Chapter 95

Chapter 95
Nicole's POV
Shier sounded extremely excited, his voice barely containing his glee.
"I don't mind telling you. I arranged for a sexy woman to be sent to Hodgson. That woman really has skills - she hooked Hodgson so quickly!"
My fingers gripping the phone turned white. "So? You're pleased with yourself?"
"Of course I'm pleased!" Shier hadn't noticed the coldness in my tone. "I thought someone like Hodgson would never fall for that kind of woman, but he actually kept her by his side and made her his personal secretary!"
He paused, his tone becoming sleazy. "I heard Gianna has a smoking hot body and excellent bedroom skills. Hodgson must be enjoying her services these days, right?"
"Enough!" I couldn't help cutting him off. "Shier, you disgust me!"
Shier was stunned, then said unhappily, "Nicole, what's wrong with you? I know you're upset about Gianna taking your position, but it's only temporary. You need to understand there are things you can't do."
"What things?"
"Like sleeping with Hodgson." Shier said matter-of-factly. "You're my fiancée. Your body can only belong to me. But Gianna is different. She can use her body to get the intelligence we need. For us, it's a profitable deal with no losses."
"Nicole, our plan is almost successful. Let's meet up and celebrate sometime. We haven't seen each other in a while."
Listening to his shameless words, I felt my stomach churn.
"No thanks. I'm not in the mood."
I hung up directly.
I rushed into the building and pressed the elevator button.
When the elevator doors opened, I saw Hodgson walking out of his office with Gianna following behind him.
Gianna was intimately holding his arm, and they were chatting and laughing.
Seeing me, the smile on Hodgson's face faded slightly, his brow furrowing.
"Why are you back again?"
Ignoring Gianna's provocative look, I walked straight to Hodgson and blocked his path.
"I have something very important to tell you."
Hodgson glanced at his watch, somewhat impatiently. "I'm busy. I have an important meeting soon. Twenty minutes."
"Twenty minutes is enough." I took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. "Hodgson, first I need to apologize to you."
Hodgson raised an eyebrow. "Apologize?"
"Yes."
I lowered my head, my voice hoarse. "That day when I asked you to the restaurant and then didn't show up - it was Shier's idea. He wanted you to meet Gianna so she could have a chance to get close to you. I shouldn't have deceived you."
I looked at Hodgson nervously, waiting for his reaction.
But he didn't show the anger I expected, not even a trace of surprise.
He just said "mm" lightly, as if he already knew everything.
"I see. Anything else?"
His indifference chilled my heart.
"Hodgson, you can't trust Gianna!" I said urgently, pointing at Gianna standing behind him. "She's a spy Shier planted by your side! She's approaching you to steal Hall Corporation secrets! You can't keep her around!"
I spoke earnestly, my expression serious.
But Hodgson suddenly laughed, as if watching a clown perform.
"Nicole, do you think I'm as stupid as you?"
He reached out and pinched my cheek, the gesture intimate yet making me feel unbearably cold.
"Just believing someone casually? Gianna is just my secretary, nothing more. As for whether she's a spy or what her purpose is, I know what I'm doing."
"But..."
"Alright, time's up." Hodgson interrupted me, trying to walk past me.
I panicked and grabbed his sleeve.
"Hodgson! Why won't you believe me?!"
I turned to Gianna, my gaze sharp. "Since you claim you're innocent, do you dare confront Shier face to face right now?"
Gianna crossed her arms, looking innocently at Hodgson. "Darling, look at her. She's so fierce."
Hodgson looked at me, his eyes suddenly becoming profound.
He reached out and slowly pried my hand from his sleeve.
"Nicole, no confrontation is necessary."
"Why?" I looked at him in confusion.
Hodgson looked at Gianna, his lips curving into a gentle smile I'd never seen before.
"Gianna and I knew each other abroad. Back then, she was already my mistress. For three whole years."
Boom!
Something seemed to explode in my mind. My body swayed and I almost couldn't stand.
I looked at them in disbelief, my voice trembling uncontrollably.
"What... what?"
Gianna triumphantly tightened her grip on Hodgson's arm, looking at me with a victor's gaze.
"That's right, Miss Nicole. Hodgson and I have known each other for a long time. Our relationship is much deeper than you think."
Hodgson didn't refute, just watched me quietly, a trace of cruel satisfaction in his eyes.
"So, Nicole, spare yourself that pathetic worry. Gianna is more than just a secretary to me."
I see.
I finally understand!
They'd known each other all along, been together all along!
I was the complete fool!
Overwhelming humiliation engulfed me. My tears flowed uncontrollably.
"Hodgson, you..."
I wanted to curse him, hit him, demand why he treated me this way.
But looking at his cold face, I couldn't say anything.
When heartbreak reaches its peak, it becomes numb.
"Fine. Very well."
I wiped away my tears and stepped back two paces, creating distance between us.
"Hodgson, I wish you both happiness."
I turned and ran.
I didn't dare look back, didn't dare see their expressions. I was afraid I'd break down crying.
I ran out of Hall Corporation in one breath, onto the street.
People came and went around me, traffic flowed, but I felt like the only person in the entire world.
I crouched by the roadside, hugging my knees, crying loudly.
Why?
Why treat me this way?
What did I do wrong?
I just wanted revenge, wanted to protect the people I cared about. Why was I always the one getting hurt?
After who knows how long, my phone suddenly rang.
I numbly took out my phone and saw the hospital's number flashing on the screen.
Had something happened to Vera?
My heart leaped, and I answered the call with trembling hands.
"Hello?"
"Is this Miss Nicole?" The doctor's excited voice came through. "I have wonderful news! Ms. Vera has woken up!"
I froze, tears still on my face, forgetting to react.
"Woken... up?"
"Yes! Just now, she regained consciousness and could respond simply to our calls! It's a miracle!"
Immense joy instantly diluted the sadness and despair in my heart.
Vera had awakened!
She'd finally awakened!
I jumped up, hastily wiped the tears from my face, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for the hospital.