Chapter 8: Wedding Gift
Nicole's POV
Shier's roar was so loud it quickly attracted others.
The first to rush in was Wendy.
"Shier, what's wrong? Why are you so angry all of a sudden?"
Shier's mother Lola followed closely through the door, her eyes sweeping over Shier and me before finally settling on that watch.
The last to enter was Hodgson.
He was wearing pajamas, leaning lazily against the doorframe with his arms crossed, a triumphant smile playing at the corners of his mouth, as if watching a good show.
The men's watch on the nightstand had been deliberately left by Hodgson!
My heart sank heavily as I suddenly realized it.
Shier was completely consumed by rage now, gripping the watch so tightly it seemed he wanted to crush it.
"Tell me! Who is this man!"
Wendy stepped forward and tugged at Shier's arm.
"Shier, calm down first and listen to Nicole's explanation."
Wendy pretended to speak up for me, but the look in her eyes revealed satisfaction and schadenfreude.
I took a deep breath and met Shier's furious eyes directly.
"Shier, this watch is the wedding gift I bought for you. There is no other man. You've misunderstood me."
Shier suddenly froze, looking at the watch in his hand, still somewhat disbelieving my explanation.
"Nicole, you cunning woman, stop lying to me. How could this possibly be a gift from you!"
Hodgson had his smile fade slightly, a hint of gloom appearing in his eyes.
I threw back the covers and walked to Shier, my voice tinged with grievance and exhaustion.
"How is it impossible? I took care of you for three years, Shier. All along, I've been looking forward to our wedding. I prepared this gift half a year ago."
"I wanted to surprise you, but I waited for you all night and you never came back."
I lowered my eyes, putting on a wronged expression.
These words were half lies, half truth. I had indeed looked forward to the wedding with Shier, but now I only felt disappointment toward him.
"This..."
Shier hesitated for a moment, seemingly moved by my words, his blazing anger instantly extinguished.
Wendy's face suddenly turned terrible.
Shier feeling guilty toward me was the last thing she wanted to see.
She glared at me unwillingly. "Nicole, this watch is worth a fortune. How could you possibly afford it?"
Shier frowned, gripping the watch tightly, his gaze suspiciously scrutinizing me.
I laughed coldly, looking at Shier with eyes full of disappointment and hurt.
"I have no obligation to explain to you. If you don't want this gift, then give it back to me right now!"
I suddenly reached out as if to snatch the watch.
Shier instinctively pulled his hand back.
"Nicole, this is a gift you gave me. There's no way I'm returning it!"
I breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed Shier had completely believed my words.
He looked smug as he put the watch on his wrist.
"I know you like me, but just giving this expensive gift won't make me like you back."
I rolled my eyes silently.
"Enough! Stop arguing!" Lola, who had been silent, finally spoke up.
She glanced at me with a complex expression but said nothing more before turning to leave the room.
Wendy stamped her foot unwillingly and followed her out.
Thank goodness it was just a watch. If Hodgson had left his coat, I really wouldn't have known how to explain it.
I turned to go to the bathroom to change clothes when a tall figure blocked my path.
Hodgson had walked in, closing the door behind him and cornering me.
He looked down at me.
"Wedding gift? Surprise? Nicole, you really are a bad girl who loves to lie."
I glared at him, trying to push him away, but he didn't budge.
"Enough, Hodgson. I don't have time to play these childish games with you. Why did you leave your watch in my room? You almost got me killed!"
"Don't forget, I saved you last night, and you repay kindness with enmity!"
"Hey! Nicole, don't get so worked up. I was helping you." Hodgson said lazily.
"What?"
Damn it! Hodgson was a complete lunatic!
If I could do it over again, I definitely wouldn't have sought his help on my wedding day.
"Don't you want to break off the engagement? Letting Shier know the truth would free you from him."
Hodgson extended a finger and lightly lifted a strand of my hair, bringing it to his nose to smell.
So on the wedding day, Hodgson had never left the hotel at all.
He had been monitoring me the whole time.
"No, Hodgson. I've changed my mind. I'm not planning to break off the engagement for now, so stop meddling in Shier's and my affairs."
Hodgson's expression suddenly darkened for a moment.
"Nicole, do you know how much that watch is worth?"
His fingers pinched my chin, sending a shiver across my skin.
"That watch is worth enough to buy this entire Hall Manor. It's the only one of its kind in the world."
What?! Damn it, how is that possible?
I frowned, a sense of foreboding rising within me.
He seemed very satisfied with my reaction and chuckled lowly.
"If Shier gets curious and investigates the watch's origin, when he finds out the buyer was me, I think his reaction will be very interesting."
This madman!
He was toying with me, cruelly watching me fall into the trap he'd designed.
I forced myself to calm down. I knew that showing weakness in front of him meant admitting defeat.
I understood Shier.
He wasn't that calculating, otherwise Wendy wouldn't have been able to fool him so easily. He wouldn't think to investigate the watch.
I regained my composure and curved my lips into a smile.
"So what?"
"You broke into my room late at night and left your watch behind. If others found out, your reputation would certainly be affected too. After all, you represent the entire Hall family, Mr. Hodgson."
Hodgson raised an eyebrow, studying me as if looking at interesting prey.
"Not bad, Nicole. I appreciate this unyielding attitude of yours."
The banquet at Hall Manor would continue for three full days.
After changing clothes, I immediately went downstairs.
At dinner, Lola's attitude toward me underwent a huge transformation.
She personally served me a bowl of soup and asked me to get more nutrition.
"Nicole, you and Shier have been together for so many years. All along, I've thought of you as my own daughter. As for Shier, he's indeed not mature enough and needs you to be more tolerant of him."
I instinctively frowned, a strange feeling flashing through my mind, but I still accepted the bowl of soup.
After the feast ended, I returned to my room alone.
Walking down the corridor, I suddenly felt my head become very heavy, everything before my eyes blurring.
I gritted my teeth, trying to resist this drowsy feeling, but it was no use.
Soon my body lost its center of gravity. My vision went dark, and I completely lost consciousness.