Chapter 110: Debunking Rumors

Nicole was surprised.

Mike stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders urgently. "Nicole, have you fallen in love with him?"

"I haven't!" she quickly denied.

"Then why do you listen to him?" he didn't understand. "You don't need to fear him so much. You have us, we won't let you be bullied."

She breathed deeply, looked at the hands on her shoulders and gently moving them away. "You don't know his personality and temper. I don't have the power to resist him now."

"So, you're just going to continue entangling with him like this?" Mike was a bit angry. "You weren't so resigned like this before. Why force yourself to be with someone you don't love?"

Each of his questions felt like a heavy blow to her heart.

She wanted more than anyone to break free from Darian; she had never resigned and she didn't want to, but she had no choice now. She didn't have the power to confront Darian.

"Mike, no matter what, I'm his wife now. Until we divorce, I am legally bound to him. I know you're worried about me, but don't worry, I'll protect myself."

All she could do now was to reassure Mike. On one hand, she couldn't let her relationship with Darian deteriorate, and on another, she didn't want Mike to be targeted by Darian.

She had a feeling that Darian couldn't possibly want to spend his life with her.

Mike saw her helpless state and felt heartbroken. He grabbed her hand and said emotionally, "Nicole, I'm sorry. If I hadn't left back then, maybe you wouldn't be suffering like this."

She was caught off guard by his grasp, her heart suddenly in turmoil. She quickly pulled his hand away.

Her reaction was a bit too much; in his eyes, it wasn't just avoidance, but also dislike and rejection.

"Nicole," he couldn't believe her actions just now.

She knew she had overreacted, her expression unnatural. "There are many things we can't predict. Your choice back then wasn't wrong; after all, it saved many people. Mike, we can only be friends now, the kind that needs to keep a distance."

After saying this, she also felt uncomfortable. She had once dreamed of being with him, as she liked him at that time.

Now, that same person was in front of her, but she didn't dare to be with him.

On the other hand, Mike somewhat couldn't accept her rejection.

"Is it because of him?" he still had some sense.

Nicole remained silent.

He understood, pursing his lips. "I was too hasty and didn't consider your situation. Don't worry, I'll keep my distance. But Nicole, I've never thought of giving up on you."

He had to make her understand his feelings.

Such a confession undoubtedly gave her great strength. She felt warm and touched. "Mike, with my current situation and status, I don't know when I can regain my freedom. Some things happen and will never be erased. Moreover, you're a young talent with a successful career. If you meet the right person, you can consider giving up."

Saying this made her feel uneasy. She shouldn't be too selfish; with no clear deadline or prospects, making him wait for her all the time was unfair.

When Mike heard this, he became anxious. "What do you mean? You want me to give up? I tell you, it's impossible. As long as I'm in your heart, I'll always wait for you."

His breathing grew rapid as his gaze was sharp. "Unless… You've fallen in love with him."

Nicole couldn't deny that she didn't love Darian. However, she also didn't want to delay Mike.

Seeing her silence, Mike gradually calmed down. "Don't burden yourself and don't feel pressured. I'll do what I need to do, so have no worries. As you said, we're now friends who keep a distance."

He smiled gently at her, "Nicole, I will wait for you."

Faced with his deep affection, Nicole felt even more pressured. She didn't want him to worry, so she casually said, "You go back first, I'm going to change and get off work."

Afterward, she returned to Pleasure Garden, where Uncle Leonard opened the door.

"Nicole, Darian is in a bad mood, so don't provoke him," he whispered to her.

She changed her shoes, not taking it seriously. With Darian's gloomy personality, he was probably never in a good mood. She kept quiet, thinking that avoiding him was enough.

Uncle Leonard had already prepared dinner and went to invite Darian to eat. Darian soon came over and sat across from Nicole, staring at her ominously. A sense of impending doom enveloped the room.

Nicole had already figured out his temper. This must've been caused by something related to her.

She didn't think she had done anything to upset him, so she looked at him calmly.

The man's eyes were deep and dark, yet she dared to meet his gaze!

Uncle Leonard was a bit nervous on the side, afraid that Darian would explode at Nicole. Fortunately, nothing happened as he ate normally.

Nicole ate absentmindedly, feeling that Darian was holding back something big. The aura he emitted just now was off; clearly on the verge of rage.

She hastily ate before putting down her chopsticks and going upstairs. The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off with Darian.

The sudden knocking on the door startled her. In this house, only Darian dared to knock like that.

She knew that the atmosphere just now couldn't just disappear for the night. She couldn't avoid it, so she opened the door.

Darian didn't enter as he only asked, "Go to my room, or should I keep you here?"

"What?"

"Tonight, I want to sleep with you."

Nicole was quiet, thinking she had misheard. She wanted to close the door. If she resisted him, it'd only bring her trouble.

"I'll find out who spread the rumors and clear your name," she remained calm, trying not to argue with him immediately.

He crossed his arms, leaned against the door frame. "You don't need to work so hard. As long as you get pregnant with my child, all the rumors will be dispelled."

She felt a bit anxious, still trying to reason with him, "If others suspect you and I suddenly get pregnant, who knows what else they might say?"

He stared at her lips as she spoke. She wasn't someone who would just accept everything; she had only been pretending in front of him before.

"Who do you want to have a child with?" he asked her.

"I don't want to a child with anyone."

"Really?" he sneered and took out his phone. He opened a photo and showed it to her, "Or do you want one with him? Am I wrong?"

Nicole stared at the phone screen, her pupils dilating as she couldn't believe it.

One photo showed Mike holding her shoulder, while the other showed him holding her hand. The angles were just right, looking affectionate and loving no matter how you looked at them.

"Who sent this to you?" she was furious, not knowing who was playing these tricks behind her back.

Darian took back his phone and zoomed in on the hands held together. "You're not denying it, which means it's true. With you sneaking around behind my back, how long would it be before you two end up sleeping together?"

He spouted harsh insults. With the photo as evidence, Nicole felt powerless no matter what she said now.

She bit her lip, trying hard to calm her restless emotions, "Mike and I are completely innocent; nothing happened."

"If you want to be innocent, then just be a good Nicole Blaze."

He pushed her into the bedroom and cornered her against the wall. He lowered his voice, lightly biting her ear with heavy breathing. "Get pregnant with my child. Not only can it dispel the rumors, but it can also prove that you and him are truly innocent."