Chapter 190

Unable to ignore this, Eugenie stopped and turned around. "Is there something else?"

Even in Ewan’s absence, Opal maintained her elder's airs, attempting to suppress Eugenie. "Is this the attitude you show your elders?"

"That's rich coming from you. You don't show any kindness toward your juniors, yet you turn around and demand it from me?" Eugenie found it absurd. How could someone be this shameless?

Opal's expression darkened, though her tone softened. "Don't blame your father. He's only doing what's best for you."

Everyone in the Medici family always said this to her, as if it were some kind of immunity. Eugenie couldn't understand these people who did things that hurt her under the guise of being "for her own good."

"So? What exactly do you want me to do by saying this?" She cut straight to the point, her brows showing a hint of impatience.

Hearing her response, Opal thought she'd gotten through to her and made her demand. "Go deal with the police station people and at least get either my son or grandson released."

"You really overestimate me. I don't have such powerful connections, and even if I did, I wouldn't help you." Eugenie refused without a second thought, unwilling to waste any more energy on these people.

Noticing Bianca nearby seemed to be eavesdropping on their conversation, she curved her lips and deliberately said, "Since you know to ask me for help, when Kenna was locked up back then, why didn't I see you care? Isn't she also your biological granddaughter?"

Bianca's expression immediately changed. Seeing this, Eugenie decided not to get involved, actively pulling Nicholas's hand and leading him outside.

Just as they reached the door, sounds of things breaking and arguing came from inside. Looking at the somewhat desolate courtyard outside, the noisy commotion was inexplicably irritating.

Just then, a phone call came in. Seeing the caller ID, her expression grew tense as she walked to the side to answer.

Nicholas noticed something was wrong but didn't rush to ask, waiting instead for her to finish the call and return.

When she came back after the call, her face was grave. Nicholas noticed and stepped forward to ask, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Eugenie shook her head, not sure how to explain. Hearing the commotion inside cease, she suddenly made up her mind.

She patted his shoulder, turned around, and walked back in, standing not far from the living room and looking coldly at them on the sofa. "You're really enthusiastic about destroying things in my house. I'm giving you one week to pack your things and get out."

Opal was the first to object, directing her attack at Eugenie. "This is my son's house. What gives you the right to kick me out?"

Eugenie wasn't flustered at all, well prepared. "Don't pretend in front of me. I know my father bought you a house several years ago. Not taking it back already shows my respect. You two can move over there. Once they're released, this villa is registered in my mother's name—it's not for you to decide."

She'd been planning this for a long time, having this thought from the day she was reborn, just never finding the right opportunity. Now with only the two of them left, they had no power to resist her.

Before leaving, Eugenie emphasized the timeline one last time. "I'm only giving you one week. If you don't move, don't blame me for having someone throw your things out."

The two sitting on the living room sofa were angry but didn't dare speak out. Eugenie turned around without continuing to look at their faces and left directly.

Before they moved out, she didn't want to return to this house or see those two faces.

Nicholas stood at the door waiting, leaning against the car handling company matters. Eugenie watched from a distance for a while, then lightened her steps as she approached.

Before she could scare him, her raised hand was steadily caught in his palm.

"Planning a sneak attack on me?" Nicholas spoke gently, his tone carrying no reproach.

She looked at him with curved brows and eyes, speaking lightly. "If I said yes, would you cooperate obediently?"

"Of course. How do you need me to cooperate now?" He seemed particularly agreeable.

Nicholas had just witnessed her conflict with her family. She'd thought it might leave a bad impression, but now it seemed not.

Having already missed the best moment for a sneak attack, Eugenie had no intention of continuing. She took half a step forward, resting her head on his shoulder, leaning against his body for support.

Every time she dealt with those people, she felt exhausted—this time especially so. But she was no longer alone. Now that she had someone to lean on, she didn't need to force herself to stay strong.

Seeing her silent for so long, Nicholas put away his phone and reached around her shoulder, pressing her into his embrace.

"It's rare to be depended on by you. This feeling is quite nice." He steadily received her vulnerability and gave her an embrace full of security.

The rare warmth made her heart reluctant to let go. Indulging herself in this moment, she then reached out and pushed him away slightly.

"There's something I want to discuss with you. Could I stay at your place one more night? I don't want to stay here before this place is sorted out." Eugenie hesitantly met his gaze, unsure if this would feel intrusive to him.

Nicholas saw her unease and wanted to say something, but in the end said nothing. He raised his hand and ruffled her hair. "Stay as long as you want. I never said you couldn't stay. Next time, you can be more assertive about asking me."

She'd initially wanted to, but was afraid of scaring Nicholas away, so she gave up. Hearing him say this, she couldn't help but feel relieved.

She hadn't figured out how to tell Nicholas about the phone call, so Eugenie sighed without mentioning it and got in the car.

"Where else do you want to go?" Nicholas asked as he fastened his seatbelt.

"To the office."

Right now, she just wanted to numb herself with work. The family matters were resolved, but her lifelong affairs—she still hadn't figured those out.

Her thoughts were all tangled, a knot of worries stuck in her chest, leaving her feeling suffocated.

Working until late at night, she returned with Nicholas and collapsed on the sofa. Nicholas went to the kitchen to wash some fruit and brought it out.

"I noticed you liked eating this before, so I had someone buy extra to keep on hand. Go ahead and eat."

Everything had been prepared so carefully and thoughtfully that Eugenie stared at the bowl of fruit in a daze. Noticing the sofa beside her sink slightly, she came back to herself and looked over at him.

Throughout the day, Nicholas had actually noticed that after that phone call ended, her state hadn't been good. He'd wanted to ask but didn't know how to bring it up.

After struggling for a long time, he still wanted to ask. He prefaced it by saying, "Let me say upfront, I don't mean to interfere. I just want to care and ask—do you need my help?"

He mentioned what he'd observed in the morning. Eugenie was surprised his thoughts were so meticulous, noticing even this.

There was actually nothing she couldn’t say, so she actively brought up the content of the call.

"Back then, Bianca forced me to get engaged to Bernard using my grandfather's critical condition as leverage. At that time, I had no money and had to compromise. Today, my grandmother called me, saying my grandfather's condition has improved. He's just been talking about me constantly, asking if I have time to visit him."