Chapter 89 Chapter 89
Although Nicholas kept saying she shouldn't worry about it, how could she ignore the social gap between them?
“Um...” She bit her lip anxiously and tugged lightly at his suit sleeve, like a child seeking attention.
Nicholas stopped immediately and looked at her, his gaze softening. “Um? What is it, sweetheart?”
“You said we're here to welcome your friend...” Caroline looked down at her shoes, nervous. “Shouldn't we have brought her a gift? Arriving empty-handed seems rude.”
She wanted to make a good impression. She wanted to be the perfect wife.
Nicholas chuckled, finding her concern endearing.
“No need,” he said with the casual arrogance of someone who owns the world. “They're not strangers, and I don't do formalities. Your presence is enough.”
Before she could protest, the manager stopped in front of a double door made of carved solid wood.
Before the manager could announce their arrival, muffled but clear voices leaked through the fine wood of the door.
“Hiago, you're asking for trouble!” A woman's voice sounded amused but reproachful.
“Where the hell is Nicholas?” grumbled an impatient male voice. “Should we call him?”
“I just sent him a message. He's on his way up. Oh, and remember his warning: we need to show ‘restraint’ when his sister-in-law arrives. Nicholas made it clear that we can't scare the little princess on her first visit.
”Hah!" A snort of derision cut through the air, laden with disdain.
“He makes us look like monsters. Frankly... if she's so fragile that she'll break from a joke, he shouldn't even have taken her out of the house.
”I hate shy women. They're exhausting.
"Since when has Nick had a taste for vulnerable, useless women like that? He's always liked challenges, not charity.
“Hiago, shut up.” The woman's voice sounded again, more tense. “Save that venom for us. If you talk like that in front of Nicholas or your sister-in-law... you know how he is. Nicholas will turn his back on you without a second thought if he feels you are disrespecting his wife.”
“Hah!” The same man, Luan, scoffed again, with the arrogance of someone who had never heard “no.” “If he wants to fight with his brothers, the ones he grew up with, over some little woman he barely knows... then so be it. It just proves he's lost his mind.”
“Luan...” The woman sighed.
“It doesn't matter what we think of her. If Nick likes her... and married her... let's just please her and get it over with.”
“Humph. Whatever. Just ask her not to cry in front of me.”
“Shhh! Keep your voices down. They could arrive at any moment.”
Outside, the luxurious hallway seemed to have lost all its oxygen.
Caroline felt the blood drain from her face. The urge to let go of Nicholas's hand, turn around, and run away was almost unbearable.
The humiliation burned in her chest.
It wasn't just embarrassing; it was cruel. What a terrible coincidence that she had heard exactly what they thought of her before she even said “hello.”
To those people in that room, she wasn't Nicholas Wolf's wife. She was a burden. A “useless little woman,” vulnerable and shy, someone they had to tolerate so as not to upset their rich friend.
And that man... Luan. His tone dripped with contempt.
Hiago called him “brother”... he must be that friend Nicholas had mentioned, the one who was obsessed with hygiene and high standards.
Even without seeing his face, Caroline already knew: that man hated her. And he would make her life hell in that room.
But she wasn't the only one who had heard.
The temperature beside her dropped dramatically, as if winter had arrived in the hallway.
Caroline turned slowly, and what she saw frightened her more than Luan's words.
Nicholas's face was a mask of icy fury. His eyebrows were drawn together in a severe line, his lips pressed so tightly together that they turned white.
The aura emanating from him was murderous.
He squeezed her hand tightly, his knuckles white, and took a step toward the door as if he were going to kick it down. He was about to go in there and destroy his “brothers” because of her.
Panic overwhelmed Caroline.
If he went in there in that state, it would be the end of their friendship. And it would be her fault.
“No!” Caroline whispered urgently, pulling on his shirt sleeve with both hands.
Nicholas stopped, his body rigid as a violin string about to snap. He looked down at her, and the darkness in his eyes was terrifying.
Caroline swallowed her fear and shook her head gently, forcing a reassuring smile, even though her eyes were moist.
“I'm fine, Nicholas. Please don't be angry.” Her voice was sweet and soothing, like cool water on a fire. “I believe your friends mean no harm. They... they just don't know me yet.”
It's natural for them to be skeptical.
She stroked his tense arm.
“Don't go in there fighting. Please.”
Caroline knew her position was fragile. They already didn't have a good impression of her. If she became the reason for a war between Nicholas and his best friends on her first day, their hatred would solidify forever.
She didn't want to be the woman who destroyed his brotherhood. She'd rather swallow her pride than see him lose important people.
Nicholas looked at his wife's delicate face, seeing the plea in her light eyes.
The anger in his chest didn't diminish, but its target shifted. How dare they make this kind woman feel unwanted?
“They have no right to talk about you like that,” Nicholas growled, low and dangerous.
“They're your friends,” she insisted, squeezing his hand. “Give me a chance to change their minds. For me?”
Nicholas held her gaze for a long second, searching for any sign of real hesitation. Seeing the sincerity in Caroline's clear eyes, the tension in his shoulders relaxed slightly.
He wasn't happy—far from it—but for her sake, he would sheathe his sword. For now.
He squeezed her hand firmly, a silent reminder that he was there for her.
“Hmm,” he murmured, resigned.
Without further warning, Nicholas pushed open the solid oak double doors.
The sound of conversation inside died instantly, as if someone had cut the wires to a loudspeaker.
The air in the private room grew heavy. All eyes converged on the entrance.