Chapter 19 Won't let you suffocate
The door swung open with a resounding click.
"You're free to go," the officer said to Nora.
Taken aback, Nora blinked. "I'm really free to go?"
"If you prefer to stay, then welcome," the officer quipped.
Of course, she didn't want to stay.
Nora hurried out after the officer.
"Officer, did Mick drop the charges?" she asked anxiously.
"He withdrew his complaint."
Withdrew?
Had Mick suddenly found a conscience?
That didn't seem likely.
Nora regarded him with suspicion.
Stepping outside the holding cell, she saw Mick with a bandage on his forehead, waiting by the police station entrance, his smile almost seeming to seek her approval.
"Miss Smith, it was all a big misunderstanding. Let's put it behind us," he said in a conciliatory tone.
Isn't that a bit of a quick turnaround?
Nora watched him carefully, about to ask something, when a familiar female voice called out from a distance.
"Nora."
It was her best friend, Jenny, dressed in tight black dance attire with an oversized white shirt thrown over, rushing towards her.
"Jenny, what are you doing here?" Nora exclaimed, surprised.
"Alex called me, said you were in trouble, so I took off work and came as fast as I could," Jenny explained, standing in front of Nora and looking her over. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Nora replied with a smile.
"What exactly happened? Alex told me you'd hurt someone. Who did you hit?" Jenny inquired.
"Just wait a second, Jenny."
Nora ran toward Mick, who was about to get into his car.
"Mr. Mick."
Mick stopped in his tracks, offering an embarrassed grin. "Miss Smith, look, I've already apologized, and I got hurt too. You’re not going to hold this against me forever, are you?"
Nora fixed him with a stare. "Mr. Mick, just tell me, does my child have anything to do with you?"
"Not at all," Mick replied hastily. "Sure, I was at Lucas's wedding four years ago and I did sleep with a woman, but it wasn't you. However, before you called me yesterday, Mrs. Smith and your sister had already been in touch."
"They wanted me to pretend to be your child's biological father and ruin your reputation. Once done, the Smith family's new joint venture would give me an additional five percent in the deal."
So, it was Martha and Becky's doing after all!
A chill crossed Nora's eyes.
She suppressed the rising anger inside her and asked, "Mr. Mick, you were all set to have me jailed for assaulting you. Why suddenly drop the charges?"
"Miss Smith," Mick confessed, "I have kids too, and after thinking it over, I decided I'd rather do right for them. So, I withdrew the complaint."
Nora knew that plausible lies often concealed the darkest truths, but for now, it seemed she had been granted a reprieve from one of her many battles. She turned to rejoin Jenny, the next move already forming in her steely resolve.
The warning came from a surprising source, instructing Mick to keep quiet about certain details, especially from Nora.
But it left Mick scratching his head in confusion.
Noe of all people, Aaron's top Special Assistant, was the last person he expected to jump out with a warning. Was Lucas pulling some strings behind the scenes? No, that couldn't be. Lucas, only a distant relative of the Gordons, couldn't possibly have sway over Noe.
And wasn't Noe supposed to answer solely to Aaron? But Aaron had been missing in action. The oddities of the situation eluded Mick, but one thing was clear: he'd nearly been delivered to death's door courtesy of the Smith family's ruthless mother and daughter game.
"Mr. Mick, if you truly wish to build up something good for your children, then live honorably from now on and quit these filthy trades," Nora said, her voice devoid of emotion.
Mick could only nod his agreement before he hurried to his car and drove off.
Nora watched his car shrink into a speck in the distance, deep in thought. Something didn't sit right with her.
"Nora, is he the one you beat up?" Jenny approached with curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Yeah."
"What the heck happened?"
"Let's walk and talk..." Nora hopped into Jenny's car and recounted the entire story.
Jenny was incensed by the tale, "That mother-daughter duo is just too much. We can’t let them get away with this."
"Exactly," Nora said, buckling her seatbelt.
Jenny whipped out her phone and pulled up a video, a sly twinkle in her eyes. "Nora, wait till you see this gem."
"What is it?"
"It's about your stepmother."
My stepmother, Martha?
Nora focused on the screen to see a man and woman, scantily clad, passionately kissing by a window. The imagery was borderline scandalous.
Nora frowned, her gaze landing on the woman's face.
"Jenny, please tell me that's not Martha as the leading lady in this steamy scene?"
"Bingo!" Jenny cheered as she started the car.
Nora's eyes widened, then darted to the young man's face. "And who is he? He seems pretty young."
"He's quite the youthful guy, a college student. Tall, handsome, and working as an intern at YJ Media."
"Wait... Martha's playing the cougar card with some fresh meat?"
"Yep, pretty explosive scoop, huh? What do you think your dad would do if he found out? Would he go ballistic on your stepmom?"
Jenny reveled in the scandal.
Nora transferred the video to her own phone and asked, "Where did you get this?"
Jenny's eyes danced with mischief. "I got a paparazzo to sneak this footage for you."
Nora paused, giving her friend an expectant look, waiting for the rest of the story.
“I work as a physical instructor for the talents at YJ Media, right? Once, I overheard a group of newbie male artists gossiping. The subject of their gossip was the college guy in the video.”
“They claimed that a wealthy lady was keeping him as her boy toy, saying he’d do anything for fame. I didn’t pay much attention at first; such things aren’t uncommon in the business.”
“But when they mentioned your father’s company, I realized it was your stepmom keeping the pretty boy a secret from your dad. So, I tipped off the entertainment reporters to dig deeper, and they hit the jackpot.”
Words prompted gratitude.
“Jenny, I can’t thank you enough.”
Jenny was her confidante, with whom she’d shared a passion for dance since childhood, standing out with her ethereal beauty.
Now working as a fitness trainer at YJ Media.
Their friendship had stood the test of time, never faltering over the years.
“Since when are you so nice to me?”
Jenny playfully chided before adding, “Your mom was always good to me as a kid. I just wanted to do something in her memory.”
Nora tightened her grip on her phone at the mention of her mother.
Although she had no proof yet that Martha was behind her mother’s demise,
It didn’t mean she would let Martha enjoy a carefree life.
“And that stepsister of yours is no good either, Nora. What’s your plan?” Jenny asked.
A cold glint flickered in Nora’s eyes.
“Jenny, what does Becky care about most?”
“Her status.”
“Exactly. So, let's make her stay the mistress!”
To inflict a blow more painful than death, Becky yearned for legitimacy; Nora would ensure she remained a mistress.
“That’s clever.”
Jenny grinned, “Nora, Lucas must be kicking himself now for losing you, now that you're looking so gorgeous.”
“Probably.” A scornful light danced in Nora’s eyes.
Some men are so superficial!
What was she thinking back then, falling for Lucas?
“Nora, don’t worry about the kids’ schooling, I’ll think of something,” Jenny offered.
Nora arched an eyebrow, “Jenny, how could you forget? I’m still married!”
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