Rift in the perfect picture

Chapter 0390

“But Nicholas doesn’t like a strong–willed woman.”

Nicholas has two very simple criteria for being his woman.

One, she has to be a gentle and demure wife who would be capable of managing his household. Two, she has to be able to satisfy his needs as a man. That was basically it.

However, Annie would not be able to fit his first criteria.

“Are you trying to tell me that Mr. Hawk will only have feelings for you? You’re so confident that I want to befriend you.”

Annie placed a hand on her gift box and gave me a faint smile. It was as if she was trying to say something along the lines of, “I’ll be placing this gift box here. You should reconsider my offer“.

She was so confident and self–assured that it was as if she believed that she was offering me some life- changing offer.

I remained calm, refusing to discuss that with her any further. Some lessons can only be learned after experiencing them firsthand.

Ever since I met Nicholas, there had been a never–ending line of women admiring him. If she had the ability, then she should be able to win Nicholas‘ heart.

I also wanted to wait and see if he would fall for her if Claudia wasn’t by his side because, at the end of the day, they had similar personalities.

“Nicholas and I will arrive on time for your wedding tomorrow,” I said calmly as I guided her to the door, refusing to discuss the topic with her any further.

Annie shrugged.

“Ms. Jones, you should consider my offer. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind telling my dad about your relationship with Pete. If that happens, your little lover would be having a much harder time.”

*Stop trying to use those tricks for children on me. The Shelman family has a distinct position in Radiant City. They’re not people you can manipulate easily.

“Could you please get things straight about your situation? Right now, the two families are cooperating. and you’re not doing one–sided charity. Also, the Jones family will always stand by Pete.”

Back then, I would never have the confidence to say such things, but now I do.

Although I wasn’t as assertive as Nicholas was, I still could use my family’s name to protect the people I wanted to protect. That was something I had always believed in.

I opened the room door and sent her out. I said with a smile, “It might be a bit early for me to say this, but I would like to remind you that before you do anything else, you should ask your father about the real reason behind your marriage with Pete.”

The whole situation felt weird. I couldn’t tell if she was genuinely interested in Nicholas, or if she was just trying to test my relationship with Pete. But the few mysteries I could not understand had finally unraveled themselves.

Chapter 0390

+25 BONUS

Nicholas wanted Pete to get married, and Annie was just a chess piece. Even if it wasn’t Annie, there would be someone else.

The mastermind behind Pete’s marriage only came back at midnight after accompanying Claudia.

He hadn’t gotten the chance to collect his smile. There was also a sense of ease around him and nothing like the dark and heavy atmosphere he would carry whenever he was with me.

However, his gaze was quickly attracted by the dress on the table.

“Who gave you this?” His expression immediately darkened. “Was it Pete?”

The change in his expression was too obvious, and it only made my heart grow cold.

I suddenly realized another problem. If Annie was just a pawn for him to marry Pete off, then what was I? Was I just a shield for him to hide his relationship with Claudia with?

“It wasn’t–Pete. It was his fiance.”

Nicholas‘ expression did not improve when he heard that. He pushed the gift box down on the floor and kicked it toward the trash can.

“Who does she think she is to try and intimidate you?”

I was sitting by the mirror, wiping my face when I looked up at him. I watched as he walked toward me and wrapped his arms around me.

He buried his face in the crook of my neck and said, “I’ll punish her on your behalf.”