Chapter 552 Theron: I Am Nicole's Husband
Through the car window, Theron studied the restaurant's name—he had a vague recollection of dining there before, but wise men knew better than to mention such things to their wives.
As the car came to a stop, he glanced at Nicole and noticed the moisture gathering in her eyes.
"This place holds special meaning for you?" Theron's voice softened with understanding.
Nicole nodded, her hand hesitating on the door handle. Under Theron's intense gaze, with no indication he intended to leave the car, she found herself whispering, "When I was little, Dad used to bring me here to wait for Mom."
They had waited for four years.
Those years remained indelible in Nicole's memory, and family ties she could never sever—which was why she had returned to Evergreen City despite having no future with Jacob. But Theron's business empire was centered abroad, and that worried her.
Theron sensed her unspoken concerns. His elegant fingers traced the steering wheel as he smiled gently. "My parents live domestically, right here in Evergreen City actually. I spend two months every year back home with them. Mrs. Voss, you've been absent from those visits for the past two years."
"Your parents are in Evergreen City too?" Nicole's eyes widened in surprise.
Theron's smile deepened. "They're professors at Evergreen City University—retired now. I should take you to meet them soon. They don't even know I'm married yet."
Nicole fell silent, processing this revelation.
"When will you take me home to meet your family?" Theron asked with studied casualness.
Nicole met his earnest gaze as he continued with gentle conviction, "Nicole, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. No matter how difficult it might be, we need to meet each other's families eventually. Besides, our wedding two years ago was far too hasty. Don't all women dream of a grand wedding?"
Nicole's nose tingled with emotion. What woman didn't want to be treated with such reverence?
She gently clasped his hand. "Next weekend. I'll bring you home next weekend."
A week would give her enough time to explain everything to Oliver and Sarah. Theron was right—they were married now, and meeting each other's families was inevitable. As for the wedding, while she didn't particularly care about the ceremony, someone of Theron's stature would likely require a proper celebration.
Satisfied, Theron accompanied her into the restaurant, only to encounter Oliver and Sarah dining with Henry and his wife.
The atmosphere grew instantly charged with tension.
Grace broke the silence first. "Nicole, is this Mr. Voss your boyfriend?"
Seeing Nicole with him was genuinely shocking.
Theron glanced at Nicole, catching the hint of dependence in her eyes, and found it endearing. He smiled at the assembled group. "I'm not Nicole's boyfriend—I'm Nicole's husband."
Then, with perfect formality, he addressed each of them. "Dad, Mom, Aunt Grace, Uncle Henry."
The atmosphere grew even more electric. Oliver's face darkened—his own daughter had fallen in love and married without his knowledge, leaving him completely in the dark about such momentous events.
Sarah sat stunned into silence.
Only Henry leaned back in his chair with an amused smile, stirring the pot. "So Nicole's married! Oliver, you've been a rather negligent father, though fortunately Nicole brought home Mr. Voss instead of some delinquent."
Oliver's expression remained stormy. In his mind, Theron posed a far greater threat than any street thug. What kind of man was Theron Voss? Someone who had swept away billions on Wall Street before his twentieth birthday—such a formidable figure couldn't be easily trusted. Oliver feared Nicole might be deceived beyond repair, and he needed to understand exactly what Theron's intentions were toward his daughter.
Oliver rose from his seat, his voice brooking no argument. "You two are coming home with me. Now."