?Chapter 133:


    Norah hade to know Susanna, perceiving her as a tender soul, yetcking the street smarts that Joanna had developed over time. Joanna, having spent more time with Norah, had a knack for discerning who was genuine and who was not. But Susanna, bless her heart, was oblivious to such distinctions.


    Back in high school, Susanna would have believed the moon was made of cheese if someone told her so. Thest time, had Norah not intervened, there could have been a real problem.


    Norah empathized with the Scott family’s predicament. Susanna, being the apple of their eye, had been spoiled and indulged, but this overindulgence had bred naivety, leaving her unable to tell friend from foe.


    Despite her angelic appearance, Susanna’s innocence was apparent. Tears welled in her eyes, tugging at both Joanna’s and Norah’s heartstrings.


    Norah gently ced aforting hand on Susanna’s shoulder. “There, there. Don’t go off the deep end. I doubt Sean meant to hide anything from you.”


    Sniffling, Susanna nodded, her resolve firming. “Norah, my brother and I are thick as thieves. Just wait, I’ll ask him about it when I return!”


    Susanna felt she should support Sean’s advances, since he clearly had a soft spot for Norah. Plus, she had developed a fondness for Norah and was eager to make her part of the family.


    Watching the exchange between Norah and Susanna, Joanna couldn’t help but muse, “If only Norah and Sean could hit it off… having a sister-inw like her would be perfect.”


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    “Having a sister-inw like Susanna wouldn’t be half bad—obedient, innocent… not like that scatterbrained Kathy!” Joanna thought to herself, reflecting on Norah’s kind nature, which had often been the target of Kathy’s mocking words throughout her marriage.


    Joanna couldn’t help but admire Norah’s patience with the Carter family. Luckily, Norah was finally divorced. With the Carter family out of the picture, Norah could return to her own peace and happiness.


    “Joanna, rest well in the hospital. I’ll take my leave now. See you tomorrow,” Norah bid her farewell, using the arrival of the grapes as a reason to leave.


    “Of course, Norah. Don’t forget to drop by tomorrow,” Joanna replied warmly.


    “Count on it!” Norah called back before leaving.


    Outside the hospital, in the parking lot, Norah turned to Susanna. “I’m heading home. Care to join me?”


    “I want to check on my brother. Can you give me a ride?” Susanna asked.


    Since Norah could only drop Susanna at the gate, she agreed without hesitation.


    Norah stopped her vehicle outside Sean’s vi. Susanna fidgeted in her seat, wondering how to invite Norah inside.


    “Thanks for the ride, Norah. How about a drink inside? It would be rude not to offer,” Susanna said tentatively.


    Norah grinned. “Are you trying to get me to see your brother?”


    Suddenly, Norah remembered Bryson’s revtion from the day before, suggesting that Sean might have overheard what she had said to Joanna about him and Kason. Back then, she had imed that both Sean and Kason were her friends.


    “I’m only being kind,” Susanna said, trying to sound calm. “Truth be told, I’m not sure if my brother hase back.”


    Despite Susanna’s earnest tone, Norah didn’t buy her words and chuckled. “You said you wanted to have a drink with me inside? Alright, let’s go!”


    Susanna hesitated for a moment, still considering how to convince Norah. But when she saw that Norah had agreed, she blurted out, “Okay! Let’s go!”


    Susanna quickly pulled out her phone. “Hold on a second, I need to respond to a message.” She then typed a long text to Sean:


    “Sean! Drop everything and head home! I’ve got a surprise in store for you, a real showstopper! Just trust me on this one. You’ll be happy to see it! Phillip confirmed you’ve got no prior engagements today, so high-tail it back home, pronto! The Dreamview Vis. Don’t even think about second-guessing, just make a beeline for the vi in five minutes t! And no, I’m not pulling your leg. Get here as fast as your wheels can carry you!”


    After locking her screen, Susanna shed a sweet smile at Norah. “Ready to roll, Norah?”


    The next moment, Susanna ushered Norah into the vi, her attention fully engaged. Swinging open the door, Norah’s gaze immediatelynded on Sean, lounging on the sofa.


    “Well, well, look who decided to grace us with his presence!” Norah said, a smile tugging at her lips.


    With a sheepish grin, Susanna kicked off her shoes by the entrance, sliding a pair of slippers toward Norah. “Have a seat, Norah. I’ll fetch you a drink.”


    Dashing past Norah, Susanna went straight to the kitchen. Norah took a deep breath, bending down to swap her shoes.


    Maintaining a neutral expression, Norah sauntered into the living room. Though she could feel Sean’s gaze lingering on her, she yed it cool, acting oblivious.


    “Hey there, Sean,” Norah said, settling onto the sofa and greeting him with a casual tone.


    It seemed like Sean had been home for a while. A half-empty ss of water sat on the table, alongside a tablet and aptop. Wearing sleek silver-blue light sses, he exuded an air of refinement. d in a silver-grey long-sleeved shirt, Sean looked effortlessly dashing with the sses perched on his nose.


    Norah averted her gaze, feigning disinterest.


    “So, what’s Susanna up to this time?” Sean’s tone was polite yet distant, catching Norah off guard. She half-expected him to be as eager as ever to engage with her.


    Setting the tablet down, Sean’s voice shifted, taking on a chillier edge. “She’s young and a bit mischievous. Cut her some ck. You know she’s got a soft spot for you.”


    Norah frowned. “I’m well aware of her fondness for me. She invited me for a drink, and I saw no reason to decline.”


    Lazily raising her head, she locked eyes with Sean once more. His gaze was inscrutable, as though concealing a thousand unspoken words.


    “Here’s your drink,” Susanna said, walking over with a smile.


    She ced the drink in front of Norah, then frowned. “Strange, I could’ve sworn we had some soft drink with a delightful package tucked away somewhere. Must’ve misced it.”


    Clearing his throat, Sean betrayed a nervous tic. “Norah, love this soft drink. Try it out. Next round, I’ll bring over more for you if you fancy it!” Susanna offered.


    Norah’s smile was polite but distant. “No need, really. I’ll get my own stash of drinks at home.”


    Norah took a sip, savoring the aroma lingering on her pte. It seemed Sean and Susanna shared the same taste in soft drinks. Norah indulged in a few more sips, sitting beside Sean.


    Susanna nudged him yfully while Norah continued savoring her drink. “Looks like you’ve taken a liking to this, right? It’s top-notch stuff. Fancy taking some home?” Susanna asked.


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