Chapter 221 A Special Banquet
“Shut up,” Hansen shouted in anger. “Idiot, do you think everyone is as shameless as you?”
“I’m despicable and shameless, sure, but are you any better?” Norton sneered. “You are not much better than me. I love Jenna but I would never hurt her. However, you deceived her feelings from the beginning. You hurt her and left her scarred, you’re not a man. Now that Aria is pregnant with your child, you’re stuck with her; she won’t let you go. How much have you hurt her and disappointed her? Don’t you feel sorry?” He scoffed. “God is fair. If I can’t get her, you can’t either. You know how she is. How would she forgive you?”
When Norton said this, he burst into tears laughing.
Hansen’s worries were exposed one by one and a deep pain flashed across his eyes, his fists clenched.
“A*shole, that was all because of you!” he lashed out in fury when Norton reminded him of the incident at Hilton Hotel. However, Vivian’s words rang in his ears, “From the same root they were born, torture amongst left cruelty and forlorn.” Norton and he were the only descendants of the Richards family. At this time, Norton was walking on thin ice. As the elder brother, Hansen figured it was his responsibility to give him a hand.
“Tell me, who released you on bail and why?” Hansen tried his best to suppress his anger and forced himself to calm down with all his might. He spoke in a low voice.
Norton still had a cold smile on his face and he did not bother to answer.
“Norton, this is more complicated than you think. You’re involved with murder, you shouldn’t come out at this time. I can only protect you if you listen to me and try to eliminate any suspicions so that you can come out safely and legally. Even if the court decides to punish you, at least you can feel at ease and you can live an honest life after that. Our family is strong. If you come out in the future, you can work in Richards Group. After all, we’re family. We’re the only descendants in the family. We should support each other and work together to maintain our family’s business. You know our businesses are big and need people to take care of them. The crimes you committed would not affect that but you really shouldn’t be out now,” Hansen said earnestly. He hoped that Norton would come clean with what happened so that he could make the subsequent decisions.
“Tsk tsk, that was the perfect speech.” Norton laughed out loud with distrust and disgust on his face. “Stop acting like a goody-two-shoes. Do you think I believe you? I’m not dumb. I can figure these out on my own.”
His eyes were filled with indifference and disdain. He pointed his finger at himself and growled, “I’ve said this a long time ago. I didn’t mean to kill Javon. I ordered Brock to find a way to stop him from participating in the election the next day. That was it. I wanted to prove my abilities. But, the d*mned man actually killed him. What else could I do with that? I’ve said this countless times but no one wants to believe me. During these days in detention, none of the Richards came to see me, let alone comfort me. Now that I’m out, you’re saying all this fake bullsh*t. You expect me to listen to you?”
The more he spoke, the more emotional he became. His eyes were red when he stared at Hansen coldly, veins on his forehead popping.
“That’s enough. I didn’t go to see you so as to avoid suspicion. You don’t have to believe me but do you not trust your mother? Her eyes are swollen from crying. How could she not visit you? It was the Public Security Department’s orders and we had to prove your innocence. We didn’t want others to think that just because you are the grandson of the Richards family, we’ll bribe the Public Security Department to let you go,” Hansen shouted at his stupidity. “If things are like what you said, it means that there’s still more to your case. Although we have not found out about anything, we believe that we can find a breakthrough, provided that you cooperate with us.”
Hearing about Maria, Norton calmed down and came to his senses. However, his eyes soon flashed with fear.
No, he could not go to jail.
That experience was horrible.
How would Hansen be so kind to help him? This case had so much solid evidence and he has already settled his charge. From other people’s perspectives, it was impossible to turn the case over. It was Brock’s doing and Norton was the one behind him. He could just blame himself for being unlucky. It was useless.
What happened had happened. The law only judged based on evidence. Everyone understood this and it was no use for Hansen to fake kindness.
…
At the moment, he could only use this method to get out of jail. He could not think of any other way.
Since someone gave him this chance at freedom, of course he had to grasp it. This was the only way.
Thinking of this, Norton sneered at Hansen’s persuasion.
“Norton, there are many ways to prove yourself. Why did you use such a method to stop Javon from joining the election? You are harming yourself and everyone else,” Hansen reprimanded in utter disappointment.
“That’s easy for you to say. You have Richards Group and your father’s business passed down to you. But, I can only rely on myself in the political scene. Everyone in the office will do anything to get the title. Do you think we can make it just by our work performance? Pathetic,” Norton trembled as he spat out the words in despondency.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving. Don’t waste your energy and waste each other’s time.”
After Norton finished speaking, he stormed towards Emerald Garden.
“Norton, I hope you can think about what I said and be clear about the situation. Come to me anytime if you need anything. After all, I don’t want you to be wronged,” Hansen said after Norton’s back.
Norton’s footsteps only paused for a while before he continued to move forward, not once turning back.
Hansen was speechless and he shook his head.
Below Green Jade Garden blew a clear and cold night breeze, and the leaves in the streets were rustled by the autumn wind. It was dull and silent aside from the owls, hooting from time to time.
Hansen wandered around as he stared at Jenna’s bedroom on the second floor with a heavy heart.
Norton was right. Aria was pregnant, what could he do?
He felt sorry toward Jenna, guilty of hurting her in the past.
He slammed his fist on the tree trunk and shut his eyes in pain.
When Jenna woke up early in the morning, her stomach was surging, bloated and painful.
Her morning sickness had improved a lot these days but it still happened from time to time every day. What made her feel even more uncomfortable was that her body was exhausted. She just wanted to sleep and had no appetite. She had not eaten much of the meals that Aunt Ella brought over. To not risk people getting suspicious, she secretly dumped the food into the trash can.
Marissa visited Trevor in the hospital every morning, therefore she would only go to the hospital in the afternoon to prevent an unwanted encounter.
Every morning, Jenna handled the work of Richards Manor with Butler Maud’s help. In the afternoon, she would go to the hospital to accompany Trevor and Sara. When she came home at night, she was always exhausted and wanted to sleep.
Two days passed by in this manner.
One morning, she woke up and ran to the bathroom as usual to vomit. Only after she recovered did she head downstairs.
Sabrina was sitting downstairs waiting for her. She was the only guest that Jenna approved to live on the second floor.
With Sabrina around, Jenna’s days seem to have improved a lot. Even at the dinner table, Marissa’s indifference or Aria’s hateful stares towards Jenna lessened a whole lot because of Sabrina. She had sensed the predicament Jenna was in. Because she liked Jenna’s personality and admired her talents, she stood on her side without any hesitation.
The servants of Richards Manor were divided into two groups through the incidents of Jenna occupying the second floor and Vivian letting her be in charge. One group was on Marissa and Aria’s side. After all, Marissa was the rightful head of the family. Another group saw Jenna’s potential. Vivian and Hansen had always defended Jenna. Thinking that she would succeed, they chose her side. The remaining ones who were calm and composed were neutral.
Jenna did not care about these. Since she did not intend to stay in Richards Manor, naturally, they were none of her business.
“Jenna, are we going to buy stuff to prepare for New Year?” Sabrina asked as she sat on the hammock on the first floor of Ink Garden, looking at Jenna who was looking through the ledgers on the side.
“Well, New Year is approaching and we need to buy some goods soon but let’s leave it to Butler Maud.” Jenna sorted out the files and smiled slightly.Belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
“You’re in charge this year. Would you like to hold a special New Year’s banquet?” Sabrina asked with interest, tilting her head.
“Oh.” Jenna’s heart fluttered and she was also interested in Sabrina’s idea. After all, there would be three days during New Year where everyone in the Richards family, including their in-laws, would gather in Ink Garden for a celebration. They would even invite other prestigious families whom the Richards family was on good terms with to the event.
Come to think of it, Jenna met Vivian for the first time at a gathering in Richards Manor. It was the same for Sabrina. Because of the party invitations Sabrina got each year, she got to live in the manor for a period of time.
Such a gathering was a very special memory to both of them.
Therefore, when Sabrina proposed this, Jenna’s interest was piqued by it.
Over the years since Vivian isolated herself from the outside world, this gathering had lost its excitement. It was simply just a tradition for everyone to get together and have a meal, and they would go on their own ways after.
If she could organize this party well, there was no doubt that it would add a little joy to the lifeless Richards Manor.
It was only about 20 days before New Year’s Eve and it was not too late to prepare for it.
“Are you interested?” Jenna asked with a smile.