Chapter 146: A Day Before The Trial

Nora blinked once, then nodded casually. "Okay, Daddy."

Ethan stared at her, blinking in surprise.

Evelyn’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth. "That’s... alright with you, sweetheart?"

Nora tilted her head. "Why wouldn’t it be?"

The couple exchanged a glance.

Ethan had expected her to ask questions, perhaps express some reluctance, or at least take a moment to think about what he’d just told her. Instead, she had accepted the news as though he had informed her about an ordinary school activity.

"Well," He e began carefully. "You understand that you’ll be going to court, right? It’s not like going to school or visiting the shop. There will be people asking you questions, and you might feel uncomfortable."

Nora nodded again. "I understand. I’ll just tell them what happened."

Evelyn’s shoulders eased slightly. She reached over and brushed a strand of hair away from Nora’s forehead. "You don’t have to be afraid, okay? Daddy and I will be there with you the entire time."

"I’m not afraid, Mommy." Nora gave her a small smile before returning to her breakfast. "Besides, I didn’t do anything wrong."

Ethan watched her for a moment, then exchanged another look with Evelyn. The tension in his shoulders gradually eased, and he picked up his cutlery again.

"That’s right," He said. "You haven’t done anything wrong. Just tell the truth if they ask you questions, and if you don’t understand something, let them know. You don’t need to worry about anything else."

"Okay, Daddy."

Nora continued eating as though the conversation had already been settled, leaving her parents to wonder whether she had truly understood the situation or was simply more composed than they had expected.

Evelyn leaned closer to Ethan and spoke quietly enough that Nora wouldn’t hear. "I thought she might be scared."

"So did I." Ethan glanced at his daughter, who was now concentrating on the remaining food on her plate. "But I suppose we shouldn’t assume she’ll react the way we expect."

Evelyn nodded, then returned her attention to breakfast.

Meanwhile, Nora kept her eyes on her plate, hiding the smile tugging at her lips.

’Finally. I’m going to contribute to taking this bitch down. So satisfying I want to scream!’

She nearly laughed at the thought, but quickly pressed her lips together and took another bite.

In her previous life, Cassie had gotten away with far too much. Nora remembered the humiliation, the pain, and the anger she had carried from enduring the woman. She also remembered how powerless she had felt when nobody seemed willing to hold the people responsible accountable.

Things were different this time.

She wasn’t going to let Cassie walk away as though nothing had happened. If the court wanted to hear what she had to say, then she would tell them exactly what she remembered.

’Just you wait.’

Nora lifted her cup and took a sip, her expression perfectly innocent.

Across the table, Ethan watched her for another moment before shaking his head faintly. Whatever was going through his daughter’s mind, she seemed more than willing to face the day ahead.

Once breakfast was over, Evelyn helped Nora check her schoolbag while Ethan cleared the dining table. They finished their preparations without rushing, and soon the three of them were heading downstairs.

Ethan unlocked the BMW and opened the rear door for Nora before helping Evelyn settle into the passenger seat. After everyone had fastened their seat belts, he started the engine and drove out of the compound.

The journey to Eve Refreshments was smooth. When they arrived, Evelyn unfastened her seat belt and turned toward Ethan.

"I’ll be back soon."

Evelyn nodded, then leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before opening the door. Nora waved at her mother through the window as she stepped out.

"Have a good day, Mommy!"

"You too, sweetheart. Listen to your teacher!"

"I will!"

Evelyn waved back before entering the shop. Ethan waited until she was inside, then drove away with Nora.

Unlike the previous morning, he didn’t intend to drop his daughter off at the school entrance and leave immediately. He needed to speak with her class teacher about the following day’s absence, so he parked in the designated area and accompanied Nora through the school gate.

The school grounds were already busy. Children walked toward their classrooms in small groups, while teachers stood nearby, making sure everyone entered the buildings safely. Nora held Ethan’s hand as they made their way through the compound.

"Daddy, why are you coming with me today?" She asked, glancing up at him.

Ethan replied smoothly. "I need to speak with your teacher."

"Did I do something wrong?"

Ethan looked down at her, then chuckled. "Why would you immediately assume you’ve done something wrong?"

Nora shrugged. "I don’t know. Usually, you just drop me off."

"Well, today is different. I need to inform your teacher that you won’t be coming to school tomorrow."

Nora nodded, remembering their conversation at breakfast. "Because of the court?"

"Exactly."

They continued toward her classroom, where a few pupils were already settling into their seats. After confirming that her teacher was in her office, Ethan asked Nora to wait outside for a moment while he went in.

The woman looked up from the papers on her desk when he entered.

"Good morning, sir. How can I help you?"

"Good morning, ma’am." Ethan returned her greeting politely. "I’m Nora’s father. I wanted to inform you that she won’t be attending school tomorrow because we have an important engagement to attend."

The teacher adjusted her glasses and looked at him. "Oh, I see. Is it something that requires her presence for the entire day?"

"Yes, ma’am. We’ll need to leave early, and I can’t say for certain when we’ll return."

She nodded thoughtfully before opening a drawer and taking out a file. "All right. In that case, I’ll need you to sign the absence form. We keep a record whenever a pupil misses school for an extended or planned absence."

"Of course."

She placed the file on the desk and pointed to the appropriate section. Ethan read through the information before filling in the necessary details and signing his name.

The teacher checked the form once he was done, then returned it to the file.

"That’s fine, Mr. Hale. I’ll make a note of it. Please make sure Nora catches up on any classwork she misses."

"Certainly. Thank you for your understanding."

"You’re welcome. I hope everything goes well with your engagement tomorrow."

Ethan gave her a polite nod. "Thank you, ma’am."

He stepped out of the office and found Nora waiting near the classroom door, looking at the other pupils as they chatted among themselves.

"All done?" She asked when she spotted him.

"All done." Ethan gestured toward the classroom. "Now, go inside and get ready for your lessons."

Nora adjusted the straps of her schoolbag. "Okay, Dad."

She turned toward the office entrance and called out, "Thank you, ma’am!"

"You’re welcome, Nora," The teacher replied from inside. "Get ready for class. I’m coming soon."

Nora smiled before hurrying into her classroom. Ethan remained outside for a moment, watching her greet one of her classmates before finding her seat. He waited until she had settled down, then turned and made his way back toward the school gate.

Once he reached the BMW, he unlocked the door and slipped into the driver’s seat. He glanced toward the school building through the windshield before starting the engine.

Tomorrow would be an important day for his family.

He had already done what he could to prepare Nora, and he intended to make sure she felt supported throughout the proceedings. Whatever happened in court, she wouldn’t have to face it alone.

Ethan shifted the car into gear and drove away, heading back toward the shop as the morning traffic gradually thickened around him.