Chapter 23 Forced Love is Unhappy
Kalista's cheeks burned with embarrassment at the whispers swirling around her. Being ejected from the mall on the Porter family's turf was a complete and utter humiliation. If she didn't retaliate, her social standing and reputation in the community would be dashed to pieces. People would think she'd fallen out of favor, that they could look down on her and dismiss her outright!
Fighting the surge of anger, Kalista whipped out her phone and dialed Isaac's number. No matter how many times she tried, there was no answer. She trembled with rage. "What's going on? Why isn't Isaac picking up? What could he possibly be busy with?" Kalista fumed, turning her glare at Jonas, and commanded, "Call Wesley right now. Ask him what Isaac is up to and why he's not answering my calls!"
"Right away," Jonas complied, quickly connecting the call to Wesley and passing on Kalista's inquiries.
After a brief exchange, Jonas hung up and relayed, "Wesley says Mr. Porter is tied up in a meeting discussing a major deal. He made it clear that he's not to be disturbed, no matter what."
Kalista seethed. Was a meeting more important than her?
"Call him again," she insisted. "Tell Wesley to inform Isaac after his meeting that I was harassed at the mall, and he needs to come and defend me! I'll wait right here for him. I'm not leaving until he shows up!"
With no choice, Jonas once again reached out to Wesley, conveying Kalista's message to Isaac.
Inside the jewelry store.
Once Kalista was dealt with, Steve instructed the manager to fire the offending store manager, ensuring he'd be blacklisted from all major brands in Aridonia.
The henchmen poised to target Nora weren't fired. However, Steve ordered their transfer away from this shopping center, never to show their faces around here again.
After settling scores, Steve purchased the jewelry set that had caught Nora's eye. They left the store with Nora still in a daze.
It wasn't until they were some distance away from the jewelers that Nora finally started to come to grips with what had just happened.
She glanced down and, to her surprise, found that Steve had been holding her hand all along.
His large hand enveloped her smaller one, entirely encompassing it.
It was warm and gave her a sense of security.
Nora took a deep breath, trying to quell the flutter in her heart. She gave his hand a gentle tug and then came to a halt.
Steve had no choice but to stop too.
"What's up?"
Nora slipped her hand out of his large grasp.
Nora lifted her gaze, her clear eyes scrutinizing him. "The entirety of Century Square, including this mall, belongs to the Porter family. Even the stores in the mall are directly invested in and managed by the Porters. That means all the employees here are with the Porter family. Why would the Porters follow your every command? Tell me, what exactly is your relationship with the Porters?"
She knew the general manager of Century Square had treated him with a great deal of respect. If he were associated with the Porters, his status was certainly not insignificant.
Just thinking about him being connected to the Porters darkened Nora's expression even more.
Steve's face was a mask of seriousness as he said dismissively, "I have nothing to do with the Porter family."
"Nothing? Do you think I'm an idiot? If you have no ties with the Porters, why would their employees be at your beck and call?" Nora retorted mockingly
She pressed, "And why, out of deference to you, would they completely disregard Kalista's feelings and even kick her off the Porters' turf? Do you know who Kalista is? She's been with Isaac for four years. Everyone knows she's his favorite. Marco knows Kalista, and yet he's willing to cross her for you. Tell me, if it's not because of some connection to the Porters, then why would Marco betray them for your sake?"
Nora's barrage of questions left him speechless.
Momentarily, he didn't know how to respond.
It seemed no matter what excuse he concocted, it couldn't adequately explain the situation.
But Nora was convinced that he was one of Porter's own and certainly wouldn't keep seeing him if he didn't explain himself.
Her gaze grew icier by the second.
"It seems you're not willing to answer my question. I won't force you, but let's not see each other again. I want nothing to do with anyone from the Porter family," Nora said, her voice calm but resolute as she prepared to leave.
Just then, a tall, elegant young man emerged from behind a pillar on the side.
"Hey Nora! It’s you! What a coincidence to see you here," he said with a casual smile.
Nora halted, her eyes landing on the dashing gentleman before her. After a brief hesitation, she replied with a touch of awkwardness, "Harold, what a surprise."
It was Harold Whitaker.
Isaac's Harold.
Strictly speaking, she was already divorced from Isaac and shouldn't even be greeting him.
"Are you here alone?" Harold asked.
Nora was about to answer when Harold's eyes feigned surprise upon noticing the man behind her. "Oh? What's he doing here? Are you two together?"
Her expression turned frosty.
Harold knew Steve.
So, he really was one of the Porter's!
She regretted not asking about his identity before suggesting they get involved. But it was hardly her fault.
Who would have guessed someone from the Porters, holding no low rank, would be working as a gigolo?
"Do you know him? Who is he?" Nora asked, her voice firm.
Harold's lips curled into a sly grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I do know him, and I could tell you his identity, but you must keep it a secret. You can't reveal his true identity to anyone, or it'll spell big trouble."
"Fine, I promise. I won't tell a soul," Nora assured him swiftly.
She was never one to gossip and could keep her lips sealed.
"Harold, if you dare spew nonsense, I won't let you off easy!" Steve glared at Harold, his eyes laden with warning.
But Harold remained unperturbed.
He curled the corner of his lip, lowering his voice with a hint of intrigue, and said to Nora, "You do know what his day job is, right? Katie used to have him on her payroll for years, doted on him like he was her own. Now, even though he's not living with Katie anymore, she seems to spoil him even more. She's always asking for his company and treats him better than her own grandkids."
Nora's eyes widened in disbelief.
Could Katie really be that sort of woman?
Was she actually Steve's sugar mama?
Good Lord! The thought was just unimaginable!
Katie always appeared so traditional, so respectable... and she's been secretly courting a toyboy?
Before today, Nora would've disbelieved such gossip.
But after what she had just witnessed, Nora was convinced that Harold wasn't lying to her.
If Steve was indeed Katie's guy, then his ability to maneuver the staff at Century Square to follow his commands made perfect sense!
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