Nicole was fully aware that what transpired last night was not what Baron actually wanted.
Now, she felt awkward to face him. It was not that she didn't want to see him, but she never wished to
put Baron in such a predicament because of her.
Feeling like she had no other choice but to see him, she hurried down and walked out of the Gu Group
office building. As soon as she spotted Baron's car, she sauntered straight to the passenger seat and
got in. She couldn't hide her surprise the moment she lifted her eyes and noticed him still had his suit
on which he wore yesterday. His face was unkempt, and he looked tired.
"What's wrong with you? Did you stay up all night?"
Nicole asked as she had no inkling that he had been waiting for her the whole night.
"Did you go to Kerr's house last night?"
Even though Baron was quite sure in his heart, he still couldn't help asking. He never let his eyes
wandered off her face. Seeing how uncomfortable she was because of his words, he opted to remain
silent as he fought hard the anger that was about to consume him.
"That's what you want to ask me?"
Nicole deliberately changed the topic. For her, Baron misunderstanding her relationship with Kerr was
the last thing she wanted to happen. To think that her relationship with Kerr now remained as clear as
mud, sometimes, though she hated to admit it, she was confused herself when it came to her emotions.
"I want to apologize to you. I honestly didn't expect that my mom would do that. I have never thought
about bringing you any harm. Trust me, Nicole. If possible, I genuinely hope to protect you at any cost.
Yesterday, I was going to tell you..."
Baron expressed apologetically. He no longer wanted to hide how he felt for her as he didn't want to
lose her. All he needed was to get this off his chest and openly pursue her.
"Baron," she countered. "You know I have always regarded you as my best friend. In Manhattan, when
Jay was still a baby, it was you who took care of him. And I'm so grateful for that.
I am aware that you don't like the marriage arranged by your mother, but you can't use me as a
pretense. I think you'd better go back and have a talk with her.
I accept your apology, but I can't take anyone to hurt Jay. So I'm sorry that I can't forgive your mother
for slandering him."
It was true that back then in Manhattan, she had blocked a lot of girls who were chasing after him. But
she could no longer do the same as the situation now was quite different.
At this time, they must not do anything stupid anymore.
"You understand my heart, don't you?"
he softly pleaded as he gazed sadly at Nicole. The truth was, her honesty had already proved that she
had no feelings for him other than friends. And it was all just his wishful thinking.
"I don't know anything. All I know is that you are a good friend of mine. I hope we will be good friends
forever. Regarding Jay's identity, I hope you can keep it a secret. I don't want anyone to know it,"
Nicole said with a sad smile. That was what she painfully carried in her heart, keeping her worried all
this time. The situation last night was indeed a close call. Fortunately, Kerr was not skeptical about it.
Thankfully, he was still left in the dark. Otherwise, how would she manage to get out of it? What if Kerr
also took Jay to do a paternity test? She briefly closed her eyes as lots of questions started to run
wildly in her mind.
"I know what I am doing. I was too rash yesterday. Don't worry, Nicole,"
Baron reassured her while reaching for her hand, squeezing it. After getting along with her for seven
years, he knew her so well, that if he continued to persuade her, she would surely leave him. He was
left with no other choice but to keep everything in his heart, for the time being.
"Thank you, Baron. I still have something to do. I have to go now,"
she smiled when she received a positive reply from Baron. Feeling so much better and relieved, she
alighted from the car.
Baron gloomily stared at Nicole's retreating figure. When his eyes subconsciously landed at the
parterre, he noticed the camera behind it outright. He casually started the car and left, not giving it a
damn.
He was still in a daze as he vowed to himself that he would never let Kerr get so close to Nicole. If
things went on like this, he could sense that it wouldn't be long before Kerr realized who Jay was. And
when that happened, he would not have stood a chance to be with her.
In the CEO's office, Gu Group
"Mr. Gu, Mr. Fang came to see Director Ning, just now."
Jared carefully reported Nicole's situation as he gauged Kerr's reaction.
Working for him for such a long time, he was certain that there was only one person in the world that
could make Kerr suffer like this.
"I don't want to hear such news anymore,"
Kerr replied flatly, interrupting Jared's silent musings. His voice carried a still calmness, but it had no
trace of warmth.
Of course, he understood what was on Baron's mind and what he was doing here. Before he had to
consider Baron's existence in Jay and Nicole's life, but now, knowing where he stood, Kerr was finally
relieved.
And as he thoughtfully considered the attitude of Baron's mother last night, he deduced that right there
and then, Baron had already lost the advantage to stay with Nicole.
However, he still had to weigh whether he should let the Fang clan off the hook. He couldn't accept the
way they slandered Jay. Kerr's face turned grim as he vividly recalled the word "bastard," which was
deeply imprinted in his mind.
"Yes, Mr. Gu, I understand,"
Jared prompted a quick response. Although he certainly said yes, he was unsure of what to do. After
all, he couldn't do anything to stop Baron from approaching Director Ning, could he? But judging from
Kerr's expression, it seemed that he wasn't going to give in. So he could only utter a silent prayer that
Baron would completely stop seeing Nicole again.
"Send this document to her,"
Kerr casually instructed him after a fleeting moment. This time, he was slightly smirking as he handed
him a folder.
Upon hearing this, Jared silently reached out and nodded. Then he quickly left and proceeded to give
the files to Nicole in person.
A trace of surprise flashed across Nicole's eyes as she conscientiously examined the set of documents
sent to her. Initially, she planned to work overtime last night to finish all these data, but because of the
emergency, she fell short in beating the deadline.
It was indeed undeniable that Kerr was helping her. He was doing this on purpose since he intended to
ease her from some difficulties in her work.
"Thank you, Mr. Kang. Please send my thanks to Mr. Gu as well,"
Nicole politely acknowledged. She was not ungrateful, but she decided not to accept this friendship
with Kerr. If possible, she ardently hoped that he would still treat her as an ordinary employee and
nothing more.
"Director Ning, if you go personally to thank Mr. Gu, I believe that he can feel your sincerity more
explicitly,"
Jared gently urged her. He refused to lose this moment in creating a chance for Kerr and Nicole to be
together.
"I still have something to do now. I will thank Mr. Gu later,"
she stated matter-of-factly. Anyway, they had to go out for dinner tonight. She had to face it. So it didn't
matter.
"Okay,"
Jared nodded and soon left her office. Glancing back at the documents, Nicole went over the data
made by Kerr without any reservation. She had to admit that his work style was more sensitive and
conscientious than hers.
She immersed herself in her work that she didn't notice how time flew. Darting her eyes at the wall
clock, it was already past the closing time.
She gathered the files on her desk at once. Feeling satisfied that everything was in order, she hurriedly
grabbed her bag and went downstairs.
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