The Prison Lord's Release

Chapter 2

Norbert walked out of Blackfall Prison, his face cold and serious. A black luxury car waited outside the gate, its polished body shining in the sunlight. A young man in a black suit stood beside it and quickly opened the rear door.

"Welcome back, Lord Norbert. Congratulations on your release!" Mitchell said with a respectful bow.

Norbert nodded and entered the car without answering. Mitchell followed him inside and closed the door.

For a while, neither man spoke. Norbert's mind was still filled with the memory of his family's death, and his hands tightened into fists.

Mitchell glanced at him nervously. He knew how much Norbert had suffered, but he also knew that his master would never stay quiet.

"What happened to my family's bodies?" Norbert asked quietly.

Cold sweat covered Mitchell's forehead as he recalled the terrible news. "Their heads were hung at the palace gates for three years, Lord. Our men eventually managed to take them away and give them a proper burial."

Norbert closed his eyes, trying to control his anger. The people responsible had enjoyed five years of peace while his family lay in the ground.

"However, we have some good news," Mitchell added carefully.

"Speak," Norbert ordered.

"We investigated your family and found that your niece is still alive. She's seven years old and currently lives in an orphanage under the name Ella Brooks."

Norbert opened his eyes in surprise. "I have a niece? Why didn't I know about her?"

"Miss Eliza discovered her pregnancy after she was arrested," Mitchell explained. "She gave birth in prison, but your family managed to get the baby out secretly."

Norbert felt both sadness and relief. His sister had suffered alone, yet she had managed to leave behind one last member of the Ashford Family.

He suddenly remembered Eliza's husband, Brant Huxley. When the Ashford Family was arrested, Brant had divorced Eliza, and Norbert had believed that he had abandoned her.

"Brant Huxley lived peacefully while my sister suffered in prison," Norbert said angrily. "I will make him pay for what he did!"

Mitchell quickly shook his head. "Lord, there's something you should know. Brant was the one who helped Ella escape, and his family forced him to divorce Miss Eliza."

Norbert fell silent.

"After Jorah discovered what Brant had done, he was arrested," Mitchell continued. "Brant never revealed his daughter's location, even until his death."

Norbert lowered his head, realizing that he had misunderstood Brant. The man had loved Eliza and their daughter, even though he couldn't save Eliza.

"What happened to the Huxley Family?" Norbert asked.

"They avoided punishment by paying a large tribute to the court," Mitchell replied.

Norbert snorted. "Of course. Jorah only cares about money and power."

He took a deep breath, then looked at Mitchell again. "Where is Ella now? Take me to her."

Mitchell was about to answer when his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up, listened for a few seconds, and his expression changed.

"What's wrong?" Norbert asked sharply.

"Lord, we just received news that Ella is being bullied at school."

Norbert's eyes turned cold as he looked toward the driver.

"Take me there. Now!"

At Lindenhall School, Ella stood in the teachers' room with her head lowered. Several teachers surrounded her, their faces filled with disappointment and anger.

“Ella, admit it. You stole Ruby's money, didn't you?" Holly, her homeroom teacher, asked.

"I-I didn't steal anything," Ella replied quietly.

Holly sighed impatiently. "Then why was the money found in your bag?"

"I don't know," Ella whispered. "I really didn't take it."

Another teacher crossed her arms and shook her head. "You should tell the truth, Ella. Lying will only make things worse."

"Tsk. She's so young, yet she already knows how to steal," another teacher sneered.

Ella twisted her fingers nervously. She wanted to explain herself, but the adults kept interrupting before she could finish.

"Have you contacted her parents?" one teacher asked Holly.

"Ella is an orphan," Holly replied. "I've already contacted the orphanage where she lives."

The teachers exchanged looks, and their expressions grew even colder.

"No wonder she behaves like this," one of them remarked. "No one taught her how to behave properly."

Suddenly, the teachers' room door swung open. A glamorous woman wearing expensive clothes and heavy makeup walked inside with an arrogant expression.

"Who dared to steal my daughter's money?" she shouted.

Holly immediately walked toward her with a polite smile. "Mrs. Marlene, welcome. We were just discussing the incident."

Marlene Turner was a wealthy woman from the Turner Family and one of the school's biggest donors. Her money and influence had earned her special treatment from the teachers.

"So, which child stole my daughter's money?" Marlene asked coldly.

"That girl, madam," another teacher replied quickly, pointing at Ella. "We have questioned her, but she still refuses to confess."

Ruby Turner, Marlene's daughter, stepped forward with a sad expression. "Mom, she always steals from me. I didn't report her before because I felt sorry for her."

Ella looked at Ruby in disbelief. "That's not true! I never stole anything from you!" she cried.

Ruby secretly smiled before pretending to look hurt. She had placed the money inside Ella's bag herself because she wanted to get rid of the girl who always scored higher marks than her.

Since Ella entered Lindenhall School, Ruby had bullied her whenever she could. She hated seeing Ella receive praise from teachers and classmates.

"Still denying it?" Holly asked angrily.

Marlene walked toward Ella and looked her up and down. "Look at yourself. Your clothes are wrinkled, and your shoes are worn out. You should be grateful that this school even allows someone like you to study here!"

Ella bit her lip as tears filled her eyes. "I didn't steal the money. Please believe me."

"Stop crying!" Holly shouted. "Do you think tears will make us believe your lies?"

Marlene crossed her arms and sneered. "You should know your place, girl. Don't think you can escape punishment just because you're an orphan."

Tears rolled down Ella's cheeks. She had no parents to protect her, and now even the teachers who were supposed to help her had turned against her.

Ruby lowered her head and pretended to feel sorry for Ella. "I didn't want to make trouble for her, Mom. I just want her to admit what she did."

The teachers praised Ruby.

"Ruby, you're such a kind girl," one teacher said warmly.

"Mrs. Marlene, you have raised your daughter very well," another teacher added.

They ignored Ella's tears and continued praising Ruby. None of them bothered to investigate whether the accusation was true.

Marlene looked at Holly. "Have you decided how to punish this girl?"

"Of course, madam," Holly replied. "We will expel her from the school."

Ella's eyes widened in fear. "Please don't! I really didn't steal anything!" she begged.

"Enough!" Marlene shouted. "You should be thankful that we haven't called the police."

Just then, a cold voice came from the doorway.

"You adults are supposed to guide children, not bully them. Aren't you ashamed of yourselves?"

Everyone turned toward the entrance. A tall man in a black suit stood there, his sharp eyes fixed on the people surrounding Ella.

Norbert had arrived.

He looked at the little girl standing alone with tears on her face. For a moment, he remembered his younger sister and the family he had failed to protect. His expression darkened as he stepped into the room.

"Who gave you the right to bully my niece?" Norbert asked coldly.