Chapter 265

“Mr. Sawyer, today’s meeting went very well. I look forward to our partnership,” the woman said warmly.

The woman beside Nicolas was dressed in a sleek business outfit, her figure accentuated by the tailored cut. Every movement exuded mature charm and confidence–she was captivating.

Nicolas smiled with his usual gentlemanly poise. “I’m also looking forward to working more closely with your team.”

Angeline Haney let her eyes linger on him, a glint of interest flashing in her gaze. Her red lips curved. “It’s still early. Would you honor me with a drink?”

Nicolas maintained his polite smile as he replied, “That’s kind of you, Miss Haney, but I have other plans this evening.”

“Oh? I see,” Angeline didn’t press further. She just shrugged lightly and smiled. “Then let’s plan for another time.”

“Of course. Next time, dinner’s on me,” Nicolas said with practiced ease.

Angeline gave him a playful wink. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Nicolas nodded. “Take care, Miss Haney.”

“I’ll see myself out.”

As Angeline turned and walked toward the parking lot, Nicolas stood in place, watching her leave. Once she was out of sight, he turned to Bryan. “Bring the car around.”

“Yes, sir,” Bryan said and made the call.

Just then, a soft, sulky voice drifted in from behind. “Nicolas…”

Nicolas froze for a second, then turned–only to see Noelle stepping out from behind a column. Her face was pale from the cold, nose tinged pink, and she was sniffling like a pouty little kitten, glaring at him with barely contained grievance.

“Noelle?” He blinked, surprised. Before he could even ask why she was there, she beat him to it.

“Who was that woman you just walked out with?” she demanded.

She’s jealous, Nicolas thought, and couldn’t help the amused smile tugging at his lips.

He walked over to her, took off his scarf, and gently wrapped it around her neck. “She’s the business partner I met today. Angeline Haney, 25, daughter of the Chamber of Commerce president and lead negotiator for this deal.”

“Oh really?” Noelle pouted, eyes narrowed. “She seems into you.”

“She does?” Nicolas chuckled.

“Of course,” Nicolas said casually.

“Excuse me?” Noelle’s voice rose.

But before she could launch into a tirade, Nicolas bent down, pulled her into his arms, and said with a teasing smile, “I’m happy because it means you’ve got great taste. If other women find me attractive, doesn’t that just prove you picked well! Or would you rather…”

Noelle blinked.

Nicolas continued softly, “And even if she did have feelings for me, so what? I only have eyes for you. Isn’t that all that matters?”

That completely melted her.

Her anger faded, and she let out a little huff. Then she tilted her chin with pride. “Fine. Since you put it that way, I’m not mad anymore.”

Seeing his girl appeased, Nicolas smiled and took her freezing hands, slipping them into his coat pockets.

“How long were you standing outside?” he asked. “Why didn’t you just come in?”

“I wanted to surprise you,” Noelle admitted, lips pouting again.

“Next time, don’t freeze yourself for a surprise. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Noelle nodded obediently.

Just then, the car arrived. Nicolas opened the door and gestured. “Let’s go.”

“Okay,” Noelle hopped in, and Nicolas followed.

Neither of them noticed Angeline still sitting in her car nearby. She leaned against the window, watching their affectionate exchange.

So that man can be that gentle too, she thought with a faint smile. Interesting.

On the way home, Nicolas asked Noelle about her day at the lab.

She brushed over the details, deliberately skipping everything that had to do with Brandon.

“That’s it?” Nicolas arched a brow.

Noelle glanced at him and tried to sound nonchalant. “What else would it be?”

Nicolas chuckled inwardly. She’s so bad at lying. I don’t even need to investigate to know she was with Brandon again.

But since she didn’t want to talk about it, he didn’t press.

Instead, he pulled her into his arms, gently kneading her hand. “Don’t push yourself too hard. Your Nicolas might not be strong enough yet–but I hope you’ll trust me at least a little.”

“Nicolas,” Noelle was touched.

He was giving her everything–unreservedly. Yet she was still hiding so much from him. It really wasn’t fair.

Just as she hesitated, wondering if she should tell him about Brandon, Nicolas’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at it, and his expression instantly turned cold.

A text: [Bastard. Let’s see how it feels to lose what matters most to you.]

Nicolas’s eyes darkened.

“What’s wrong?” Noelle leaned in curiously.

He gave a low chuckle, full of contempt. “The Sawyer family. I’ve been hitting them too hard with the acquisitions lately, looks like they’re starting to snap. You didn’t notice anything strange today, did you?”

“No,” Noelle shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

In truth, she’d been so tense around Brandon all day–and then so eager to see Nicolas–that she hadn’t been paying attention to her surroundings at all.

Nicolas’s tone cooled. “I’ll find a reason to freeze their remaining assets. Let’s see how they hire assassins without funding.”

“You can do that?” Noelle blinked in surprise.

“Of course,” Nicolas grinned.

She clutched her heart. “But if they don’t have money anymore, how will they live?”

He laughed. “What, you’re feeling sorry for them?”

“Nope,” she replied firmly, eyes wide and serious. “If they all drop dead, they’d deserve it.”

The Sawyer family had gathered around, waiting expectantly for news from the assassin they'd hired to take Noelle out.

When Marshall’s phone rang, he immediately announced, “It’s them!”

“Well, is it done?” Braiden asked eagerly.

“Of course. I hired the best,” Marshall said smugly as he answered. “Hello? Did you take care of it?”

But instead of confirmation, an angry voice roared through the speaker. “You bastards didn’t tell us the full story! I swear, you’ll pay for…”

“What?!” The whole Sawyer family jolted.

The hitman on the other end continued furiously, “That girl had a monster guarding her. All my… all of them are dead!”