Chapter: 224

Tears welled up in Kathy's eyes after giving her side of the story.

She shifted the blame onto Madeline, who wasn't there to defend herself. If Madeline were, the two would have quarreled about it.

I didn't know what they were planning to do with Norah," Kathy remarked amidst her tears. “I didn't want to hurt her. It was Madeline who persuaded me into doing it."

Norah observed Kathy with stoicism. "Your collaboration with Madeline led to this scheme. Were I to inform the authorities, I question the duration of your imprisonment. I wonder how long you would survive in a prison environment. This is the only evidence I have currently, and it only implicates you. You might spend quite some time behind bars."

Kathy briefly considered various options but ultimately realized the recording in Norah's possession left her with no recourse.

Fearing Norah might involve the police, Sharon interjected and attempted to assert authority, "Norah, Kathy is your former sister-in law. You can't treat her like this. You can't abandon all your manners just because you're going through the divorce with Derek!"

“Manners, you say?" Norah tilted her head, her expression bordering on insanity at the audacity of Sharon's words. “I've been an orphan since childhood, and no one has ever cared about me. And now you, of all people, talk to me about manners! Have you forgotten how you treated me?"

Sharon was at a loss of words, stunned by the way Norah retorted her.

Still wanting to downplay her wrongdoings, Kathy swiped at her tears and said, "I truly had no idea those people were so cruel. I just wanted to teach Norah a small lesson. Mom, Derek, grandma, you have to believe me."

Yet, their eyes fell on the hickeys around Kathy's neck, triggering them to suddenly remember that they were in the middle of disciplining Kathy before Norah arrived. Norah's arrival had interrupted that matter for the time being.

Sharon was fuming. From her perspective, Kathy was a usually well- behaved little girl. The nerve of Kathy intending to harm others with the help of gangsters shocked her. She assumed she taught Derek and Kathy in the same manner. She couldn't fathom why Kathy would turn out to be this malicious.

"Derek, call Madeline over. Let's get to the root of this issue."

Sharon eyed Kathy frostily, hoping Kathy hadn't lied and shifted all the blame onto Madeline.

Norah comforted Juliana. She had avoided troubling Juliana in the past because she was worried Juliana's condition would be affected by the intense anger triggered by Derek's ridiculous behaviors.

However, Kathy's actions were even more disgusting than Derek's.

Norah felt if she had the chance to be alone with Kathy at this moment, she would have already thrashed Kathy soundly.

"Yes, let's call Madeline over and discuss how to deal with this matter."

Norah was seething inwardly but maintained her composure, appearing indifferent to the situation.

Juliana knew Norah was enraged right now. She grasped the gravity of the situation and the need for proper handling. Otherwise, the bad blood between Norah and the Carter family would only increase. She once hoped even after Norah and Derek parted ways, Norah and the Carter family would still be able to socialize frequently. But now, it dawned on her that it would be considered a favorable outcome if they did mot end up as enemies. After all, Derek's and Kathy's actions were truly despicable.

Derek called Madeline and arranged for a driver to bring her here.

Madeline entered the house meekly. She swept her eyes around the living room, stood next to Derek, and hesitantly asked, “Derek, what's going on?" What was Norah doing here? Was she here to visit Juliana and Sharon? Hadn't she accompanied Mr. Scott at the auction today? Why did she show up at the Carter Manor in the afternoon?"

"Oh, Kathy, why are you kneeling on the floor? Get up and sit down."

With that, Madeline walked toward Kathy.

Before Derek could say anything, Madeline went to Kathy's side and crouched down next to her. As Madeline supported Kathy, her brows knitted when she spotted the hickeys on Kathy's neck.