The Prison Lord's Release

Chapter 4

Ella quickly hid behind Norbert when she saw the group of mages in white-and-gold robes. Their powerful magical auras made her feel nervous, and she grabbed the back of Norbert's coat tightly.

Norbert gently stroked her head, then turned toward the mages. "Lower your voices. You're scaring my niece."

The mages exchanged glances, then bowed their heads again.

"Welcome back, Lord Norbert. Congratulations on your release," their leader said respectfully.

Norbert sighed. "You don't have to make such a big scene. I only came here to pick up my niece."

"How could we not welcome your return?" the mage replied. "We have waited five years for this day."

Norbert clicked his tongue. His subordinates were too loyal, and their actions often attracted more attention than he wanted.

"Do you want Jorah Flint to learn that I've returned?" Norbert asked coldly. "Coming to a small city with so many people will only reveal my presence."

The mages immediately fell silent. They had been so excited to see Norbert again that they had forgotten the danger of drawing attention to him.

Mitchell stepped forward and looked at them, annoyed. "What are you waiting for? Leave now, and don't cause any more trouble."

"Yes, sir!" the mages answered together.

They bowed once more before returning to their vehicles. Within moments, the group had left the school gate, leaving Norbert, Mitchell, and Ella behind.

Meanwhile, Marlene and the teachers watched from the window. They finally breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the mages leave without doing anything.

"Those mages probably mistook him for someone else," Holly said, trying to calm herself.

"That's right," another teacher agreed. "If he were really someone important, we would have heard of him."

Marlene crossed her arms and smiled proudly. "Exactly. He's probably just a poor man trying to show off. Tomorrow, he'll be the one kneeling before me."

Outside, Ella stepped out from behind Norbert. She looked up at him curiously, still unsure whether to trust this stranger.

"Umm, are you really my uncle?" she asked.

Norbert crouched down until they were at the same height. “Yes, Ella. I'm your uncle, and from today onward, I'll take care of you."

Ella tapped her chin with one finger. "But Sister Chloe told me not to trust strangers. She said some people might trick me and take me away."

Norbert chuckled. "Sister Chloe gave you good advice. You should always be careful around people you don't know."

He gently held Ella's small hand. "But I'm not a stranger who wants to hurt you. I'm really your uncle."

Ella lowered her head, remembering Ruby's words from earlier. "Ruby said my parents abandoned me because I was naughty. Is that true?"

Norbert felt a sharp pain in his chest.  "No, Ella," he replied. "Your parents never abandoned you. They loved you very much."

"Really?" Ella asked, her eyes brightening.

Norbert nodded. "They had to send you somewhere safe, but they never stopped loving you."

Ella smiled for the first time since the school incident. "Can you take me to meet them?"

Norbert's smile faded slightly. He knew the truth was too painful for a child her age, so he gently stroked her hair.

"I'll tell you everything when the time is right," he promised.

"Ella!"

A worried voice came from the school gate. Norbert turned and saw a young woman running toward them, her face frightened.

It was Chloe, one of the caretakers from Ella's orphanage. She had left her college class as soon as the school called to report the incident.

"Sister Chloe!" Ella shouted happily.

Chloe hurried over and pulled Ella close. She looked at Norbert suspiciously, placing herself between him and the child.

"Who are you?" Chloe demanded. "Why are you with Ella?"

"Sister Chloe, he's my uncle!" Ella answered excitedly. "He said he'll take care of me and help me meet my parents!"

Chloe's expression changed immediately. She turned toward Norbert with an even more guarded look.

"Ella, what did I tell you about strangers?" Chloe asked firmly.

"We shouldn't trust them," Ella replied quietly.

"That's right. This man could be lying to you, so you must never follow him without making sure he's telling the truth."

Norbert slowly stood up. He wasn't offended by Chloe's suspicion; instead, he was glad someone had been looking after Ella.

"I understand your concern," he said calmly. "But I'm truly her uncle, and I want to take care of her."

"No kidnapper would admit to being one," Chloe replied sharply. "Come on, Ella. We're going home."

Ella hesitated, then looked back at Norbert. "But he defended me when everyone accused me of stealing. He also believed me when I said I was innocent," she mumbled.

Chloe froze for a moment. "What? They accused you of stealing?"

Ella nodded and explained what had happened in the teachers' room. Chloe's expression grew darker with every word.

She had heard about Ruby's bullying before and had complained to the school several times. However, the teachers had never taken her complaints seriously because Ruby's family was wealthy and influential.

"I'm glad someone finally stood up for you," Chloe admitted. She then looked at Norbert again, still unsure whether she could trust him.

Mitchell noticed the situation and quietly approached his master. "Lord, you should give her some time. She cares about Ella, so it's natural for her to be suspicious."

Norbert sighed and nodded. "You're right. I'll take things slowly."

Chloe led Ella toward the bus stop, while Norbert watched them leave. Before boarding, Chloe glanced back and saw him still standing near the school gate.

She turned away when their eyes met. Although she still didn't trust him, she couldn't ignore how he had protected Ella.

Once they were seated on the bus, Chloe turned toward the little girl. "Tell me everything that happened. Did Ruby bully you again?"

Ella nodded. "Ruby said her money was missing, so the teachers checked everyone's bags. Then they found the money in mine."

Chloe clenched her fists. "That girl probably put it there herself!"

"That's what Uncle said too!" Ella replied happily. "See? He must be a good person!"

"What did I just tell you about strangers?"

Ella lowered her head. She wanted to believe Norbert was telling the truth because the thought of having a real family made her happy.

Chloe softened when she saw Ella's sad expression. "What else did your uncle say?"

Ella suddenly raised her head. "He said Ruby and her mother would have to kneel and apologize if I'm innocent!"

"What did you say?"

"There will be a disciplinary meeting tomorrow," Ella explained. "Uncle said the truth would come out there. What is a disciplinary meeting?"

Chloe nearly stood up in shock. She covered her mouth when the other passengers looked at her.

A disciplinary meeting was usually held when a school was considering a serious punishment, such as expelling a student. Given the Turners' influence, Chloe feared that Ella would be blamed no matter what the evidence showed.

She looked at Ella, who was still waiting for an answer. "Don't worry about it for now. I'll find a way to help you."

Ella nodded, trusting Chloe's words. Meanwhile, Chloe began thinking about how to protect her from the Turner Family's influence.

The bus finally reached the orphanage. Chloe took Ella's hand and led her through the front gate, hoping the trouble at school wouldn't follow them home.

However, an old woman's sarcastic voice greeted them as soon as they entered the building.

"Well, well, Ella Brooks. What trouble have you caused this time?"