Chapter: 229

“Oh, you're reluctant to agree. And now you're going to caution me and intimidate me?" Norah met Derek's gaze with a cold, fearless stare.

"You have a few hours. Once you've decided, inform me." Norah's frigid demeanor stirred panic and anger among the Carter family members.

"Grandma, please... Derek addressed Juliana. He urged Juliana against accepting Norah's condition. Norah's condition was the last thing he would comply with. The family's assets were amassed over generations with painstaking effort. Relinquishing them to Norah proved an insurmountable task."

Juliana countered, “And what then? Are you content to witness your sister and lover languish behind bars for years? For me, it matters not, but my concern lies with you."

Juliana let out a heavy sigh. "We're to blame. You've been married to Norah for two years, yet you haven't fulfilled your duties as a devoted husband. You've even brought a mistress into our home. To make matters worse, your sister has always mistreated Norah. Now, your sister even attempted to harm Norah. We're at fault. Norah hasn't done anything to deserve this. Why would you do such a thing?"

Juliana's eyes glistened with tears, which flowed down her cheeks.

Norah tenderly dabbed the tears from Juliana's cheeks with a tissue.

"Juliana, don't stress about them. You're not getting any younger. Why not just enjoy yourself? Entangling yourself in such matters will only hasten your aging.”

The things between Sharon and Derek's father were a mess. Derek and Kathy never stopped themselves from proving quite troublesome.

Juliana offered a helpless smile. "I can't stand idly by while they plunge into turmoil. I can't. Derek, what's your verdict?"

Sharon voiced her objection resolutely. After much deliberation, Derek finally reached a decision, swayed by the sight of his lover's tear-streaked face and his sister's sobbing form on the ground. "Fine."

Derek drew a deep breath, steeling himself. "I'll concede two-thirds of the Carter family's assets to Norah on the condition that Norah refrain from holding Kathy and Madeline accountable for this event."

"Of course, provided they steer clear of trouble, I shall not concern myself with their affairs." Norah smirked. It was invariably Kathy and Madeline who stirred up mischief.

Juliana halted Sharon's impending argument. "Consider your daughter's welfare."

Sharon suddenly went quiet. Despite her frustration with her daughter, she couldn't bear the thought of Kathy ending up in jail.

Madeline sat beside Derek, her lips pressed in consternation, as she heard Derek's negotiations with Norah regarding the divorce agreement.

She cursed silently. Damn it! Why did the Fox Alliance fail to end Norah? Had they made it, Norah wouldn't be here, vying for a significant share of the Carter family assets.

Madeline was seething with fury, unwilling to accept this outcome.

The Carter family's holdings were modest. Now that Norah had claimed such a sizable portion, Madeline wondered how she would manage in the days ahead if she were to marry Derek.

Initially, Norah intended to teach Kathy a lesson. Inadvertently, she saw her chance to wrap up her divorce and secure two-thirds of the Carter family's property. This outcome helped with releasing her pent -up frustration when dealing with the Carter family and Madeline.

To prevent any further complications and fear Derek might resort to his old tactics, Norah promptly discussed the divorce agreement details with Derek before heading to the City Hall to go through the divorce.

Clutching the newly minted divorce certificate, Norah heaved a sigh.

Finally, she was free from the Carter family. She had endured a lot to obtain this divorce certificate. She couldn't help but kiss it with mixed feelings.

Exiting the City Hall, Norah stowed the divorce decree in her bag and cast a frigid gaze upon Derek and Madeline.