Chapter 170

Max barely suppressed the urge to hurl the phone away. "What on earth have you been doing? Didn't I instruct you to keep a close watch on her?" Lawyers were ticking time bombs. If Thea concealed one, they could betray him at any moment.

The person on the other end was equally helpless. "Mr. Rowland, there was nothing we could do. Miss Rowland was too swift. By the time we realized what was happening, he had already left."

He didn't dare admit that Thea now had the Hendrix family's backing. How could they possibly compete with Nicolas?

Max gritted his teeth, hung up, and immediately dialed Thea's number. As soon as they connected, he began interrogating her. "Was it you who sent him away? I made it abundantly clear that you could borrow him, but you weren't allowed to relocate him. Thea, what do you think you're doing?" On the other end, Thea chuckled, seemingly mocking his naiveté.

"Max, he's a human being, not an object. What do you mean by 'lending'? He helped me, and all he wanted was to emigrate. Shouldn't I help him? Are you upset because you're afraid I'll discover something?"

Max clenched his fists, desolation creeping into his heart. "Thea, I thought we could coexist peacefully in the future."

Thea hung up without responding.

Peaceful coexistence? What a preposterous joke. She hadn't retaliated only because she was in a good mood. They had pushed her to this point; they had no one else to blame.

She put away her phone. She had reached the restaurant entrance. Nicolas should have arrived by now, but he was nowhere to be seen. Just as she hesitated, holding her phone, she heard footsteps. Looking up, she saw Stephanie Ralap.

Thea frowned, initially intending to ignore her, but Stephanie approached directly. "Miss Rowland." Stephanie's smile was gone, replaced by a chilly gaze. "I need to talk to you."

Thea had no such inclination. She offered a faint smile. "I'm sorry, I don't have time. I have an appointment."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "I know you were supposed to have dinner with Nicolas, but I regret to inform you that he can't make it." Thea's heart skipped a beat. Any other woman might have been insincere, but this was Stephanie, who held a special place in Nicolas's heart.

A twinge of disappointment struck Thea. She felt she should never have harbored any hope. Her heart cooled, and her gaze grew icier. "In that case, I need to go. Perhaps we can talk another day."

To her surprise, Stephanie blocked her. Nicolas's bodyguards stood behind her, but none intervened. Thea knew that in any danger, they would protect her, not Stephanie—a reflection of Nicolas's feelings.

Thea's expression soured. Stephanie smiled smugly and gestured for Thea to proceed. Thea followed her upstairs.

Stephanie poured coffee. "Ms. Ralap, please be direct. I'm busy."

Stephanie sighed, looking helpless. "Miss Rowland, when I first met you, I admired you. I thought we could be friends. But," she sighed, a hint of rancor in her eyes, "you betrayed me and stole the man I wanted."

Thea found this absurd. "Ms. Ralap, my marriage to Mr. Hendrix wasn't forced. He chose me willingly. Moreover, you weren't even engaged to him, let alone a couple. Under those circumstances, it's not a sin for someone to have a relationship with him."

This struck a nerve. Stephanie sprang up, slamming her hand on the table. Her sweet smile vanished, replaced by malevolence. She glared at Thea intensely. "Thea, are you saying Nicolas chose you and wants me to disappear? When I met him, you were living on the streets. You're from different worlds."

Thea felt a pang. "Why do you know so much about my life?"

Stephanie smiled ambiguously. "If Nicolas knows, isn't it likely I do too?"

Thea understood. Nicolas had told Stephanie about her past. She couldn't imagine the circumstances. Perhaps he sympathized with her, seeing her as pitiful. His recent protection had almost made her lose composure. Could he genuinely care for her? His actions were likely condescension.

Closing her eyes, she composed herself. Looking at Stephanie's faint smile, she said, "My marriage to Nicolas is legal and legitimate. You don't need to act like I'm an interloper. If your relationship with him is good, he'll discuss a divorce. When that time comes, I'll agree. There's no need for you to cause trouble."

Stephanie's face darkened. "You're impervious to persuasion and coercion." She retrieved a diagnostic sheet.

Thea found it amusing. "Ms. Ralap, are you using your illness to blackmail me? I don't think—" She saw the sheet's contents and turned ashen, her body swaying.

Nicolas finished his work. He realized he was half an hour late for dinner with Thea. His face darkened. "Where's Darwin?!"

Darwin rushed in. "Mr. Hendrix, what's wrong?"

Nicolas rubbed his temples. "Why didn't anyone remind me? I was caught up in my work."

Darwin explained, "Mr. Hendrix, if you're busy with something urgent, other matters are postponed. Ms. Ralap also came looking for you. I sent her away."

Nicolas sighed. "Change the rule. Thea is an exception." He stood. "Tell her I'll be right there."

Darwin nodded and called, "Mr. Hendrix, Ms. Ralap said she had something urgent. She looked distraught and crying. Should I find out what's going—"