Chapter 75: Hodgson's Mother
Nicole's POV
Lola's sudden appearance startled me.
I quickly turned around and stammered an explanation: "The maid just told me to come find you, but the manor is so large, I think I got a bit lost."
Lola looked at me suspiciously, her gaze lingering on my face for several seconds.
I smiled at her, trying my best to appear sincere.
"Follow me." she said.
I followed behind Lola, walking down the corridor in another direction.
As we passed by Barry's room, the sound of heated arguing came from inside, but I could no longer make out the specific words.
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness Lola had come a bit late.
Otherwise, if she knew I had overheard Keith's secret, who knows what she would do to me.
Lola's room was at the end of the corridor, decorated elegantly and luxuriously.
She closed the door, and her expression actually softened, even showing a hint of a smile.
"Nicole, please sit."
I obediently sat down, waiting for her to speak.
Lola sat down across from me, her demeanor becoming gentle.
"Nicole, Shier only has you now. Don't forget, you're his fiancée."
I froze for a moment.
Lola didn't seem to have any intention of threatening me.
In fact, there was even a somewhat ingratiating tone in her words.
She sighed and continued: "Shier treated you badly before, and I've already disciplined him for it."
I almost couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes.
Shier treated me badly? It was more than just bad - he was a complete scumbag!
And now, I had absolutely no feelings left for Shier. I only wished he would stay as far away from me as possible.
But I couldn't show this in front of Lola. I could only pretend to be obedient and nod.
Lola revealed a satisfied smile: "Nicole, you're a smart girl. I trust you understand the current situation."
What was she trying to do?
"Barry is letting you enter Hall Corporation and become Hodgson's secretary. For us, this is an opportunity."
Lola's tone became serious, and I vaguely guessed her intention.
She got straight to the point: "You stay by Hodgson's side, observe his every move, and then report important information to me."
She wanted me to be her spy, to monitor Hodgson for her.
I waved my hands in panic: "I'm just a secretary. I'm afraid I won't be able to do much."
"You're too modest." Lola smiled. "Since Barry values you so much, then Hodgson won't neglect you either. Getting close to him and learning about his plans shouldn't be difficult for you."
"Once Keith successfully returns to the company, I will reward you handsomely."
I pressed my lips together, not knowing how to respond for a moment.
I didn't know exactly what she was planning to do, but if I didn't agree now, she would definitely be very angry.
"Alright, I'll try," I said quietly.
"Very good."
"In the future, when I have instructions, I'll have Shier contact you. Until then, don't make any moves."
"I understand."
Lola stood up: "It's getting late. Go back and rest."
When I returned to my room and pushed open the door, I saw Hodgson sitting on my bed.
He had already showered and was wearing a bathrobe, his hair still slightly damp.
Seeing me enter, he frowned slightly: "Where did you go? Why did it take you so long to come back?"
"Lola just called for me." I closed the door, my voice somewhat weary.
Hodgson keenly noticed my unusual state.
He stood up and walked in front of me.
"What's wrong? What did she do to you?"
I walked around him and sat down on the sofa, rubbing my face hard.
Too much information had been thrown at me tonight. I felt like my brain was about to explode.
"Tell me, what happened."
I thought for a moment and decided to tell him the truth.
Monitor Hodgson for Lola?
How was that possible?
"Lola wants me to monitor you and report your activities to her. She said once Keith returns to the company, she'll reward me handsomely."
Hodgson sneered: "She moves quite quickly."
He didn't seem surprised at all.
"So what should I do now?" I asked.
"Just follow her instructions. Don't worry."
I was stunned: "What? You want me to actually monitor you?"
"Of course not." Hodgson chuckled lightly.
"I'll tell you what she should know and what she shouldn't know."
I breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought..."
"Thought what?" Hodgson raised an eyebrow. "Thought I'd be angry?"
"A little." I answered honestly.
Hodgson reached out and ruffled my hair: "Silly girl, I wouldn't get angry over such a small matter."
I relaxed slightly and leaned back against the sofa.
Too much had happened tonight. My nerves had been tense the whole time, and now I could finally relax a little.
I looked at Hodgson's expression and hesitated before speaking.
"Just now, I overheard the argument between Barry and Keith."
Hodgson hummed: "What did you hear?"
I asked carefully: "Hodgson, Keith and you... you don't have the same mother?"
Hodgson's expression instantly turned cold.
"Yes, that bastard Keith is a child my father had from an affair."
His voice carried obvious disgust.
My heart jolted.
Keith was many years older than Hodgson, and it seemed the entire Hall family didn't know Keith was an illegitimate child.
This meant Keith had likely come to the Hall family shortly after birth.
Didn't that mean Hodgson's mother knew of Keith's existence?
She had to hide the identity of her husband's illegitimate child.
What must that have felt like?
At the mention of this matter, Hodgson's emotions became extremely volatile.
He got up and walked to the window.
"After my parents married, my mother became seriously ill and couldn't get pregnant for a long time. So Barry had a woma give him a child and made my mother raise the child for him."
"And many years later, my mother risked her life to give birth to me..."
His words suddenly stopped.
I had never seen him look so sad.
His figure appeared particularly lonely in the moonlight.
I finally understood why Hodgson so detested the Hall family members, even Barry.
His mother had endured too much suffering because of Barry.
I remembered what Nina had told me. All these years, his heart must have been in such torment.
I stood up and walked behind him, gently taking his hand.
"Hodgson, don't say anymore. I don't want to make you sad."
Hodgson was silent for a few seconds, then sighed.
"Not long after she gave birth to me, she passed away from suicide due to depression."
My heart clenched painfully.