Chapter 91
Nora said this on purpose, just to let Nolan and Luna know she wouldn't let James off easily.
Of course, she didn't really expect Michael to marry her.
Michael could also use this opportunity to put pressure on Luna and Nolan.
After all, once he got married, according to his grandfather Vance's will, he would get 41% of the Smith Group shares, which included shares from both Michael's biological mother Fallon and Vance.
What Luna was fighting for was the 23% of Vance's shares within that 41%, plus the 21% that Nolan currently held.
In Luna's view, as long as James's share percentage exceeded Michael's, there would be a chance to push Michael out and take control of the Smith Group.
As soon as Nora finished speaking, Nolan laughed—shocked and mocking. "A fraud who pretended to be a high society lady and deceived the Smith family for so many years, and still wants to marry into the Smith family?"
Michael's body clearly stiffened for a moment, and he turned to look at Nora.
He knew Nora wasn't serious—she was doing this to control Luna.
"My engagement with the Smith family was arranged by Vance when he was alive, because I saved his life. I didn't trick anyone into it," Nora said quietly, looking down.
She had never wanted to marry into the Smith family.
Her engagement to James back then was only because Vance liked her.
"You're really shameless. I'd advise you to give up on that idea," Luna said coldly and sarcastically. "Just say what you want directly, or you'll regret it later."
"Either Michael marries me, or James goes to prison," Nora said, clenching her hands so tightly that her palms were bleeding.
She wanted to see if Nolan would sacrifice Michael's happiness for James's sake.
"Michael, what do you think?" Nolan looked at Michael.
Michael laughed coldly. "Father, are you planning to force me to marry Nora for James's sake?"
Nolan waved his hand. "For James's sake, you need to talk some sense into her. This matter absolutely cannot blow up—it concerns the Smith family's reputation."
Michael said nothing.
"Nolan..." Luna wanted to mock Nora, but then thought better of it. If Nora, with her ruined reputation, had to marry Michael, maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.
That way, Michael would have a stain on his record.
Fallon's shares couldn't be touched by others anyway, but she had to fight for Vance's and Nolan's shares for her son James.
"Michael is at the age to get married anyway. It's just for show. Our James's reputation can't be ruined—he can't go to prison." Luna grabbed Nolan's arm and pulled him out of the hospital room.
"Nolan, James suffered so much when he was young. You can't play favorites. Michael won't lose anything by this." Luna looked at Nolan tearfully.
Nolan glanced coldly at Luna. He knew exactly what she was thinking. "Michael's reputation also affects the Smith family. Understand?"
Luna froze, then lowered her head reluctantly. "Nolan, what about James? Are we just going to let the police take him away for investigation? Some media outlets already know about it."
Nolan frowned. "Then get the Adams family to control Nora!"
In the hospital room.
Nora kept her head down, staying silent, not daring to speak.
Michael stared at Nora meaningfully for a long time, then smiled. "Looks like even without my help, you can protect yourself."
Nora didn't respond.
Being able to protect herself and not causing trouble were two different things for Nora.
"James is at the police station. Luna won't let you off easily. Do you really want me to marry you?" Michael looked at Nora.
Nora shook her head frantically. "No, I just... I just..."
"Just using me temporarily," Michael finished for her.
Nora lowered her head, her eyes reddening. "I'm sorry, I need to protect myself."
She needed to protect herself, and she didn't want to see Michael slandered by Luna.
"Were you the one who saved Grandfather that year?" Michael asked meaningfully.
Nora nodded. "Yes, but I didn't have any ulterior motives."
She was afraid Michael would misunderstand her.
Michael was somewhat surprised. Before Vance died, he left two wills. One of them wasn't public, and despite Luna and Nolan's best efforts, they couldn't find out what the second will contained.
The lawyer at the notary office said that only by finding the person who saved Vance that year could that will be made public.
Luna and Nolan obviously knew that Nora was the one who saved Vance, but deliberately claimed it was Evelyn.
No wonder Evelyn kept making excuses not to go to the notary office—because she knew very well she wasn't the one who saved Vance.
"What are you planning to do next?" Michael sat on the sofa nearby, speaking meaningfully.
He hadn't expected that Nora's value would be like hidden treasure.
"Mr. Smith, can you guarantee Samuel and Jasper's safety?" Nora looked at Michael nervously.
She wanted a clear promise from Michael.
Even though she hadn't died this time, Nora had clearly woken up to reality.
Some people—hiding from them was useless.
She had to take the initiative and make sure they never had a chance to hurt her again.
She had to wait for the right moment and strike a fatal blow.
"I can guarantee Samuel and Jasper's safety, but you should know very well that protection is only temporary. As long as you're a thorn in their side, I can't guarantee I'll always be able to protect them."
Michael was stating facts.
He wanted to eliminate all of Nora's worries and see just how far she could go.
James, Luna, and the Adams family had pushed Nora too far into desperation.
He could help Nora deal with these people, but given Nora's personality and the severity of her depression...
She had to solve her own problems herself.
Nora lowered her head in silence. After a long while, she spoke hoarsely. "Mr. Smith, help me release the video of James hitting someone on the internet."
Nora knew Michael had the ability to make it blow up everywhere, make it known to everyone, and push James and Luna into the eye of public opinion.
Seeing Michael stay silent, Nora looked at him anxiously. She was betting that Michael was ready to make his move against James and Luna.
But she wasn't sure if Michael would dare to do it, since it concerned the Smith family's reputation. If something happened to James, the Smith Group would be affected to some degree.
Michael smiled, his gaze on Nora growing more intense.
Michael didn't directly agree to Nora's request, but the next morning Nora was woken by the noisy gossip in the hospital.
The young nurses and patients in the hallway were all discussing James's involvement in criminal activities.
Nora knew—it was Michael's doing.
Once public opinion fermented, no one would dare manipulate things behind the scenes or defy the wind to protect James.
Luna would continue to "beg" her.
Taking out her phone, Nora hesitated for a long time before dialing an unfamiliar number.
"This is Nora."
"I guessed it was you." The voice on the other end was hoarse and somewhat lazy.
"Did you see the public opinion about James?" Nora asked quietly.
"Have you made up your mind?" the person asked lightly.
"While this is trending, also push the news about Luna being a mistress who drove the original wife to death." Nora took a deep breath. She couldn't be the only one bearing the harm of online violence.
She had to make Luna too busy to bother with her, with no time to cause her trouble.
"This level of attack won't destroy James." On the other end, the man spoke hoarsely again. "I'm guessing within a month, a bodyguard will take the fall. He'll just get detained, warned, and fined."
Nora's fingers trembled slightly. "One month is enough."
"Nora, besides me, no one will truly help you. Everyone has their own agenda. Walter and Michael—they all deserve to die." On the other end, the man seemed to deeply resent Walter and Michael.
"Don't involve Michael—not even a little bit. If your campaign hurts him, our cooperation ends here." Nora sounded anxious.
On the other end, the man's voice suddenly turned cold. "Have you fallen for Michael?"