Chapter 81: Asking Derek for Help
Nicole's POV
Every day, servants delivered meals on time, but they never spoke to me, leaving hastily after setting down the trays.
I tried talking to them, begging them to let me out, but no one paid any attention.
On the second evening, Cathy hurried in carrying a meal tray.
I stood up immediately. "Cathy! How did you get in here?"
She glanced back at the door and lowered her voice.
"I bribed the servant who delivers meals. He agreed to let me take his place once, but only for five minutes."
"How is Vera?" I gripped her arm.
Cathy paused.
"Vera is still in the hospital. Her condition is stable, but Nicole, I found out something."
My heart leaped. "What news?"
Cathy set down the tray and sat beside me.
"Wendy is getting married. In half a month, she's having a wedding with a tycoon named Bruce."
"Bruce?" The name sounded somewhat familiar.
Cathy bit her lip.
"The wealthy man who once tried to rape me and forced me to jump out of a second-floor window. He's nearly fifty, old enough to be Wendy's father."
"Wendy wants Bruce as her backer, and Doris is greedy for his wealth too."
I slowly released Cathy's hand.
"So that's why Doris locked me in here. She won't allow me to ruin Wendy's wedding."
Cathy nodded. "Right now, there are servants guarding your door twenty-four hours a day. There's no way to leave."
I closed my eyes involuntarily.
If Wendy married Bruce, she would have a powerful backer, and I would have even less chance of bringing her to justice.
"Wait! Cathy," I opened my eyes, "can you help me contact Hodgson?"
Cathy's expression instantly turned frightened. "H-Hodgson?"
She shook her head repeatedly. "No! Nicole, I don't dare contact Mr. Hodgson. I... I'm too afraid of him."
It seemed the shadow Hodgson had cast on her last time hadn't faded.
I felt a wave of despair and covered my face with my hands. "Then what do I do? I can't just stay trapped here."
Cathy hesitated. "Nicole, I have an idea."
"What idea?"
Cathy looked at me.
"I can stay in the room in your place. You put on my clothes and leave."
I worried. "But the servants will notice."
Cathy began removing her clothes while speaking quickly.
"They won't. The servants who deliver meals never look closely at who's in the room. If you wear a mask, they won't notice anything unusual."
"But if they discover it, you'll be in danger."
Cathy shook her head. "Even if they find out, I can say you threatened me. Doris will scold me at most."
Looking at Cathy's determined expression, warmth flooded my heart.
"Thank you, Cathy."
I took the clothes and put them on. Cathy also gave me her scarf and mask.
I kept my head down and slowly walked out of the room.
The servant outside glanced at me but didn't notice anything unusual.
I held my breath all the way out of the villa.
Once on the street, cold wind hit my face. I removed the mask and breathed deeply of the fresh air.
I found a phone store and used what little cash I had to buy a phone and a new SIM card.
After inserting the card, I dialed Hodgson's number from memory.
The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.
I tried several times, but the call showed as unable to connect.
The sky had darkened, so I could only check into a nearby hotel.
Lying on the narrow single bed, I stared at the ceiling in a daze.
Vera was still in the hospital, but I had no way to see her now.
Doris had definitely stationed people at the hospital. If I appeared, I would certainly be caught and taken back.
In half a month, Wendy would hold her wedding. Once she married Bruce, I would have no chance at all...
Hodgson had told me before that he would return home soon, but there was still no news.
Should I keep waiting?
I tossed and turned in bed, thinking all night.
As dawn approached, I finally made a decision.
I picked up my phone, found the business card Matthew had given me, and dialed his number.
The phone rang a few times before Matthew answered.
"Hello?" His voice was hoarse, as if he'd just woken up.
"Matthew, it's me, Nicole."
Matthew's voice suddenly became alert. "Nicole? What's wrong?"
"I..." My voice choked up a bit. "Matthew, I'm in some trouble right now."
"What trouble? Tell me, where are you now?"
I told him what had happened over the past few days.
After I finished, I heard the sound of a chair moving on Matthew's end.
"Nicole, I'm sorry. I should have found you sooner. Send me your address, I'll come find you right away."
Half an hour later, there was a knock on the hotel room door.
Matthew stood outside, his hair somewhat disheveled, obviously having rushed over.
"Nicole, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Matthew stepped aside, revealing another person behind him.
I froze. "Mr. Derek?"
Derek followed him inside, worry on his face.
"Matthew told me you were in trouble, so I came along."
I felt somewhat flustered.
I had originally wanted to ask Matthew for help. I hadn't expected him to bring Derek too.
Derek absolutely couldn't know about my relationship with Matthew!
I quickly adjusted myself and lied to Derek.
"Actually, I originally wanted to find you, but I only had Matthew's business card on me, so I could only call Matthew first."
Derek smiled.
"Nicole, I'm very happy that when something happened, the first person you thought of finding was me."
I pressed my lips together, not knowing how to respond.
Derek glanced around the room and said, "If Doris sends people to look for you, a small hotel like this is too easy to discover. You'll be safer coming back with me."
I hesitated. He had a point. Continuing to stay here really wasn't safe.
"Alright, then I'll trouble you."
About half an hour later, we arrived in front of a detached villa.
The surrounding environment was very quiet, with only street lamps casting dim yellow light.
Derek led me into the house.
Unlike Hodgson's flamboyant style, Derek's house was decorated simply and understated, yet exquisite in every detail.
"You can stay in the guest room on the second floor." Derek pointed at the stairs. "If you need anything, let me know anytime."
"Thank you, Derek."
Derek looked at me with a half-smile.
"No need to thank me, Nicole. Perhaps you want to use that condition now?" Derek asked.
I felt conflicted.
I had originally planned to save that condition for later. I hadn't expected such an accident to happen midway.
Derek observed my expression, seeming to understand something.
He shook his head and didn't continue asking.
"Forget it. You don't need to decide now. Stay here first. When you've thought it through, come tell me."