Chapter 93
Nicole's POV
"No!"
I tried to rush back like a madwoman.
But Eric's hand clamped onto my shoulder like an iron vice. No matter how I struggled and screamed, he remained immobile.
"Let me go! I need to see him!"
Broken sobs tore from my throat.
Eric dragged me back upstairs to the bedroom, shoved me inside, and locked the door behind him.
I threw myself at the door, pounding frantically. "Open it! Eric!"
No response came from outside.
I slid down powerlessly onto the carpet, trembling violently all over.
If Matthew truly died because of me, I would never forgive myself for the rest of my life.
I don't know how much time passed before the door finally opened again.
I jerked my head up, a glimmer of hope flashing in my eyes. "Hodgson?"
It was Nina who entered.
She held a glass of warm water and some pills, worry in her eyes.
I crawled over and grabbed the hem of her skirt. "Nina! Tell me, what happened to Matthew?"
Nina sighed, trying to help me up. "Nicole, you're in terrible condition. Eric's worried your stress trauma might relapse."
"I don't want to hear that! I need to see Hodgson!"
Nina looked at me, her tone growing grave. "You can't see him right now."
"Why? Where is he? Is he downstairs disposing of the body?"
"I just saw Mr. Hall downstairs." Nina paused. "His condition is very unstable."
"He believes you betrayed him, that you not only hid a man from him but even planned to run away together. This sense of betrayal has nearly destroyed his rationality. If he sees you now, he might hurt you."
My mouth opened, my throat dry.
I recalled that murderous look in Hodgson's eyes back in the basement.
Yes, he'd gone mad.
But I had to explain!
"It's not like that! Nina, please help me!"
I gripped Nina's hand tightly, desperately defending myself. "Matthew and I are really just friends! We grew up together. He came to help me investigate my adoptive father's case! Those words about running away were Matthew's wishful thinking. I rejected him immediately!"
Tears streamed down my face. "Please, tell him not to hurt Matthew. Matthew is innocent!"
Nina looked at my breakdown, gently patting my back. "Alright, I'll relay your message, but first, you need to take your medicine."
Under Nina's persuasion, I swallowed the white pills.
The medication took effect quickly, but I kept staring at the door, hoping that man would push it open, even if just to interrogate me.
Over the following days, I was confined to this room. No one restricted my freedom, but I didn't dare go anywhere, afraid of missing Hodgson's return.
But Hodgson never appeared once.
Nina told me he'd been working overtime at the company, never returning to the apartment. His temper had become extremely volatile, refusing to discuss anything about me.
On the fourth day, I couldn't sit still any longer.
Matthew's fate was unknown, Hodgson was avoiding me. I couldn't just keep waiting.
I pulled myself together and took a cab directly to the company.
I entered his office.
The spacious office had the air conditioning on full blast. Hodgson sat behind his desk reviewing documents.
He wore a dark gray shirt, collar slightly open. After just a few days, he looked thinner, his facial lines sharper.
"Hodgson." I called softly.
The pen in his hand paused, but he didn't even lift his eyelids, remaining focused on the documents as if I were nothing but air.
"Hodgson, I know you're angry." I walked to the desk. "But could you please hear my explanation..."
"Get out." He finally spoke, his voice cold as ice.
I hurried around the desk to his side. "Matthew and I are really just ordinary friends, I swear! I admit I didn't tell you right away because I was afraid you'd be angry, but I absolutely never thought about leaving with him!"
I tried to take his hand, but he coldly avoided it.
Hodgson finally looked up. Those deep eyes held no warmth, only endless mockery.
"Ordinary friends?" He sneered, leaning back in his chair to scrutinize me. "Nicole, do you think I'm a fool? Would an ordinary friend climb into your room in the middle of the night? Confess his feelings, even threaten to kill me and take you away?"
"That's because he doesn't understand you! He thought you were holding me captive!"
"Wasn't I?" Hodgson countered. "Haven't you always wanted to escape from me?"
"No!" I shouted in despair.
Hodgson looked at me, his expression still showing no emotion.
"Are you done? Then get out."
His coldness stabbed into my heart like a knife.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself not to cry. "Hodgson, I'll only ask you one last question. Matthew, what did you do to him?"
At that name, the murderous intent in Hodgson's eyes surged instantly.
"You came to find me, explained so much, but it's not really to win me back. It's just for that man, isn't it?"
"I..."
"You want to know how he is?"
Hodgson stood up, approaching step by step until I had nowhere to retreat, my lower back pressed against the desk edge.
"He's dead."
My whole body stiffened. "What did you say?"
Hodgson savored the fear on my face. "That night, I blew his brains out with one shot."
"No... I don't believe you!"
I shook my head frantically, tears bursting forth. "You're lying! You're Derek's business partner. You couldn't possibly kill his assistant over this!"
I tried to analyze rationally, finding flaws in his words. "I want to see him! I want to see his body or death certificate!"
Hodgson watched my hysteria, the warmth in his eyes dropping to freezing point.
"For a dead man, you want evidence from me?"
He laughed coldly. "Believe it or not, the body was chopped up and fed to dogs long ago. Where am I supposed to find it for you?"
"You...!"
Just as I was about to break down completely, someone suddenly knocked on the office door, then pushed it open.
A woman in a tight red minidress with a voluptuous figure walked in, swaying her hips.
Seeing me in the room, she merely glanced at me disdainfully, then walked straight toward Hodgson.
"Darling Hodgson, I've brought the documents you wanted."
She walked to the desk and set down the files, her whole body practically pressed against Hodgson, her hand naturally resting on his shoulder.
Who was this woman? How could she enter and exit Hodgson's office so casually?
What shocked me more was that Hodgson didn't push her away!
He didn't even show that disgusted expression. Instead, he let the woman cling to him.
"Leave them there." Hodgson said indifferently. Though his tone wasn't warm, it certainly wasn't cold either.
The woman giggled. "Free tonight? How about a drink at our usual place?"
My heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible hand.
The fear for Matthew's life was instantly replaced by an even stronger surge of jealousy and rage.
"Hodgson," my voice was hoarse as I pointed at the woman, "who is she?"