Chapter 72
The Walter residence.
After what happened that day, Nora had been hiding at home, too scared to go out.
The online public opinion was overwhelming. Nora had once again been pushed into the eye of the storm.
She didn't dare go anywhere, only dared to hide.
Savannah had called her several times, but she didn't dare to leave the house.
"Have you eaten?" Walter came back, carrying dinner.
Nora walked out of her room and shook her head.
She didn't dare look at her phone, didn't even dare to go outside.
Nora was afraid that people online would block her at her doorstep like they did six years ago, throw trash at her, curse her to die, and say she deserved everything she was going through.
"Eat something." Walter opened the porridge and told Nora to eat.
Nora sat at the dining table, her hands somewhat numb.
"I've already suppressed the online public opinion. Soon no one will remember this." Walter tried to comfort Nora.
Nora didn't speak. Would it really be suppressed soon? The internet might have no memory, but she had memory.
"These next few days, try not to go out. Don't go to the club either. After the Chamber of Commerce dinner is over, I'll take you out to relax." Walter didn't want Nora to go out because the Clark family was looking for her, wanting to settle things privately.
Not just the Clark family was looking for her—the Adams family and the Smith family were looking for her too.
Nora looked up at Walter. She was waiting for his answer.
But Walter never gave her a definite answer.
"If Pearl gets involved in criminal charges, the Clark family definitely won't agree. They'll do everything they can to find me. Pearl is your fiancée after all—they'll find me sooner or later." Nora was very clear that walls have ears.
Living at Walter's place didn't necessarily mean she was safe.
"I'm here." Walter just wanted Nora to feel at ease.
Nora said nothing more and took a deep breath.
She didn't eat much. Nora felt nauseous and got up to walk back to her room, her figure thin and lonely.
Walter had the urge countless times to pull her into his arms and hold her, but Nora always had this sense of distance about her.
Actually, he knew very well that if he didn't break off the engagement with the Clark family this time, Nora would probably find it hard to open her heart to him.
But he was confident he could keep Nora by his side.
He just needed some time.
As long as Noah didn't hand over power, he couldn't cancel his engagement with the Clark family.
The Clark family had been looking for him these past few days, wanting him to get Pearl out.
He had done everything he could to avoid everyone, letting Pearl learn her lesson properly. After all, people who make mistakes have to pay the price.
But Walter also knew very well he couldn't stall much longer.
The phone rang again. Walter glanced at it and knew it was Pearl's grandfather, Liam Clark, again.
Rubbing his temples, Walter answered the call.
"Mr. Clark." Liam and Noah were war buddies. The two had always had a good relationship.
"Walter, Pearl is being bullied in Silverlight City. How are you handling this?" Liam came out swinging with accusations.
"Mr. Clark, Pearl was the one who made the mistake first." Walter frowned.
"Pearl is your fiancée, promised by your grandfather himself. We don't want to get involved in how many women you have outside, but if Pearl finds out, it's perfectly justified for her to hit anyone."
Walter stopped talking and just rubbed his temples.
"I'm at your grandfather's place. I came to Silverlight City myself. My granddaughter was bullied and thrown in jail. I want to see who has such nerve."
On the other end of the phone, Noah also spoke. "Bring that Nora back here."
"Grandpa, that's impossible." Walter frowned.
He couldn't possibly bring Nora back to the Wood family.
"Walter, I see you've gotten too big for your britches and won't listen anymore." Noah was very angry.
"I'll come home right now, but don't touch her." Walter glanced at the time, his expression serious.
With Liam personally coming to Silverlight City, the nature of this matter had changed.
If Nora continued to insist, it would be very bad for her.
After hanging up, Walter instinctively looked back.
Nora was standing in the doorway. She had clearly heard their conversation.
"Nori..." Walter wanted to explain.
Nora's eyes reddened as she gripped her skirt tightly. "Just go home."
Walter's chest ached a bit, but he still spoke. "Let's give Pearl a lesson and then drop the case, okay? Liam came to Silverlight City himself. If this drags on, it'll be bad for you."
Nora's vision trembled. She took a deep breath, forcing down the grievance in her heart. "No."
She would never compromise.
"Even if it affects Samuel and Jasper?" Walter hadn't wanted to tell Nora, afraid she'd worry.
"What do you mean?" Nora nervously stepped forward, looking at Walter with fear.
"The Clark family has already gone after Jasper. Samuel is also being ostracized by his classmates and has temporarily stopped going to school."
Nora stepped back helplessly. She knew it—she knew the Clark family wouldn't let Samuel and Jasper go.
"Even if I compromise, they won't let me go!" Nora shouted, losing control.
"Nori." Walter stepped forward and hugged Nora, trying to calm her down. "Drop the case first. I'll handle what comes after. Trust me, okay?"
"Walter, you won't call off the engagement, will you? You won't!" Nora pushed Walter away, losing control, retreating helplessly.
"Tomorrow is the Emerald City Chamber of Commerce dinner. Your answer is already very clear." Nora's whole body was shaking, her heart racing.
Walter wouldn't call off the engagement with the Clark family. She knew it.
As long as Walter didn't call off the engagement, she absolutely, absolutely couldn't choose Walter.
Even if it meant using him, she couldn't.
She would never be anyone's mistress, never give anyone a reason to keep hurting her. Absolutely not.
"Nora." Walter didn't know how to explain. This matter was complicated. "Calling off an engagement isn't as simple as you think. Marriage alliances between companies and families involve a lot."
Nora smiled and stepped back.
In other words, she just wasn't important enough.
Actually, Nora knew she wasn't important—insignificant, really.
"Two years at most. Once I'm fully in control, Pearl and I will just have a marriage in name only. That's all." Walter wanted Nora to understand that he didn't love Pearl, that marrying her was only for power.
Nora kept backing away, shaking her head continuously.
Walter wasn't the person she should choose.
The phone kept ringing. Walter irritably tugged at his tie. "Rest well at home. Lay low for a while."
With that, Walter left.
With Liam coming to Silverlight City, he'd surely brought all the Clark family members.
For now, he needed to stabilize Noah's emotions.
Besides, Noah's health hadn't been good these past few years—high blood pressure. Walter was really afraid he'd get worked up over this.
As for Nora...
Before leaving, Walter looked back at Nora.
Right now she had no one to rely on. She could only depend on him for protection.
He could hide her away first and deal with it in a few years.
Nora stood there numbly, watching Walter leave.
She couldn't stay here anymore.
The Clark family had called Walter away—it must be to find her.
She wasn't safe at Walter's place.
Panicking, she ran back to her room. Nora grabbed her phone, put on her coat and wrapped herself tightly. After a moment's hesitation, she ran to the kitchen, grabbed a fruit knife, and quickly ran out the door.
But it was already too late.
As soon as Walter left, three black cars had already stopped outside.
Clearly, Walter coming here had exposed her location.
James and Aiden got out of the cars.
In the other cars were all Clark family members.