Chapter 184 Suzy's Luck Appears to Have Run Out
With a swift motion, Jenny slapped Edric's hand away, her cheeks aflame with annoyance. "What do you know, Edric?" she retorted. "Nora was nearly ensnared by Jackson's machinations. That's the only reason Aaron ended up in her bed."
The revelation hit Edric like a bolt of lightning. His smile evaporated, replaced by a stern expression as he straightened his posture. "That scoundrel Jackson won't escape Aaron's wrath!" he declared.
"Hopefully," Jenny murmured, rubbing her thigh where Edric's hand had lingered. She subtly shifted away from him.
Edric noted her movements and the blush staining her earlobes. A charming smile played on his lips. "But still, Aaron has been with Nora. I can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy."
Jenny rolled her eyes, biting the corner of her lip in exasperation. "Edric, there's a sea of women out there waiting for you if you're interested."
Edric chuckled lightly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "No, it's you I love."
Jenny fell silent, her mind racing. 'Edric is really pushing the boundaries now.' "Start driving!" she ordered.
"With pleasure!" Edric replied, his tone teasing.
After dropping off the three children, Nora made her way to the lab. To her surprise, Jack had arrived even earlier than she had.
"Jack," Nora greeted him, her voice echoing in the quiet lab.
Jack turned to face her. "Nora, where were you yesterday? You didn't return to the lab all afternoon."
Nora's eyes flickered subtly, betraying her discomfort. "I had some matters to attend to."
Jack's gaze remained steady, unblinking. "Last night, I spoke with Jenny. She mentioned you had a date. Did you really go out with Aaron?"
A hint of unease flashed in Nora's eyes. "It wasn't exactly a date."
"Then what were you doing with him?" Jack pressed on.
"Just a casual exchange, nothing more," Nora replied, her voice steady. She didn't want Jack to know about the near miss she had experienced the previous day. Swiftly, she changed the subject. "By the way, Jack, I haven't asked you yet, what's your impression of Sue?"
Jack's expression hardened. "Nora, are you trying to matchmake me with Sue?"
Caught off guard, Nora chuckled awkwardly. "Sue's a catch, Jack. You should consider dating someone, really."
Jack's fingers tensed around the lab equipment. "Nora, there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time. I like you."
His sudden confession made Nora's heart flutter. As she looked into his deep, dark eyes, brimming with suppressed emotions, she felt a wave of confusion wash over her.
"Jack," she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know you only see me as a brother, so I don't expect anything more," he interjected.
Jack caught her evasive glance, and a hint of sadness flickered in his eyes. 'He had finally voiced the feelings buried deep in his heart.' 'It seemed to be a relief, yet he was deeply disheartened.'
"Jack, I'm sorry," Nora stammered, at a loss for words.
Jack forced a smile, his voice barely audible. "You've done nothing wrong. No apologies are necessary. But even if you don't have feelings for me, please don't try to pair me up with other women. Let me keep my dignity, okay?"
With that, he turned and walked away, his tall silhouette imbued with a sense of profound loneliness.
Nora's fingers traced a thoughtful path across her brow, her emotions a blend of regret and sympathy.
'He was truly a remarkable man, yet love cannot be manufactured,' she mused to herself.
She was certain they were ill-suited for each other, but she couldn't help but wonder about his potential compatibility with Sue.
Was she expected to continue orchestrating romantic connections?
With a resigned sigh, Nora pushed these contemplations aside, focusing her attention back on her work.
As the clock hands crept towards midday, a visitor sought her out. It was Evella.
"Dr. Smith, I owe you my gratitude for saving me yesterday," Evella said, bending into a deep bow.
Nora quickly helped her to straighten up, dismissing the gesture with a wave of her hand. "It was nothing," she assured her.
Evella's gaze met Nora's, her eyes clear and sincere, her emotions prickling at her nose. Words were left unsaid, yet the understanding between them was palpable.
Nora, ever the conversationalist, steered the topic away with a warm smile. "How did you find out I work here?"
"Howard told me," Evella replied. "I mentioned my desire to express my gratitude, and he directed me here."
Nora recalled Aaron's comment about Howard's distress.
"Do you work at the Golden Harvest Diner, Evella?" Nora asked.
Evella shook her head. "No, I'm still in college. I was working part-time there for writing inspiration, but I've since resigned."
She had been deeply affected by the recent events, leading to her decision to step down.
"You sought inspiration there? Are you an author? That's commendable!" Nora expressed, her surprise evident.
Evella blushed, her smile shy. "Oh no, I'm merely an amateur writer. I publish fiction online."
"That's an achievement in itself!" Nora praised her once more.
Evella felt a touch of embarrassment. "Dr. Smith, may I invite you out for a meal? We could converse over food."
Nora glanced at the clock. "Certainly, do online writers earn well? If you're affluent, I won't hold back!"
Evella chuckled at her frankness.
"It's decent. If your writing becomes a bestseller, it can be quite lucrative."
Nora assessed her and remarked, "You seem astute. I bet your books are popular."
Evella blushed at the compliment.
"Dr. Smith, you're a psychologist, aren't you? You certainly know how to flatter someone!"
"You're very perceptive—you deduced my field of study."
"Dr. Smith, you're quite amusing."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Howard, escorted by Jack.
Jack was the kind of man whose tranquil demeanor could withstand even the darkest of mornings. As always, he treated Nora with nothing but kindness.
"Nora, Howard is here to see you."
He was oblivious to the previous day's incident, but he was aware of past misunderstandings between Howard and Nora, which made him both intrigued and wary of Howard's presence.
Nora flashed him a reassuring smile and greeted Howard.
"Howard."
Howard appeared somewhat pallid. "Dr. Smith, may we speak privately?"
Nora nodded, asked Evella to excuse them, and instructed Jack to continue with his duties.
Jack cast a final glance at the pair before retreating, comforted by Nora's confident gaze.
Nora and Howard retreated to the quiet stairwell. Nora broke the silence.
"Howard, Mr. Gordon informed me that you alerted him about my predicament yesterday. I appreciate it."
Upon hearing this, Howard was struck by a wave of regret.
"Nora, had I known Aaron would end up in your bed, I wouldn't have contacted him."
'Such regret!' Nora's lips tightened subtly.
"Howard, I understand your sentiments. I did sleep with Aaron, but I have no intentions of marrying him."
Caught off guard, Howard looked up sharply. "You're not planning to marry Aaron?"
He had assumed she would seize this opportunity to coax Aaron into marriage.
"Indeed, it was merely a casual encounter between two adults. There's no need to bind us together, right?"
Nora's tone was light and carefree.
Howard exhaled in relief, his gaze softening as he looked at her.
As long as Nora wasn't pressuring Aaron into a proposal, there might still be hope for Suzy.
Observing his softened expression, Nora decided to continue the conversation.
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