Ch. 115: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 115
Chapter 115
Everyone fell silent in unspoken agreement as their eyes turned to the source of the noise.
A few cars had pulled up, and a tall, imposing figure emerged. The man wore a black and gray suit, his expression icy, eyes deep and penetrating. His presence was distant and intimidating, demanding respect from those around him.
The crowd instinctively parted to make way.
Norah turned, taken aback by the sudden appearance of Kevin. The tension she’d been holding onto eased, and she let the hose drop from her hand.
A few seconds passed in silence before someone barked, "Who are you! This is a private matter of the White family. Who do you think you are to interfere?"
Kevin's sharp gaze zeroed in on the speaker, causing the man’s arrogance to falter as a shiver ran down his spine. Kevin replied coldly, "I am Norah’s husband. Do you think I’m not qualified?"
The group was stunned. “Husband?” they murmured, both surprised and curious. “Isn’t that a wealthy family?”
In front of them sat several luxury cars, the kind that were rarely seen outside of magazines and movie scenes. The realization set in—Norah had indeed married into a prominent family.
"No wonder there are so many cars here," someone commented, their eyes still lingering on the vehicles outside.
Kevin walked up to Norah. She asked, "Why are you here?"
She hadn’t seen him for several days. During holidays or special occasions, she would spend time with her parents, while Kevin was never around. In their hidden marriage, she lived her life almost as if she were single.
She never expected him to show up at her hometown.
Kevin replied, "You came back for a funeral. As your husband, it’s my duty to be here. Is there an issue?"
Norah pressed her lips together. "No issue."
Kevin surveyed the gathering, his expression growing stern. "We live in a society ruled by law," he warned. "It would be wise to disperse. If you choose not to, we’ll settle this privately."
Behind him stood over a dozen men, each carrying an air of strength and discipline. Confronting them would clearly be a losing battle.
Someone muttered, "Barbaric! What happened to the rule of law?"
Kevin’s gaze cut sharply in the speaker’s direction. "If we were truly barbaric, would you still be standing here, mouthing off without a care?" he retorted calmly, silencing the man.
Kian, standing by, cleared his throat and addressed the group. "Madame Norah is innocent. You’re quick to believe rumors instead of trusting the police. If she’s here with her head held high, it’s because she has a clear conscience. Don’t let yourselves be led by gossip."
His words resonated with some in the crowd. If rumors could sway them, Kian’s reasoning could, too.
Meanwhile, Linda and Sierra’s faces shifted between anger and embarrassment. They resented Norah, secretly hoping she’d be publicly humiliated. But with Kevin’s arrival, he had not only protected her but also lifted some weight off her parents' shoulders. It frustrated the two, but there was nothing they could do.
Norah made arrangements for her parents to stay at her grandparents' old home, which was still well-kept despite being vacant for a while.
Jack and Gwen, aware of the deteriorating state of their daughter’s marriage, were nonetheless grateful to Kevin. They insisted Norah thank him.
Kevin was sitting in the living room when Norah poured him a glass of water. "Mom and Dad wanted me to thank you," she said softly.
"You're welcome," Kevin replied.
Norah sat beside him, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "You said a few words, and they believed you right away. Meanwhile, I’ve been explaining myself endlessly, and no one listened. Am I really that weak?"
She couldn’t understand it—she thought she could handle things on her own, but in the end, it was Kevin who resolved it.
Kevin took a sip of his water and responded with a calm voice, "Human nature is flawed, especially when it comes to family. They’ll magnify your faults and ignore your virtues. Don’t waste sympathy on people like that. The more they hate, the more dissatisfied they are with their own lives. Don’t dwell on it."
He looked at her with a slight smile. "It’s not just you. I go through the same thing. It’s just your turn to be in the spotlight now. Trust me, my relatives are scarier than beasts from the river."
Norah pondered his words. "Really?"
Kevin nodded. "Absolutely."
Norah hadn’t fully grasped what he meant, but she let the matter drop.
According to local customs, the funeral would last three days, with relatives, friends, and neighbors coming together for meals. At lunchtime, Norah hesitated, unsure if Kevin would be comfortable meeting her relatives in the greenhouse.
"Do you want to join them?" she asked.
"Why wouldn’t I?" Kevin responded.
"I just thought you might feel out of place," she said. "If you don’t want to, it’s fine."
"I want to go," he insisted.
Norah didn’t push further. She left her parents in the house, planning to bring them food later, and went out with Kevin.
As they walked, Norah saw an elderly man she recognized from her childhood. He was now frail, leaning on a cane, his hair white.
“It’s you, isn’t it?” the old man said, squinting at Norah.
She took a moment to recognize him. "Grandpa Han?"
Years ago, when she used to stay at her grandparents’ home, he was a robust man, always giving her snacks and fruit.
Grandpa Han chuckled warmly. "Time flies. You were just a little thing back then. Now look at you—all grown up and beautiful. I’m half-buried in the ground, and your grandpa White is long gone."
Norah smiled kindly. "You take care of yourself, Grandpa Han. Live a long, healthy life!"
Her sweet words made the old man beam, but he couldn’t help but ask, "Norah, have you settled down yet? If not, I know some good prospects for you."
Kevin, standing nearby, couldn’t help but cough softly.
The old man turned his gaze towards Kevin, squinting to see him clearly. "And who might you be?" he asked.
Kevin stepped forward and answered confidently, "I’m Norah’s husband. Kevin Edwards."