All the lights inside the Anderson Residence were on when night fell. As Queenie was Colton’s fiancée, plenty of famous figures from various industries and circles attended the party, all due to her high status. The venue was stuffed to the brim with important figures from Goldwick and Lumore’s business industry. When they arrived, they received another piece of news: the eldest daughter of the Anderson Family, Nicole, was the legendary Lisa.
Now, this gaggle of people who wanted to use the Gardners for their own gains became even more enthusiastic.
Nicole entered the premises through the main entrance. She was the daughter of William’s first wife, and was thus the eldest daughter of the Anderson Family. Although she disliked this title, she couldn’t allow anyone to look down on her. Today, Nicole didn’t dress herself up too much, having immediately made her way to Anderson
Residence after work.
The moment she stepped onto the grounds, Nicole saw the noisy crowd fawning over each other. The massive lawn was teeming with guests, and there were hordes of luxury cars parked by the entrance.
Now that Nicole was here, the bustling venue turned far quieter as everyone’s gazes shifted to her. Many people had seen Nicole’s true face during F&M Apparel’s annual dinner, so although she wasn’t dressed up as fancily as she was that time, they still instantly recognized her.
“That’s the Andersons’ eldest daughter. I heard that five years ago, due to some money…”
The woman who said that was instantly cut off.
“Don’t just run your mouth; she’s the Chief Designer of F&M Apparel, Lisa!”
That woman promptly shut her mouth at that. Although everyone was here to suck up to Lydia and Queenie, they couldn’t afford to offend F&M Apparel.
Although the whispers were soft, Nicole still heard everything. She showed no embarrassment on her face. Instead, she lifted her lips into a small smile and slowly made her way forward.
“Nicole.” William had a smile on his face when he saw Nicole had come home. He tried to stop her, but Nicole pretended not to see him. Instead, she headed straight for Lydia.
William’s smile stiffened. He had been complimented repeatedly earlier because many people already knew about Nicole’s identity as Lisa, making his ego grow inflated. But now, Nicole treated him like he was thin air.
Nicole’s gaze fell upon Lydia. She raised an eyebrow and immediately asked the question she had. “Ms. York, is there something that you want to tell me?”
Lydia started from that blunt question from Nicole. Fortunately for her, she had years of experience backing her up, and so she knew how to handle herself. She quickly put a smile on her face.
“Nicole, you left for quite a few years. It’s been a while since we last saw each other.” As Lydia pressed closer, she kept spouting her empty words. “You were a little extreme a few years ago, but you know how to correct your mistakes. Such a good girl. Your father kept rambling about you earlier this afternoon. I reminisced about you too. I’ve always wanted to have a good talk with you and clarify everything. That’s the only way certain unsavory rumors will be dispelled.”
Nicole couldn’t stop the mocking look in her eyes as she listened to Lydia’s fake niceties. Nicole was currently the Chief Designer of F&M Apparel; scores of people would be clamoring for her attention. And here Lydia was, demeaning her in front of everyone while also tying her back to the Andersons. Such a good move, that was!
Lydia lowered her voice after that so that only
Nicole could hear her. “If you want to know more, then come with me first.”
A sneer rose to Nicole’s lips. Lydia had perfected the art of hiding a scheme behind a veneer of niceness. But Nicole did not object either, and she followed Lydia, leaving the place.
Once both of them had left the crowd’s sight, Lydia quickly wiped the smile on her face faster than the eye could see. They walked down the corridor, never once stopping. Some time later, Lydia let out a cold chuckle and glanced at Nicole through the corner of her eyes in displeasure. “You want me to clear your mother’s name?”
Nicole’s smile turned frigid as well. She wasn’t a doormat that anyone could just walk over. Never had been! “Why else did I pretend to be an oh so patient and understanding daughter in front of everyone just now? So I can creep myself out?”
Lydia’s crow’s feet deepened as a cruel look came to her eyes when she heard Nicole’s condescending words. She clenched her fists. “Fine. Once we’ve ironed out the conditions, I’ll clear your mother’s name.”
The two of them walked into the backyard. Nicole stopped then. She had no idea what kind of plan Lydia had cooked up. There was no one around now, so there was no need for them to walk any further.
“Just tell me what your conditions are,” Nicole said to Lydia harshly. Nicole had always known that a tiger could never change its stripes. She didn’t believe that Lydia would change in just a few short years.
“Of course I have a condition for this.” Lydia pulled herself to her full height. She turned her back to Nicole as she smiled, a most smug one at that. Fixing her gaze on Nicole, she slowly enunciated her words. “I want you to be permanently ruined! Never to rise again!”
Nicole wanted to fire a rebuke back, but heat suddenly spread through her body. As an adult woman – and one who already had a child at that – she of course knew what the heat was. But she hadn’t consumed anything at the Anderson Residence until now; when could she have been drugged?
Could it be that sweet fragrance I smelled when I arrived in the backyard?
Nicole’s mind was addled. Her black eyes had already gone misty. She bit her bottom lip, managing to claw back some sanity from the sharp pain.
“Drugging me?” Nicole laughed, disdain on her face.
Lydia admitted it outright. She lifted her head up slightly to look at Nicole and gave a cold chuckle. “Nicole, today, I will leave you in shambles permanently. Forget about staying as F&M’s Chief Designer – in the future, you will be the laughing stock of everyone!”
At her words, a few large, muscular men emerged from the shadows.
Lydia had a smug smile on her face. She waved a hand and gestured at Nicole. “Ms. Anderson is feeling a little under the weather. Bring her upstairs so she can rest.”
Meanwhile, the Mann Family had also received the Andersons’ invitation. Queenie immediately pulled Joseph upstairs to the second floor when he arrived.
Today, Joseph was dressed up to the nines, but his outfit still didn’t do anything to change his usual demeanor. The expensive suit he had on made him look like a greasy young man.
“Miss Anderson, you must have a reason for bringing me up here, right?” Joseph asked with a smile. He had attended William’s birthday party today primarily because Nicole would be here. Although Nicole did not believe the results of the paternity test, once they repeated the test this upcoming weekend, Joseph would still be confirmed as Hayden’s father. There was no escaping from the truth.
The elders of the Mann Family had begun to treat him nicer because of this. Even his own father praised him.
Queenie grinned coldly on the inside when she saw how Joseph brimmed with energy, but she still feigned a kind tone. “My sister wanted you to come. She said she has something to tell you here.”
“Nicole asked for me?” Excitement peeked through Joseph’s voice.
Queenie nodded. “That’s right. Nicole told me to inform you to wait here. She’ll be coming over in a bit.”
Joseph was ecstatic. The reason why Nicole would ask for him had to be because of her son. He hastily said, “Okay, I’ll wait for her here!”
Queenie’s smile became even more pleased when she saw the delighted look on his face. She nodded. “I’ll take my leave for now. Please wait here for a moment. Nicole will be here soon.”
Queenie then exited the room. There was an aromatherapy oil – with something extra added to it – being diffused into the room. Queenie was certain that Joseph would feel its effects once the door was closed.
Prior to Joseph’s arrival, Lydia and Queenie had already set up a hidden camera inside the room. The camera was linked to the screen on the main stage where the party was being held. When the time came, Nicole would sleep with Joseph. If she didn’t marry him after that, she would have to live her life in shame forever. And if Nicole did marry Joseph, she would be doomed still because he was a worthless, spineless man!
At the end of the day, Queenie would win and have Nicole eternally cut out of Colton’s life!
Joseph excitedly waited for Nicole inside the room. She must have wanted to talk to me about the paternity test if she asked me to wait here. At that thought, Joseph’s smile widened.
But why’s the room getting hotter? It’s still February, and the breeze outside still has a slight chill to it. Why is it so hot?
Before he could think even further, the door suddenly swung open. Two bodyguards immediately tossed Nicole inside.
Joseph was startled by this. He hastily stepped forward, wanting to ask what had happened out of concern. When he looked down though, he saw that Nicole’s face had reddened. Her cheeks were unnaturally flushed, in contrast to her usually pale skin.
Her pink lips were moist, resembling springy jelly. It made Joseph want to bite at them. Her eyes were slightly distant. She looked like she was seducing him when she looked at him.
Joseph’s heart was stirred. Heat rushed through his lower half. He had visited his share of nightclubs over the years, and he definitely knew that Nicole had to have been drugged, considering her state now. But that fit perfectly with his agenda. They would be together at some point anyway. There was no difference in doing the deed now or delaying it a bit more.
With that thought, he began to act on his impulses. At first, Joseph even politely asked, “Miss Nicole, are you okay? You seem to be in pain, judging from your expression. Do you want me to help you?”
Nicole lowered her head as she bent over on the ground, as though she was doing her best to hold something back.
Joseph swallowed. Seeing how Nicole neither answered nor refused him, his lecherous side reared its head. He reached out to touch her, but before he could make contact with Nicole, she suddenly lifted her head. Those misty eyes had cleared up, and there was even a mocking look in those clear eyes of hers.
Joseph was angered by Nicole’s gaze. This woman is looking down on me!
“Quit the act already, Nicole. You crawled into my bed five years ago certainly because of money. Aren’t you waiting for a man, since you look so seductive now? I’ll fulfill your wish!” he said cruelly, smiling all this while.
Joseph reached out with his hand and intended to take the woman before him.
Nonetheless, Nicole no longer had the fragile look and seeing as his hand was extending over to her, she swiftly stood up and took a step back to dodge the man’s perverted hand. She revealed a glower as she realized what was happening after having sensed the sweet aroma wafting in the air. Apparently, drugs were planted in this room. Isn’t Lydia so thorough with her tricks?
He, on the other hand, had no idea what had happened to himself. All he felt when Nicole entered was the desire violently gushing within him and tempting him to violate the woman in front of him. As his vision was filtered by charm, he ogled at Nicole with his lecherous eyes. “Oh, Nicole, stop pretending!”
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