Chapter 293

"Nicolas!" Thea could tolerate being beaten, but seeing the fists landing on Nicolas made her eyes flash red. "Stop it!"

Her voice was lost in the wave of anger. Nicolas, however, was too strong; he didn't give Thea a chance to intervene. He didn't retaliate, enduring the assault until hospital security intervened. After the attackers were subdued, he finally turned, his gaze meeting Thea's hate-filled eyes. She had never seen him in such a state. Before this, he had always been like the bright moon, untouchable. Now, his suit was splashed with an unknown liquid, wrinkled and stained. He shouldn't have been in such disarray.

Thea burst into tears. "Are you stupid? I deserve this anger, but it has nothing to do with you. Why did you intervene?" Tears streamed down her face. Nicolas gently wiped them away. "I can't watch my wife get beaten and do nothing. My heart aches for you."

Thea wept harder, her mind overwhelmed, feeling like it might explode. Words caught in her throat; she couldn't even form a sentence. It was Nicolas who had been protecting her, enduring the hostile stares.

"I understand your feelings. No one feels good after such a blow to their family," Nicolas said, his eyes cold, yet his words strangely calming. "There are new developments in the case. While the police haven't released details, I assure you, someone caused this accident, and it has nothing to do with Sparkle Rocks. You work here; you know better than anyone how Ms. Rowland treats you."

Sparkle Rocks offered excellent compensation in Silvercreek. Thea had even increased workers' hourly wages upon taking office. Before the accident, it was a highly sought-after company, employing many long-term workers. They knew better than anyone whether Sparkle Rocks had increased manpower or mining volume.

For a moment, the voices subsided, though some doubts lingered. "Who knows if you're planning to find a scapegoat? Even if there's a reason, it's pointless." "When the powerful fight, ordinary people suffer."

The calmed crowd was again agitated, pushing the situation to a stalemate. Even security couldn't control the angry mob.

Thea remembered the face of the first woman who spoke. Before Nicolas could respond, she stepped forward. "I've said from the start I'm not shirking responsibility. We can't control the police, but we guarantee the truth. And the compensation I promised will be substantial." Even if Sparkle Rocks went bankrupt, she would pay; she wouldn't hesitate.

"Ms. Rowland, can we trust you?" A man, recently informed of his amputation, struggled to rise from his hospital bed, then collapsed. "I've worked at Sparkle Rocks for over a decade, a foreman. I just want to know who caused this." Compensation mattered less than knowing who had crippled him.

Thea helped him back to bed. "I know you, Wayne. I believe in the truth more than you do." Her presence calmed the crowd; they hadn't been inherently malicious, merely venting their anger. Seeing her sincerity, they restrained themselves.

Back in the car, Thea's expression relaxed. As she reached for her phone, Nicolas stopped her. "Don't look. No one knows who's writing those online comments. Don't let them affect you."

"I have to," Thea said with a helpless smile.

With authorities silent, netizens were wildly speculating, blaming Thea. Despite Nicolas's efforts to suppress the news, she saw photos of her being used to insult her; her personal information had been leaked. They’d dug up information on the Rowland and Hendrix families. Even Nicolas was criticized as a collaborator for defending her.

Thea could no longer remain calm. She turned apologetically. "I've implicated you. I can handle this. Why don't you return to Key Biscayne?" Nicolas, powerful within Hendrix Group, was a target; many coveted his position. Relatives and shareholders alike were discontent. "Don't let this affect you."

As if to prove her point, Nicolas's phone rang urgently. It was Stefan. His voice was devoid of emotion. "No matter what you're doing, bring Thea back to the mansion immediately. I need to speak with you." Stefan, though retired, still heard the rumors. He couldn't ignore the pressure. The situation even affected Hendrix Group's share price, requiring an explanation to shareholders. Nicolas's face hardened. "I can't leave."

"Nicolas!" Stefan's voice rose, but Thea took Nicolas's hand.

"Dad," Thea said softly, "Nicolas is worried about me. I'm under police surveillance; leaving would be considered fleeing. I can't leave. But Nicolas and I have discussed it; we'll separate. He'll be back soon." Stefan remained silent.

After hanging up, Thea met Nicolas's cold gaze. "When did I authorize you to make that decision for me?"

"Stefan's old. Disobeying him now could land him in the hospital, and you'll regret it," Thea said with a forced smile. "You should go. The situation is clearing; I can handle this."

She wanted him to stay, but knew he couldn't. He had more pressing matters; delaying them for her would be a lifelong regret. "Nicolas, please come back soon? I'm afraid, but I want you to come back to me without distractions once you're done."

Her weakness surprised Nicolas, something he hadn't seen before. He couldn't refuse her.