Chapter 744
Benedict did not rejoice at the fact that the questions of the past had now been answered. On the contrary, in his
opinion, there was nothing to celebrate as he lowered his head in contemplation.
Finally, he looked at Colton and Nicole as he enunciated, "I don't blame Nicole one bit. After all, she did save my life.
However, I can't approve of your relationship with her."
Colton held onto Nicole tightly, like he was holding onto a lifeboat.
Before he could say anything, she walked toward Benedict and faced him with pained eyes.
She smiled bitterly as she replied, "Old Mr. Benedict, I know that I'm responsible for what happened so long ago. It
doesn't matter if it's my mother or father; I'm their flesh and blood, after all. So, even though I've long stopped
considering myself William Anderson's daughter, I want to apologize for what happened."
Benedict turned his head away and didn't say anything else. His actions betrayed his unspoken words. He didn't
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want to discuss this matter further. Nicole knew a lost battle when she saw one as she turned to walk away.
Colton glared at the gathered family members one last time before following her out.
Each step she took away from the Gardner Residence, she could feel the burden of depression weighing down her
shoulder gradually lighten. She slowly let out a relieved sigh, as she had just completed an arduous workout. Then,
just when she was about to make plans to return home, Colton pulled her to him.
Nicole was puzzled and tilted her head at him questioningly.
Then, she said lightly, "President Gardner, you should head back. Of course, you're always welcome to visit Hayden,
but I don't think we should see each other for anything else."
Nicole didn't know why her heart reeled in pain when she finished this sentence.
She bit her lip and stiffly endured this strange feeling in her heart.
Colton studied her distant expression with furrowed brows. Then, his tone cooled as he demanded, "Since when did
you care so much about what others think?"
She forced herself to smile at his inquiry. Yet, while the corners of her mouth hooked into what bore a passing
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resemblance to a smirk, there was no mirth in her eyes.
"No, I don't care about what other people think. However, William killed your grandmother. No matter how much I
wish I could, he is a stain I can never be rid of. I have his blood flowing in me, after all. Olivia did her homework this
time. If you want to be with me, you'll be up against your entire family."
Nicole's words were sensible, but they didn't calm him as they merely made him feel frustrated and trapped. He
hated being thought of as so reliant on his family.
"I don't need my family, but they sure need me," said Colton, brimming with confidence.
She knew he wasn't being arrogant with his statement. When she was abroad, she had heard that the family
business had boomed once he took over. Thanks to him, the family was now an industry leader.
Yet, she didn't know what to do. She didn't relish being made out like some fairy tale bogeyman. However, she also
didn't want to be the reason Colton and his family had a falling out.
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Eventually, she forced herself to don a cold and unfeeling façade. "President Gardner, you're far too arrogant. I
have never liked you from the beginning. The only reason why I'm with you is that you can help me."
Nicole took one look at Colton's sullen expression, bit the inside of her cheeks, and continued, "President Gardner,
we've been using each other from the very beginning. Now that our relationship has run its course, and we can no
longer wring any benefit from it, let's end this."
His eyes bore into her as he tried to word his response. Then, after what seemed an eternity, he finally asked, "Is
this what you truly think?"
She lowered her lashes to hide her emotions and forced herself to nod. "Yes."
He wordlessly stared at her. He wanted to see if there was anything that would betray her actual thoughts through
her expression.
Finally, she couldn't bear it any longer, so she turned away. She didn't wish to continue this conversation further;
thus, she hurried away with quick steps.
He watched her helplessly. He knew that she was only saying those things because she was afraid of dragging him
down with her.
He rubbed his chest in mild discomfort. He couldn't understand why he felt a mysterious pang in his heart at that
thought.