Chapter 68: Hodgson Knew Everything
Hodgson's POV
I tormented Nicole all night long.
She went from crying and begging for mercy to finally not even having the strength to cry.
It wasn't until nearly dawn that she finally couldn't take it anymore and fell into unconsciousness.
Looking at the tear stains still on her face, a complicated emotion surged in my heart.
This woman always made me both love and hate her.
The next morning, Nicole was still sleeping.
I tucked her in and left the hospital room.
Eric was already waiting for me in the hallway.
"What did you find out?" I asked in a low voice.
"The man who kidnapped Miss Nicole last time is called Mark. I found out that he and Miss Nicole worked together to set up Wendy and get that watch back from her."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Continue."
"Those assassins were sent by Wendy to kill Mark. He's dead now. I have already instructed subordinates to clean up the body at the scene."
Very good.
I sneered.
This little wildcat did lie to me too many times.
She clearly told me it was Carlos who kidnapped her. I killed Carlos to avenge her, but the real kidnapper Mark escaped.
Carlos became Mark's scapegoat.
No wonder during that time, Nicole was so scared she didn't even dare to eat.
Thinking of this, my expression darkened.
"What's her relationship with Mark?"
Eric studied my expression and said carefully.
"Mark came to Astoria from Gardella some time ago."
I frowned. "You mean Nicole knew Mark before?"
The two of them...
My fist clenched tightly, anger surging in my chest.
"Damn it! The two of them teamed up to deceive me!"
Eric quickly waved his hands.
"No, no, Miss Nicole is also a victim. Following your orders, I scared Julie, and Julie told me everything. She said Mark threatened Miss Nicole and forced her to pay off his gambling debts."
"Don't worry, Julie doesn't dare tell Miss Nicole about this now."
So the five million Nicole borrowed from me wasn't for Julie at all.
She was being blackmailed and extorted by that bastard Mark.
Good thing he was already dead, otherwise I would definitely kill him myself and make him die even more miserably.
Eric continued, "Also, I found out that Mark previously worked at Austin Company, and Miss Nicole's adoptive father's surname is also Austin."
Austin?
That surname was very unfamiliar to me.
I searched my mind for information about this surname.
"Three years ago, the Austin Group went bankrupt and was acquired by Percy Corporation. I heard that Miss Nicole's adoptive father was convicted of embezzling public funds and eventually committed suicide."
At this moment, I finally understood what Nicole wanted to do.
"Is there anything else?"
Eric hesitated. "I haven't been able to identify the man who left Miss Nicole's room yesterday. He moved too fast."
"Shit!" I cursed angrily. "Didn't the surveillance catch anything?"
"In the areas the surveillance captured, he wore a mask and hat. I couldn't see his face clearly..."
I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and jealousy in my heart.
There were too many men around Nicole.
Each one's appearance made me very unhappy.
"Keep investigating! I want to know who that man is!"
I took out a cigarette, then realized this was a hospital and put it back.
Nicole, how many more secrets are you hiding from me?
I turned back to the hospital room. Nicole was already awake.
The attending physician was checking the gunshot wound on her calf, confirming that the wound had healed well and she could be discharged.
"However, you still need to be careful not to do strenuous exercise. Although the wound has healed, it still needs some time to fully recover."
the doctor instructed.
Nicole nodded obediently. "Okay, thank you, doctor."
After the doctor left, I walked to the bedside and said to Nicole.
"I'll take you home."
Nicole immediately became alert and quickly waved her hands.
"No need, I can go by myself..."
"What's wrong? Are you afraid of me taking you home?" I raised an eyebrow.
At this moment, Vera walked over from the next room.
"Nicole, I heard you can be discharged today..."
She saw me and froze for a moment. "Mr. Hodgson is here too?"
I greeted Vera, then said, "I was just about to take Nicole home, but she doesn't seem very willing."
Nicole saw Vera's confused expression and could only bite her lip.
"No, I just feel it's too much trouble for you."
"It's no trouble," I smiled. "I'm going that way anyway."
Vera quickly thanked me. "That's really too kind of you, Mr. Hodgson. I was worried about Nicole being inconvenient by herself."
I nodded. "It's nothing."
After Vera left, I bent down and scooped Nicole up in my arms.
"What are you doing!" Nicole cried out, struggling. "I can walk by myself!"
"The doctor said not to do strenuous exercise." I repeated the doctor's instructions.
Her face turned a bit red. "Bastard, then why did you drag me to bed and sex with me yesterday!"
"My technique is very good, Nicole. I didn't touch your wound at all, and I still made you scream with pleasure."
I stuffed her into the back seat of the car and quickly followed, closing the door.
She knocked on the door, somewhat anxious.
"Hodgson, what are you up to? You clearly know Doris can't find out about our relationship! I can't ride in your car!"
"Drive," I ordered.
The driver immediately started the car.
"Hodgson! Stop the car!" Nicole shouted.
I closed my eyes and leaned back in my seat, letting her panic beside me.
Nicole was so angry she gritted her teeth.
Seeing her sulking appearance, my mood inexplicably improved.
After a while, I finally spoke leisurely, "If you don't want to, you can jump out of the car anytime."
Sure enough, this sentence earned Nicole's cursing.
"Hodgson! You're really a lunatic!"
The car became quiet, and Nicole could only obediently follow my arrangements.
The car soon arrived at the Gerald family villa.
Nicole wanted to get out, but found that the door had been locked by me.
"Hodgson!" She frantically beat on the car door. "Open the door quickly!"
I didn't answer, just stared at the villa entrance through the car window.
This disobedient woman Nicole had lied to me so many times. I just wanted to punish her a little, give her a bit of trouble.
Nicole followed my line of sight, and her expression changed instantly.
"Please, Doris is coming out. Let me out quickly!" She lowered her voice, pleading.
Not long after, Doris walked out of the villa.
Only then did I have the driver unlock the car.
Nicole immediately pushed open the door to get out, but I grabbed her wrist.
Doris saw this scene and was completely shocked, even stuttering a bit.
"Nicole, you... how could you be in Hodgson's car?"