Chapter 10 The Bracelet Representing the Wife Given to the Mistress?
Isaac spoke in an even tone, "There are some things I meant to discuss after grandma's birthday celebration, but now that everyone seems to be in the loop, I might as well address it now."
"Nora and I are divorced. It was after our separation that she sought the company of another man. Therefore, she wasn't unfaithful. She is no longer part of the Porter family. The Porter family rules do not apply to her anymore."
Isaac's declaration stunned the crowd.
Especially Edmund.
"What did you say? You and Nora are divorced? Who gave you permission to do that?"
"The divorce is a matter between Nora and me. It requires no one else's consent as long as both of us agree," Isaac replied.
Edmund was left speechless with anger.
Isaac turned to Katie and said, "Grandma, Nora is no longer associated with the Porters. Her actions are her own now, and they won't tarnish mine or the Porter family's reputation."
Katie scrutinized him with narrowed eyes. "Are you two truly divorced? You aren't just trying to shield her from punishment by lying to me, are you?"
Suspicion rippled through the onlookers that Isaac might have fabricated a divorce lie.
Unruffled, Isaac drew a document from his pocket and held it up. "This is our divorce paper. I have no reason to lie. Besides, if she really cheated on me, do you think I would lie to you just to protect her?"
Everyone knew Isaac had no fondness for Nora.
He wouldn't lie for her sake!
It appeared their divorce was indeed a reality.
"When did you two split up?" Katie asked again.
If the divorce was recent, and Nora had run off to find a man right away, it could imply an affair. Katie wouldn't let that slide!
With a poker face, Isaac answered, "About six months ago."
Katie pondered for a moment.
Indeed. Isaac had stayed away from home for an extended period six months ago, only returning when Edmund insisted.
It made sense now; he had been avoiding coming home because of his divorce from Nora. It all clicked.
"Since you've been divorced for a while, why didn't you mention it sooner?" Katie griped before motioning to the security. "You can leave now."
Just like that, the matter was done and dusted.
Nora stood there, staring at Isaac with a puzzled expression.
Why had he misled everyone to believe they had divorced half a year ago?
Could it be that he cared about her after all?
Did he lie to protect her reputation?
She was somewhat touched.
"Mrs. Foster."
Nora was snapped out of her daze by Isaac turning to her with an indifferent tone. "Now that we're no longer married, there's no need for you to attend my grandmother's birthday celebration. Please leave."
Nora gazed at Isaac for a long while.
She desperately wanted to ask why he was helping her, but it wasn't proper in front of this crowd.
Finally, she dropped her gaze. She politely nodded to Edmund and Katie before leaving the banquet hall.
Katie's eyes then turned to Kalista, her voice thick with annoyance. "You should leave as well, and don't show your face around me again. You've turned a fine celebration into a complete mess!"
Kalista's face turned ashen, her chest heaving with rage.
How had things gone so wrong?
She had revealed a video of Nora's secret rendezvous with another man, yet Nora seemed unaffected. Surprisingly, instead of Nora being disgraced, she became the subject of mockery.
With tearful eyes, Kalista looked toward Isaac.
She hoped Isaac would comfort and stand up for her to restore some of her dignity.
Isaac glanced at her, showing no interest, and simply commanded, "Leave now."
Kalista stared at Isaac in disbelief.
Was he really kicking her out?
He wouldn't even offer her a shred of comfort?
Help her to save reputation?
Biting her lip in sorrow, Kalista finally fled the venue in tears.
Outside the hotel, Nora was on the sidewalk, hailing a cab.
Kalista ran up behind her, shouting angrily, "Nora, I can't believe how sneaky you are!"
Nora turned around with a bemused smile and replied, "The joke's on me, and here you are calling me sneaky? Are you out of your mind?"
Kalista gritted her teeth and said, "Why didn't you tell me yesterday that the painting was the gift you and Edmund had prepared for Katie's seventieth birthday? Did you deliberately keep it from me so you could watch me make a fool of myself?"
Nora shrugged innocently. "Grandpa made me promise to keep it a secret; I wasn't allowed to tell anyone, which is why I couldn't say anything."
"I've turned down your offers to buy that painting many times. You were the one bent on taking it by force. You're the laughingstock tonight because of your own actions, don’t blame it one me. You might want to do some soul-searching instead of pinning the blame on me."
"You manipulative witch! Don't think you can just talk your way out of this!" Kalista spat, her face contorted with rage.
Blinded by anger, she raised her hand to slap Nora.
But Nora quickly grabbed Kalista's wrist and pushed her away.
Undeterred, Kalista lunged at her again.
Just then, a sedan sped toward them from behind.
A vicious glint appeared in Kalista's eyes as she forcefully shoved Nora into the road.
In a reflex, Nora clutched at Kalista's arm. As she fell toward the asphalt, Kalista was dragged down with her.
Both women tumbled onto the street.
Upon seeing figures dart in front of the car, the driver desperately swerved the steering wheel.
A loud "Crash!" filled the air.
The car struck Kalista, sending her body flying several meters before she hit the ground hard.
Nora was also knocked down, her side raw with pain as if layers of skin had been scraped off.
Ignoring her own wounds, she hurried to check on Kalista.
Kalista lay unconscious, her body bleeding profusely.
Trembling, Nora reached out and checked for Kalista's breath beneath her nose.
Kalista was still breathing!
With shaking hands, Nora pulled out her cell phone to dial 911. Then, she called Isaac.
Isaac bolted out of the hotel in no time.
As she endured her pain, Nora approached Isaac, wanting to explain what had just happened.
But Isaac pushed her aside, rushing urgently to Kalista.
The sight of Kalista, drenched in blood, turned his face ashen.
"Hang in there, Kalista!"
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