Chapter 161 It's Time to Start Cracking Down on Your Enemies
The air around Aaron was already thick with discontent, an atmosphere only intensified by Jenny's biting comments.
Edric, acutely aware of the escalating tension, cleared his throat subtly before intervening. "Jenny, let's dial it down a notch, shall we? We're here to enjoy our dinner."
Jenny retaliated with a fierce glare, snapping back, "I'd rather you didn't speak while I'm eating. I don't need your breath tainting my food. It's quite unsanitary, don't you think?"
Edric responded with a mischievous twitch of his eyebrow and a wicked grin. "Considering you've already sampled my kisses, I doubt a little breath would do much harm."
Jenny choked on her retort, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. She opted to ignore him for the rest of the meal.
The tension at the dining table gradually dissipated, and Aaron's stern expression softened marginally.
He turned his attention to Nora, who was engrossed in her meal, and requested, "Nora, I was hoping you could continue treating my leg injury."
Nora, upon hearing this, finally lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Apologies, Mr. Gordon, but my schedule is packed. I can't accommodate you at the moment. I've finished my meal. Jack, shall we head out?"
"Absolutely," Jack responded cheerfully, evidently pleased with Nora's assertive demeanor.
They exchanged quick goodbyes with Jenny and Edric before making their exit.
Aaron watched their retreating figures, his lips pressed into a thin line, his handsome features as frosty as winter's chill.
'So eager to leave... Can't they even stay for a meal?'
Jenny, dabbing at the corner of her mouth, couldn't suppress a triumphant smile at the sight of a deflated Aaron.
"Mr. Gordon, you might want to tone down that murderous expression. Stop using excuses to get close to Nora! Jack and Nora are practically inseparable these days – even picking up kids from school together. From my perspective, they seem quite content. Besides, it's not as if you're lacking in female companionship, so let's not meddle in each other's affairs, shall we?"
With that, she rose from her seat and departed.
Edric scratched his temple, casting a sympathetic glance towards Aaron.
"Bro, I've exhausted all my options here."
He had done all he could to assist, but it was evident that Nora wanted nothing to do with Aaron.
The room was now devoid of company, save for Aaron.
Noe entered cautiously, approaching the icy CEO. "Mr. Gordon, would you like to order anything else?"
Aaron was lost in thought, Jenny's words about Jack and Nora replaying in his mind.
'Them leaving work together, picking up the kids... Are they transitioning into a family?'
"Noe, all the supplies for Jack's lab, they come from our Gordon Group's supply chain, correct?"
Upon hearing the question, Noe nodded in affirmation.
"Yes. Our company provides nearly all the medical supplies used by hospitals in Houston."
Aaron's eyes darkened in contemplation before he spoke in a hushed tone, "Restrict the supplies going to Jack's lab."
Noe paused, a fleeting look of surprise crossing his features.
"Is Mr. Gordon deliberately targeting Jack? Is it because of Jack's relationship with Nora?"
Suddenly, the realization dawned on him. "Aaron's beginning to retaliate against his romantic rival!"
Nora found herself back in the confines of her lab, her eyes drawn to the online frenzy that was still very much alive. A video had surfaced, showcasing her heroic act of rescuing someone, and it had catapulted her into the limelight overnight.
The thought of netizens unearthing her personal information sent a shiver down her spine.
Swiftly, she sent a message to Alex, urging him to take necessary precautions.
His response was prompt and reassuring.
Alex: [Mom, don't worry. I've secured our family's information, unearthing it is impossible.]
Nora's heart swelled with relief, and she responded with a heart emoji and a smile.
In the midst of this, she noticed that Sunny had released a statement. It was a video message, her face wet with tears, her voice filled with remorse. "I'm Sunny, and I'm sorry for taking up your time. In a moment of foolishness, I fabricated a reputation as a scholarly prodigy for the sake of online traffic, disappointing my fans. I'm truly sorry, and I hope you can give me a chance to make amends."
She continued, "Also, I owe Nora an apology for plagiarizing her academic paper. It was disgraceful of me to steal your hard work. I am sorry, and I hope you can forgive me." Her apology was sincere, her head bowed in shame, tears streaming down her face.
Many of her fans had abandoned her, but a few loyal supporters voiced their support, quoting, 'to err is human. To forgive, divine.'
However, Suzy's fans were not as forgiving, lashing out at her with fervor.
Nora couldn't help but admire Sunny's courage. She hadn't implicated Suzy. 'Why? Is it because of Aaron? Did Aaron warn her not to drag Suzy into it? After all, Suzy was his childhood sweetheart, wasn't she?'
This thought instantly soured Nora's appetite for the ongoing drama. She closed the news app, reminding herself, 'She'd already cut ties with him. Why bother with these dramas? Just being true to herself was enough.'
After a hectic afternoon, it was time to pick up the kids from school. "Jack, I'm heading out," she announced, grabbing her bag. Jack, ever the gentleman, offered to accompany her. Nora declined, assuring him she could manage on her own. Jack insisted, his smile warm, but Nora sensed an underlying motive. She gently refused again, "Really, Jack, it's okay. You go ahead with your work."
Jack's gaze lingered on Nora's clear, almond-shaped eyes, his smile momentarily freezing on his face. 'She's giving me the cold shoulder,' he thought, his newfound confidence dwindling.
After a moment of silence, he nodded, feigning indifference, "Alright, then you can take my car to pick up the kids."
"No need, you'll need the car too. I'll just grab a cab. Bye, Jack."
As Nora's slender figure disappeared from the lab, Jack stood alone, his tall frame casting a shadow of solitude.
Nora arrived at the kindergarten just as the gate swung open. The children emerged like birds released from a cage, their chirping laughter filling the air as they ran into their parents' arms. Spotting her three little ones, Nora approached with a warm smile.
"There you are, my angels. Mommy's here to take you home." She squatted down, planting a kiss on each child's forehead.
"Mom, did you come alone? Where's your car?" Samantha asked, her eyes scanning the area with a flicker of hope. She seemed to be longing for Aaron's car.
"Don't you remember? I didn't drive this morning. Let's go, we'll take a cab home." Nora gently stroked her daughter's hair, noticing the hint of disappointment in her eyes. That child must still be holding Aaron close in her heart.
Nora stood up, took Samantha's hand, and cleverly steered the conversation to their day at preschool. Sure enough, the kids' attention shifted. By the time they were settled in the taxi, Alex piped up, "Mom, the nasty lady apologized to you in public."
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