Chapter 398: The Old Lady Fainted

“Okay, Professor Hart. Where’s Jean?” Elle asked.

Olive raised her delicate lashes. “Don’t worry, this final exam is bound to be the last, and I’ll see him in person.” A head-to-head confrontation between Olive and Jean was imminent.

Nora rushed to the Robert family estate and asked the maid, “Where is the old lady?”

“Madam is back? The old lady is in the office,” the maid replied.

Nora ran upstairs and pushed open the office door. Mrs. Robert and her lawyer were discussing something when Nora burst in. Mrs. Robert looked up, displeased. “Don’t you understand the basic courtesy of knocking before entering?”

Nora snatched the drafted letter from the lawyer. It stated that Elvis and Crystal had amicably annulled their engagement. Unfazed, Nora crumpled the letter and threw it in the trash.

“Mrs. Robert, you…” the surprised lawyer exclaimed.

Mrs. Robert waved a hand. “Lawyer Ronald, you may go. You’ve worked hard today.”

“Yes, Madam,” the lawyer replied, respectfully retreating.

Mrs. Robert turned to Nora. “Nora, you’re just in time. I want to make a statement.”

“Mom, Crystal is your granddaughter! Have you considered her? In your eyes, it’s only Olive now. Wake up!” Nora said aggressively.

“Bang!” Mrs. Robert slammed her fist on the table, standing up and staring coldly at Nora. “Nora, the one who needs to wake up is you. Who instigated Crystal to attempt suicide?”

Nora’s face paled. Had the old lady seen through her?

Mrs. Robert picked up a notebook and threw it at Nora. “Your tricks aren’t enough for me. Marvin always liked Olive. How could he suddenly want to marry Charlotte? The Augustine family patriarch, Alpha, isn’t blind. Yet he agreed to the marriage. What does it all mean? Have you thought about it?”

“You’re all stupid! You think you’re playing everyone, but you’re the fools. I have no interest in the Paulo family’s affairs, but Crystal is my granddaughter, and you instigated her suicide attempt. Nora, you’re a perverted mother, and you’ll destroy Crystal!”

“I don’t care about your schemes, but I won’t allow any Robert family member to be involved. I like Olive, and this statement is for her, but Crystal is my granddaughter, and I have a plan for her. When she recovers, I’ll send her abroad. I’ve paved the way for her success. If she’s obedient, her future will be bright!”

Nora’s pupils constricted. Was the old lady really… taking Crystal away?

Crystal, pampered since childhood, would find life abroad incredibly difficult. How could she maintain her luxurious lifestyle away from Imperial? Nora felt the old lady was deliberately separating them. For years, only Crystal had been by her side. The old lady was cruel! If she truly cared for Crystal’s future, why not let her stay in Imperial? Why not arrange for Crystal to marry Elvis, becoming the future head of the Augustine family?

Nora dug her nails into her hands, feeling no pain. “Mom, I…”

“Tomorrow, Damien will return,” Mrs. Robert interrupted.

Nora gasped, her eyes widening. “Mom, what are you saying? Will Damien… really be back tomorrow?”

Mrs. Robert nodded. “Yes, he called. He’ll be back tomorrow.”

Nora immediately began fussing over her appearance. She needed new clothes, a new hairstyle—anything to appeal to Damien. He was finally back, and she would seize this chance for reconciliation. She hadn’t been favored by him in years, and now she had nothing.

Then, Mrs. Robert’s voice cut through her hopeful thoughts: “This time, Damien will divorce you. After all these years, it’s over.”

Divorce. The word felt like a bucket of ice water, plunging her from elation to despair. Her hopes vanished like smoke.

“Mom, I don’t want a divorce! I don’t want a divorce!”

Mrs. Robert waved her hand. “Nora, stop it! Get a decent divorce. You bore Crystal, after all. Financially, the Roberts won’t mistreat you. Don’t cause trouble.”

Nora froze, her limbs cold. She couldn't get a divorce; she truly couldn't. She glared at Mrs. Robert, resentment and shame boiling over. If only the old woman would die! she thought. She should have died long ago!

A knock came at the door. A maid entered with a bowl of bird’s nest soup. “Madam, it’s time for your bird’s nest.”

Nora’s eyes fell on the bowl, a terrible idea forming in her mind. She took the bowl. “I’ll take it. You may go.”

“Okay,” the maid said, leaving.

Nora approached Mrs. Robert, hiding her emotions behind a pitiful façade. “Mom, I’ll listen to you. I’m tired. I agree to the divorce. Here, you should eat this. We’ll no longer be family.”

Mrs. Robert, seemingly docile, took the bowl and ate the soup. “I’m finished. Go.”

“Mom, I’ll go then.” Nora watched her leave. As she reached the door, she heard a sound. Turning, she saw Mrs. Robert lying on the carpet, pale, her hand clutching her chest. She was unconscious.

A wicked, triumphant smile spread across Nora’s face, quickly replaced by feigned horror. “Oh my god! Something’s happened! The old lady has passed out!”

Mrs. Robert was rushed to the hospital, diagnosed with a heart attack, and admitted to the intensive care unit, where she remained unconscious.