Chapter 273 Having Her Three Children Switch Schools
Having seen to Hollis's treatment and shared a meal with the Brown family, Nora didn't linger for the customary card game. Instead, she found a plausible excuse to depart early.
Aaron, notably, was absent to escort her home.
As she sat in the passenger seat of Frederic's car, Nora's spirits inexplicably sank. It was she who had instigated their separation, yet when Aaron complied without resistance, a weight settled in her chest.
Had his professions of love been nothing more than empty words? Could their relationship truly dissolve at her mere suggestion? Did he not care to fight for them, even slightly?
In that moment, Nora was confronted with her own paradox. She was torn between wanting Aaron to contest their breakup and desiring him to respect her decision to part ways.
With a soft sigh, she dismissed the disquiet that had taken root in her heart. Reaching for her cell phone, she dialed her mentor's number.
"Professor, I've made the necessary arrangements. I can assist you now."
"That's wonderful. When can you be in Lindwood City?" her mentor's voice was filled with excitement.
Nora paused to contemplate. "I'll depart on Monday."
She would need to sort out her professional and personal matters the following day to ensure a worry-free departure.
Upon her return home, she discovered her three children engrossed in their play upstairs.
Noticing Nora's solitary arrival, Samantha voiced the question that lingered in her brothers' minds.
"Mommy, is it just you?"
"Yes," Nora responded, patting Samantha's head affectionately and planting a kiss on her forehead. She then inspected the child's wrist. Thankfully, the medicine had been applied, and the redness had significantly reduced.
"Mommy, didn't Uncle Gordon come back with you?" Billy couldn't help but inquire.
Nora lowered her gaze, responding softly, "He was occupied."
The children exchanged glances, and Alex ventured, "Mommy, did you and Uncle Gordon have a disagreement?"
Nora looked at him, noting the worry in his eyes, and chose to deflect from the truth.
"No, don't jump to conclusions."
She didn't want to burden the children with her personal issues at this crucial time. She would address it upon her return from Lindwood City.
Swiftly changing the subject, she announced, "By the way, I have to take a trip on Monday. I need you three to behave while I'm away, alright?"
The children blinked in surprise. "Mommy, where are you going?"
"To Lindwood City."
"For what?"
"My professor has requested my assistance with some medical research," Nora divulged.
Samantha's eyes widened. "Mommy, will Uncle Gordon accompany you?"
Nora hesitated before standing up. "No, he has his own responsibilities. Now, I'm going to take a shower."
Once she retreated into the bedroom, the children exchanged glances. Billy furrowed his brow. "Is Mommy really not quarreling with Uncle Gordon? She seems a bit upset."
Samantha tilted her head. "Should I call Uncle Gordon to ask?"
"Don't call," Alex interjected with a stern expression. "If Mommy truly had a disagreement with Uncle Gordon, it's his responsibility to make her happy. Our involvement won't make a difference."
Upon hearing this, Samantha looked at Billy, who nodded in agreement. Consequently, Samantha abandoned the idea of making the call.
Meanwhile, Aaron had just concluded his visit to his mother at the hospital and was stepping out into the crisp evening air.
Noah Jekyll maneuvered his vehicle, stealing glances at his fatigued reflection in the rearview mirror. He felt a pang of empathy for his beleaguered CEO, trapped like a helpless morsel between two formidable forces. On one side, his own mother, and on the other, the woman he cherished deeply.
In the midst of their power struggle, Noah, the unwitting casualty, was the purest of them all.
"Mr. Gordon, where are we headed now?"
Aaron, nestled in the back seat, was kneading his temples. At the query, his hands stilled, and his initial response was to suggest they head to Nora's place.
But he swallowed the words.
His beloved was in a sour mood today; it was wiser to let her simmer down.
"Home," he responded.
He would hold off until tomorrow, after his meeting with his grandfather, before making any further decisions.
The following day, Nora made her first stop at the lab, compiling the data from her ongoing experiment. Afterward, she dialed Jack to give him a brief update.
"Nor, I already got the heads up from Professor Lee. Go ahead, I'll be back tomorrow to cover your work," Jack assured her.
"Okay."
Nora smiled, then asked with a hint of curiosity, "Jack, how are things with Sue?"
"We're doing well," Jack replied, his voice hitching slightly, betraying a hint of discomfort.
Understanding Jack's sensitive nature, Nora visualized his unease and refrained from teasing him further.
They exchanged a few more words before ending the call.
It was comforting to know that Jack and Sue were getting along; Nora could now send them her blessings with a peaceful heart.
A faint smile played on her lips as Nora resumed her domestic duties, particularly the daily routines of her three little ones.
She hadn't been in touch with Jenny lately. She always so smitten with Edric, had probably forgotten all about her best friend.
Indeed, what a friend. Choosing romance over friendship!
Murmuring to herself, Nora was about to dial Jenny to request her to look after the trio while she was away in Lindwood City.
But before she could make the call, an unexpected one came through.
Being someone who didn't ignore calls, she answered.
"Hello."
"Hello, is this Miss. Smith?"
"Yes, it's me. May I know who's calling?"
"I'm calling from the Mont International Kindergarten administration office. Given the family background of your children, the school has determined that your three children do not meet our enrollment criteria. Please come by on Monday to process the transfer paperwork for your children."
The school wanted her to process a transfer for her three kids?
Nora was taken aback. "May I ask why my children suddenly do not meet the enrollment criteria? The school year has already started; how can you now say that my kids don't meet the criteria? Are the school's policies this inconsistent?"
"Sorry, Miss. Smith, I'm just following orders," the caller said, his voice laced with regret.
Nora's almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly. "Following orders? May I ask who gave the order?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't disclose that information."
And with that, the caller ended the call.
Nora’s expression was stern. Why would someone suddenly issue an order for her three children to switch schools? Who gave that order? The image of Mary flashed in her mind, and Nora’s lips pressed tightly together as her chest heaved with emotion.
She understood; it must have been Mary who had the school issue the transfer order. Only she had both the motive and the authority to do so.
Nora's beautiful face hardened, and she thought to call Aaron, but she only dialed half the number before stopping herself. She had already severed ties with Aaron; calling him now would only instigate another argument with his mother. And if anything happened to Mary, she would bear the guilt forever.
Nora gripped her phone, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to quell her turbulent emotions. The kindergarten required her to handle the transfer paperwork, but where should she transfer the children to?
Suddenly, she yearned to take her kids and leave. Her mother's affairs had been settled; there was no need to stay in Houston, right? She remembered her mentor’s lab was in the prestigious Lindwood City University.
The university also had an affiliated kindergarten, elementary school, and high school.
A decision crystallized in Nora’s eyes as she pondered the possibilities.
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