The Prison Lord's Release

Chapter 5

The sarcastic voice came from Patricia, the head caretaker of the orphanage. She had never liked Ella and always blamed her whenever trouble happened.

"Head Caretaker Patricia, Ella is not at fault this time," Chloe said firmly. "She was bullied at school, and the teachers accused her without checking the evidence."

"Stop defending her!" Patricia snapped.

"But I'm telling the truth. Can you please approve my request to transfer Ella to another school?"

Patricia snorted. "Stop asking for so much! Ella is lucky to study at the best school in this city. The orphanage only has one scholarship, and we gave it to her because she was smart."

She pointed at Ella, who immediately lowered her head. "But look at her now. All she does is cause trouble!" she yelled.

Chloe felt sorry for the little girl. "Please don't be so harsh on her. She's still a child."

"That's exactly why she never learns!" Patricia shouted. "And don't you have classes today? Did you skip them again because of Ella?"

"My college class was almost over, so I thought it wouldn't matter."

Patricia's face darkened. "Do you know how much money this orphanage has spent raising you? You should study hard, get a good job, and repay us!"

"I understand," Chloe replied quietly.

She did not want to argue with Patricia again. Although Patricia treated the children badly, Chloe could not argue that the orphanage had given her a place to live when she had nowhere else to go.

Meanwhile, Norbert had followed Chloe and Ella from the school. He stood a short distance away with Mitchell, listening to the conversation.

"She treats Ella like this even at the orphanage?" Norbert asked coldly.

Mitchell's expression darkened. "It seems the little miss has suffered a lot."

Norbert looked toward the building. "I won't leave her in a place where she is treated like this."

Inside, Patricia continued scolding the two girls. "Remember my words, Ella! If you cause trouble again, this orphanage will throw you out, just like your parents did!" she threatened.

"That's enough!" Chloe shouted angrily. "You shouldn't say such cruel things to a child!"

Patricia glared at her. "How dare you talk back to me? You have no right to question how I run this orphanage!"

A calm voice suddenly interrupted them. "What kind of orphanage threatens to throw children onto the street?"

Patricia turned around and saw Norbert standing at the entrance. Mitchell stood beside him, looking displeased.

"Who are you?" Patricia asked rudely.

Mitchell stepped forward. "You don't need to know his identity. Just answer his question."

Patricia looked at Norbert's simple clothes and sneered. "Two poor men come here and think they can tell me how to run my orphanage?" She rolled her eyes.

Norbert raised a hand to stop Mitchell from replying.

"Your behavior toward those two girls was unacceptable," Norbert said. "You are supposed to protect the children, not make them afraid."

Patricia crossed her arms. "I was teaching them a lesson. Children need discipline, and I won't let them do whatever they want."

Norbert looked at her coldly. For a moment, Patricia felt a strange pressure and instinctively stepped backward.

Mitchell almost laughed at her reaction. Norbert had spent five years in Blackfall Prison, where even the most dangerous criminals had learned to fear his presence.

However, Norbert quickly withdrew his intimidating presence when he noticed Ella watching him. He did not want to frighten his niece.

"I want to adopt Ella," Norbert said.

Chloe stared at him in shock. Ella looked surprised too, unsure whether she had heard him correctly.

Patricia laughed mockingly. "You want to adopt her? Do you even understand what adoption requires?"

"Explain it to me," Norbert replied calmly.

"Anyone who wants to adopt a child must provide proof of financial stability and a good reason for the adoption," Patricia said. "You don't look like someone who can afford to raise a child."

Chloe frowned at Patricia's rude words. She wanted to defend Norbert, but she also wondered whether he could really give Ella a better life.

Norbert remained calm. He expected Patricia to question him, but not to judge him by his clothes.

"This is the DNA test report," Mitchell opened his briefcase and placed a document on the table. "It confirms that Lord Norbert and Ella are blood relatives."

Patricia picked up the report and read it carefully. Her expression changed when she saw the results.

"How did you get this?" she demanded. "Did you secretly collect Ella's DNA? That's illegal!"

"The sample was collected through a private medical examination with the proper consent," Mitchell replied. "The report confirms their family relationship."

Patricia was still suspicious. "Even if you're her uncle, that doesn't mean you can simply take her away. You still need to prove that you can provide a proper home."

"That's exactly what we're here to prove," Mitchell answered.

He took out another folder and placed it in front of her. Unlike the first document, this one contained financial records, property certificates, and official reports from several banks.

Patricia opened the folder carelessly. However, the moment she saw the first page, her arrogant grin disappeared.

The document listed Norbert's private assets, including several luxury properties and large deposits at major banks. Some of his accounts were linked to modern magic banking systems, which used magical seals to protect their owners' funds. Only a few people in this empire had access to magic banking systems.

One report said Norbert had enough money to support Ella for the rest of her life. Another confirmed that he owned a large residence equipped with advanced magical security systems.

Patricia's hands began to tremble.

"Th-This..." she stammered, turning another page.

Mitchell watched her reaction with a faint smile. "Is there a problem, Head Caretaker Patricia?" he asked.

Patricia looked up at Norbert, then lowered her head again. The man she had just called poor was wealthier than she could have imagined.

She had spent years trying to impress wealthy donors and powerful officials. Yet Norbert's financial records alone made it clear he stood far above the people she usually dealt with.

"Lord Norbert, please forgive my earlier behavior!" Patricia exclaimed, forcing a friendly smile. "I didn't know you were such an important person!"