"I believe he may have already given up. He hasn't tried to bother me again these past few days, which
comes as no surprise. He's the CEO of the Gu Group, after all. How could he ever be truly interested in
someone like me?"
There was a sadness in Nicole's voice that she didn't realize. She should've been glad Kerr wasn't
insisting on chasing her, but she couldn't.
He was a man full of himself, who wasn't used to anyone standing up to him, and he would never find
out what cherishing meant as long as everyone was so disposable to him. Perhaps this was the side
effect of having all things coming too easy in hand.
"Are you disappointed?"
Baron's smile fell as his eyes became watchful of Nicole.
His main concern didn't belong to Kerr's desires, but if Nicole had fallen in love with him before she
could even realize it herself.
This was the real danger.
"No, don't talk nonsense. This is exactly what I want. I'd be overjoyed if Kerr announced the news of his
marriage right now!"
Nicole raised her voice in an attempt to suffocate her uneasiness.
"I hope so."
Baron really wanted to believe her words, but he couldn't help but notice what she was trying to hide.
He parked at the entrance of the Fang Group's hotel as two members of the staff were promptly at
each side of the vehicle's doors, opening them.
Nicole walked to Baron and held her arm to his.
Baron smiled to the gesture. When they were about to step inside the hotel, he heard a clear female
voice calling his name.
"Baron?"
Maggie Chen was getting out of the car when she saw a familiar figure. Uncertain, she called out for
him to be sure.
Nicole and Baron stopped and turned around to see Maggie Chen. She walked towards them wearing
a white short designed dress as her well-groomed wavy hair fell like cascades over her shoulders.
Her blonde locks made her delicate skin look even fairer when she beamed.
"You are Maggie Chen?"
Looking at the woman in front of him, Baron tried to recognize her for a moment before recalling the
photo his mother had shown him once. He was supposed to have picked Maggie Chen up that day,
but, instead, he went to get Nicole and put his driver up to the task.
"Yes, long time no see!"
Maggie Chen grinned as she looked at Baron. It had been years since they've seen each other. She
was surprised to find out he turned out to be so successful.
Baron's kindness and courtesy were apparent even though he was yet to say more. Maggie was just
glad to be back at this time.
"Yes, it's been a long time, Maggie. Let me introduce you to my partner, Nicole Ning."
He turned and looked at Nicole beside him.
"Nicole, this is the daughter of a friend of my mother, Maggie Chen."
Maggie froze for an instant when she heard how Baron referred to her. Then, she glanced at Nicole
standing beside Baron and bit her tongue.
Maggie's eyes discreetly hovered over Nicole's purple dress. She thought she looked like a
noblewoman. Coming up to her face, Nicole had a polish smile, which Maggie returned.
"Hello."
Nicole gave her a slight nod and withdrew her arm from Baron's. She didn't miss the glint on Maggie's
eyes the moment she saw Baron.
It was clear she liked Baron. Nicole looked noncommittally at Baron, realizing he was using her to
refuse other girls again. It seemed she had no reason to feel guilty over Baron's feelings, after all.
"Hello, Miss Chen. I've heard a lot about you. Baron is so happy to have you back."
Nicole walked to Maggie's side and smirked at her before raising her brows to Baron.
"Really?"
Maggie Chen looked down shyly.
"Ahem, let's go inside. The party is about to start."
Baron coughed to cover his awkwardness and then changed the subject. He was well aware of Nicole's
warning. So, before anything could go wrong, he led his way to the hotel.
Both women followed him inside.
Kerr was getting out of the car when he caught a glimpse of Nicole's back. It'd been a few days since
he last saw her, but there wasn't a moment she hadn't been in his head. He couldn't believe she was
here now with Baron as if nothing had happened.
Annoyed, he clenched his fists.
In the hotel, the Fang Group's party had already begun when Baron came up to the stage and
welcomed everyone.
"Thank you all for coming to honor the eighty years of the Fang Group. On behalf of my family, I
express my gratitude to everyone here today.
Thank you for your support over the years. And I hope we can be together for many more in the future."
Baron raised his glass to all the guests and took a sip from the sparkling wine. Then, his eyes fell on
Nicole.
"Moreover, I'd like to share one more thing with you guys."
His eyes bore into hers full of meaning.
Nicole stared at Baron in shock. She had a feeling that whatever he was going to say would leave her
in a tough position. And she wasn't wrong.
"I've already found my soul mate—Miss Nicole Ning."
Baron stretched out his hand and pointed to Nicole. All of a sudden, every head in the room was
following his gesture, causing a bunch of pairs of eyes to fall on her.
Nicole was astonished at first, unable to react, but as soon as she realized that all of those guests were
watching her, she managed to force a smile. Glancing at Baron, she made sure he would see the hint
of threat in her eyes.
For countless times she had already cursed Baron inside her mind, and yet she still couldn't believe
how far he had gone to use her as his shield.
As everyone looked at her awaiting her reaction, Nicole had no clue what to say. But before that
moment could drag on much longer, she jolted when a pair of soft hands unexpectedly wrapped around
her legs.
"Mommy!"
Dressed in a small size tuxedo, Jay came running from the lounge. He had been there the whole time.
The boy was only allowed in the party after Baron's speech, so he had no idea what had been said
before his entrance.
He had been looking for Nicole, but he was caught by surprise when he saw everyone standing still
while staring at his mother.
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