Chapter 276

Corey, a man of pride, had never felt so low. He was still trying to protect April. "Mr. Hendrix, I wonder if this proposal will satisfy you?"

Throughout the exchange, Nicolas hadn't glanced at Corey. His attention remained on Thea, attentive and gentle. "Don't ask me. Ask her." Thea was the wronged party; the choice was hers.

Corey clenched his teeth. He'd attempted an alliance with Thea, but collaboration required equality.

He'd sought Nicolas's help because of his strength, yet Corey had never truly respected any woman.

Pressing on April's shoulder, he said sternly, "You caused this; you fix it. Apologize to Miss Rowland. Immediately."

April trembled. Her lips moved silently before she spoke. "Miss Rowland, I was foolish and immature. Please...don't send me overseas. I promise I'll behave and never harm you again."

"Immature? If I'm not mistaken, Miss Sandy is an adult," Thea said.

Trying to guilt-trip me? Not a chance, Thea thought.

Ignoring April's cold glare, Thea knew she'd made an enemy. But she was unafraid; April deserved it.

"Mr. Xander suggested sending her abroad, but he didn't specify a country, did he? How will she find peace like that?" Thea smiled subtly.

Her demand was simple: April had terrified her; in return, Thea wanted April to live in perpetual dread, on the brink of ruin. Only then would her anger be appeased.

For the first time, Corey sensed a terrifying aura from Thea. His face darkened. "Flaminshire? That place is war-torn. I must ensure April's survival."

"If she's bent on throwing her life away, no one can stop her," Thea said emotionlessly. "That place does sound...suitable."

"Then it's settled," Corey replied hastily, missing the storm brewing on April's face.

April's heart filled with hatred. She didn't understand Corey's desperate attempt to protect her; she saw only a game, forcing her out so they could be together.

Believing she'd seen through their deception, April wouldn't be a victim. "Thea, why don't you just die?" she screamed, lunging forward.

Raised in the Viper, she and her father had shielded her from its darker side, but April still had a taste for violence. She'd also trained in self-defense, more than sufficient against Thea.

Drawing a hidden knife, April advanced with deadly focus. "I won't let a woman like you seduce Corey. We're childhood sweethearts, the ones everyone envies. Who do you think you are, stealing his attention?"

Thea stood frozen, staring at April's furious face. Yet the pain she expected never came.

Before the blade reached Thea, Nicolas kicked April into a corner.

Blood spurted from April's mouth, but Nicolas showed no mercy. "Mr. Xander, April isn't inclined to learn. I doubt Flaminshire can reform her. I suggest you lock her up."

"If April shows herself to me or Thea again, the Xander family and the Viper will face consequences. You know this." Nicolas's words were a command.

Corey's face turned ashen, a mixture of stiffness and fury, but he could only grimly agree. Nicolas wanted April gone, dead or imprisoned.

"Are you satisfied now?" The coldness around Nicolas vanished when he looked at Thea; his expression softened instantly. "If there's anything else you'd like to smash, go ahead. With me here, you can do it all."

The place was a mess. Thea felt it was enough. She believed in leaving people an escape.

This time, she took Nicolas's hand, feeling a calming scent. "It's enough. Let's go home." Even in the car, she couldn't process what happened. She knew she couldn't have resolved things so thoroughly alone.

Is this what power means? she wondered. No wonder people fight so hard to achieve what Nicolas has…

"Nicolas, thank you for today," she murmured softly. Her gentle tone met with Nicolas's displeasure.

His barely contained frustration flared. "We're married, Thea. We're family. Why do you say it like that, as if I'm an outsider? Or have you never truly thought of me as your husband?"

"No, I didn't mean it like that," Thea stammered, waving her hands, her cheeks flushing. Nicolas's irritation melted away as he watched her. He marveled at how easily she made him feel protective.

His patience with Thea seemed boundless. "Then trust me from now on? As long as I'm here, no one will hurt you. Can you try trusting me a little more?"

Thea knew that. Her fingers clenched. Even the strongest foundations could crumble; people, even family, could drift away. Even her grandfather had left her. She'd learned not to trust others, but with Nicolas, she wanted to try. Holding his hand, she savored the warmth. "I'll try my best."

"Nicolas, at least for now, I don't want our relationship affected by a lack of trust. But I don't think it's wrong for me to stay independent. If I ever face something truly beyond my ability to handle, then I'll come to you. How's that?" Her voice held a subtle, alluring note. Nicolas couldn't say no.

"It's my fault. I haven't done enough to earn your complete trust. I'll work harder." He embraced her tightly. "Thea, I'm not angry. I'm afraid, afraid of losing you."

"When I saw the place in shambles, I was terrified something might have happened to you. Come live with me, Thea. If you're by my side, I can guarantee your safety. What do you say?"