Chapter 91
Hodgson's Perspective
The personnel for the Gardella inspection had been finalized. I deliberately excluded Nicole's name.
She wanted to return to Gardella, wanted to live with that man. I refused to let her have her way.
For the first two days, she threw a tantrum, ignoring me with a cold expression, her eyes full of grievance and dissatisfaction.
That childish sulking was, honestly, quite entertaining.
I knew she was trying to extract information about that man from me, so I watched coldly to see how far she would go.
But on the third day, she suddenly changed.
She nestled into my arms, her voice soft as honey, saying she had thought it through and wouldn't return to Gardella, that she would stay by my side forever.
When she looked up at me, those eyes were filled with obedience and affection.
In that moment, I admit, something inside me was touched.
I had actually discovered the man's identity long ago. He was Derek's assistant, named Matthew.
Like Nicole, he was from Gardella and had grown up with her.
This whole affair had been like a thorn lodged in my heart.
I had uncovered how he was helping Nicole investigate that document, tracked their meetings.
The feeling of betrayal made me want to kill them both immediately.
Matthew was now locked in my basement, hands and feet chained, crawling on the ground like a dog.
Nicole's vow had dampened my murderous intent somewhat.
So I decided not to kill Matthew right away. I would torture him slowly, make him regret helping Nicole, regret interfering in my affairs.
Nicole suggested we have dinner at a restaurant together after work.
As she spoke, she was nestled in my arms, her fingers tracing circles on my chest. That coquettish manner made it impossible to refuse.
This afternoon, Nicole came to my office wearing a light blue dress, asking when we would leave.
I was processing a document. When I looked up and saw her, my mood inexplicably improved.
"Wait a bit longer. I still have some matters to handle."
She sat on the sofa, waiting quietly.
Just as I was signing the last document, she suddenly stood to reach for a glass of water on the desk but accidentally knocked it over.
Water spilled all over her, leaving a large dark stain on the light blue dress.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed, looking at her dress in dismay.
Watching her flustered state, I wasn't angry.
"Go home and change. After you've changed, go straight to the restaurant. We'll meet there."
There was no reproach in my tone. She breathed a sigh of relief and hurried out of the office.
After finishing work, I arrived at the restaurant on time.
The waiter led me to a window seat. I ordered a glass of red wine and waited patiently for Nicole.
But ten minutes passed, and she still hadn't arrived.
I began to feel impatient.
Nicole wasn't someone who would be late. She knew I didn't like waiting.
I took out my phone, preparing to call her.
Just then, a hand suddenly reached over and snatched my phone away.
"Guess who?" a woman's voice sounded by my ear, with a familiar accent.
I looked up and saw Gianna.
She wore a red backless gown, her golden hair styled in large waves, holding my phone and smiling seductively at me.
"Gianna? What are you doing here?" I was somewhat surprised.
"Oh, dear Hodgson," she placed the phone back on the table, "is this how you treat an old friend? Not even a 'long time no see'?"
Gianna was the mistress I had kept the longest while abroad.
During those three years overseas, I had kept many women.
Some were just one-night stands, others I tired of after a few months.
But Gianna was different. She knew when to speak and when to stay silent, never clinging to me for promises like other women did.
Before I decided to return home, I even felt somewhat reluctant to leave her, asking if she wanted to come back with me.
She had sadly declined my suggestion then. I hadn't felt much regret, because women were everywhere.
After returning home, I met Nicole.
"May I sit beside you?" Gianna gave me a flirtatious look.
A malicious thought surfaced in my mind.
If Nicole arrived and saw Gianna sitting next to me, what would her expression be?
Would she be angry? Would she be jealous?
Would she burn with jealous fire like I had over Matthew?
Matthew's affair had really infuriated me. I wanted to see Nicole jealous, wanted to see her lose control over me.
"Sit."
Gianna's smile brightened. She sat down gracefully, leaning forward slightly to reveal deep cleavage.
"You're still so handsome, even more charming than when you were abroad."
We chatted about those days overseas. Gianna remained as before: interesting, sexy, knowing how to keep the conversation pleasant.
Her laughter was melodious, every gesture carrying a mature woman's allure.
The waiter brought exquisite French cuisine. Gianna elegantly cut her steak, occasionally looking up to smile at me. Her foot even brushed against my leg under the table.
Unfortunately, my attention wasn't entirely on her.
I was waiting for Nicole, waiting for her to push through the restaurant door and see that shocked, angry, jealous expression when she spotted Gianna.
An hour passed. Nicole still hadn't come.
Dinner was nearly over. I finally realized something was wrong.
"What's wrong, Hodgson?" Gianna noticed my expression change. Her fingers lightly traced my shoulder. "How about we move to somewhere more private? Continue our chat, or... do something else?"
Her voice was suggestive, the invitation unmistakable.
I should have refused, but some emotion drove me.
Perhaps it was anger at Nicole's absence, perhaps it was a vengeful psychology toward everything between her and Matthew.
"Let's go."
Gianna's eyes lit up.
We went to a nearby five-star hotel.
As I swiped the key card, Gianna was already pressing against me impatiently.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me boldly, her tongue prying open my teeth, passionate and proactive.
I pushed open the door. She was practically half-dragged, half-carried into the room.
The door closed behind us with a dull thud.
Gianna eagerly stripped off her dress. The red fabric slid to the floor, revealing sexy black lace lingerie underneath.
She approached, her fingers moving to unbuckle my belt.
"Hodgson," she whispered, "I've missed you so much..."
Just as her fingers touched my belt buckle, I suddenly raised my hand and gripped her throat.
She gasped in surprise, her eyes flashing with shock, but then turning to excitement. "You still like it rough..."
She thought this was just foreplay, thought I was the same as before, enjoying some violence in bed.
But she was wrong.
I increased the pressure. Gianna's face began to pale, her breathing becoming difficult.
Her hands grabbed my wrist, the excitement in her eyes gradually turning to fear.
I leaned down and spoke slowly. "Tell me, Gianna. Who sent you to seduce me?"
Her pupils dilated sharply.
"Tell the truth," I continued, pressing my thumb against her throat. "My patience is limited."