Chapter 108: Rumors

Nicole was puzzled. 

"Check your phone," Darian set his phone down, prompting her. 

She didn't know what he was up to, but she took out her phone and opened the picture he had sent.

In the photo, he was holding her right hand, capturing both his ring finger and her ring finger's tattoo. Below it were the baked sandwiches. 

The food looked immaculate. 

"Post it on social media," he sat down and started to eat the baked sandwiches. 

Nicole thought she misheard and didn't move. 

"Have you posted it?" he asked. 

"No." 

"Why didn't you?" he questioned. 

She wondered why she should. 

What was wrong with him today? 

"I don't know what to write," she said. 

He reached out, "Give it to me." 

There were no secrets in Nicole's phone, so she wasn't afraid of him looking. 

However, they weren't at the stage where they could casually take each other's phones. 

Darian kept reaching out, but she didn't give him the phone. 

Seeing his eyes turn cold, she took a deep breath. "I'll post it myself." 

He stared at her for a bit before putting his hand down, continuing to drink his soup. 

Nicole opened her social media. She reluctantly selected the photo, thought for a moment, and posted it without any text. 

She didn't have many friends or posts and never blocked anyone on the platform. 

As soon as she posted, people started commenting. 

The first few were all [?]. 

Sophia then commented, [Were you forced?]

Nicole sighed, knowing her best friend understood her. 

Soon, she received a message from Sophia, [Is that man jealous?]

Nicole's hand trembled. 

It couldn't be; Darian wouldn't get jealous. 

Jealousy only existed between lovers, and they had no such relationship. 

Darian opened Nicole's post, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. 

Afterward, he put down his phone contentedly and had another sandwich. 

He looked up and saw her holding her phone, casually asking, "Who are you chatting with?" 

She quickly put down her phone and sat down. She took a few bites of a sandwich and replied, "No one." 

"You're not allowed to delete it," Darian didn't ask who she was chatting with. As long as that post was up, those who saw it would understand. 

She bit the sandwich; it was sweet but unsatisfying. 

She didn't contradict Darian and only did as he said. 

After eating, Darian received a call from Louisa. Nicole didn't know what Louisa said, but his expression changed noticeably. 

Feeling the tension, she lowered her head and sipped her soup. 

After hanging up, Darian leaned back in his chair with a cold face, lightly tapping his left hand on the table with a faint gaze at Nicole. 

Nicole took her last bite and looked up to meet his scrutinizing eyes. 

Was it related to her again? 

She had been cooperating with him a lot these days. Unable to bear his gaze, she asked, "What's up?" 

"My mom said that if I don't want to be labeled as impotent, I need to have a child to prove it." 

Impotent? Where did that come from? 

"What do you mean?" she needed clarification. She was most qualified to have a child with him now, but she didn't want to. 

"Some people are spreading rumors that I'm struggling in that department," Darian replied, leaving her blushing slightly. "My mom's circle isn't ordinary. They aren't short of money; they just like nitpicking people." 

Darian continued casually, "Now, I've been slandered. If it's not clarified, the Blaze family will become a laughingstock in the circle." 

Nicole knew that these wealthy people were different in their comparisons, but when it came to having children, they'd care a lot just like normal families.

Who was spreading rumors? It not only harmed Darian's reputation, but also dragged her into a mess. 

"Who's spreading them?" she wasn't in a good mood. 

"Whoever's doing it needs to prove it with facts," Darian raised his eyebrows slightly. Nicole tensed up. 

"If you don't want to have a child, find a way to clean up this mess. The more the rumors spread, the more my reputation is damaged. Sooner or later, I'll have to prove it factually," he said. 

"I'll help you," she replied. 

"You're wrong," he smiled slightly. "You're not helping me; you're helping yourself." 

This statement saddened Nicole deeply. 

Indeed, she hated those who spread rumors the most. 

She couldn't sleep well all night now. Who was spreading rumors behind her back? 

Suddenly, a person came to mind; Rebecca. 

After all, Rebecca had seduced Darian before.

Moreover, she called him impotent. She had voluntarily climbed into his bed, but he pushed her away. 

That day must've been humiliating for her. 

She also said that her humiliation today would be repaid twofold. 

Besides her, there was no one else. 

The next day, Nicole arranged to meet Rebecca during lunch break.

After the event between Rebecca and Darian, she no longer pretended in front of Nicole. 

She glared at Nicole coldly, "Speak up; I don't have time to waste with you." 

"Did you spread rumors about Darian?" Nicole didn't beat around the bush, either. There was no need for pleasantries between them, so they got straight to the point. 

Rebecca suddenly laughed, "Darian found out? Well, the entire top circle knows that he's ugly and impotent now. Even women who are offered to him can't arouse him, huh?" 

"So, it was you!" Nicole was annoyed. 

"I did want to do that, but then I recalled how I admired him once. It's already sad that he's disfigured; there's no need to kick him when he's down."

Rebecca sneered, "You're also pitiful. Even if he's ugly, as long as he can satisfy you sexually, this flaw can be overlooked. However, you can't even feel that kind of pleasure. Although I hated you before, I even feel sorry for you now." 

"Rebecca, you better be honest. If I find out you're spreading rumors behind his back, you won't have it easy," Nicole wasn't afraid of Rebecca since she had leverage over her. 

Rebecca immediately understood what she was implying. Her face darkened as she lowered her voice to warn, "Nicole, don't you dare!"