Chapter 276
Corey had lived his entire life with pride and had never bowed his head this low. He was still trying to protect April. "Mr. Hendrix, I wonder if this proposal will satisfy you?"
Throughout the entire exchange, Nicolas hadn't spared Corey a single glance. His focus remained on Thea, attentive and gentle. "Don't ask me. Ask her." Thea was the one who'd been wronged, so it was her choice to make.
Corey clenched his teeth. He'd tried his best to form an alliance with Thea, but collaboration, first and foremost, required equality between both parties.
Asking Nicolas for help was a measure he only took because of Nicolas's strength. Yet Corey had never truly regarded any woman as worthy of his respect.
Pressing down on April's shoulder, he spoke sternly. "You caused this mess yourself; you should find a way to fix it. Now apologize to Miss Rowland. Immediately."
April's entire body trembled at his words. Her lips moved soundlessly before she finally made up her mind. "Miss Rowland, I was foolish and immature. Please...don't send me overseas. I promise I'll behave and never harm you again." "Immature? If I'm not mistaken, Miss Sandy is already an adult, isn't she?" said Thea.
"Trying to guilt-trip me? Not a chance, Thea thought.
Ignoring the cold glint in April's eyes, Thea knew full well she'd just made a permanent enemy of Corey. Yet she was unafraid. After all, April deserved every bit of it.
"Mr. Xander suggested sending her abroad, but he didn't specify which country, did he? How will she ever find peace like that?" Thea's lips curved into a subtle smile.
Her demand was simple. April had put her through a moment of terror. In return, Thea wanted April to live in a state of perpetual dread, hovering over the edge of ruin. Only then could Thea's anger be appeased.
For the first time, Corey sensed a terrifying aura emanating from Thea. His face darkened as he finally spoke. "Flaminshire? The place is war-torn, Miss Rowland. I need to ensure April's survival at the very least."
"If she's bent on throwing her life away. No one can stop her." Thea's lips barely moved, her tone void of emotion. "That place does sound...suitable."
"Then it's settled," Corey replied hastily, not noticing the storm brewing on April's face behind him.
April's heart was filled with hatred. She had no understanding of Corey's fear-stricken resolve to protect her life. Instead, all she saw was a game between Corey and Thea, forcing her out so they could fly free together.
April thought she had seen through everything, and she wouldn't take it lying down. "Thea, why don't you just die?" Her voice erupted in a shrill scream as April lunged forward.
Having grown up within the Viper, Corey and her father had tried to shield her from its darker side, but April had still absorbed a taste for violence.
Moreover, April had trained in self-defense, and on someone like Thea, her skills would be more than sufficient.
Drawing a hidden knife from her waist, April advanced on Thea with deadly focus. "I won't let a woman like you seduce Corey. We're the ones with a story, the childhood sweethearts everyone envies. Who do you think you are, stealing Corey's attention just by showing up?"
Her bitter words carried a weight of dark energy. Thea stood frozen, staring at April's face twisted with fury. Yet the pain she expected never came.
BB
Before the blade could even reach Thea, Nicolas had already delivered a forceful kick, sending April sprawling into the
corner.
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Blood spurted from April's mouth, but Nicolas showed not the slightest mercy. "Mr. Xander, it seems April isn't inclined to learn from her mistakes. I doubt the people in Flaminshire can reform her. I suggest you lock her up from now on."
"If April dares to show herself in front of me or Thea again, both the Xander family and the Viper will face consequences. you're fully aware of." Nicolas's words weren't a mere threat. They were a decisive command.
Corey's face turned ashen, a mixture of stiffness and fury, but he had no choice but to grimly agree. What Nicolas wanted was for April to vanish from the world altogether, be it through death or confinement.
"Are you satisfied now?" The coldness around Nicolas vanished the moment he looked at Thea, his expression softening at an impressive speed. "If there's still anything left you'd like to smash, go ahead. With me here, you can do it all yourself."
The place was already a mess. Thea felt it was enough. Even a cornered dog would jump the fence. She'd always believed in leaving people a way out.
This time, though, she took Nicolas's hand willingly, feeling a calming scent fill her senses. "It's enough. Let's go home." Even once they were in the car, Thea still couldn't quite process what had happened. She knew very well that, on her own, she could never have settled things like this so thoroughly.
'Is this what it means to have power?' she wondered. 'No wonder so many people fight so hard to reach the heights Nicolas has achieved...'
"Nicolas, thank you for today," she murmured softly, her gentle tone met with Nicolas's sudden displeasure.
His simmering frustration, barely held in check, flared up again. "We're married, Thea. We're family. Why do you have to say it like that as if I'm just some outsider? Or is it that you've never really thought of me as your husband?"
"No, I didn't mean it like that," Thea stammered, waving her hands in a flustered attempt to explain, her cheeks flushing with warmth. Nicolas's irritation melted away as he watched her. He marveled at how easily she could make him feel protective.
He couldn't deny how boundless his patience seemed when it came to Thea. "The from now on? As long as I'm here, no one will ever be able to hurt you."
can you try trusting me a little more
Of course, Thea knew that. Her fingers clenched involuntarily, her lips parting slightly as she struggled to put her feelings into words.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
Everyone wanted someone to rely on. But from a young age, Thea had learned that even crumble and that people, even family, could drift away.
the strongest
foundations could
Even her grandfather, who'd been her rock, had eventually left her, taken by an illness beyond anyone's control. She'd learned early on not to place too much faith in others, but with Nicolas, she wanted to try. Holding his hand, she allowed herself to savor the brief warmth of his touch. "I'll try my best." It was the most she could bring herself to offer.
foowed
"Nicolas, at least for now, I don't want our relationship to be affected by a lack of trust. But I don't think it's wrong for me to stay independent. If I ever face something truly beyond my ability to handle, then I'll come to you. How's that?" Her voice carried a subtle, alluring note at the end. With her gaze shining in that captivating way, Nicolas found it impossible to say no.
"It's my
fault. I haven't done enough to earn your complete trust. I'll work even harder from now on." He pulled her close, embracing her tightly as he breathed in her unique, comforting scent. "Thea, it's not that I'm angry. I'm just afraid, afraid that one day, I'll lose you for real. BB
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"When I saw the place in shambles just now, I was terrified something might have happened to you. Come live with me, Thea. If you're by my side, at least I can guarantee your safety. What do you say?"