Chapter 77: Hodgson and Derek's Contest
Nicole's POV
I hid back in my room, while downstairs I could still hear Wendy's screams and Shier's angry roars.
Before long, Cathy knocked on the door.
She walked in, unable to suppress the smile on her lips.
Cathy lowered her voice: "Guess what? Shier's face was scratched bloody by Wendy, completely humiliated. He just left in disgrace."
"Doris locked Wendy in the basement, saying she's going to teach her a good lesson."
Hearing this, I felt a surge of satisfaction in my heart.
I hoped these two would continue entangling with each other in the future and stop bothering me.
At dinner, Leighton and Doris brought up the wedding again.
Leighton said: "Nicole, although there was a little incident today, Shier has already assured me he'll completely sever ties with Wendy. Your wedding with him must be held soon."
Doris also chimed in: "Yes, last time the wedding ceremony wasn't completed. You need to find time to make it up soon."
I put down my knife and fork, looked up at them.
"I think now is not a good time to hold a wedding."
"Why not?" Leighton frowned.
I said slowly: "Have you forgotten? Shier embezzled funds before and was kicked out of Hall Group by Barry. Barry was furious about this, even Keith was implicated."
"If I marry Shier right now, it wouldn't necessarily be good for the Gerald family."
Leighton pondered for a moment, then finally nodded.
"You have a point. Let's wait then."
Three days later, Hodgson officially took over as Chairman of Hall Group.
This was also my first day as his secretary.
Eric came to pick me up early in the morning. When I got in the car, I saw Hodgson already sitting inside.
Seeing me wearing a professional secretary's suit, his eyes became heated and lustful.
He leaned close to my ear: "I really want to do it with you once in the office. Last time was a pity, you weren't wearing this outfit."
I glared at him: "How can your mind be full of such filth?"
Hodgson laughed and held my hand: "Little wildcat, only you dare to glare at me."
The inauguration ceremony was held in the group's main hall, and I stood by Hodgson's side the entire time.
He wore an impeccable suit, stood on stage delivering his speech with a steady, powerful voice.
I watched the reverent eyes of those employees below and suddenly realized that from today on, Hodgson had truly become the ruler of this massive commercial empire.
After the ceremony ended, Hodgson took advantage of no one being around and suddenly pinched my bottom.
"Don't rush off tonight, we're going to dinner at a restaurant."
I rolled my eyes at him, but he raised his eyebrows: "That's an order, Secretary Nicole."
After returning to the office, Eric gave me materials on the group's business operations.
Now that I was Hodgson's secretary, I naturally needed to understand the group's business.
I sat down to review them carefully.
In the evening, Hodgson came to my office.
"Let's go, time for dinner."
I followed him to the car.
When the car stopped in front of a familiar restaurant, I froze for a moment.
This was actually the same restaurant where Derek and I had dinner together last time.
What was Hodgson trying to do?
"What's wrong?" He looked at me, the corners of his mouth carrying a faint smile.
"Nothing." I suppressed my doubts and followed him into the restaurant.
As soon as I entered the restaurant, I saw Derek.
He looked at us with surprise on his face.
But Hodgson at this moment wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered in my ear.
"What are you standing there for? I'm arranging an opportunity for you to get close to the Percy family, aren't I?"
Only then did I understand his intention.
Today was my first day at work. I hadn't expected Hodgson to move so quickly, arranging for me to meet with Derek that very evening.
But I was completely unprepared.
And he was holding my waist, looking at Derek with a provocative gaze.
Obviously, this wasn't just to create an opportunity for me, but also to retaliate for my last solo dinner with Derek.
I broke free from his hand, adjusted my expression, and walked toward Derek.
"Mr. Derek, good evening."
"Miss Nicole, good evening. Mr. Hodgson invited me to dinner tonight. I didn't expect you to be here too. You two..."
His gaze moved back and forth between Hodgson and me, his eyes carrying scrutiny.
"I'm Mr. Hodgson's secretary." I immediately explained.
"I see." Derek smiled slightly, "Please sit then."
Hodgson sat down beside me, his hand naturally resting on the back of my chair, his entire body practically encircling me.
His attitude toward me was very intimate and ambiguous.
"Nicole, what would you like to drink? Is there any food you'd like to eat?" he asked with concern.
I felt somewhat stiff: "Just water is fine."
Hodgson's attitude toward me was overly intimate, as if I weren't his secretary but his girlfriend.
Derek watched us, making me feel very embarrassed.
"Mr. Hodgson seems in a good mood today, officially taking office as Chairman, and with such an excellent secretary by your side."
His tone sounded complimentary, but it made me feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Hodgson curved his lips: "Nicole is indeed excellent."
"Indeed," Derek looked at me, "When Miss Nicole helped me recover my mother's keepsake, I discovered she was a very attentive person."
Hodgson's smile faded a bit.
Derek deliberately added another sentence: "Speaking of which, last time Miss Nicole seemed to really like this restaurant's foie gras and black truffle soup. I wonder if you'll order the same dishes today?"
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Hodgson's tone turned cold: "Really? Derek, you know Nicole so well?"
His hand on my shoulder applied slight pressure.
Derek elegantly raised his wine glass, "It's just that when I dined with Miss Nicole last time, I saw her eating very happily. My memory has always been good, especially regarding friends' preferences."
He deliberately emphasized the word "friends."
Hodgson sneered: "So Mr. Derek cares so much about my secretary."
His tone carried obvious hostility. I could feel him restraining his anger.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense.
Caught between the two men, I felt like I was sitting on top of a volcano.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
I really couldn't take it anymore. I stood up and quickly left.
Walking into the restroom, I took deep breaths facing the mirror.
The rivalry between Hodgson and Derek left me breathless.
As I came out after washing my hands, suddenly a hand pulled me into a corner of the hallway.
"Matthew?!"
"Why are you suddenly approaching me alone? Derek will notice!" I nervously looked around.
Matthew's expression was somewhat serious: "Nicole, that day at the hospital, the man outside, was that Hodgson's assistant?"
He asked again: "What exactly is your relationship with Hodgson?"