Chapter 356 Oliver vs. Nicole: He Stands Up for Her

Chapter 356 Oliver vs. Nicole: He Stands Up for Her
Oliver rested his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes.
Nicole held him even tighter.
“I was bullied today…” she choked, tears streaming down her face.
Oliver carried her over and sat her down on the sofa, stroking her head. "No one will ever bully you again."
She wiped away her tears and only then noticed a bruise on his forehead.
“Did you get into another fight?” She reached out and touched it gently.
“I bumped into something by accident.” He smiled and used his fingertip to wipe the tears from her face.
"You always say it was an accident."
"I won't do that anymore," he said.
"All right, we should head back. This is Philip’s room.” Nicole nodded, went to the bathroom to wash her face, and then followed him downstairs.
"Time to eat." Philip set the table.
Oliver sat down next to Philip and said, “Nicole must cause you a lot of trouble.”
Nicole choked on her food.
That sounded just like something her dad would say.
Rosalind tapped her on the arm and whispered, "What did you slip him? He’s like a completely different person.”
Nicole chuckled.
"Looks like you’ve got him right where you want him," Rosalind said, smiling.
"Just eat!" Nicole added a piece of meat to her plate.
Philip glanced at the two of them and said to Oliver, "They've been like this since they were kids. I'm used to it."
Rosalind spoke up as she ate, "Nicole, your lucky days are coming.”
Nicole stole a glance at Oliver.
He really was much gentler today than usual.
She looked away and nudged Rosalind under the table.
"If you say one more crazy thing, I'll call Shawn right now and tell him you're still using him as an excuse."
Rosalind muttered under her breath, "Can't even tell a joke?"
After dinner, Oliver left with Nicole.
Philip and Rosalind stood at the door and watched them leave.
"I never would've thought Oliver would turn out like this after meeting Nicole. It's actually pretty good," Rosalind muttered.
Philip gave her a light tap on the head. "Your Mr. Wren isn't bad either. I hear he’s usually a man of few words, but he’s been dating you for two months now—that’s pretty good.”
Rosalind frowned, rubbed the spot where he’d tapped her, and shot him a glare. "Philip, you should find someone to date too. You’re the only one left without a partner.”
She giggled and hummed a tune as she swayed her hips. "No one wants you, Philip.”
Philip pressed on. "Actually, I'm pretty curious about how you managed to get together with that quiet Mr. Wren. I’ll have to ask him about it.”
“Don’t…” Rosalind panicked.
"Don't bother him. We haven't made it official yet," she replied quickly.
"Is it just not official, or is it a lie?" Philip asked.
Rosalind looked certain. "Of course it's real! Who would joke about something like this?”
She pursed her lips and quickly changed the subject. "I'm not going to talk to you about this. I’m going upstairs to call him.”
She slipped away, feeling guilty.
Philip stood with his hands in his pockets, watching her leave.
He couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head.

The driver was behind the wheel, and Nicole and Oliver were in the backseat.
Oliver leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed.
Nicole leaned against his shoulder, her arms wrapped around him.
Oliver slipped his arm around her waist, leaned down, and kissed the top of her head.
"I brought you a gift," he said from above her.
"What?" she asked.
Oliver pulled a small box out of his pocket and handed it to her.
She took it and opened it to find a bracelet with a tiny bell attached.
“Let me put it on for you.” He’d planned to wait until they got back, but he couldn’t resist.
She held out her wrist, and he fastened the bracelet.
She smiled. "Thank you! It's pretty."
“I bought you something else, too.”
"Something else? Where is it?”
He paused. "I'll show it to you tonight."
Suddenly, it dawned on her, and her ears began to burn.
Oliver tilted his head and kissed the corner of her mouth.
There was no partition in this car.
The driver saw it in the rearview mirror and quickly looked away.
Nicole hurriedly shifted back toward the car door and glanced at the driver.
Oliver licked his lips, smirking.

Back at the villa, Oliver exchanged a few words with the driver at the entrance before following Nicole inside.
“Nicole,” he called out from behind her.
“Hmm?” She slowed her pace, turning to wait for him.
Oliver walked over, bent down, and hoisted her onto his shoulder.
Nicole let out a startled squeal, half her body dangling from his shoulder.
"Oliver! What are you doing? Put me down!" She pounded his back.
Oliver smiled as he patted her. “Don’t move!”
"You jerk!" she cursed, frowning.
“I’m a jerk?” Oliver plopped her onto the couch, knelt on one knee beside her, and looked down at her.
Nicole couldn’t help but laugh. "You sure look like one right now!"
"Who carries girls in like that? You could at least...” She lay on the couch, tilting her head back to look at him. "You could've at least done a bridal carry."
His gaze softened considerably.
"You really hurt me doing that," she murmured.
She sat up and moved back a little.
Oliver leaned over, resting his hands on either side of her.