parents were running around like crazy, too busy to deal with Joseph.
Mason seemed to be completely wasted too, probably passed out in some woman's bed.
Veda was also drunk, knocked out cold at the Smith family's place.
Nora didn't feel comfortable letting the Miller family's servants take Joseph away, so she carefully asked Michael if Joseph could stay.
Joseph happily held Samuel's hand, excited but not daring to shout out loud.
Actually, kids fear loneliness the most. Having another kid around seemed to make him pretty happy.
"Good thing I got Samuel a bigger kids' bed." Michael leaned against the doorframe, looking at the redecorated children's room, and ruffled Samuel's hair, "Now, with Samuel's height, is it more convenient?"
Samuel happily ran into the bathroom and found that the sink and wash basin were lower—he could easily reach them, "Dad's the best."
Michael, praised by his son, smiled proudly.
"Alright, now you two little guys need to wash up and get to bed. You have school tomorrow, and elementary school is coming up soon. You need to study hard, okay?" Nora gently coaxed them, taking the two little ones to brush their teeth.
Michael didn't want Nora to be busy alone, so he took the initiative to pick up Samuel and help him squeeze toothpaste, taking out a new little frog toothbrush.
"I really like this toothbrush." Samuel was very pleased.
He loved everything Michael gave him.
Joseph looked at the toothbrush Nora got for him—a pink little pig, "Aunt Nora, why is my toothbrush pink? Only little girls use pink. I'm a big boy."
Nora was amused by Joseph, "Who says pink is only for girls? Boys can use pink too."
Then it hit her, and Nora's cheeks suddenly turned red. Joseph called her aunt?
Michael chuckled quietly, quite satisfied with this form of address.
"I want the little frog." Joseph, spoiled at home, pointed at Samuel's little frog, wanting the green one.
"Joseph, you're just a guest in my home. Guests need to be polite and can't take the host's things, understand?" Michael taught Joseph.
Joseph was afraid of Michael and obediently lowered his head, preparing to brush his teeth.
"The pink pig is really cute." Samuel said softly, "How about we switch?"
Joseph's eyes turned red as he looked up at Samuel, "Really?"
Samuel nodded and handed the green little frog to Joseph.
Joseph thought about it, "I'll use the pig. The pig is cute."
Samuel stood next to Joseph, and the two brushed their teeth together, "You have to brush the top and brush the bottom, or you'll get cavities."
Samuel acted like a little adult, taking care of Joseph who couldn't do anything without the servants at home.
Nora stepped out of the bathroom, carefully tugging at Michael's clothes, and the two left together.
Let the kids be self-reliant.
Kids also need space to grow independently.
Michael was staring at Samuel in a daze when he noticed Nora pulling his clothes and followed her out.
"I made some soup. Your stomach isn't feeling well, so have some?" Nora asked nervously.
Only then did Michael remember that during dinner, he had used the excuse of an upset stomach.
"Okay."
Nora smiled happily at Michael and ran to the kitchen to serve him the soup.
At least, she felt she had some value to Michael.
Michael sat at the dining table, wanting to say something several times but stopping himself.
Nora just sat beside him, very quietly.
"Nora, given our relationship, Aria will definitely see you as a thorn in her side. You need to be careful of her. She's different from Pearl. Pearl is bad, but she's bad out in the open—you can guard against her. Some people are bad behind your back, impossible to guard against." Michael reminded Nora.
Nora was stunned. Michael was actually warning her to watch out for Aria?
In other men's eyes, Aria was like a pure white jasmine—a kind girl type. But to Michael, she was calculating?
"Aria is actually quite capable." Nora said softly.
Aria was scheming, but if she was on Michael's side, she could definitely help him.
A future marriage alliance between the families wouldn't be completely without benefits.
"Mr. Nolan Smith has been quiet this whole time, showing no emotion. He must still be wary of your marriage alliance with the Clark family. When you and Aria eventually..." Nora was trying to set up Michael and Aria.
Michael's expression became displeased. He put down his soup spoon, his voice cold, "Nora, I've told you before—Aria and I have no future. If I wanted to marry her, you wouldn't have any reason or value to exist. Since you exist, don't hold onto any fantasies about setting me up with Aria."
Michael got up and went straight upstairs.
He was angry.
Because Nora was too business-like, treating him only as a boss and subordinate, nothing more.
Michael knew Nora had no other feelings for him right now, so he could only use his value and meaning to keep Nora around.
As long as he still had value for Nora to use, she wouldn't leave for now.
He wanted to firmly tie Nora to him, so he had to find a way to make Nora fall in love with him.
Make her unable to leave him.
So, Michael planned to start spoiling and indulging Nora from tomorrow, making her unable to breathe without him.
Nora sat at the dining table, her eyes turning red.
Did Michael hate her now?
She was so useless.
No good family background, no good reputation.
If she were still the daughter of the Adams family, how could she push Michael toward Aria?
But it was for Michael's good.
She had to think everything through for Michael.
Nolan hadn't made a move against Michael yet, but once Nolan acted, no matter how capable Nora was, she would be powerless.
In the face of family background and power, her little cleverness seemed too weak and feeble.
Bedroom.
Nora carefully pushed open the door. Michael seemed to be asleep already.
Nora breathed a sigh of relief and tiptoed to bed, hiding at the edge farthest from Michael.
Michael reached out and suddenly pulled Nora into his arms, holding her tight.
Nora was so startled her breath caught and her heart raced. She almost cried out.
She was afraid of others getting close and touching her, so her body would instinctively become very stiff.
Forcing herself to endure the psychological discomfort, Nora took deep breaths to calm herself.
Fortunately, the person holding her was Michael.
When she heard his heartbeat and felt the warmth of his embrace, she could quickly calm down.
"Mr. Smith." Nora called softly.
Michael didn't respond, just held her, his arms slowly tightening.
Last night, he had dreamed about that night six years ago.
The woman begging for mercy beneath him.
Michael didn't know if it was Nora, but the guilt made him constantly afraid.
Afraid that the person who had harmed Nora to this point—severe depression, multiple suicide attempts, even serious anxiety somatization—was him.
Afraid that the person who made Nora give birth alone, endure controversy, and be tortured by gossip for six years was him.
Afraid that the person who pushed Nora into the abyss, broke the rose, trampled it underfoot, and left her lying in the mud wasn't James, wasn't Aiden, wasn't those people who had hurt Nora, but him.
Sensing something was wrong with Michael, Nora nervously turned around, nestled in Michael's arms, and raised her hand to touch his forehead.
So hot.
"Mr. Smith, you have a fever."