Norman Douglas was stunned and took a while to come to his senses.
Purple Summers had guessed right againâ¦
Ever since Riley Montgomery moved into that house and started leading a secluded life with the child, the private tutorâs little maneuvers also increased.
Sometimes she would bend over to pick something up in front of him, revealing the beautiful view of her chest, other times her clothes would get wet, accentuating the curves of her body.
Once or twice, he might think it accidental, but as it happened more often, he began to feel that this private tutor was up to no good, such crude seduction tactics were really not to his taste.
Besides, he was already distressed and agitated over his wife and daughterâs situation, where would he find the mood to flirt with other women?
Norman Douglas was proud to consider himself an upright gentleman. Although he found the teacherâs behavior improper, seeing how much his son was attached to her, he pretended not to notice and didnât dismiss her.
Looking back now, her bending over to pick things up seemed to be because his sonâs toys happened to fall, and her wet clothes were from being hit by a water gun while playing with his sonâ¦
â¦Was it all just a coincidence?
His innocent and adorable son once asked him, âDaddy, doesnât Mommy want me anymore?â
He comforted his son, âMommy is just sickâ¦â
âIf Mommy doesnât want me anymore, can you marry Ms. Lulu to be my new mommy?â
His sonâs childish talk had amused him, but now, connecting it to what Purple Summers had said and thinking about it in depth, it was downright chilling.
âI didnât expect that you would dismiss the private tutor,â said Purple Summers. âBut I guess dismissing her wasnât really your intention, was it?â
Norman remained silent, looking at Purple Summers in front of him with a complex expression.
Since she had walked into this room, she had taken control of the situation. His yelling, anger, shockâall his emotions were within her expectations, which is why she remained calmâ¦
Normanâs heart felt heavy, as if a huge stone was pressing on his chest, suffocating him.
Dismissing the private tutor was indeed his sonâs suggestionâ¦
âShe teaches me stuff I already know, and I donât like her forcing me to eat vegetable salad, I prefer potato salad,â his son had said to him.
He had laughed and replied, âTeachers teach you not to be picky with food.â
Even so, he still went along with his sonâs wishes and dismissed the private tutor.
So, what was really going on?⦠Was he being manipulated by his own eight-year-old son?
Norman tugged at the corner of his mouth, his expression rather unpleasant.
Purple Summers said, âI never spoke up because there was no evidence. I think that must also be Ms. Montgomeryâs concern. She canât bring herself to say it; she canât even believe it herself⦠afraid to wrong the child, and afraid to anger you, so she endures in fear.â
âAll of this⦠is nothing but your speculation,â Norman said, his voice hoarse and his whole being feeling bewildered, ââ¦It might not be true.â
Purple Summers was silent for a moment, then replied, âActually, getting evidence is simple. I have a hundred ways I could test for it, but I donât want to do that. Mr. Douglas, I only investigate cases; I canât sentence an eight-year-old child. How to raise your child is your responsibility as a father, and you have more authority on that matter than anyone.â
Their conversation ended there.
Meanwhile, Marcel Jefferson and the female lawyer brought by Norman had been arguing for a long time, unable to reach an agreement, neither willing to give in.
If they could not come to terms, this divorce case was bound to go to court for a further dispute.
Before leaving, Purple Summers said to Norman, âI have a good friend who has often been invited to your home recently. If Young Master Douglas invites her again, I sincerely hope you will step in and refuse. Young Master Douglas should be looking for a new mother, and I really donât want to see my good friend become one of the candidates.â
Upon hearing this, Norman knew Purple Summers was talking about Jane McCain.
He remained silent, keeping the matter in mindâ¦