?Chapter 43:


    After asking some questions about the connection between Rosy Secret and Norah, Joanna finally got the picture of the situation.


    “So, they imed your song and lyrics as their own creation? Damn, how dare they!” Joanna, visibly upset, blurted out. “Norah, how did you keep yourself from confronting them physically?”


    Norah gave Joanna a look and said, “Getting physical can’t change anything. Rest assured, they’ll soon learn their lesson.”


    Joanna nodded, sensing that Norah’s tolerance was only reserved for Derek. Norah’s attitude toward others’ wrongdoings fluctuated with her mood—lenient on good days, unforgiving on bad ones.


    “Come on, I’ll walk you out.” Supporting Joanna, Norah descended the stairs just as Derek, Kathy, and Madeline started to walk their way out of the mour Club. Norah and Joanna continued, unaware of Derek and his group trailing behind them.


    Kathy, noticing Norah and Joanna in front of them, pointed out, “Isn’t that Norah? Norah and Joanna, right? Are they here to enjoy themselves at mour Club?”


    Madeline’s eyes darkened, schemes forming in her mind. “Miss Wilson deserves some rxation, given she seldom got out much when she looked after Derek.”


    Kathy, oblivious to Madeline’s changing expression, added, “So, she’s here scouting for a man? That must be the reason she’de to mour Club.”


    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins


    With a calcting look, Kathy stepped forward and yelled, “Hey, Norah!”


    Norah stopped but didn’t turn around. She continued toward the exit.


    Kathy persisted, “Norah, I’m speaking to you, don’t you hear me?”


    Facing Kathy’s obstruction, Norah responded sharply, “I only respond to humannguage.”


    Kathy’s irritation spiked. “You!”


    Norah looked back and saw Madeline clinging to Derek, both staring at her in dismay.


    Joanna let go of Norah’s hand, advanced, and shoved Kathy aside. “Such nerve! Given the Carter family’s standing, you dare to make such a scene?”


    Joanna faced Derek directly. “If you, Mr. Carter, can’t keep your sister in line, I’ll have to.”


    Madeline intervened with a soft voice, seizing the moment to y the nice guy, “Miss Andrews, please, there’s no need for hostility. Miss Wilson lived with the Carter family. Kathy just wanted to catch up with her.”


    Norah rolled her eyes at Madeline’s hypocritical words and said, “Seriously? A catch-up, you said? Miss Powell, I don’t see anything for Kathy to catch up with me. Mind if I offer unsolicited advice? Mr. Carter, you might want to focus on how you handle the uing divorcewsuit.”


    Derek and Madeline’s expressions darkened.


    Norah pulled Joanna back to her side and advised, “If you’ve had too much to drink, it’s time to head home. There’s no use making a scene here except for making all of you clowns look ridiculous.”


    Kason, nked by his bodyguards on his way out, instantly noticed them by the entrance. “Miss Wilson, Miss Andrews, you leaving? Why didn’t you let…?”


    Kason’smanding presence seemed to fill the space as he approached, silencing Derek and his group. With a tone of mild reproach, Kason addressed Norah, noticing Joanna’s drunken state. “Miss Andrews, are you drunk?”


    Joanna, struggling with her bnce, confessed, “Yes, quite drunk, and everything is spinning.”


    Kason then turned his attention to Derek and his group, slightly puzzled. “Have I interrupted something? What’s this discussion about?”


    Derek felt a wave of unease. Kason, from the Hayes family, seemed to know Norah. How could that be?


    Many of the Hayes family members were military veterans, and Kason’s legendary tales were often shared among affluent families in Glophia. Kason had distinguished himself early, joining the military police academy with outstanding merit andter participating in ssified missions, vanishing from the public eye.


    With Devonte falling ill recently, the family’s leadership had passed to Kason’s elder brother. However, his brother’s transition from military to family affairs hadn’t been smooth, leading to the family’s diminished influence.


    After being absent from the public eye for years, Kason returned and assumed control of the Hayes family. Seen by many as an exemry figure, Kason, despite being Derek’s age,manded much greater respect.


    With a serious expression and amanding presence, Kason advanced, making Kathy uneasy. She subtly sought refuge behind Derek as Kason drew near. Her boldness to confront Norah stemmed from her belief that Norah wouldn’t retaliate.


    Derek, cautious of the dynamics between Norah and Kason, refrained from making furtherments. “Just a casual conversation.”


    Kason’s focus then shifted to Madeline. “Aren’t you the Powell family’s youngest daughter? Weren’t you abroad for marriage? What brings you back, and why are you here with Mr. Carter?”


    Caught off-guard, Madeline responded quietly, “Mr. Hayes, perhaps you’re not updated, but I’ve been back for a while.” She didn’t borate on her presence with Derek at this hour.


    With a stern look, Derek asked, “Mr. Hayes, are you acquainted with Norah?”


    “Yes, I am. Why do you ask?” Kason answered casually before turning to Norah. “Miss Andrews has had too much to drink. Miss Wilson, I’ll drive her home first and then drop you off afterward. Would that be alright?”


    Norah nodded, and Joanna, by her side, also agreed. “Sure.”


    Madeline’s expression changed subtly as she chimed in, “Mr. Hayes, you might not be aware, but Miss Wilson lives in Dreamview Vis. I believe she has her own means of transportation.”


    Kathy, pretending to be astonished, interrupted. “Dreamview Vis? Does Norah reside in Dreamview Vis? Could someone be sponsoring her?”


    This insinuation shifted the mood of those gathered. Madeline couldn’t resistmenting, “Kathy, why would you suggest such a thing about Miss Wilson? It’s possible she purchased the vi on her own.”


    Kathy scoffed. “For years, Norah worked as a housekeeper in the Carter family’s residence. Plus, the Wilson family didn’t value her at all. How could she afford a vi, especially in Dreamview Vis? She couldn’t fetch that price!”


    Considering Kason’s presence, Derek finally stepped forward and reprimanded, “Kathy Carter!” At his shout, Kathy quickly retreated.


    Kason chuckled and said, “Is this indicative of the Carter family’s upbringing? I’ve never seen this before. A younger sister boldly disparaging her brother’s wife indicates habitual disrespect at home. The reasons behind Miss Wilson’s divorce are bing clearer to me.”


    Kason then shifted his attention from Kathy to Madeline. “An arrogant younger sister and a mistress meddling in a marital rtionship—it seems the divorce was a wise choice Miss Wilson made.”


    Joanna apuded and said, “Well said, Mr. Hayes!” Norah lowered her eyes, remaining silent.


    Derek’s expression soured. Facing Kason’s critique of the Carter family’sck of discipline was a bitter pill to swallow. “This is a family affair. Allow me to remind you that you don’t have the right to judge this, Mr. Hayes,” Derek said, attempting to uphold Kathy’s dignity in front of others.


    Kason looked at Norah and said, “You’re right. While the Carter family’s dynamics don’t interest me, Miss Wilson is my friend. My remarks were merely in passing.”


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