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 and later participating in classified 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 exemplary figure, Kason, despite being Derek’s age, commanded much greater respect.
With a serious expression and a commanding 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 further comments. “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 elaborate 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 Villas. I believe she has her own means of transportation.”
Kathy, pretending to be astonished, interrupted. “Dreamview Villas? Does Norah reside in Dreamview Villas? Could someone be sponsoring her?”
This insinuation shifted the mood of those gathered. Madeline couldn’t resist commenting, “Kathy, why would you suggest such a thing about Miss Wilson? It’s possible she purchased the villa 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 villa, especially in Dreamview Villas? 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 becoming clearer to me.”
Kason then shifted his attention from Kathy to Madeline. “An arrogant younger sister and a mistress meddling in a marital relationship-it seems the divorce was a wise choice Miss Wilson made.”
Joanna applauded and said, “Well said, Mr. Hayes!” Norah lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
Derek’s expression soured. Facing Kason’s critique of the Carter family’s lack 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.”
When Kason revealed his friendship with Norah, the three members of the Carter family were taken aback. They hadn’t pictured Norah and Kason knowing each other. Since Kason had returned and taken charge of the Hayes family, he hadn’t mingled with other notable families. The connection between Norah, known to be an illegitimate child, and Kason baffled them.
Madeline’s left hand was balled into a fist, yet her smile remained soft. “We’ve just learned about your friendship with Norah, Mr. Hayes. However, I must point out, given that Norah resides in Dreamview Villas, there’s hardly any need for your keen interest in her.”
From behind Madeline, Kathy added, “Norah seems to be catching the attention of quite a few men.”
Joanna, known for her fiery temperament, was ready to lash out at Kathy. Once, when Jordy had the nerve to upset Norah, Joanna had smashed a beer bottle over his head, forcing him to apologize. She was about to react again when Norah caught her wrist to stop her.
Moving ahead, Norah confidently said, “I don’t live in Dreamview Villas. Is that a problem? Maybe you’re just envious?”
Kason, well-informed about Norah’s background, was aware of these details.
“Miss Powell, Miss Carter, perhaps you should focus on your own lives rather than interfering in others’. As far as I know, Norah is no longer Mrs. Carter, having divorced Mr. Carter.”
“Thus, her personal matters are no concern to you,” Kason calmly stated.
Derek, annoyed, retorted, “Norah and I haven’t officially completed our divorce proceedings. Legally, we’re still married. So, why shouldn’t I be involved in her affairs?”
“It seems you acknowledge that the divorce proceedings are ongoing, Mr. Carter,” a chilly voice cut through the tension.
Their attention shifted to the entrance of the Glamour Club, where a tall, authoritative figure stood, bathed in the glow of neon lights, exuding danger and allure in equal measure.
“Mr. Scott,” Kason was the first to acknowledge Sean.
Derek wanted to respond but the memory of their unpleasant encounter at the Krusa Mountain Racing held him back.
Norah gave Sean a nod.
With a voice deep and captivating, Sean said, “Knowing that the divorce hasn’t been finalized, why prolong it and even escalate matters to this point, Mr. Carter? Don’t you know how this has become a joke in Glophia?”
Sean’s gaze landed on Derek before subtly shifting to Norah, who stood quietly by Joanna’s side.
Derek was silent.
He couldn’t figure out why he had such rotten luck today, bumping into Norah at the Glamour Club and running into Kason and Sean, who seemed to have taken an interest in his private life.
Derek had never thought Norah, the woman he considered compliant, would be acquainted with such influential people. His mood soured. Had he been aware of Norah’s influential connections, he might have invested more time in their relationship to benefit from them.
“These ties, indeed, with such connections, the influence of the Carter family might have soared even higher,” Norah mused quietly.
“This issue concerns only the Carter family, so there’s no need for the two of you to intervene,” Derek said, his fists clenched tightly.
“I’ve got a piece of advice for you, Mr. Carter. Merry meet, merry part.” Having spoken to Derek, Sean turned to Kason, suggesting, “I’m heading back to Dreamview Villas. I could give Norah a lift. Mr. Hayes, would you prefer to escort Miss Andrews home?”
Kason, feeling a bit cornered, consented, unwilling to challenge Sean. “Alright.”
Sean then cast a piercing look at Kathy, who was hiding behind Madeline, before moving toward Norah. “Come on, Norah. I’ll drive you home.”
Kathy shivered and quickly sought refuge behind Derek.
Norah respected Kason and believed in his integrity, but she felt uneasy about leaving the inebriated Joanna in the company of a man.
“Mr. Carter, do give me a call once you’ve sorted your thoughts out,” Norah said sharply to Derek.
Kathy loved to badmouth people, and Madeline always seized the opportunity to play innocent and gentle, but neither Kason nor Sean were deceived.
To be noted, Norah was not to be trifled with. Without Kason’s intervention, she would have taught Kathy a lesson.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.