Chapter 953: Chapter 641: Twelve [12] Nora Scott Is So Pretty, She Should Receive Red Envelopes for Life

"Here."

Pedro Langley showed the image on the USB drive to Nora Scott.

Nora rested her elbow on Pedro’s shoulder, leaned over, and stared at the screen for a moment, "Shall we investigate?"

Actually, there could be many reasons for Luna Durant to go for a USB drive in the middle of the night. For instance, secrets of the Durant Family’s rivals, entertainment industry gossip... many things that might not necessarily concern Nora.

If they delve into every little detail without any leads, it would waste time, energy, and manpower. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

But...

Better safe than sorry.

Pedro made a sound of agreement and said decisively, "Investigate."

"So decisive?" Nora leaned on his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.

Pedro replied, "Instinct."

"I trust you."

She ruffled his hair, and as his hand reached over, Nora dodged and took her phone to the balcony to make a call.

This time, however, she wasn’t contacting a local member of Biel Hall but Rosie Sullivan instead.

"Hall Master, what’s the matter?"

Getting a call in the middle of the night would make anyone cranky, but Rosie Sullivan showed incredible patience, even a hint of anticipation and excitement.

"Are you in Central Plain Province recently?" Nora asked.

Rosie was taken aback for a moment and quickly responded, "Ah, yes."

Casually inquiring, Nora sparked Rosie’s heartbeat to quicken—the Hall Master was actually paying attention to her movements!

"Are you done with your work?"

"Yeah. I just finished today."

"I have something I’d like you to do."

"Alright."

Rosie agreed without a second thought.

Nora briefly explained the situation to Rosie, asking her to come over tomorrow to investigate, ideally to find out the contents of Luna Durant’s USB drive. In addition, she asked Rosie to keep an eye on Annabelle Pinto and Anthony Santos’s matters.

She reached out to Rosie because Luna Durant was leaving the next day, and coordinating local members from various areas would be cumbersome. It’s better to send someone from the headquarters. Also... she didn’t quite trust the lowest-tier members, as most joined Biel Hall for the minor benefits, lacking in grandiose ideals or aspirations.

Simply put, easily bribed.

If she had a choice, Nora wouldn’t rely on them for everything.

*

Luna Durant returned to her room and immediately dialed Stella Durant’s number.

"Sister, the people secretly protecting Clement Winter are from Biel Hall, probably under Nora’s instructions." Luna said, then paused and hesitantly asked, "By the way, I got the USB. But... will it be useful?"

"We’ll know if it’s useful when the time comes," Stella Durant said, "I just don’t believe all the people from her Hall are so noble that none can be bribed."

"..."

Luna showed a sinister expression.

Despite repeatedly emphasizing to Stella last night that a good relationship with Nora was impossible, Stella finally decided to give up on this path.

Last night was just a dissatisfaction.

—Why should she try to please Nora?

But now, she genuinely wished Nora would die.

This bitch.

Not only did she seduce Pedro Langley, but she also played her around, using her as a pawn against Rosa Sullivan, resulting in a pile of negative press that severely affected her reputation... In the original "Twelve," she could still compete for Best Supporting Actress with fan support and national popularity, but now she could only watch Annabelle Pinto show off.

She had to make sure Nora was destroyed.

"Send me the data from the USB, and I’ll have someone handle it," Stella reminded her.

"Okay."

Luna agreed immediately.

*

The next day, Nora and Pedro flew back to Fenton City.

New Year’s Eve was just around the corner.

Last year, Nora idled at home with Antonio Easton, with heaps of New Year’s goods being delivered to her doorstep. Although this year had no trivial matters to handle, meeting relatives on the Langley side and feasting were unavoidable, and there were New Year visits after the holiday, so it’s best to get acquainted before the year’s end.

Once back, Nora followed Pedro to three days of feasting. Fortunately, her memory was good enough to avoid getting people confused. As long as she paid a bit of attention, she could smoothly pass this test.

On New Year’s Eve, Nora and Pedro, accompanied by Marcus Shaw, returned to the Scott family home.

"Brother!"

As soon as they entered, Oliver Scott ran downstairs, first greeting Marcus before acknowledging Nora and Pedro.

Marcus glanced at him.

Oliver took the initiative to help Marcus with his suitcase, then called for Marcus to head upstairs.

"What’s going on?"

Ernesto Scott came out of the study, puzzled by this scene.

In the past, even when Oliver got along well with Marcus, he wouldn’t just drag Marcus upstairs but would stay to chat with Nora and Pedro.

"They’re both about to take their college entrance exams and are discussing schools and majors," Nora explained, glancing at Ernesto, "Do you know what he wants to major in?"

"..."

Ernesto Scott was dumbfounded by the question.

Oliver Scott’s interest in Mechas, he only learned about when Oliver participated in the Mecha competition. Oliver had once argued with Alma Ferreira because Alma forced him to choose a major he didn’t like. Ernesto knew about this but hadn’t delved into Oliver’s thoughts.

——For example, what major Oliver wanted to pursue.

Nora Scott saw Ernesto’s reaction and understood: Alma and Ernesto’s educational methods were probably quite contrasting.

It’s truly remarkable that Oliver grew up this way.

"He can choose whatever he likes, anyway, I won’t force him," Ernesto coughed lightly, trying hard to maintain his dignity.

Nora raised an eyebrow, thinking to provoke.

"Maybe you could talk to him a bit," Pedro Langley suggested. "Dad’s open-minded attitude might make Oliver really happy."

Nora shot Pedro a sideways glance.

Pedro gave her a look, hinting she should cease being too sharp with her words.

——It’s almost New Year, no need for that.

"Okay," Ernesto surprisingly took the advice, nodding, "Since everyone is home and idle, I’ll find more opportunities to chat with him."

His obedient attitude slightly surprised Nora.

But upon reconsideration, she understood.

——After all, he has a daughter who has been away without returning, and hasn’t heard a word from her. The reason for this is inextricably linked to his different treatment of his two daughters.

With such a lesson learned, he naturally pays more attention now.

Nora and Pedro exchanged a glance, then moved away from this topic and went with Ernesto to the living room to chat.

...

After discussing with Oliver for half an hour, Marcus Shaw went to the room he typically stayed in at the Scott family home.

It was originally a guest room, but since it became known he would stay over, Oliver got Ernesto’s consent to turn it into a bedroom, adding many things. And, every time Marcus followed Nora over, he’d find new items added to the room.

If Oliver bought something, he habitually bought Marcus one too.

From small things like stationery to big things like keyboards, it was always the case.

"Buzz buzz buzz."

The phone in his pocket vibrated.

Marcus took it out, discovered it was Andrew Hughes’ video call, and answered.

"Marcus!"

Andrew shoved his face close to the camera.

The camera swayed a bit, and Marcus saw Andrew’s unfamiliar background, not Peter Hughes’ house.

"Where are you?" Marcus asked.

"I’m home," Andrew said, walking through the living room to his bedroom, "Marcus, Happy New Year’s Eve!"

"Happy New Year’s Eve." Marcus replied nonchalantly, then asked, "Where’s your grandfather?"

"He’s at home." Andrew said, drooping his brows, pausing, then added, "His own home."

Marcus asked a few questions to understand, Andrew was now living in a home bought by Crystal Hughes, with Camilo Nogueira also staying there. Originally, Crystal and Camilo intended to invite Peter Hughes to spend New Year’s together, but Peter refused. They thought Peter didn’t want to leave his wife’s place, wanted to go over, but were also rejected by Peter.

"Oh."

Marcus frowned.

Andrew asked: "Are you spending New Year’s with your mentor and the others?"

"Yeah."

"I’ll just chat for ten minutes, later I need to video call and greet mentor and grandfather." Andrew said earnestly.

"Oh."

Tilting his head, Andrew asked, "Also, mom said she’ll hardly have time during New Year’s and has to pay New Year’s respects to mentor on the first day, do you have time to pick me up?"

"Depends."

"Mentor said, Rule 103 of the sect, on the first day of New Year you must pay respects to mentor, or be expelled."

"..."

"Also, also, Marcus——"

Marcus interrupted him, "Andrew Hughes."

"Eh."

"Why are you so talkative lately?"

"..."

Andrew blinked his eyes, appearing rather naive.

Despite being disliked for talking too much, Andrew didn’t sever ties with Marcus, instead continued advising Marcus to perform well on New Year’s Eve. He planned to save up all his New Year’s money tomorrow, combine it into a red envelope, and have Marcus give it to Nora, saying it’s prepared by Marcus.

Marcus frowned, "No need."

He’s still of the age to receive red envelopes, right?

"Why not," Andrew worried, his whole little face scrunching up, sincerely concerned for Marcus, "Mentor is so good-looking, should receive red envelopes forever. Oliver said he prepared a gift for mentor, wouldn’t you prepare anything?"

Marcus: "..."

Before finishing the ten minutes, Marcus ended the video call with Andrew.