Chapter 184
"But..." Nora wanted to ask—Michael had never explained those previous rumors either.
"You mean those old rumors?" Michael felt a bit guilty, "Tessa is an artist under my company. Daryl personally intervened back then, and she needed some publicity."
How could Michael have known at that time that one day he would meet Nora? "I can explain this."
"I was going to clear things up, but I was too lazy to say so much at the time. Should I release a statement tomorrow?" Michael was afraid Nora would be angry.
Nora looked confused, "Why would you need to release a statement?"
Wasn't this perfectly normal?
"I'm afraid you'll misunderstand." Michael sucked in a breath.
So, this was what it felt like to be anxious in front of someone you liked.
"I won't." Nora shook her head, "We're working together. My job is to help you keep those women away. I just need to know your true feelings. If it's someone you like, I'll know my place."
Nora's words were too businesslike, making Michael's heart sink.
"You don't need to know your place." Michael's voice was deeply muffled.
"Mr. Smith." Nora wouldn't give up and asked quietly again, "So you don't have any feelings for Tessa, right?"
"Do I look like I have feelings for her?" Michael snorted, somewhat unhappy.
Nora didn't know what had upset Michael. She lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers.
Even if Michael said he didn't care, he must still be angry that she made him lose face in front of Daryl.
Her background and sins made Nora deeply insecure.
Her thoughts were too sensitive.
Michael parked the car next to the small night market stall where Samuel and Jasper often ate. That multi-million dollar luxury car stood out awkwardly among the cars worth a few thousand dollars.
Of course, besides Michael's car, there was another multi-million dollar luxury car that was equally eye-catching.
"Uncle Jasper!" After getting out of the car, Samuel was delighted to discover that Jasper and Clea were also eating street food!
At the stall.
Jasper looked at Clea with a dark expression, "Are you sure you can eat this?"
Clea snorted. "When I was picking through garbage to eat in Novaria, you were still in the military."
Jasper froze for a moment, thinking Clea was joking.
She was the Williams family's daughter and married into a wealthy family—how could she have picked through garbage abroad?
"Uncle Jasper!" Samuel suddenly appeared and threw himself into Jasper's arms.
Only then did Jasper react, looking at Samuel, Nora, and Michael in shock, "Mr. Smith?"
Clea seemed unsurprised and patted the seat next to her. "What a coincidence. Jasper's treating—come eat."
"We already have someone treating us." Michael raised the corner of his mouth, looking proud.
"Nora's treating you to barbecue too? They really are siblings—same taste." Clea propped her chin on her hand and smiled at Nora.
Nora really liked Clea and unconsciously pushed Michael aside, excitedly sitting next to Clea, "Samuel's treating."
"Samuel's treating?" Clea looked at Samuel with delight, "Come here, let me give you a kiss."
Samuel happily threw himself into Clea's arms, "I'm treating!"
Clea adored Samuel and picked him up to kiss him, "Alright, then you're saving Jasper money today."
Jasper stood up helplessly, looking somewhat awkward, "Mr. Smith, if you don't mind, please sit here."
After speaking, he used an alcohol wipe to carefully clean the stool for Michael.
Michael looked at the street-side barbecue stall and was silent for a long, long time.
He had never seen this kind of food.
He was a bit nervous, but since Samuel was treating, he couldn't hurt the child's feelings.
Nora's attention was all on Clea—she really didn't have time to care about Michael.
"Ms. Williams, can you eat this?" Nora's eyes were bright as she looked at Clea.
She practically had "I worship you" written all over her face.
"Super delicious." Clea nodded, looking at Jasper meaningfully, "I'm super easy to feed, not picky like Mr. Smith."
Michael's face darkened.
If you're chasing Jasper, chase Jasper—why turn around and tease him?
Only then did Nora remember Michael and nervously stood up, "Mr. Smith, if you can't eat this, we can go eat something else."
Michael snorted. Now she remembered him?
She was practically glued to Clea.
Good thing Clea was a woman—if she were a man, Michael would be dying of jealousy.
"I can eat it!" Michael seemed to be competing with Clea.
Clea ate her barbecue, challenging Michael, "Then eat it."
Michael took a deep breath, looking like he was going to battle.
Was it easy for him to chase a wife?
"Daddy, this is good." Samuel handed Michael a fish cake.
Michael had never eaten this kind of processed food and quietly lectured Samuel, "Snacks taste good, but you can't eat them often when you're growing."
Michael forced himself to swallow down the word "unhygienic."
"Joseph, why are you hiding behind Uncle Jasper? Come eat this." Nora noticed Joseph hiding fearfully, not daring to move.
Joseph didn't dare come out—he was afraid of Clea.
Clea also noticed Joseph, "Why did you bring this burden along?"
Joseph had been scared by Clea before and was now very well-behaved around her.
"Joseph is my good friend now." Samuel explained proactively.
After all, Joseph had bitten Daryl for him.
Clea raised an eyebrow, "The kid's fine, just afraid his mom has ulterior motives."
Clea was warning Michael and Nora in advance to be on guard.
After Joseph and Samuel became close, Samuel would easily let his guard down, ; if Veda wanted to harm the child, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Michael paused and nodded.
He nodded, showing his gratitude.
He actually hadn't thought of that.
But children were innocent by nature, and Nora couldn't bear to separate Samuel and Joseph.
"I won't bully Samuel anymore. We're good friends now." Joseph explained quietly.
"Then sit down and eat." Clea pointed to the seat next to Samuel.
Joseph quietly and obediently went to sit down, more submissive than a trained dog.
Nora had never seen Joseph this well-behaved.
Sure enough, everything had its match.
Michael had caused a scene at the press conference, and the Clark family was now facing a serious crisis.
Competitors were using this incident to promote themselves heavily, and the Clark family was now in a very awkward position.
Although the Wood family hadn't made a clear statement, when reporters questioned Walter at the press conference, he had already expressed that he would reconsider the marriage alliance with the Clark family.
They were probably just waiting for Noah to agree.
For a while, the Clark family got nothing.
Fortunately, the Clark family still had leverage over Nolan and could get him to help them out.
"Ms. Clark, that guy Stanley couldn't cause trouble at the Smith Group and got beaten into the hospital." A subordinate called Aria.
Aria's face turned white with anger, "Useless! He's from the Ortiz family—who would dare hit him?"
"I heard it was Terry, Michael's cousin."
Aria froze. Dealing with Michael, that would actually be easier to handle; however, Terry was famous—that wouldn't work.
"Spread all this to Noah's ears." Aria said angrily. Why hadn't Noah taken action yet?
Didn't he believe these rumors?
It seemed she needed to change her approach and target Samuel instead.