Chapter 9: Lola's Scheme
Hodgson's POV
In my room, I held my wine glass with interest, admiring the night view outside the window.
Closing my eyes, my mind was filled with images of Nicole.
Interesting.
It had been a long time since I'd met such an intriguing woman.
Nicole Gerald.
I murmured her name, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of my mouth.
I tilted my head back and drained the red wine in one gulp.
Thinking of how she'd been questioned by that idiot Shier this morning, those clear yet stubborn eyes of hers, clearly terrified yet able to stay calm enough to fabricate an excuse like "wedding gift."
And those final words she used to threaten me were absolutely brilliant.
She still didn't understand me well enough.
If all of Astoria's high society knew that I had slept with my own nephew's wife.
That scene would be quite thrilling.
Just the thought of it made my blood boil.
But I wasn't in any hurry.
This game seemed to be getting more and more interesting.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in." I said without looking up.
Eric pushed the door open.
He was my most capable assistant and the only person I could have a proper conversation with in this godforsaken place.
"Mr. Hodgson, the people from Carlos Group have been waiting downstairs for almost an hour."
Eric stood before me, looking somewhat troubled, his tone carrying a hint of urgency.
"You just returned to the country, and there's already been trouble with the port shipment. The people from Carlos Group have specially arranged a private room at the 'Night Color' club to express their apology."
"Tell them to get lost!"
I sneered and poured myself another half glass of wine.
During my three years abroad, Eric had been helping me manage domestic affairs. I hadn't expected that just after returning home, someone would be bold enough to intercept my cargo.
Eric seemed to have anticipated my refusal. He paused, then added: "Mr. Carlos said he's specially arranged several girls, all your preferred type."
I snorted coldly.
It seemed these old guys had already figured out my preferences.
In the past, I might have been somewhat interested. After all, those bitches who only knew how to scream and please were indeed the best tools for relieving boredom after killing someone.
But now.
Nicole's beautiful face floated into my mind, along with the defiance in her eyes.
Those blonde, blue-eyed bitches were utterly boring compared to her.
"I said, tell them to get lost! Don't make me say it twice!" I said impatiently.
"Yes, sir."
Eric immediately executed my order.
He made the call, his tone serious: "Mr. Hodgson doesn't have time. Mr. Carlos, we can only cooperate next time. Before then, please handle those traitors properly."
After hanging up, Eric sat beside me and took a sip of red wine.
He sighed: "Such a shame about those beautiful women. I saw the photos, hot bodies, enough to keep you entertained for a while."
I scoffed: "Just some bitches with their asses in the air waiting to be fucked. Not interesting at all."
"Wait, Hodgson."
Eric suddenly realized something, looking at me suspiciously: "You seem very strange today. Have you found a new target?"
Indeed, Eric was the one who understood me best.
A new target?
Using "target" to describe Nicole seemed somewhat inappropriate.
I swirle my wine glass: "Just found a new plaything, that's all."
After speaking, I set the glass down on the table and stood up.
"Let's go, there's a good show waiting for us."
Eric didn't understand, but still followed behind me. We walked out of the room.
Just as we reached the corner of the corridor, strange sounds came from ahead.
I stopped, signaling Eric to be quiet.
We both hid behind a pillar.
The corridor lighting was dim, so others couldn't possibly spot us.
Lola looked up and around, confirming no one was nearby, then dragged the person lying on the ground into a guest room.
Through the window, we could clearly see Lola's actions.
And lying on the ground was none other than the unconscious Nicole.
Lola unbuttoned Nicole's clothes, revealing the white lace camisole underneath, along with her sexy waist.
"Fuck!"
I cursed under my breath, my expression darkening.
"Eric, close your eyes, or I'll gouge them out right now!"
Eric's whole body trembled.
He immediately lowered his head and squeezed his eyes shut, not daring to look at the scene inside the room.
I deliberately made my footsteps heavier, my leather shoes making dull sounds on the floor.
The sound was particularly clear in the silent corridor.
Lola's movements froze. She looked warily in our direction.
A flash of panic crossed her eyes. She quickly checked Nicole's condition, then carelessly fastened her shirt buttons.
Because of her guilty conscience, Lola didn't dare stay in the guest room too long.
She glared viciously at the unconscious Nicole, then quickly left the room and headed toward the other end of the corridor.
Soon, the corridor was quiet again.
I walked to Nicole's side. She lay on the floor, her clothes in disarray, brows tightly furrowed.
Due to the effects of the drug, she didn't seem to notice what Lola had done to her, still murmuring words unconsciously.
I crouched down, picked up a blanket at random, wrapped her tightly in it, then lifted her up.
With my permission, Eric finally dared to open his eyes.
When he saw Nicole's face clearly, he suddenly gasped, expression shocked.
"Good God, Hodgson, your new target is Shier's wife?!"
I interrupted him with dissatisfaction: "She's only Shier's fiancée."
Eric nervously swallowed: "But..."
"Stop talking nonsense, Eric. You get out too."
I carried her and turned into my own room, kicking the door shut behind me.
I placed Nicole on my bed, lifted her chin, and gave her some water to drink.
The little wildcat who had been so sharp-tongued during the day now lay obediently on the bed.
"Nicole, you're far too naive."
I don't know how long passed before the woman on the bed finally stirred.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.
Those beautiful eyes were confused at first. Then, she made out the unfamiliar surroundings and saw me standing by the bed.
The confusion in her eyes instantly turned to terror.
She sat up abruptly and looked down. When she saw her unbuttoned collar, that terror completely transformed into anger and humiliation.
"Hodgson! What did you do to me?!"
She screamed, frantically tidying her clothes.
Then she got off the bed, raised her hand, and slapped me hard across the face.
A crisp sound of the slap echoed throughout the entire room.