Chapter 9 This Is the Gift You Carefully Chose
"Have you lost your mind? Throwing away your own reputation and trying to drag Nora down with you? Nora could never betray Isaac—what you're saying is complete nonsense!" Edmund defended Nora with righteous indignation.
Knowing just how deeply Nora loved Isaac and trusting in her character, Edmund needed no confirmation from Nora to believe she wouldn't do such a thing.
"I've got evidence of Nora's affair right here!" Kalista shrieked.
She pulled out her phone and quickly opened a video, holding it up for everyone to watch.
"Take a close look, everyone. It's clear as day in the video—Nora was kissing another man. Do you think that's how just friends behave?"
All eyes turned to Kalista's phone.
Nora lifted her gaze as well and felt a wave of embarrassment when she saw the content clearly.
The video showed the moment from yesterday when, after agreeing to date Steve, they said goodbye, and Steve pulled her in for a kiss.
Whether it was the scene depicted in the video or the actual circumstances, she was indeed compromised.
But how on earth did Kalista get hold of this video?
"Good Lord, the woman in the video is really Nora, though the man is definitely not Isaac."
"The man does have a build similar to Isaac's. Nora apparently has a type."
"Is Nora cheating on Isaac? She's got some nerve!"
"Cheating on her husband? Seriously?"
"If Nora has the gall to betray Isaac, I doubt she'll survive the year—I wouldn't be surprised if we hear about a 'mysterious' death soon."
"Shameless! That's what Nora is!"
Whispers and murmurs surrounded her, each one sapping the color from Nora's face and inducing uncontrollable tremors.
Nora felt as if she had been stripped bare and paraded in public, humiliation engulfing her like a tsunami.
"Nora, what's up with this video? Are you being blackmailed or framed?" Concern quickly replaced Edmund's initial shock.
He couldn't believe Nora would do something like that. Even with the evidence right before his eyes, his first instinct was to believe that she was either framed or threatened.
"Grandpa, you can't be so biased," Kalista fumed. "In the video, Nora doesn't look like a victim at all. She's clearly enjoying it, all bashful after being kissed. It was consensual for sure!"
Her envy of Nora was palpable.
Why on earth did Nora get Edmund's favor and unconditional support?
At that moment, all eyes turned to Nora.
With her head hung low, Nora spoke guiltily to Edmund, "I'm so sorry, Grandpa, I've betrayed your trust. The video is real, and I wasn't coerced."
The evidence was irrefutable; there was no room for denial.
After all, with just three months left to live, she didn't care about losing her reputation.
But she had let Edmund down; that was her only regret.
"Did you hear that, Grandpa?" Kalista cried out. "Nora has admitted it. She's had an affair! She doesn't deserve Isaac or to be part of the Porter family. You have to punish her!"
"Shut your mouth!" Edmund thundered.
"Even if she did cheat, it's none of your business to point fingers at her!"
"Everyone may have a right to blame Nora, but you, of all people, do not!"
"You've been after Isaac since he married Nora. What right does a homewrecker like you have to speak against her?"
"If you think Nora is wrong for cheating on Isaac, then shouldn't you be punished before I deal with Nora?"
Kalista watched Edmund in disbelief.
She had presented evidence of Nora's infidelity, and Edmund was still defending her.
"Why do Grandpa like Nora so much?" Kalista pondered.
"Enough, Edmund!" Katie couldn't bear it any longer, scolding him furiously. "There has to be a limit to protecting Nora!"
"Nora, how dare you cheat on Issac? Have you no regard for the Porter family?"
"Don't kid yourself to think that just because Edmund's got your back, you can do whatever you please. You've done something to disgrace both the Porter name and Isaac; Edmund may forgive you, but I won't!" Katie barked furiously.
"Take Nora back and discipline her with the family rules. I'll decide her fate when I return!" she commanded.
At Katie's order, the bodyguards flanked Nora, ready to seize her.
"Back off, all of you!" Edmund roared. "I'm here today, and I dare anyone to lay a finger on Nora!"
The bodyguards froze in their tracks, clearly terrified and unsure of their next move.
"Edmund, have you lost your mind? Nora cheated, she betrayed Isaac, and you're still protecting her?" Katie was livid.
"With a stern look, Edmund retorted, "Before you point fingers at Nora, perhaps you should take a good look at what Isaac has been up to all these years!"
"He's been with Kalista for three years now. If Nora did mess around with another man, Isaac brought this upon himself. As far as I'm concerned, that settles their scores."
"If anyone is to be punished, Isaac should be first in line, followed by Nora!"
"You're the one who's muddled, Katie."
"Nora and Isaac are not even in the same league. I don't care, she must be punished!" Katie insisted, clearly agitated.
Ignoring Edmund's opposition, she continued to bark orders at the bodyguards, "What are you waiting for? Take her away now!"
Upon watching from a distance, Kalista’s lips curled into a smug smile.
With the juicy scandal of Nora's affair breaking out, no one cared about her gifting indiscretions anymore. Now, with Nora's downfall, nothing would stop the Porters from dealing with her, and Kalista could smoothly marry into the Porter family. The thought sent waves of excitement through her. If only the situation wasn't so tense, she would have laughed out loud.
Meanwhile, the bodyguards reached for Nora. Her complexion turned pale, and her heart sank. She knew there was no escape from the well-trained guards of the Porter family. With a sense of despair, she closed her eyes, a bitter smile creeping across her lips.
It seemed laughable that, with only three months left to live, fate didn't even want to grant her that much time. It was ready to claim her even sooner.
At that moment, Isaac stepped forward. He fixed an icy stare on the two bodyguards. "Stand down. I don't need you here."
The bodyguards exchanged awkward glances.
"Isaac, what are you doing?!" Katie bellowed.
Nora's eyes fluttered open, gazing bewilderingly at the man towering before her.
What was Isaac thinking?
Why wouldn't he let the bodyguards take her away?
Didn't he despise her?
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