Chapter 279 She Could Make Her Move
"The paperwork is ready; all that remains is Miss. Smith's signature," came the assistant's voice from the other end of the line.
"Stand by for my directive," Ebenezer responded, his voice calm and collected. He ended the call and sighed quietly, his mind already orchestrating a meeting with Nora upon her arrival in Lindwood City.
"Who was that, Ebenezer?" The voice of Emma echoed from the staircase, breaking his train of thought.
Ebenezer looked up to see his wife and their children descending the stairs. His two sons and adopted daughter were already privy to Nora's background. Given the privileged upbringing of his own children juxtaposed with the trials Nora had faced, Ebenezer felt a profound empathy for her.
"Now that we're all gathered," he began, his voice steady, "I want to inform you that Nora will be arriving in Lindwood City soon. I intend to transfer several of my properties and five percent of the company shares to her. I trust there are no objections?" His gaze swept across the room, taking in the reactions of his family.
Emma's expression shifted subtly at his announcement. She didn't directly address Ebenezer's plans to transfer assets to Nora, instead posing a question, "Why is Nora coming to Lindwood City? Is she seeking to reconnect with her family roots?"
"She's relocating for work," Ebenezer replied simply.
Emma scoffed lightly, skepticism lining her voice. "For work? How convenient. She feigned indifference in our presence, and now it all seems like a ruse? We've barely settled back in Lindwood City, and she's already on her way here. Isn't it clear she wants us to accept her?"
Ebenezer's frown deepened at her insinuations. "Emma, I've already clarified, she's not coming to connect with her ancestors. Not everyone harbors hidden agendas."
His staunch defense of Nora elicited a retort from Suzy, "Dad, if Nora claims she wants nothing to do with you, why make such a spectacle of gifting her properties and company shares? It's bound to attract attention."
Ebenezer glanced at her, his displeasure evident. "And if it does? Nora is my daughter, and it's only a matter of time before she's welcomed back into the family."
Emma interjected, her voice laced with frustration, "Ebenezer, must you really do this?"
Ebenezer looked at his wife's angry face, feeling a pang of helplessness. "Emma, I've made concessions by not immediately revealing our relationship with Nora, but she remains my daughter. I owe her too much. Is it wrong to pass on some of my assets to her?"
Emma opened her mouth to retort, but was cut off.
"Mother, let's not escalate this. Nora is a part of the Hamilton family, after all. Dad isn't in the wrong. As long as we keep this within the family, no one will be the wiser," Kenneth, the eldest son and current overseer of the Hamilton family affairs, intervened.
Emma shot him a glare. "Kenneth, whose son are you?"
"Yours and Dad’s, of course," Kenneth replied, his tone even.
"And you're siding with outsiders?" Emma retorted, her voice rising in anger.
Kenneth chose not to respond, instead turning his gaze to Howard.
Howard was still somewhat stunned. The revelation that Nora was his half-sister from his father's side was something he hadn't anticipated.
What a tangled web!
Feeling Kenneth's gaze on him, he snapped back to reality, understanding that his older brother was silently urging him to pacify their mother.
"Mother, don't let this upset you," Howard began, his voice soothing. "Getting angry will only hasten the aging process. Didn't you mention you had an appointment with Mrs. Lee for a beauty treatment? You might be late."
Emma's expression soured further. She turned to Ebenezer, her voice cold and firm. "I won't allow her to join the family. If you insist on this, we're getting a divorce!"
With that, she stormed out of the room, snatching her purse on her way out.
Ebenezer's face darkened. He said nothing, choosing instead to retreat upstairs.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy with tension.
Seeking to break the silence, Howard asked, "Hey, where's your wife, brother? Did she leave early this morning?"
Upon hearing his wife's name, a shadow of disquiet crossed the strikingly handsome features of Kenneth.
"I have matters to attend to at the company. I must leave," he announced tersely.
As another figure exited the house, Suzy voiced her frustration. "Brother, I feel sick. Why is Nora considered Dad's daughter? She took my man, and now she's trying to steal my father's affection too?"
Their father had not yet officially recognized Nora, but he had already bestowed upon her property and company shares. If she were to officially join the family, Suzy feared she would be entirely usurped.
Howard sighed, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Let it go, Suzy. What's done is done. I must be off as well."
Left alone in the vaEvellad living room, Suzy's face twisted in anger. A wicked smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as a thought occurred to her. Nora had come to Lindwood City? That meant she and Aaron were temporarily separated. This was Suzy's chance to strike.
The plane touched down safely. The manager of the Quinn branch office personally greeted them at the airport. After exchanging cordial greetings, Quinn arranged for her employees to drive them to a villa she owned in Lindwood City.
"Quinn, I appreciate your hospitality," Nora expressed gratefully.
She had intended to stay at a hotel, but Quinn wouldn't hear of it. With numerous spare rooms in her villa, she insisted that Nora make herself at home. Knowing Quinn's generous nature, Nora didn't argue further.
"If a single hair on your head were out of place, Aaron would have my head," Quinn jested.
Nora couldn't help but laugh. After unpacking her luggage, she prepared to visit her mentor's lab. Quinn didn't stop her, allowing the driver to take her. The house was then left with just Quinn and the Brown family's household staff.
"Mrs. Brown, are you satisfied with the home decor? I made sure to arrange everything according to your tastes," Quinn asked, her smile radiant.
Hollis was indeed quite pleased, but she didn't let it show. Spotting a painting hanging in the stairwell corner, she feigned criticism.
"What is that painting? It looks like a nightmare. Are you trying to give me bad dreams?" she queried.
Quinn followed her gaze, her eyebrow arching slightly. The painting was an abstract medieval oil piece from a renowned artist. Her future mother-in-law clearly didn't understand art. But, of course, these thoughts were kept to herself.
"Alright, I'll have someone remove the painting," Quinn conceded, preparing to call someone to take it down.
"Who are you asking to do it? Don't you have hands?" Hollis retorted, clearly displeased.
Quinn looked at her, a hint of exasperation in her eyes. This was a clear attempt to make things difficult for her.
"Fine, I'll do it myself," she conceded.
For the sake of her future husband, she would endure it! Hollis had been waiting for Quinn to push back against her. But to her surprise, Quinn complied without complaint. This woman truly didn't play by the rules.
As Quinn retrieved a ladder to take down the painting, Hollis felt awkwardly compelled to instruct Mary, "Help her steady the ladder."
Mary nodded and moved to support the ladder for Quinn.
Quinn climbed up, looked down with a smile, and said, "Thank you."
Hollis was taken aback, "Don't read too much into it. I just didn't want you to hurt yourself and leave us without care."
Quinn chuckled softly, choosing not to respond. Perhaps this future mother-in-law was a tough-talker with a soft heart!
Nora climbed into the car and checked in with Aaron, letting him know she had arrived safely. Shortly after, a message from Aaron arrived.
"Yeah, missing you."
Nora couldn't help but smile as she read the few words on her screen. This man, always ready with sweet nothings.
She typed back a line, "Focus on your work, stop daydreaming."
"Okay, I'll listen to my wife."
Nora was speechless.
How did it get to 'wife' already?
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