Chapter 216 Chapter 216
“Um, I'm done,” Nicholas replied, his voice softening just for her.
He acted as if Marcus Drews were invisible. His gaze was fixed solely on his wife.
“Have you chosen yet?” he asked.
Caroline nodded. “Yes. I saw a red model that I think would be perfect for Tania.”
“Then buy it,” Nicholas said simply. “Take the whole store if you want.”
Caroline smiled awkwardly. “I wanted to buy it. But... someone refused to let me.”
Nicholas looked at Caroline's helpless expression and then slowly turned his gaze to the man standing a few feet away.
The tenderness in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, merciless glint.
He took a step forward, pulling Caroline with him to protect her.
“You're determined to go against me, aren't you, Marcus?” Nicholas's voice was calm but laden with danger. “Didn't you learn your lesson last time?”
The store employees were shocked.
They noticed the change in dynamics immediately.
The arrogance of Marcus Drews, the feared “Young Master,” had disappeared. In front of this new, elegant man, Mr. Drews looked like a rebellious subordinate being reprimanded by his boss.
Whispers began among the staff.
Who is he? How come Mr. Drews seems afraid of him?
There were only a few elite families in São Paulo. They knew the faces of the rich and famous. But this was the first time they had seen anyone dominate Marcus Drews so easily. That man must be at the top of the food chain.
Marcus Drews paled, but his pride spoke louder.
“And you're really determined to turn against me because of this woman?” Marcus retorted, pointing at Caroline with disdain. “Because of a stranger?”
Nicholas didn't say a word. He just narrowed his eyes, and the grip around Caroline's hand tightened. His silence was more frightening than any scream.
Marcus Drews held his gaze for a moment, but soon looked away, frustrated. He let out a bitter laugh.
“Stop it, Nick. I get it.” Marcus scoffed, shaking his head. “Looks like you've decided to take her side, no matter what. I know you won't listen to me now, you're under her spell. Think what you want of me.”
He paused dramatically, changing his tactic of attack. If he couldn't get to Nicholas through Caroline, he would use guilt.
“But... Nick, don't you think you're overreacting in the way you treat Sheila?” Marcus's voice took on a tone of moral reproach. “She's known you for twenty years. You grew up together. She's practically family.”
Marcus took a step forward, appealing to his emotional memory.
“No matter what she said or did, her intention was always for your own good. She loves you. You have the right to defend your wife, of course... but do you have to humiliate Sheila like this? Do you know how much she cried after you kicked her out of the hospital the other day?”
Marcus shook his head, disappointed.
“Nick, you're going too far. Sheila is right: you've changed. You weren't like this before. This woman has changed you, and not for the better.”
Nicholas listened to Marcus' passionate speech with an impassive expression, like a statue of ice. There was no remorse in his eyes, only boredom.
Nicholas' face remained a mask of ice.
It was as if Marcus were talking about a complete stranger, not him.
He asked with lethal calm: “Are you done talking?”
Marcus Drews turned pale when he was met with such indifference after his passionate speech. “Yes! I'm done!”
“I know very well how long I've known Sheila. I don't need you to remind me of my own life.” Nicholas retorted, his voice devoid of any emotion. “My attitude toward her has nothing to do with the length of our friendship. It has to do with boundaries and respect. If she felt humiliated that day, it was because she crossed a line. She deserved it.
”Nicholas, you...“ Marcus choked on his own anger.
”I haven't changed. The problem is you.“ Nicholas stared at him with unwavering authority. ”You think you can dictate the rules of my marriage. But let me be perfectly clear, Marcus: my wife is the person I will protect above all else and everyone else. Anyone who disrespects her, humiliates her, or irritates her... will have serious problems with me."
Caroline held her breath.
Her heart overflowed with such strong emotion that her eyes burned. She squeezed his hand tightly. This man did not make empty promises; he meant every word.
He had said he would not let anyone hurt her, and there he was, like an impenetrable wall, choosing her side against a childhood friend.
Not all men would have that courage. In fact, most of them would prefer to maintain the “brotherhood,” leaving their wives at the mercy of jokes and humiliation just to avoid causing friction in the group of friends.
But not Nicholas. Nicholas was her absolute shield.
Marcus Drews laughed, a bitter and angry sound in the face of his friend's unyielding stubbornness. "Very well. Let's see how long you can protect her from this bubble. You're blind, Nicholas! And you'll regret it bitterly one day!"
With that, Marcus turned his back and stormed out, exuding fury.
But before disappearing through the store door, he paused and took one last look over his shoulder at Caroline. This time, it wasn't just pure hatred. There was a strange, dark, conflicting emotion in those deep eyes. Something disturbing that made Caroline shudder.
As soon as Marcus was out of sight, the tension in Nicholas's shoulders eased slightly. He let go of her hand for a second just to rub his temples, suddenly looking exhausted.
“Are you okay?” Caroline asked softly, guilt weighing on her chest.
Nicholas was destroying his circle of friends because of her. First Sheila, now Marcus. They used to be inseparable. Although he didn't show weakness in front of his rival, Caroline knew he must be suffering inside. How could he be completely immune to losing the bonds of a lifetime?
She put herself in his shoes: if her relationship with Tania ever ended, she would be devastated. The difference was that Tania would never act in such a toxic and arrogant way. If Tania got a boyfriend, Caroline would support her, unless he was a monster.
“I'm perfectly fine.” Nicholas lowered his hand and looked at her.
The exhaustion disappeared from his face, replaced by a reassuring smile. He touched her face tenderly. “It was just a minor annoyance, don't let it ruin our evening. Now, tell me... which bag caught your eye? Have they wrapped it up for you yet?”
“S-Sir... the bag is here!”
The saleswoman, who had been watching the clash of titans paralyzed with fear, finally found her voice. She feared that the entire sale had gone down the drain with the fight.
She quickly approached, holding the red bag reverently. “You had chosen this wine-red model.” Actually, she had been interested in the black one at first, but Mr. Drews' companion made a... scene, so his wife very kindly gave up the black one and took the red one.
The saleswoman swallowed hard and tried to break the heavy atmosphere with her sales pitch: "But all three colors in this limited edition are stunning! The black one is classic, the burgundy one has a strong and passionate presence, and the jade green one is vintage and extremely elegant. They are all wonderful choices."
The store staff remained speechless. They had no idea who that elegant man in the suit was.