Chapter 268 Now Even Mom is Here
"Mary!" cried Lily, her voice filled with alarm. "Aaron, your mother has collapsed! Samantha, such a little terror at such a tender age – what a testament to your parenting skills, Nora! If anything happens to my sister, you'll have us to answer to!"
Nora's lips, painted a vibrant red, tightened slightly at Lily's words. She cast her gaze upon the unconscious form of Mary, choosing to remain silent. Instead, she moved to check the woman's pulse.
Aaron, too, remained silent, his eyes fixed on Nora's calm visage.
After a moment, Nora withdrew her hand. "She'll be fine. She's simply overwhelmed by anger. She needs to be taken to the hospital."
There was no immediate threat to Mary' life, and Nora felt no obligation to administer any form of revival treatment.
The red mark on her daughter's hand was still visible; Nora considered it quite magnanimous of her not to demand an explanation.
With an icy expression, Nora departed, leading the three children away without so much as a backward glance at Aaron.
Aaron could feel the chill of her departure. Was she directing her anger at him?
"Aaron, what are you waiting for? Get your mother to the hospital!" Lily urged him from the sidelines.
Aaron grunted in affirmation, preparing to lift his mother.
Nora paused mid-step but didn't turn around. Instead, she called out, "Hold on."
She then retrieved her cell phone and dialed Noe.
"Where are you?"
"I'm outside the kindergarten. What's the matter?"
"Could you come inside? There's been an incident. Mr. Gordon shouldn't be lifting heavy objects with his leg in its current state."
Having given her instructions, Nora ended the call and once again led the children away.
Aaron watched her retreating figure, his dark eyes thoughtful. She still cared, but his mother's situation had likely compliEvellad things...
Nora hadn't left the kindergarten premises when she ran into Noe, who was rushing in.
"Nora, what's happened with Mr. Gordon?" Noe asked, confusion evident in his voice.
"It's not him; it's his mother who needs help. Go on, hurry."
After this brief exchange, Nora continued on her way.
Noe, still perplexed, didn't waste any more time and quickly headed inside.
Nora stepped out of the kindergarten, surveying her surroundings. Since she had arrived in Aaron's car, she now needed to hail a taxi to return home.
Just then, her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen. It was a call from the police station.
"Hello?"
"Miss. Smith, your father has been released on bail."
Charles Manson released on bail?
Nora's brows furrowed. "Bailed out? Why would he be released? Who posted his bail?"
"Miss. Smith, the case involving your mother has exceeded the statute of limitations, and furthermore, Allen has recanted his statement, claiming the recording was doctored. As a result, the court has declined to file the case," the lawyer informed her.
Nora's grip on her phone tightened, her forehead creasing in a frown.
No, these are all excuses. Someone must be pulling strings to get Charles Manson off the hook.
Who could wield such influence?
"Officer, I just want to know who posted his bail?"
"I'm sorry, the party requested confidentiality."
The officer ended the call before she could voice her protest.
Nora's lips pressed together tightly, her expression turning sour.
Her children looked at her with concern. Alex, his face etched with worry, asked, "Mommy, what's wrong?"
With a jolt, Nora was pulled back into the present. She tamped down her rising frustration and responded in a hushed tone, "It's nothing. Let's go."
Uncertain of her next course of action, she resolved to return home.
Abruptly, a car pulled up before her, and a middle-aged man emerged.
"Miss. Smith, Mrs. Hamilton request your presence," he announced.
Nora's defenses immediately rose. "And who might Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton be?" she inquired.
"From the Hamilton family."
The Hamilton family? Nora was taken aback, her irritation mounting.
First, it had been Suzy's father. Now, their mother had appeared as well? Desiring to see her once more?
"I'm sorry, but I have three children in my care and likely won't have the time," Nora responded, attempting to politely decline the invitation.
"Miss. Smith, the lady is already awaiting you at the teahouse. I can ensure the children make it home," the man replied, his polite persistence bordering on the relentless.
The arrangement suggested they wouldn't accept a refusal.
Biting her lip, Nora said nothing further and climbed into the car.
As the vehicle departed, Noe hoisted Mary's backpack onto his shoulder. Together with Aaron, they exited the school.
Lily continued her tirade, "That child is simply dreadful. Dysfunctional families can't raise decent children. Aaron, you should distance yourself from that woman. Are you aware of her arrogance? She's so certain she could marry you. She even claimed that if she wished, she could marry you tomorrow!"
Upon hearing this, a spark flickered in Aaron's eyes, and he remarked, "That is indeed a possibility."
Lily, engrossed in her rant, didn't catch his words clearly.
"What did you say?"
Aaron responded, "Aunt Lily, you needn't concern yourself with our family affairs. Perhaps you should focus on your grandson instead. Don't spoil him; otherwise, he might end up a spoiled rich kid."
While waiting for Noe, he had gleaned the gist of the situation from the Professor Lee. He was well aware that his younger aunt's child was spoiled beyond redemption and was nothing but a troublemaker.
As they approached the door, Aaron held it open for Noe to assist Mary.
Lily continued her nagging, "Your mother was assaulted by that woman's son, and yet you still wish to associate with her? That's unfilial!"
Aaron's lips pressed into a thin line; he didn't respond but prioritized getting Mary to the hospital.
---
On the other side, after Nora had dropped off the three children, she prepared to follow the car.
Alex furrowed her small brow, "Mommy, are you okay?"
Nora smiled, "I'm fine, just take care of your brother and sister."
Alex nodded, "Keep your phone on, and call if something comes up."
"Will do."
Nora ruffled the three children's soft hair, then climbed into the car and drove away.
The three children stood behind the ornately carved fence, watching the car recede into the distance, their faces etched with worry.
"Brother, did I cause trouble for Mommy?" Billy asked, guilt tingeing his voice.
Alex scowled, "You did nothing wrong. She bullied Mommy and our sister; she deserved it."
"But that grandma seems to be Uncle Gordon's mom," Billy said hesitantly.
"What does it matter? No one is allowed to bully Mommy and our sister," Alex retorted sternly, his young face hardening.
Billy asked with concern, "Will Uncle Gordon break up with Mommy because of this?"
Alex fell silent then; he had no definitive answer.
"I don't like that grandma, but I like Daddy," Samantha pouted, her small face drooping.
Alex looked at her, "Sister, don't call Uncle Gordon 'Daddy' anymore, let's wait for Mommy to come back."
Samantha moved her small mouth, wanting to say something, but eventually just hung her little head and followed her brother inside.
---
In the tranquil teahouse, Nora entered the private room and found herself face-to-face with Ebenezer and Emma.
Emma, dressed in a forest green gown with her hair elegantly pinned up, exuded an air of nobility, albeit with a haughty gaze.
"Miss. Smith has arrived, please have a seat," she said gracefully, gesturing for Nora to sit.
Nora remained silent and took a seat opposite the pair.
Emma appraised Nora, taking in her composed and dignified demeanor, and her enigmatic eyes. She was quite beautiful, bearing a striking resemblance to Emma's younger self.
If Nora wasn't the illegitimate daughter of her husband, Emma might have found herself liking the woman.
"Mr. Ebenezer, did you need to see me about something today?" Nora asked, puzzled by the silent scrutiny from the two individuals before her.
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