Chapter 11: "Nicole, you can't escape from me."
Nicole's POV
I collapsed limply on the messy bedsheets, unable to move even a single finger.
Finally, Hodgson let out a long roar and came.
His cock withdrew from my body, and then he lay down beside me.
Humiliation, anger, confusion... and a trace of satisfaction I wasn't even willing to admit to myself.
Eventually, I drifted into a dazed sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, it was already the next morning.
I sat up, and the silk quilt slid down, revealing the mottled kiss marks on my chest.
Gritting my teeth and enduring the swelling sensation between my thighs, I quickly put on my own clothes.
I couldn't stay here any longer, not even for one more second.
I put on my shoes, turned the doorknob, and peeked out.
The corridor was covered with thick carpet. I walked on it without making a sound, so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat, which pounded like a drum, each beat heavier than the last.
When I reached my own room, an angry voice came from behind me.
"Nicole! Where were you last night?!"
I froze in place for a moment, then slowly turned around.
Shier stood not far away with a furious expression.
He strode toward me, "Damn it! I waited for you all night! Do you know that I..."
His words stopped abruptly.
Because his mother, Lola, was walking toward us.
"Nicole, Shier, what are you doing here?"
Could Lola have discovered something?
This woman had sent people to hunt down Hodgson, and now she even wanted to kill me.
The internal strife in the Hall family was far bloodier and dirtier than I had imagined.
And I could be sacrificed at any moment because of their struggle.
If I said the wrong thing, the next person to be "dealt with" could very well be me.
I forced myself to calm down. My heart was racing wildly in my chest, but I squeezed out a tired, pale smile on my face.
"I... after dinner yesterday, I felt very uncomfortable and somehow passed out." My voice was hoarse.
Shier frowned, looking skeptical. "Passed out? What do you mean?"
I lowered my eyes, my lashes concealing the fear and disgust in my eyes.
"I've had poor health since childhood, but I rarely fell ill after being brought back to Astoria. I don't know what happened yesterday... After I woke up, I went to the hospital for a checkup. I just got back from the hospital this morning."
Lola stared at me suspiciously.
She spoke slowly, "Is that so? Nicole, so is your health alright?"
"The doctor said there's nothing wrong."
I met her gaze, forcing myself not to look away.
"It's probably because I've been through too much stimulation recently and need good rest and recuperation."
"I see." Lola nodded, show a meaningful smile.
"In a while, I'll have the Hall family's physician come and give you a thorough examination."
Her gaze swept over my lower abdomen.
"After all, after you and Shier get married, I hope to have a lovely grandson soon."
Damn it! What was she talking about? I would never have children with Shier!
But right now, I could only comply.
So I remained outwardly docile on the surface, even showing a hint of shyness, cleverly throwing the topic to her son.
"As long as Shier agrees, I... can fully cooperate."
Sure enough, when Shier heard this, he immediately exploded.
"Mom! What are you talking about?! Who wants to have children with her?!"
He looked at me with disgust, as if I was covered in something dirty.
"I've said it before, I don't like her at all!"
He grabbed his hair irritably. "Damn it!"
"Enough, Shier!" Lola's expression instantly darkened, her tone carrying a warning.
"Now is not the time for you to be willful! Now everyone in Astoria's high society knows about your engagement to Nicole. Do you want to break the engagement?!"
"So what?! Anyway, I..."
Taking advantage of the mother and son's quarrel, I lowered my head and quickly slipped past them, returning to my own room.
With a "bang," I closed the door, leaned back against it, my legs weak, almost collapsing to the ground.
Today was my last day at the Hall manor.
After the family banquet, I could leave.
I swore I would never set foot in this damn place again.
But now, Lola was already suspicious. As long as she asked the manor's security about whether I had left last night, my lie would be exposed.
When that happened, everything would be over.
I needed to find someone to help me cover this lie.
And in the entire Hall manor, there was only one person who could do this and might be willing to help me.
Hodgson.
At the family banquet, I sat quietly in a corner, but my eyes kept searching for that tall figure.
Finally, in the shadows of the terrace, I saw him.
Hodgson was alone, leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his fingers, the red ember flickering in the night.
He seemed to sense my gaze and turned his head.
My heart tightened. I picked up a glass of champagne and got up to walk toward him.
"Mr. Hodgson."
I stopped in front of him, trying to keep my voice steady.
He didn't speak, just exhaled a smoke ring. Through the swirling smoke, his face looked even more stern.
I didn't want to beat around the bush with him.
"On the wedding day, you said you would fulfill one condition for me."
He raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that I would bring this up.
"So?"
"I need you to honor your promise." I looked directly into his eyes. "I want to use that request now."
He stubbed out his cigarette and finally looked at me properly, his lips curling with obvious mockery.
"Let's hear it. I'm in a good mood right now, so maybe I can help you."
"I need you to help me avoid Lola's suspicion."
I told him in detail about what happened this morning, including the lie I told Lola.
"I need you to help me cover this lie, make it seamless, so that no one, especially Lola, can find any flaws."
I looked at him, my tone carrying both determination and pleading.
"Help me this once, and what happened on the wedding night and last night, we'll call it even. From now on, we'll have nothing to do with each other."
However, Hodgson laughed softly.
He stepped forward, lowered his head, and his burning breath sprayed on my ear.
"Help you cover the lie? Sure."
My heart leapt with joy, and I was about to say thank you, but his next words plunged me into an icy abyss.
"But Nicole, I'm not done playing yet. Without my permission, you can't escape from me."