Ch. 180: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 180

Chapter 180

Elodie walked over to Kevin with a bright smile. “The last time we met at your aunt’s, we didn’t even get a chance to talk properly. Are you staying longer this time?”

Without waiting for a response, she slipped her hand around Kevin’s arm, completely ignoring Norah.

At the last banquet, Elodie had no idea who Norah was, so her behavior had been more restrained. Back then, she had agreed to her aunt’s request to "test Kevin," seeing him as more of an older brother than anything else.

Now that Kevin was married, Elodie knew she should treat Norah with the respect of a sister-in-law. But something about Norah didn’t sit right with her.

Rumors had reached Elodie’s ears—claims that Norah was manipulative at work, misusing her position to gain an edge, and pampered herself excessively. To make matters worse, Elodie knew Kevin’s mother disapproved of Norah.

Elodie didn’t want to deal with someone so “overbearing” as a sister-in-law. Secretly, she hoped Kevin and Norah’s marriage would fall apart.

“It won’t be for long,” Kevin replied bluntly. Gently but firmly, he removed her hand from his arm. “There are a lot of people here, Elodie. Watch yourself.”

“What’s the big deal? You’ve always been like an older brother to me. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you have to be so distant!” she said with a pout, casting a glance at Norah.

Since marrying Kevin, Norah had felt like an outsider in most social settings. Everyone seemed eager to find fault with her.

She met Elodie’s eyes and saw the hostility there. Though Elodie’s behavior stung, Norah kept her composure, unwilling to cause a scene.

Old Mr. Godin noticed the exchange. While he knew Elodie only thought of Kevin as a brother, her actions were out of line. He also understood his granddaughter well enough to suspect this wasn’t innocent behavior.

“Elodie, come here,” Old Mr. Godin called firmly.

Elodie, who had lived under her grandfather’s roof since childhood, obeyed him without hesitation. She dropped Kevin’s arm and walked toward him.

But as she passed Norah, she suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground with a dramatic cry.

“Oh no!”

Norah instinctively moved to help her, but Elodie was already on the floor, tears streaming down her face. She glared at Norah accusingly. “Sister-in-law, why would you trip me?”

Her voice was shaky and filled with hurt, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

Norah froze, shocked. This was only the second time she and Elodie had met, and they’d barely exchanged words. Why would Elodie accuse her like this?

Norah quickly composed herself. “Miss Godin, I didn’t trip you. You must have stepped on my skirt when you turned around.”

It was Old Mr. Godin’s seventieth birthday, and Norah didn’t want to ruin the celebration with unnecessary drama. The last thing she wanted was to make Kevin the center of attention in a negative way.

“You’re saying I’m lying?” Elodie’s face twisted in pain as she pointed to a small cut on her cheek. “Look at this—my face is bleeding! Sister-in-law, do you hate me that much? You cut my face on purpose!”

The room grew tense. Even though the injury was minor, it was enough to alarm everyone, given how important appearance was to a young woman.

Old Mr. Godin stepped closer. “What happened, Elodie?”

Sniffling, Elodie clung to her grandfather’s arm. “Grandpa, I was nothing but kind to her, but she pushed me down and cut my face! She’s so cruel!”

Old Mr. Godin examined her face carefully. The wound was small, more of a scratch than anything serious. “It’s a minor cut. It’ll heal just fine, Elodie. Stop crying—there are too many people here for this kind of scene.”

“Grandpa, you have to stand up for me!” Elodie wailed, unwilling to let the matter drop.

Before Old Mr. Godin could respond, Cassius, a large and imposing man, spoke up. “Elodie’s been sheltered her whole life. If anyone dares to harm her, I won’t stand for it!”

Norah instinctively recoiled at the threat, but Kevin stepped forward, his grip on her hand reassuring. His gaze was ice-cold as he looked at Cassius. “Do you think Norah has no one to defend her?”

Norah glanced at Kevin, her heart pounding. She hadn’t expected him to intervene so decisively. He had stayed silent through countless criticisms and accusations, but the moment someone came after her, he stood his ground without hesitation.

Cassius looked ready to argue, but Kevin’s piercing glare kept him quiet.

“Old Mr. Godin,” Kevin said firmly, “it’s clear we’re not welcome here. We’ll take our leave.” He started to guide Norah toward the exit.

“Stop right there,” Old Mr. Godin commanded, his tone sharp.

His piercing gaze landed on Elodie. “Elodie, I know Norah’s character. She wouldn’t do something like this. But you—where did you learn to play such dirty tricks? Who taught you to frame others?”

Elodie’s tear-streaked face went pale. “Grandpa…”

Old Mr. Godin’s voice grew stern. “The Godin family stands for loyalty and integrity. We have no room for deceit or cruelty. If this is the kind of person you want to be, don’t call me your grandfather.”

Elodie’s defiance crumbled. “Grandpa, I’m sorry! I was wrong! I won’t act like this again—please forgive me.”

Cassius interjected, “Old Mr. Godin, Elodie’s just young and impulsive. Let’s not be too harsh. Her father gave his life for this family.”

Old Mr. Godin sighed heavily. “That doesn’t excuse her behavior. Elodie, apologize to your sister-in-law immediately.”

Elodie’s face twisted in frustration. She wanted nothing more than to avoid admitting fault to Norah. But her grandfather’s unwavering expression left no room for argument.

Reluctantly, she turned to Norah and mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

Norah, sensing the tension, replied calmly, “There’s no need for that. It’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal,” Old Mr. Godin countered firmly. “Elodie needs to learn that actions have consequences. Apologies are not optional.”

Elodie bit her lip, holding back tears, and nodded. For now, she would comply. But in her heart, she vowed to find a way to regain her pride.