Chapter 204
Opal was released from prison, and the Thomas family relatives organized a welcome party, saying they wanted to welcome her home and give her a fresh start.
"I never expected the Thomas family's daughter to be so pretty." A relative looked Nora up and down, "You don't have a boyfriend yet, do you?"
Nora had social anxiety and was afraid of strangers, especially such with blatant stares.
She shrank back and didn't say anything.
"What are you doing?" Jasper frowned, protecting Nora.
"I'm finding Nora a good match." Valencia said with a smile, "She's pretty, but she's had a child. Having a baby before marriage is something people in our village look down on, but your mom asked me, so I'll definitely find her a good one."
Jasper frowned and instinctively looked at Opal sitting in the main seat, "Mom, you asked her to find someone for Nori?"
Opal, just out of prison, didn't look too bad,seemed like prison life hadn't been that hard on her.
Opal looked at Jasper, "She's not young anymore, and she has a child. If she doesn't get married soon, it'll ruin your reputation. How will you find a wife then?"
Jasper's face darkened as he said in a low voice, "Nora doesn't need to get married. I'll take care of her and Samuel for life."
"What nonsense are you talking?" Opal was a bit angry, "The people Valencia knows are all either rich or well-off. Stop making decisions for Nora,she's willing."
Nora kept her head down and said nothing.
Willing to what?
"Nori, I know someone who runs a pig farm in our village. Don't look down on pig farming,he's loaded." Valencia was also cracking sunflower seeds, "Like you, he has a child, second marriage, though the child is a bit disabled, but that doesn't matter."
Nora's face turned pale. She didn't say anything.
"Tomorrow I'll set it up for you two to meet." Valencia made the decision for Nora.
"No, I have work." Nora refused.
"Work? What work? If he likes you tomorrow, you won't need to work anymore." Valencia looked disdainful, "Let me tell you, for a woman, marrying well is more important than anything."
"I can make my own money. I don't need to marry well. I can support myself. Your thinking is wrong." Nora's voice choked as she argued back.
"How dare you talk like that? You can support yourself, but having an unmarried old maid at home with a childback in our hometown, people would talk. How is Jasper supposed to find a wife?" Opal said with displeasure.
Seeing Nora's silence, Opal spoke again, "Don't go to work tomorrow. Go on the blind date and get married quickly. Marry out as soon as possible."
Nora took a deep breath and looked at Opal, "You never raised me for a single day. You have no right to control me."
The air suddenly froze. All the relatives looked at Nora, then started talking over each other, "See, the one they found when she was grown up is an ungrateful wretch."
"Right, already talking back to her mother."
"Nori, you're wrong to say that. Your mom did it for you back then. Who did she spend those five years in prison for? For you! You had a heart condition back then. If your mom hadn't taken the risk and switched you, do you think you'd be alive now?"
Valencia started the moral blackmail.
"Nora, your mom traded five years in prison for your life. Saying that to her—how much does it hurt her?"
Nora's eyes reddened as she looked away. Opal should have just let her die back then. Why save her this way and hurt so many people?
"Mom, you just got out of prison. You should rest. Nori has work tomorrow. I'm taking her back." Jasper's voice was low as he tried to leave with Nora.
"Jasper!" Opal slammed the table and stood up, "Do you know what people outside are saying about you and Nora? Siblings acting this way—it's disgraceful! You're raising her child—are you stupid?"
Nora clenched her hands, her throat aching.
Anyone could slander her, but hearing these words from her biological mother really hurt.
"Don't go too far!" Jasper was angry too.
"Good, very good. You've all gotten bold!" Opal started making a scene, "Jasper, are you choosing your sister over your mother?"
Jasper was very frustrated.
"Nora, let me tell you, I'm your mother. I gave birth to you but didn't raise you to save your life. You don't have to be grateful, but you must repay what you owe me!" Opal looked at Nora, "Quit your job tomorrow and stop bothering the Smith family. Look at who you are."
Opal pounded the table, "What's our family's status? And you're going after the Smith family! Are you trying to destroy this family completely?"
Nora's eyes turned red, but she said nothing.
"What's the Smith family's status? Is that something you can reach for? Six years ago you got pregnant with some wild man's bastard child. With your conditions, do you think the Smith family would look at you? Stop dreaming. Tomorrow go meet the factory owner Valencia mentioned and get married quickly."
After Opal finished, she looked at Valencia, "Our daughter may have a child, but she's never been married. The money they should give can't be any less."
Valencia nodded with a smile, "Don't worry. They said if he likes her, it's a house right away, transferred directly to your name. What more could you ask for?"
Opal's eyes lit up, "A house in Emerald City?"
"Around here. A better house definitely won't work, but these conditions are good enough. With your Nori's situation, you won't find anything better." Valencia said very confidently.
"Let's go. Don't listen to their nonsense." Jasper was about to leave with Nora.
"Where are you going?" Opal asked.
Nora didn't speak. Neither did Jasper.
"Did you hear what Valencia said? Where else would you find such conditions?" Opal was very happy.
"That's enough." Jasper frowned.
"What are you so worked up about? A house—you can use it when you get married." Opal looked at Jasper reproachfully, "She was the Adams family's precious daughter for over twenty years, enjoying the best life. Who gave her that? Me! She owes me. Shouldn't she repay it? Finding her such a good match, and that's not okay?"
"Good, right? A pig farm, with a mentally disabled son, that guy Yves?" Jasper's face darkened, "Such good conditions—you go marry him yourself and get a house. We don't want it. You keep it for your retirement."
With that, Jasper grabbed Nora's wrist and walked out.
"Jasper! You're rebelling!" Opal started crying and shouting, "Who am I doing this for? Who! I let her be a precious daughter for twenty-one years. Without me, she would have died from her congenital heart disease long ago!"
Nora's eyes were red from crying as she silently wiped her tears.
She had no idea how to face these people.
The Adams family said she owed them.
Opal also said she owed them.
She owed so many people. Who owed her anything?
"Nori."
Just as they came downstairs, a black car pulled up outside.
Michael got out anxiously, calling Nora's name.
Nora stood still. In that instant, it really felt like seeing light.
That suffocating feeling, the moment she saw Michael, turned into nothing but grievance.