Chapter 236

"Take care of Oliver. I'm going out for a while," Nicolas said. He was willing to live with Stephanie for Oliver's sake, but this didn't mean he'd be gentle with her.

Nicolas had just left the house when Oliver impatiently threw off the wet towel on his forehead.

"How long do I have to pretend?" he shouted angrily. "I'm stuck in bed! I can't play or watch cartoons. I'm a fool! I'll go crazy if this continues!"

His face was filled with impatience; he was no longer the lively, cute child he usually was around Nicolas. Stephanie grew anxious.

She covered his mouth, whispering, "Be quiet! Don't alert your father. Didn't I tell you, if you're obedient and make your father happy, everything in the Hendrix family will be yours?"

She coaxed him softly, "Remember wanting the amusement park at Sunnyend Manor? After Stefan is gone, I'll ask your father to transfer the house to you. Then you can do whatever you want—nobody will control you!"

Despite her best efforts, persuading Oliver wasn't easy.

"You have to keep your promise!" he said. "But I think Dad suspects something. He wasn't really looking at me; it was like he was looking through me."

A child's perception is incredibly sharp. Stephanie's heart froze.

She gently stroked his hair, smiling. "Don't worry, Oliver. Nicolas publicly declared you his only child. No matter what that bitch does, it won't affect your position!"

Nicolas was unaware of their machinations against his assets. His attention was focused on Darwin. "What's going on?"

Darwin summarized the situation, hesitating. "Mr. Hendrix, there's been a lot of misunderstanding between you and Mrs. Hendrix lately. She's probably very upset. Should you… go see her? Oliver doesn't seem that ill; Ms. Ralap might be sufficient."

Darwin's position should have prevented him from saying this, but he saw Nicolas not just as his superior, but as a friend. Knowing Nicolas's feelings for Thea, he didn't want their relationship to end this way.

He added, "Mrs. Hendrix is your wife, and she recently had a miscarriage. You should tell her the truth about Oliver's background. She deserves to know."

Nicolas was tempted, but in the room, Stephanie gritted her teeth. Why has Darwin never been so attentive to me before? she thought.

She pinched Oliver's thigh. He instantly cried, "Dad! Where did you go? Don't you want me anymore? Dad, are you leaving me again?"

This pierced Nicolas's ears. He frowned and looked towards the door.

Ultimately, his sense of responsibility prevented him from leaving. "Help me comfort Thea," he said. "Don't tell her about Oliver's background. I promised Stephanie I'd treat Oliver as my own son." Vergil had died for him; Nicolas felt obligated.

Watching him enter the room, Darwin sighed. When will Nicolas realize Mrs. Hendrix is his wife, not an outsider? But he couldn't say this.

When Stephanie saw Nicolas, a glint flashed in her eyes. "He's so attached to you. Nicolas, are we causing trouble? If you have things to do, go. Don't worry about us."

Nicolas coldly replied, "I'm staying for Oliver, not you."

Stephanie felt a shock. Her body trembled. "Nicolas, I've done wrong, but I want peace with you. Won't you give me that?"

"After Oliver recovers, I'll hire a nanny. You can visit once a week," Nicolas said. He knew Stephanie had raised Oliver poorly and that the best way to help Oliver was to change his environment. He couldn't ignore his friend's child.

Stephanie was incredulous. "You promised I could stay with him!"

"You can care for him if you want; I'll pay child support," Nicolas said firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

Her lips tightened. She pleaded again, to no avail.

Meanwhile, Darwin spoke to Thea. "Mrs. Hendrix, I've arranged Duncan's medical fees. He won't bother you again."

As Thea poured him water, her hand trembled. "Did Nicolas send you? I said my business is none of his. I apologize for using his name; it won't happen again." Darwin sighed again. They clearly care for each other, why don't they talk?

Remembering Nicolas's instructions, he vaguely said, "Mrs. Hendrix, Mr. Hendrix still cares. If you'd compromise…"

Thea paused, then laughed. Everyone wanted her to compromise, but she'd done nothing wrong. She wouldn't yield, regardless of Nicolas's power.

Finally, she dismissed Darwin. "Tell Nicolas to stop monitoring me. It's annoying."

She sent him away and stayed awake all night. The next day, at Sparkle Rocks, she saw a familiar face.

"You said you had experience managing a large company? Is this your work? The contract formatting is wrong. Do you want clients to think we can't handle basic tasks?" Ursa scolded a staff member.

The woman stammered, "Ms. Holmes, I'm sorry. I won't be careless again. Please don't fire me! I need this job."

It was Madelyn Terell.