Her own two daughters couldn't get along, and Jerry Moore was actually more upset than anyone else, but if she could only choose one, she would definitely still choose Bertha.
"Even if it wasn't caused by you, it was because of you!"
"To stop you from overthinking, I never told you that the person who took Bertha away back then was actually your aunt!"
Jerry Moore hadn't originally intended to say this.
But to make Nancy "return to the right path," she could only tell her the truth.
"Your aunt, Catherine, is your father's first love."
"When she was dating your dad, he was actually already engaged to me."
"After graduation, your dad dumped her, and she chose this extreme approach to take revenge on your dad and me, swapping you and Bertha."
"Do you still think Bertha's fate has nothing to do with you!"
*
Nancy Norris couldn't accept this reality and directly ran away from home.
When Carol Norris heard the news, instead of helping to find Nancy, she came back specifically to criticize Jerry Moore.
"Sister-in-law, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you can't start neglecting Nancy just because you've found your biological daughter."
"No matter what, she's called you 'Mom' for eighteen years."
"Also, ever since Bertha came back, this home hasn't had a moment of peace."
"Now Nancy has run away too. If something happens to her, I can't believe you won't feel sorry!"
Jerry Moore was already anxious, and seeing her sister-in-law only offering sarcastic remarks, even her good temper had to flare up.
"I said not to involve Bertha in this!"
"And if you can help find Nancy, I thank you. But if you're just here to watch the spectacle, then please leave now; I have no time to entertain you here!"
Carol Norris didn't expect her usually mild-tempered sister-in-law to lose her temper at her.
"What right do you have to drive me away!"
"My surname is Norris, this is my brother's home, I come and go as I wish! You can't control me!"
Jerry Moore wasn't good at arguing, so she was left speechless by Carol Norris, also because she was used to being bullied by her.
Bertha Haines, who was planning to go downstairs to get some sewing supplies, decided not to put up with it anymore when she saw her biological mother being bullied into silence.
After coming downstairs, she went directly to Carol Norris and quickly typed on her phone.
[You're right, I am a Jinx. Not only do those close to me get bad luck, but whoever I curse will definitely have bad luck too!]
Carol Norris immediately stepped back two steps in fear, looking at Bertha Haines as though she had seen a fierce beast.
"You, you..."
[If you don't want to be unlucky, you'd better stay away from me in the future, and stop bothering my mom at my house, or if you anger me, you'll have to be careful in the future.]
Carol Norris stammered in fear.
"You... what kind of attitude is this! I am your aunt!"
Carol Norris was scared away, but as soon as she left the Norris Residence, she began to lodge a complaint with Edgar Norris.
"Brother, that little mute is too rude; she actually cursed me, and sister-in-law even defended her!"
"She also said I'm an outsider and should stop running to the Norris Residence for no reason!"
After Carol Norris added her own spin to the story, Edgar Norris called back Jerry Moore, not even asking for the full story before scolding her.
"Yuhe's surname is Norris, even if she's married off, she's still a Norris Family Member. Don't bother her in the future!"
"Also, have Bertha move out as soon as possible. Some things are better believed than not; since she returned, indeed many unfortunate things have happened at home!"
"And as for Nancy, if it weren't for your extreme bias, would she have run away from home?"
Edgar Norris's voice was loud enough that Bertha Haines standing next to Jerry Moore could hear it. Looking at her red-eyed biological mom, she suddenly felt some pity for her.
She always thought that as long as someone had money, there would be nothing unhappy.
But now it seems that it's not like that.
Nancy Norris was quickly found and reportedly almost jumped into the sea because she couldn't think straight, currently buried in her biological mother's arms, sobbing softly, looking very pitiful.
But, jumping into the sea?
If she really wanted to jump into the sea, she would have been dead by now.
Bertha Haines thought she should be a bit sensible now and stay away, but Ivan Norris didn't give her this opportunity.
"I know you don't like Nancy, but you don't need to complain to Mom."
"I can tell you today, Nancy will never leave this home!"
"And regarding Sebastian Page, you and Nancy will compete fairly. Regardless of who Sebastian chooses in the end, neither of you can hold a grudge!"
To be honest, Bertha Haines felt a bit cold-hearted, or rather, her heart had never been warmed.
[Okay, I agree.]
[I know you all don't like me, but please bear with it for one more night.]
[Tomorrow I will officially move to the school, and I won't be in your way anymore.]
*
Early the next morning, Bertha Haines was sent to Angel Academy by Jerry Moore.
Angel Academy, actually a school for people with disabilities, is divided into primary, middle, and university divisions, with tuition that's not cheap.
Bertha was enrolled in the middle school's class 1-6.
The dormitory was her own choice, a regular room, with eight people per room.
Even though the Norris family was wealthy, she didn't want to spend money recklessly because every penny she spent now would likely have to be repaid in the future.
And the first friend she met at school was her deskmate—April Lane, an especially cheerful foodie who ate twice as much as Bertha.
"Are you Ivy Norris?"
"I heard you have a nickname called Jinx, that anyone who gets close to you becomes unlucky, is that true?"
While Bertha was 'chatting' with her deskmate, a hand suddenly patted her on the shoulder.
She looked up, facing the troublemaker.
A female student, very plain-looking, dressed a bit ridiculously, followed by several small followers.
Logically, on her first day at school, no one should know her, and the fact that she came to Angel Academy to study was only known by the Norris family.
Bertha quickly thought of one person.
Nancy Norris!
"I'm talking to you, can't you speak!"
Bertha's shoulder was patted hard twice.
April Lane couldn't stand it anymore: "She can't speak!"
The troublemaker girl was deaf, but because she wore a cochlear implant, she was almost like a normal person, and after hearing April's words, she straightforwardly warned her.
"Chubby, considering you've treated me to meals before, I'll give you a warning."
"Your deskmate not only brings misfortune to her parents but everyone close to her too!"
"If I were you, I'd immediately apply to the teacher to change seats!"
Bertha tried hard to restrain herself, as she didn't want to cause trouble on the first day of school, but her shoulder hurt from the squeezing.