Chapter 2 Teach Her A Lesson

"Norah, I've set my heart on that villa by the lake. Pick something else for yourself. I've dreamed of it being my new home with Derek," Madeline confessed, nestling closer into Derek's embrace. "It's been my wish for a long time."

Derek felt a wave of nostalgia at her words.

Norah let out a soft chuckle upon hearing this.

"What are you laughing at?" Derek asked in confusion. He found it odd for her to laugh, especially considering the awful thing he had just said.

Madeline snuggled up to Derek, the open neckline of her shirt revealing much of her soft skin. Absentmindedly twirling a strand of her hair, she caught Derek's attention. Derek rested his hand on Madeline's shoulder.

Norah's response was icy. "I'm laughing at how foolish I've been."

Without hesitation, Norah took Derek's glass of water from the table and drenched Derek and Madeline. The sudden cascade of water left them in shock.

Derek, outraged, yelled, "Norah, have you lost your mind?"

Standing tall, Norah retorted, "Mr. Carter, I had thought you're a man of your word. Since you've given your word, stick to it. Otherwise, just admit you're a lousy man who will break your word."

Madeline, accustomed to Derek's indulgence, had a fierce temper. She merely feigned vulnerability and submission to win the affection of men.

Enraged, Madeline got up and shoved Norah forcefully. "You've been shown enough leniency. Do you think you can speak to us that way? Who do you think you are? How dare you treat Derek and me with such disrespect?"

She then sought refuge in Derek's arms again. "Derek, Norah is out of line. You need to teach her a lesson."

Looking pitifully at Derek, she implored, "Look, my hair and clothes are soaking."

Her drenched white shirt clung to her, highlighting her elegant frame.

Norah observed them calmly as if watching a circus act.

"I didn't plead for those villas and properties. The Carter family is wealthy enough but still hesitates over such small matters. I get it. You deem me not deserving," Norah said, her tone self-mocking yet devoid of bitterness. Yet, Derek sensed a profound shift in Norah's attitude, realizing she had changed significantly.

Derek clenched his jaw, wiping away the water from his face before turning to Madeline. "There are plenty of villas in my name. Pick any other ones you like, and it's yours."

Yet, Madeline's anger toward Norah simmered. Aside from Derek, nobody had dared to disrespect her like this. The thought of Norah, Derek's unwanted former wife, acting this way was unbearable.

Madeline glared at Norah, demanding, "So, will you hand that villa over or not?"

Norah's response was firm. "No."

Smack! The sound of a slap echoed as Madeline struck Norah forcefully.

"How dare you! Outside of Derek's grace, you're just a nobody in the Wilson family. You are just a bastard!" Madeline snapped.

Derek's face clouded over briefly before he regained his calm, advising Madeline, "Don't get upset over her."

Norah touched her cheek, wincing from the slap's burn. She tasted blood and glared at Madeline, muttering, "Your manners are lacking..."

Madeline sought refuge in Derek's embrace, boasting, "I have Derek by my side. You? You're nothing but a discarded stray... Ah! Norah!"

Norah hurled a vase over. The vase smashed against the floor near the sofa, breaking into pieces with a sharp sound.

"If you feel like barking like this, be my guest," Norah retorted, stepping closer. She grabbed Madeline by the hair, forcing Madeline to look up at her before slapping Madeline fiercely.

Madeline's scream filled the room. "Derek!"

Derek fought back his rage, feeling Norah had overstepped today.

After releasing Madeline, Norah stepped back, casually stating, "I'll leave you two to it. May you find joy, bear many children, and share a lifelong bond."

Then, Norah exited Derek's residence, leaving behind the sound of Madeline's sobs.

Even as the door slammed, Madeline remained incensed. She complained to Derek, "Can you believe Norah? She doused us with water and slapped me. You need to teach her a lesson..."

"Enough!" Derek cut her off. Massaging his temples, Derek softened his voice. "She and I are divorced now. I don't want to get tangled with her anymore. Madeline, I'll fulfill your wishes. Just calm down, please."

With a pout, Madeline snuggled into Derek's embrace, voicing her frustration, "Norah's behavior toward you irritates me. You've always mentioned how compliant she is, yet she was anything but. She seemed so aggressive."

Derek recalled Norah's grabbing the cup and splashing water, the cold stare she directed at Madeline when she slapped Madeline. It was a side of Norah he hadn't witnessed before. At that moment, he realized he didn't know Norah. His previous impression of Norah was solely based on her compliance.

Upon leaving, Norah found a black sedan waiting for her at the gate. The driver, with respect, announced, "Mrs. Norah Carter, Mrs. Juliana Carter has requested your presence."

Caught off guard and unsure of her next steps, Norah entered the vehicle without a second thought.

The car gradually halted in front of a grand villa. It was Carter Manor, the residence of Derek's grandparents.

"Mrs. Norah Carter..." greeted the butler, guiding the seemingly preoccupied Norah inside.

The butler seemed to want to converse further but ultimately chose to remain silent. "Mrs. Juliana Carter mentioned she hasn't seen you in a while. Dinner is yet to be served. Perhaps you could spend time with her beforehand."

Norah lowered her eyes and did not respond. She had a feeling Juliana was trying to convince her to reconsider the divorce.

The manor, typically quiet and inhabited only by Derek's grandparents, came to life as Juliana Carter, Derek's grandmother, noticed Norah's arrival and warmly invited her, saying, "Norah, come over here and sit."

Settling in, Norah greeted Juliana with a smile despite the inner turmoil.

Juliana took Norah's hand, expressing concern, "You haven't visited in such a long time. How are things with Derek?"

Norah guessed Juliana was testing her. She doubted Juliana would be unaware of Madeline's return to the country.

With poise, Norah shared, "Derek believes we should get a divorce. Well, I've just signed the divorce agreement, making way for Madeline."

Juliana's response was sharp. "Madeline? Her actions led to Derek's car incident. How dare she come back into his life? Don't fret. I favor you over that woman. So, is there any chance you'd reconsider the divorce?"

Juliana's concern left Norah feeling melancholy. For two years, she harbored love for Derek yet failed to ignite the same in him.

"Divorced? That might just be for the best!" Derek's mother, Sharon Carter, approached with a smirk, her presence radiating sophistication and charm as she moved with a captivating grace.

Juliana, witnessing her demeanor, became furious. "Walk properly! Why do you walk like that? Your manners are lacking."

Caught off guard by the scolding, Sharon's expression shifted to one of discomfort. She glanced at Norah, seated next to Juliana, and said with a frosty tone, "Good thing they're divorced. Originally, Derek was to marry Luna Wilson, the Wilson family's eldest daughter. Guess what? Luna disgracefully became involved with someone else and ended up pregnant.

Throughout my years in Glophia, I've never even heard of the Wilson family having another daughter. I wonder where this illegitimate woman came from... Taking the role of Derek's wife for two past years, hasn't this woman enjoyed wealth and prosperity enough?"