The Truth Beneath the Bruises

Chapter 581 The Truth Beneath the Bruises

Nora’s calf, only partially concealed, was mottled with bruises – no telling if they were from falling or being hit.

Wyatt’s gaze moved to her face, noting the swollen cheek and distinct handprint from a slap.

Sensing his attention, Nora lowered her eyes and subtly turned her injured side away so he couldn’t see it.

Yunice noticed the exchange and voiced the question for him. “Where’s your nurse? Why are you here alone?”

Nora didn’t respond.

Wyatt answered, “Maine was arrested an hour ago for perjury.”

Yunice turned to him, stunned. That fast?

Wyatt looked to Nora. “There’s no turning back for Morgan now. Accept it.”

Just as Wyatt was about to leave, Nora lifted her head. “I know you want to help Oscar. But what if there’s a compromise? I’m Morgan’s sister – I know him. He’s reckless, sure, and he takes things too far sometimes. But have you forgotten? He has a blood phobia. Even if he wanted to kill Elsie, he wouldn’t have used wrist-slitting. Morgan is Grandma’s whole world. If he dies, she won’t survive it. Even if you won’t help Morgan directly, at least help uncover the truth. Help him get a commuted sentence.”

Yunice frowned slightly.

Morgan’s charges weren’t limited to Elsie. With everything coming to light, every crime he’d committed was surfacing in court. Acquittal was impossible – but a commuted sentence could be negotiated.

Nora’s logic was clear. As long as he was alive, there was hope.

Wyatt didn’t reply. He took Yunice and left the rehab room.

Only when they were alone did Yunice ask, “Who hit her? The bruises on her face?”

“Probably her father.”

“Her father?”

“The Johnson family favors boys over girls. They’ve always treated their daughters like pawns. Nora was sent abroad for training when she was little. As soon as she grew up, they brought her back to use as a bargaining chip. Her father’s always been hard on her. With Morgan arrested, he probably took it out on her.”

Yunice frowned. “What about her grandmother?”

“She’s the only one in the family who treats her well, but she’s old now – not much she can do.”

Yunice gave Wyatt a strange look.

He clearly didn’t understand the dynamics within the Johnson family.

Chapter 581 The Truth Beneath the Bruises

The marks on Nora’s face weren’t left by Duncan.

Yunice hadn’t seen it happen, but her knowledge of anatomy told her the handprints were too narrow and short, especially at the knuckle spacing, to belong to a man. A man’s hand – especially Duncan’s – would be longer and broader.

Rose was overweight; her hand would’ve left wider prints.

But Madam Mary was thin to the bone – her hand structure matched perfectly.

Wyatt said Mary couldn’t help Nora. But that wasn’t right either.

Back when Mary and Duncan had gone to see her, it had been clear that Mary was in charge. Duncan respected her.

If Mary wanted to protect Nora, would Duncan really dare lay a hand on her?

Yunice stopped walking. “Wyatt, can you tell me something? Why do you always shield Morgan? Why are you always cleaning up his messes?”

Wyatt, seeing that she was full of questions today, said, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

The hospital was too crowded and noisy.

Just down the street was a French restaurant.

A server came over to recommend dishes. “Sir, our signature is the white wine mussels. The lady might enjoy it.”

“No need,” Wyatt said, not even looking at the menu. “Chateaubriand steak, truffle mushroom cream soup with poached egg… apple pie and vanilla ice cream.”

The server nodded politely and walked off.

Yunice gave him a curious look. “Why’d you skip the mussels?”

“You like them?” Wyatt asked flatly.

Yunice’s heart skipped. That feeling again. “You knew I don’t like them?”

Wyatt said, “Just a guess.”

Just then, the server returned with the vanilla ice cream.

Yunice drifted into thought, her mind stuck on the mussels.

Years ago, Paul had taken her to a French place – with a female guest in tow.

That girl had tried to provoke her, saw that Yunice wasn’t touching the mussels, and laughed, maybe she didn’t know how to eat them.

When Yunice ignored her, she amped it up – pouting to Paul that Yunice was being rude.

Paul, annoyed, told Yunice to just eat one and be done with it.