?Chapter 104:


    Remembering how the Fox Alliance had nearly captured Norah thest time, Kathy’s grip tightened in frustration. They had failed miserably, unable to apprehend Norah and torture her since then.


    Exhausted, Kathy returned to Carter Manor, only to find Derek, alongside Sharon and Juliana, wearing somber expressions. Overwhelmed, Kathy silently moved to the center of the living room.


    Julianamanded sharply, “Kneel!”


    Kathyplied, sinking to her knees heavily on the floor.


    “Kathy Carter! A member of the Carter family, you’ve embarrassed us all by chasing after Jordy for an auction invite. Do you even care about the Carter family’s reputation?”


    Kathy bit her lip, choosing not to respond.


    Looking at Kathy with disappointment, Sharonmented, “I was in disbelief when your brother told me about your ridiculous behavior. Why stoop so low just to please him for an auction invitation?”


    Kathy had hickeys around her neck, a reminder of the deal she had struck with Jordy just to get one auction invitation. Sharon’s frustration grew as she observed her daughter, traditionally proud, now appearing diminished by her voluntary actions.


    “Derek ns to escort Madeline to the auction, and I wish to attend as well. If he won’t take me, I’ll find another way,” Kathy said, her gaze unwavering, convinced of her own innocence.


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    Norah sifted through her mailbox, which was crowded with requests for the Supernatural Doctor’s expertise. Among them were appeals from the Hayes family and the Scott family. After clearing out all the emails, there was one more, sitting alone in the inbox.


    It was an urgent request from the royal family of Ond, seeking high-risk cranial surgery for a princess with a sess rate below 10%. They offered $30 million for the consultation, plus a bonus for a sessful operation.


    The challenge intrigued Norah. She saw it not only as a financial opportunity but also as a chance to elevate Supernatural Doctor’s global prestige. She wondered if her international fame had waned.


    She responded to the email, setting up a time to head to Ond for the surgery and some time off. The recent events in the country had left her thoughts scattered.


    Norah then prepared to share her newlypleted songs with Zeke, as their band was gearing up for a breakthrough performance.


    Just then, her phone beeped with a new message.


    Sean’s text revealed a startling truth: “I forgot to mention something important when I was getting the diamond brooch. Your recent injury wasn’t by chance. It was part of the Fox Alliance’s conspiracy with Kathy to abduct and harm you.” A voice recording followed.


    As Norah listened to Kathy’s voice in the recording, she clenched her phone in disbelief. She had assumed her injury was a repercussion from a previous sh with the Fox Alliance, never imagining Kathy’s involvement.


    The timing matched the aftermath of mocking Kathy at the mall with Joanna. Norah cursed silently. Did Kathy think she was so forgiving? Kathy had gone as far as to orchestrate an assassination attempt. Had luck not been on her side, she could have fallen prey to the Fox Alliance’s torture or suffered various humiliations.


    Determined, Norah grabbed her car keys, dashed to the garage, revved her sports car, and sped toward Carter Manor. Kathy, still unmarried, resided there with her family, including Juliana.


    After Norah had married Derek, Kathy’s loathing of Norah had ignited, and she frequently visited Derek’s ce just to tease Norah. Norah had once exercised patience, hoping not to burden Derek with family discord. This, however, had resulted in Kathy taking advantage, with Derek persistently advising Norah to tolerate it.


    “Smack!” Upon entering Carter Manor with the butler’s guidance, Norah was met with the sight of Sharon pping Kathy. The mix of anger and sympathy on Sharon’s face was a new side to Norah. To Norah, Sharon had always seemed haughty and disdainful, but Kathy’s actions must have deeply wounded Sharon this time.


    Thrown straight to the ground, her hair a mess, Kathy lifted her head, ring with resentment. “I was only looking out for myself! What did I do wrong? Mom, Grandma, tell me. If Derek doesn’t care about me anymore, who else can I count on?”


    Juliana maintained her calm until she noticed Norah standing at the doorway, causing her to halt. “Norah?” All eyes in the room shifted toward her, her demeanor gentle yet radiant, as if bathed in light.


    “The early bird catches the worm,” she remarked, her voice cold and authoritative, filling the room.


    Kathy’s hands balled into fists. She silently cursed Norah. In her eyes, Norah’s failure to manage her brother and let him reunite with Madeline had precipitated her downfall. In Kathy’s mind, Norah was the root cause.


    As Derek watched Norah enter, bathed in light and d in a white dress, she seemed transformed, standing out in a way he had never noticed before. He realized he was automatically locking eyes with Norah in the crowd, something he’d never done before. Previously, Norah had been like a shadow in his life, easily overlooked no matter the circumstance.


    Following their divorce, Norah’s presence became unexpectedly captivating, drawing his gaze whenever she was amongst others.


    Sharon stepped forward, shielding Kathy, her toneced with skepticism. “What brings you here?” Her words were sharp and direct.


    Norah’s lips curled into a cold smile. “I’vee to confront Kathy now that we’re all gathered.”


    Turning to Derek, Norah asked, “Mr. Carter, why isn’t Madeline by your side today?”


    Derek looked away. “Madeline has something she needs to take care of.”


    In truth, Derek had heeded Juliana’s advice against bringing Madeline here, wary of causing any displeasure.


    Juliana’s cold look eased slightly at the sight of Norah. She gestured with her hand. “Norah, please, take a seat.” She had no desire to nce at Kathy on the floor again.


    Sharon assisted Kathy, warming her with a re. “We’ll discuss thister.” Kathy, rubbing her red cheek, sat quietly next to Sharon, shooting resentful nces at Norah beside her grandmother.


    Observing Norah’s renewed vigor, Juliana tried to suppress the sourness in her heart. “Norah, what do you need?”


    Sharon sneered, “Probably couldn’t make it outside, so she’s here to borrow money from the Carter family, right? Wasn’t Derek’s settlement enough?”


    Sharon was oblivious to Derek’s shamelessness in reiming what he had offered before, including thirty million and three vis. With Derek’s ongoing divorce proceedings with Norah, she couldn’t fathom the cause of Norah’s sudden visit, other than a money issue.


    Juliana shot Sharon a look and said, “I didn’t ask you. Keep quiet, I’m speaking to Norah.”


    Sharon mped her mouth shut, eager to hear Norah’s response.


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