Chapter 34: Shier Got Drunk
Nicole's POV
I saw Hodgson lean down and whisper to Molly in an extremely intimate manner. They were so close together, like a real couple.
I finally couldn't stand it anymore and quickly left the laughter-filled banquet hall.
Damn it, this man is such a womanizer!
My heart felt a dull ache, making me frown involuntarily.
I walked to a quiet balcony in the manor. The cold night wind blew against my face, slightly relieving the stuffiness in my chest.
This place was isolated from all the noise in the banquet hall, but I couldn't stop thinking about what I had just seen.
Nicole, what exactly are you upset about?
Isn't what you just saw part of your plan?
You told Molly about Mr. Barry's birthday and let her have the chance to prepare a gift, wasn't that so she could gain Hodgson's approval more quickly?
Now that the goal has been achieved, I should be happy.
So why does my chest feel so tight, so painful?
I kept telling myself that I needed to stay clear-headed.
His engagement to Molly was settled long ago. It's perfectly normal for them to be together.
I adjusted my emotions and turned to go back, only to see Molly walking toward me.
She was holding a glass of champagne, her face beaming with happiness and pride.
"Oh, so you're hiding here, Nicole. I thought you went somewhere. I've been looking for you for a long time."
Looking at her face, my stomach churned involuntarily.
I suppressed my nausea and the urge to explode, forcing a stiff smile onto my face.
"Is there something you need from me, Miss Molly?"
"Of course I came to thank you."
Molly walked up beside me and raised her glass. "Nicole, if you hadn't told me about Mr. Barry's birthday in advance and given me time to prepare that painting, how would Hodgson be so good to me?"
My fingers clenched into fists, nails digging deep into my palms.
I took a deep breath to keep my voice steady. "It's nothing. I'm happy to see your relationship improving."
Molly didn't notice the change in my emotions. She was immersed in her own joy.
"You know what? Just now, Hodgson personally asked me to stay at Hall Manor tonight! Oh my God, I'm so looking forward to what will happen tonight!"
My face felt stiff from the cold wind.
Tonight...
What would happen between them tonight? Would Hodgson go to Molly? Would they sleep in the same bed?
Just thinking about this possibility made my body start trembling uncontrollably.
Although I rationally understood that Molly and Hodgson would be together sooner or later, that they were a family-arranged match and sleeping together was perfectly normal.
But this was something I had personally facilitated.
Thinking about them possibly rolling around in bed sheets, doing those things he and I used to do, every drop of blood in my body screamed in pain.
Molly's words were full of barely concealed excitement.
"What do you think a man like Hodgson prefers in bed? Does he like women to be more proactive or more shy?"
This sentence hit me like a slap in the face.
"I don't know."
I almost squeezed these words out through gritted teeth. "Miss Molly, this is your own business."
"Well, I won't waste any more words with you."
Molly pouted and adjusted her skirt happily.
"I should go prepare myself properly. Can't keep him waiting."
After speaking, she turned and left the balcony, leaving me standing alone in the cold wind.
I couldn't hold it in anymore. Supporting myself against the wall, I rushed into the nearest bathroom.
"Ugh..."
I threw up everything in my stomach in the bathroom.
After my stomach was empty, I could only dry heave uncontrollably. My throat burned with pain, and eventually I even vomited up some blood.
I stood up, leaned over the sink, turned on the faucet, and washed my face over and over with cold water.
The makeup on my face had been washed away. The me in the mirror looked terrifyingly pale, with red-rimmed eyes.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but laugh self-mockingly.
"Nicole, look at yourself, how pathetic, how ridiculous."
I tidied myself up, walked out of the bathroom, and began wandering aimlessly through the manor.
The noise from the banquet hall annoyed me.
I walked along the long corridor, and before I knew it, I had reached the guest room area on the second floor.
I thought perhaps going back to my room and staying quiet for a while would make me feel better.
I took out my room card and was about to swipe open the door when a woman's coquettish moaning suddenly came from the adjacent room.
My movements stopped.
Although the sound was muffled by the wall, it carried an indescribable familiarity that made my heart sink.
Before I could think carefully about who that voice belonged to, hurried footsteps came from behind me.
As soon as I turned around, a tall figure lunged at me from behind, and the strong smell of alcohol instantly surrounded me.
I opened my mouth in terror, but before the scream could escape, a rough hand clamped tightly over my mouth and nose.
The person's other arm locked around my waist, giving me no chance to struggle at all.
He used his body to crash through the ajar door, dragging me inside, then kicked back hard with his foot.
"Shier? Are you crazy?!"
I saw who it was and shouted in terror, "Look clearly at who I am!"
Shier was drunk and couldn't even stand steadily.
He leaned in very close, his breath reeking of strong, pungent alcohol.
"Of course I know who you are." He hiccupped, slurring his words. "You're Nicole... my fiancée."
"Fuck! Damn it! Don't touch me!"
I raised my hand and slapped him.
This slap ignited his anger.
"Shit! Nicole, you bitch!"
Shier's eyes instantly filled with rage.
"What kind of game are you playing with me? Haven't you been bringing me lunch every day lately? Isn't it just to seduce me, to get me to fuck you? Fine, I'll satisfy you right now!"
As he spoke, he pressed his entire body against me.
He pinned me hard against the bed.
"You think I don't know what you're thinking?"
While tearing at my clothes, he cursed drunkenly, "Now that I'm in the company with power and influence, you're coming back to me like a dog again, right? You want me to fuck you, give you a child, so you can live comfortably for the rest of your life."
"Nicole, how come I never noticed before how attractive you are?"
Shier lowered his head, his eyes greedily staring at the exposed skin on my chest.
"Great body, these breasts are damn tempting..."
His face got closer and closer, about to kiss me the next second.
I struggled desperately, my heart filled with disgust and fear.
Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Mr. Shier, Mr. Barry is looking for you."