Chapter 101
Nicolas narrowed his elongated eyes slightly, an unspoken meaing flickering in his gaze: "Why have you been unreachable since you left the Hendrix family Thea didn't expect him to ask that.
She instinctively wanted to respond, but then hesitated.
She didn't want to bring up Jake. There was no need to mention her ambush either.
Besides, she had partnered with Corey, so there was really no reason to stir up more trouble.
The words almost slipped out, but she changed course. "That say, it was raining heavily, and I had a minor accident on my way back. My phone fell and broke. I'm sorry; I've been busy these past few days and forgot to get a new SIM card. I didn't realize you were trying to contact me Nicolas chuckled softly to himself, thinking, 'Is she blaming me?
He extended his hand and beckoned Thea over. "Come here."
Confused. Thea walked over and sat down beside him.
As soon as she sat down. Nicolas gripped her wrist tightly.
Thea winced in pain and met his cold, piercing eyes. Nicolas's
's expression was devoid of emotion, his innate aura of authority making her heart tremble involuntarily. "Tll ask you one last time. What exactly happened that day? You know I dislike being deceived." Thea stared at him, her him, her eyes wide in shock.
At first, she felt t wronged, but that quickly morphed into anger.
She smiled, a a cold I smile, the first truly icy one she had ever given Nicolas. "Mr. Hendrix, since you already know, what's the point of asking me? I'll reiterate. There's no possibility left between Jake and me. He merely helped me out of a guilty conscience when he happened to to pass by. Mr. Hendrix, although my words may upset you, I believe our engagement is merely a partnership and shouldn't involve any hierarchy. I appreciate your assistance and mentorship over these past days, but that doesn't mean I have to submit to you." Nicolas's brow furrowed in I in confusion. "Submit? What do you mean?" Thea pulled her hand away, a cold expression on her face as she rubbed her wrist. "I know your first crush has returned to Reasnatan, and it's only a matter of time before we get divorced, I hope we can be straightforward with each other and avoid any unpleasant conflicts. After the divorce, I still hope we can interact normally,"
After finishing her statement, Thea stood up and left.
A rare look of confusion crossed Nicolas's face. He quickly regained his composure and took out his phone to contact Darwin. "Why does Thea know about Stephanie? Who has been whispering in her ear? What does she mean by saying Stephanie is my first crush?" This was absurd..
Darwin replied helplessly, "Mr. Hendrix, you should keep an eye on the news online. Ever since Ms. Ralap returned to Reasnatan, rumors about you and her have been spreading like wildfire, I figured you were too busy with the Flaminshire project to notice, so 1-hadn't mentioned it." Chapter 101
After all, this was widely accepted in their circle.
Darwin chose not to mention that last part.
This wasn't anyone's fault.
Nicolas had always been overly cautious about his reputation.
At over thirty years old, he had managed to avoid any scandals.
Now that a woman had finally appeared in his life, people naturally assumed there was a relationship.
Nicolas
rubbed I his t throbbing temple, his voice turning increasingly frosty. "Have someone take down all the online rumors immediately. Hold accountable the media outlets that generated the most traffic from these false claims
replied, then couldn't t help but ask, "Mr. Hendrix, is it possible that Miss Rowland is upset after finding our?" Nicol s's side fell silent, and he abruptly hung up the phone.
"Yes" Darwin Nicolas's side fell
Darwin regretted asking that question.
Thea was furious, seething with anger.
She wanted to smash something: she picked up a vase but then set it back down.
'No, I can't do that. This isn't my place, and these aren't my thing, she thought to herself.
Frustrated, she sat on the edge of the bed and began to punch her pillow in a fit of helpless rage.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.
a while, she calmed down and listened for any sounds outside.
After a whi
It was quiet, nothing at all.
Her heart felt as if it were being slowly squeezed, a bitter, aching sensation washing over her.
Does he really think there's no need for me to explain anything Thea pondered.
It seemed there was some movement outside.
There was a faint rustling, someone getting up.
Driven
by i impulse, Thea
stood and pressed her ear against the door, her heartbeat quickening.
The anticipated knock never came. Instead, she heard the sound of the front door closing.
Then, silence fell over the living room.
Thea's eyes dimmed, and she let out a bitter smile.
Just then, her phone vibrated. It was a call from Joyce. "Hi, Thea
As soon as she answered, Joyce's enthusiastic voice wrapped around her eagerly. Tm in Key Biskane! Come out and play!" Feeling suffocated, Thea quickly replied, "Send me the address.
Once she arrived, Thea suddenly regretted her eagerness.
In the dimly lit, intimate bar room, Joyce excitedly pulled her to sit down. "Want to drink?"
D
nking is is fine." Thea said, her expression complicated as she glanced at the line of men in front of her. "Who are these made a playful face at her. "Of course, they're here to provide emotional support! No one's following me this time. I didn't tell my dad, so I can finally have some fun for a few days. Thea stood up to leave. No, no, no, I'm a married woman, she thought. Seeing this marrie
No
Joyce quickly grabbed her arm. "You misunderstood me! They aren't what you think. They're people I know, not those kinds of call boys." Seeing this. Joyce quickly grabbed her arm. "You misunderstood me! They aren't what you think. They're people I know, not those kinds of call boys"
She coughed lightly, giving Thea a knowing look. I've done my homework on your situation. Jake is indeed a jerk, but after eight years together, it's not easy to just let go. I think you can't move on from Jake. You just can't escape that emotional shadow. So today, pick one of them that catches your eye. Let's drink and have fun, and later we can go dancing to unwind. Don't worry. It's not that kind of unhealthy relationship." Thea forced a smile and pressed her temples. 'Send them home. I'm not interested in men right now.
Joyce was resolute. "Pick someone! Jake cheated on you. Why should you deny yourself the chance to meet other guys like Nicolas? Why should only you get hurt?"
Hearing this, Thea's thoughts immediately turned to Nicolas.
He stood close to Stephanie, their body language intimate, as if they were a perfect match.
'What am I to him? Thea thought.
As she recalled the day's events, Thea felt a surge of emotion.
'It's a marriage of convenience. Joyce is right. There's no need to suffer for a man like that.