Chapter 76: Reheld Wedding Ceremony
Nicole's POV
I held his hand with heartache, not knowing what to say.
Any words of comfort seemed pale and powerless at this moment.
Hodgson turned around, his expression returning to calm: "Don't worry, these things happened a long time ago."
"Hodgson..."
"I'm fine." He interrupted me, his tone becoming lighter, "It's getting late, you should rest early."
I knew he didn't want to continue this topic.
"You're not staying?" I asked.
Hodgson shook his head: "Not tonight. I still have some things to handle. Now that Hall Group is in my hands, there are many matters to arrange."
He spoke lightly, but I was very clear that the burden on his shoulders had become heavier.
From today on, he was the person in power at Hall Group.
"Then you should go back and rest early." I released his hand.
Hodgson leaned down and kissed my forehead lightly, then left the room.
The moment the door closed, I felt somewhat uncomfortable.
The sadness when he talked about his mother just now was so real, so heartbreaking.
But in an instant, he had regained that strong appearance, as if the vulnerability just now was only my illusion.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind constantly replaying his words.
I sighed, not wanting to stay at Hall Manor any longer. I called a car and went straight back to the Gerald villa.
The next morning, I was awakened by knocking on the door.
"Nicole, Nicole!" Doris's voice rang out outside the door, with obvious excitement.
I groggily got up and opened the door.
Doris rushed in with an excited face: "Nicole, is it true? You joined Hall Group and became Hodgson's secretary?"
I rubbed my eyes, somewhat impatient: "It was Mr. Barry's arrangement."
"Oh my God!"
Doris's eyes were glowing.
"This is a huge blessing! Being valued by Mr. Barry, our Gerald family can benefit from it too!"
She was so excited she was incoherent: "I'm going to throw you a celebration party and invite all the prominent figures in Astoria..."
"No need, it's too much trouble." I interrupted her.
"How can you say it's trouble? This is a big deal!"
I frowned, asking suspiciously: "And besides, Mr. Barry hasn't announced this matter publicly yet. Only those present last night know. How did you find out?"
Doris said: "Shier told me! He came early this morning, saying he has something important to tell you. He's waiting for you downstairs right now!"
Shier?
My heart sank.
What was he doing here?
"Hurry down, don't keep Shier waiting too long!" Doris urged.
I changed my clothes and slowly walked downstairs.
As soon as I reached the first floor, I saw the living room filled with gift boxes, with various luxury goods placed everywhere.
Shier sat on the sofa in the center of the living room, happily chatting with my father Leighton.
Seeing me come downstairs, Shier immediately stood up.
"Nicole, you're finally down."
He walked over, his tone so gentle it gave me goosebumps.
"Why didn't you stay at the manor last night? I was delayed with something, and when I got back, you had already left."
The smiling man in front of me was completely different from the Shier who had treated me coldly for three years.
In these three years, he had never given me a kind look.
Mockery, disgust, impatience... these were the Shier I was familiar with.
And now this gentle and considerate appearance made me feel incredibly strange, even somewhat disgusting.
"What are these?" I pointed at the gifts filling the room.
Shier smiled and said: "They're all for you. I know you've always liked this brand of bags, so..."
"Take them back, I don't need them." I coldly interrupted him.
Shier's smile froze for a moment, a flash of displeasure appearing in his eyes, but he quickly recovered his gentle expression.
"Nicole, are you still angry with me?"
He took a step closer, his face showing a hurt expression.
"I know I was wrong. Before, it was Wendy who deceived me and made me do many things that hurt you."
"During this time, I've been reflecting, and I've been recalling the wonderful days when we were together."
Wonderful days?
I almost laughed out loud.
"The wonderful days you're talking about, is that when I waited on you like a servant for your meals and clothes?"
I looked at him, showing a mocking smile.
"Or when you flirted with Wendy right in front of me?"
"Nicole...!"
"Thinking back on those days only makes me feel disgusted."
Shier's expression froze, a trace of viciousness flashing in his eyes.
Just then, Leighton appeared beside me, looking at me with displeasure.
"Nicole, how are you talking to Shier?"
"I was just discussing your wedding with Shier. Nicole, it's time to hold a wedding ceremony again and let you truly marry Shier."
I couldn't believe my ears.
"What?"
Shier took over, his eyes becoming intense: "Yes, Nicole, I'm already preparing the wedding. This time, I'll give you a grand wedding and let everyone in Astoria know that you are Shier's bride."
I took a step back: "Dream on! I will never marry you!"
"Nicole!" Leighton said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about? You and Shier have long been engaged!"
I raised my voice: "Being engaged doesn't mean we must get married! I don't love him, and I will never marry him!"
Shier's face darkened: "Nicole, stop making a scene."
"I'm not making a scene!" I stared at him, "Shier, you know in your heart that you don't love me at all. You're only suddenly being so nice to me because I've become Hodgson's secretary."
"You think I can't see it? You just want to use me!"
Shier's eyes became dangerous: "Nicole, you..."
"What?!"
A sharp female voice suddenly rang out, interrupting our conversation.
I turned my head and saw Wendy rush into the living room.
"Shier, are you really going to marry Nicole?"
Wendy rushed in front of Shier, her voice hysterical: "No, you can't!"
Shier frowned deeply: "Wendy, what are you doing here?"
Wendy pointed at me: "How can you marry her?! You said you loved me! You said you would marry me!"
Shier's face turned livid: "Enough, Wendy! When did I ever say I would marry you?"
"How can you do this?!"
Wendy's tears streamed down, "I gave you my everything, my virginity, my dignity, my everything! But now you want to abandon me and marry this bitch?!"
"Shut up!"
Shier roared, "What do you think you are? A whore who sleeps with old men, and you dare to yell at me here?!"
Wendy, as if struck in her painful spot, screamed and lunged at Shier.
"You bastard! Liar!"
The two struggled together, with Wendy frantically tearing at Shier's clothes while Shier forcefully pushed her away.
The living room was in complete chaos.
Both Leighton and Doris were stunned, standing aside not knowing what to do.
I took advantage of this opportunity and escaped from the chaotic scene.