Chapter 83
Veda spoiled Joseph terribly. After all, she had gone through a lot of trouble to have this child with Mason.
Mason didn't love Veda, but to keep Mason tied to her, Veda put a lot of effort into Joseph.
She rushed anxiously to Joseph's side. Veda looked around and saw Joseph's flushed cheeks as he stared at the dean with intense anger. "How could you let this happen to the children!"
The dean quickly stood up to apologize, his face full of flattery. "Ms. Smith, here's what happened - two kids were fighting..."
"Fighting?" Veda's cold eyes glanced toward Nora, her expression instantly darkening. "Nora?"
Nora held Samuel tight and tried to leave with her head down.
"I should have known it was you again. You let your son hit my son?" Veda shouted shrilly, having her bodyguards block the door. "Stop them!"
The bodyguards stood at the door. Unable to leave, Nora protected Samuel and stepped back. "What do you want?"
Veda looked at Nora in shock, then laughed mockingly after a moment. "What kind of trash is your son? How does he deserve to come to this school? Is Holy Shield Kindergarten doing charity now? Letting in any kind of little bastard?"
Veda frowned at the dean. "You better explain to me what his background is, that he can come here to school."
"The Smith Group donates so much money to your school every year, and this is what we get - you taking in trash?" Veda grew angrier.
The dean wiped his sweat and quickly explained. "Ms. Smith, please let me explain. It's not like that. Ms. Nora Adams was arranged by Mr. Smith."
Veda was even more shocked. "Nora, you're really shameless. You're seducing Michael?"
Michael had always kept his distance from women and had no scandals, yet he would arrange a school for Nora's son.
Nora clenched her fists and stepped back with Samuel.
"You're really something, having your son hit my son at school. Who do you think you are?" Veda laughed mockingly and raised her hand to slap Nora.
Nora raised her hand to grab Veda's wrist, her eyes deep and dark. "Veda, your son provoked my son first. We're both mothers. Children are the bottom line. Don't cross my bottom line."
Veda looked at Nora in shock and laughed. "Crazy, you're really crazy! Get your dirty hands off me."
Veda shook off Nora's hand in disgust, looking at Nora with revulsion. "Think you have someone backing you now? My brother might just be interested in you for a moment, feeling charitable. Who do you think you are? Is there anyone in Emerald City who doesn't know how dirty you are? Who do you think you are?"
Nora lowered her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Don't talk about my mommy like that!" Samuel looked at Veda angrily, like a little beast ready to attack.
Veda rubbed Joseph's head. "Joseph, how did he hit you?"
"Hit my face." Joseph pointed to his face.
"Nora, here's what's going to happen today. Either your son kneels down and apologizes to my son, or you kneel down and apologize to my son. Otherwise, you can try and see if this school will still want you."
Veda looked at Nora with interest, waiting for her to kneel and beg.
Nora held Samuel. After a long while, she finally spoke. "Samuel did nothing wrong. Joseph was at fault first. If anyone should apologize, it's you."
"Nora, you don't seem to understand the situation." Veda laughed. "Do you think Michael will care about you? Or do you think when Michael finds out, he'll protect your little bastard instead of his own nephew?"
Nora kept her head down. She had no intention of letting Michael know.
She couldn't bother Michael with every little thing.
"Apologize to me, kneel down!" Joseph was clearly spoiled rotten, carrying the arrogance typical of a rich brat, demanding Samuel kneel to him.
Samuel clenched his fists tightly, staring at Joseph.
The teachers and dean nearby didn't dare make a sound. On one side was the Smith family's daughter, on the other was someone Michael had mentioned. Either way, Veda seemed more important.
After all, there's a difference between a wealthy young lady and a temporary romantic interest.
"Won't apologize?" Seeing Nora had no intention of moving, Veda glanced at the dean. "Expel this little bastard, and tell all the schools in Emerald City. Let's see who dares to take him!"
"But..." The dean nervously wiped his sweat.
"If there's any problem, I'll handle it." Veda snorted coldly. "If Michael asks, just say this little bastard injured his nephew."
The dean quickly nodded.
He knew which side mattered more.
Nora's eyes reddened. Facing this kind of power bullying, she was helpless and unable to resist, but she didn't think Samuel had done anything wrong.
"Samuel, let's go. You did nothing wrong, so you don't need to apologize. Even if you can't go to kindergarten, I won't make you apologize to someone who's in the wrong." Nora picked up Samuel and walked out with difficulty.
This kindergarten was excellent, a school many people wanted to get into but couldn't, and the kindergarten that had produced the most gifted children.
But Nora felt it was beyond their reach.
She wanted to establish proper values for Samuel, not vanity and worship of power.
She really didn't think Samuel could get a good education at a kindergarten like this.
"Nora, you'll come begging me eventually." Veda laughed mockingly.
Nora said nothing. If this kindergarten wouldn't take them, they'd find another one.
"Mommy, did I cause trouble for you?" Samuel hugged Nora's neck, his voice small and choked up.
Nora shook her head. "Of course not. Samuel is the best. There's nothing wrong with fighting back when someone provokes you, but you can't just hit people in the future."
Samuel's eyes grew redder. "Mommy, he hit me first. He tore up my drawing book with the picture I drew for daddy. He also broke my toys and hit my head with them."
Nora's steps froze as she held Samuel. She put Samuel down by the roadside and carefully examined his head.
Sure enough, hidden under his hair, his scalp was red and swollen with a bump.
Nora's eyes reddened, her voice hoarse and out of control. "Why didn't you tell mommy in the office?"
Samuel cupped Nora's face and said softly, "I was afraid mommy would get bullied."
Nora lowered her head, tears falling uncontrollably.
Samuel was only five years old, still so small. Why was he so thoughtful it broke her heart?
"Mommy isn't afraid of bad people, so Samuel shouldn't be afraid either." Nora thought she could spend her whole life humble in the dust, timid and swallowing her anger, but Samuel couldn't.
Since she had given birth to Samuel, she had to be responsible for him.
She couldn't let Samuel continue her dirty, humble life.
Even if she didn't plan for herself, she had to plan for Samuel.
So even if it meant using any means necessary, Nora had to escape their current situation.
She had to use every person and resource available to climb out of this abyss step by step.
"Nora!"
By the roadside, a black car stopped, and the person who got out called anxiously.
Nora's body stiffened, and she hugged Samuel tightly in panic.
It was Walter.
He had followed her to Emerald City.
"Nora."
Royce had driven for five and a half hours to finally reach Emerald City.
He guessed Nora would be at the school waiting for Samuel at this time.
When Samuel was at the hospital, their people had found out Samuel's current school address.
"Walter." Nora lowered her head, her fingers tightening around Samuel.
Samuel looked up at Walter, his big eyes full of confusion.
"Are you Samuel?" Walter took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and spoke gently. "I'm your daddy."