Chapter 141
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Chapter 141
A cold gleam flashed across Tom’s eyes. Was Jacqueline being used by Erin? Although he didn’t agree with Jacqueline’s actions, she did them for his sake.
“Don’t do this kind of thing again. Damon is ruthless and never shows mercy. Going against him will only lead to trouble,” he warned her.
Seeing Tom’s stern expression, Jacqueline bit her lip and cautiously said, “Tom, Ms. Jayston wasn’t hurt at all. If I just apologized, it would be over. But she refused to let me off Could it be because of Ms. Weir?”
Tom narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “You mean she did it to get back at you for Valarie?”
“Aside from that, I can’t think of any other reason why she would be so relentless,” Jacqueline replied.
Nyla and Valarie were good friends, and Valarie had misunderstood Tom’s relationship with Jacqueline. If Nyla was teaching Jacqueline a lesson on Valarie’s behalf, it would make sense.
Seeing Tom’s grim face and silence, Jacqueline didn’t say anything more. She knew that speaking too much could backfire.
After a long minute, Tom finally said coldly, “I’ll take you home first.”
Jacqueline knew when to play nice around Tom, so she nodded obediently. “Okay.”
Nyla stayed at the auction until the end, but the person she was looking for never showed up.
This person was once a senior executive at Harris Pharmaceuticals and had moved to another company after its bankruptcy. He had been
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involved in investigating the accident back then and knew more than
others.
Despite that, he didn’t come today, so she didn’t get a chance to ask. him anything.
As she walked out of the banquet hall with the crowd, planning to call a taxi, she suddenly heard Clark’s voice beside her. “Nyla, are you still upset about what happened earlier?”
Nyla turned to look at him, her gaze indifferent. “No, there’s no need.”
Clark grabbed her wrist, leaned closer, and said in a low voice, “I had not choice earlier. You know I’m the CEO of the company, but I don’t have any shares. If I offend our partners, my grandfather might remove me from my position tomorrow.”
Every word he uttered was about his difficulties, hoping she would understand and sympathize with him. Nyla found it somewhat amusing.
She pulled her hand away and replied, “I know. I’m not angry, and I don’t blame you.”
After all, she no longer loved him, so she had no expectations of him.
However, to Clark, her words seemed like a statement of extreme disappointment.
“Nyla, bear with it a little longer. Once I get the shares and become the Sumner Group’s true decision–maker, I won’t let anyone bully you again,” he pleaded.
Nyla pressed her lips together and said slowly, “I really don’t care about these things, and you don’t need to make any promises to me.”
Once she uncovered the truth about the Harris Pharmaceuticals incident, she planned to divorce him. In the end, she was merely using him right now, so she had no reason to complain if he chose to
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sacrifice her.
Clark’s gaze darkened. Her words made his heart sink. If she still cared about him, she wouldn’t be so calm. To be this indifferent meant she no longer had any feelings for him.
His heart felt like it was being squeezed tight. He looked at her with deep sorrow. “Nyla, if you don’t love me anymore, why did you come back to me?”
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“If I don’t love you anymore, will you let me go?” Nyla asked.
Clark’s gaze turned cold as he answered, “No.”
“Then what’s the point of asking? And wasn’t it you who threatened me with my dad to move back in?” Nyla retorted.
Meeting Nyla’s calm gaze, Clark smiled self–deprecatingly and turned away, saying nothing more. He had indeed forced her to return.
From the day he cheated, he should have expected this. He was just too confident, thinking her love for him would lead to forgiveness.
They fell into silence.
Soon, the driver pulled the car around.
“Let’s get in,” Clark said.
Nyla glanced at her phone, canceled her ride order, and got in the car.
The drive home was quiet. Neither of them spoke, and the driver didn’t dare break the silence.
When they reached the villa, Nyla was about to head upstairs when Clark spoke up. “Nyla, I’m sorry about tonight. I didn’t protect you.”
His tone was serious, and Nyla paused for a moment before walking away without a word.
As soon as she returned to her room, her phone rang. It was Valarie.
“Nyla, did Jacqueline try to set you up tonight?” Valarie asked.
Nyla was surprised. “How did you know?”
“Tom called to question me out of nowhere, asking if I told you to go after Jacqueline. I asked around with some friends who were at the
event,” Valarie answered.
She was furious about the whole situation. To her, Jacqueline and Tom were just a pair of scumbags–not worth her time.
Nyla pressed her lips together before saying, “I just wanted to teach her a lesson so she won’t mess with me again.”
Valarie warned, “Be careful. Jacqueline holds grudges. She won’t let this go after being humiliated.”
“Okay, I’ll be cautious,” Nyla affirmed.
There was a brief silence before Valarie’s apologetic voice came through. “Nyla, I’m sorry. She probably targeted you because of me.”
“It’s not your fault. You can’t control what other people think,” Nyla comforted her.
The real issue was Jacqueline’s malicious intent.
“But how did you turn things around on her tonight? What happened to her necklace?” Valarie asked, intrigued.
Nyla’s expression remained calm. “I left it somewhere. Whoever finds it will probably return it to her.”
Jacqueline likely wouldn’t be happy to see that necklace again.
Valarie and Nyla chatted for a while longer before Valarie ended the call, knowing Nyla had to work the next day.
After a shower, Nyla dried her hair, completed her skincare routine, and went to bed.
Meanwhile, Jacqueline was far from sleep.
Ten minutes ago, a maid had brought her a box, saying it was delivered
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by the charity event staff. Inside was her diamond necklace.
Seeing it made her rage flare up again. She grabbed the necklace and smashed it to the floor, sending the diamonds flying.
“Get out! Get out!” she screamed.
The maid, startled, quickly left the room.
Jacqueline’s hatred burned as she stared at the shattered necklace. She vowed to repay Nyla for tonight’s humiliation.
The next day, as Nyla was about to leave work, she received a call from the Sumner residence, summoning her. Her heart sank–she guessed it. was about the previous night’s charity event.
Going alone would mean facing their harsh treatment. Involving Clark would likely result in him blaming everything on Damon. Although Damon had helped her the previous night, she didn’t want to burden him further.
With that in mind, she messaged Clark, saying she was going out with colleagues for dinner and that he didn’t need to pick her up.
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After work, Nyla took a cab to the Sumner residence. As soon as she was led into the living room by a maid, Marie’s cold voice echoed. “On your knees!”
Nyla stopped in her tracks, her expression calm as she looked at Marie. “Grandma, I don’t know what I did wrong to deserve this.”
Cindy, sitting next to Marie, sneered with a sharp tone. “How dare you ask what you did wrong?! Why did you force Ms. Rainford to kneel and apologize to you in front of everyone last night? Do you even realize your status compared to hers?
“This morning, Gen Pharma and the Rainford Group terminated their contracts with the Sumner Group, causing billions in losses. The other shareholders are furious with Clark and are calling for a board meeting to remove him as the CEO. You’re nothing but bad luck!”
If it were not for affecting Clark, Cindy would have told Marie about Nyla’s infertility and had Marie chase Nyla out of the Sumner family.
Nyla met Cindy’s hateful gaze with a composed look. “Jacqueline tried to frame me with a necklace last night, then the Rainford Group terminated the contracts today. It shows they don’t respect the Sumners or the Sumner Group.
“Besides, she offered to kneel and apologize if the necklace wasn’t found on me. I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
Marie’s expression turned colder. “If you don’t understand your mistake, then go stand in the old wing until you figure it out.”
At her command, two maids stepped forward, ready to drag Nyla if she resisted.
The old wing was situated on a secluded hillside a few hundred meters
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from the estate. It was a cold, eerie place, visited only during family ceremonies.
Despite her fear, Nyla maintained a composed demeanor and walked out of the house with her head held high.
Watching her unrepentant departure, Cindy seethed with anger. “Mom, don’t send her any food. Lock her up for three days, and she’ll admit her mistake!”
Marie had intended to teach Nyla a lesson and then have her apologize to Jacqueline in person. She hadn’t anticipated Nyla’s stubbornness, her refusal to admit her fault, or her reluctance to apologize.
“Enough! I know what to do. You can go now. Don’t bother me unless it’s important,” Marie said.
She found Cindy’s pettiness irritating. If Cindy weren’t Clark’s mother, Marie wouldn’t have paid her any attention.
Sensing Marie’s displeasure, Cindy left in frustration.
The two maids locked Nyla in the old wing and departed. As their footsteps faded, silence enveloped the old wing.
Nyla had only visited the old wing during the day in the past, and it had never seemed particularly frightening.
Now, as darkness fell and the old wing grew dim, the eerie silence and the rows of paintings heightened the spooky atmosphere.
The temperature in the old wing was several degrees lower than
outside, and Nyla, dressed lightly, felt the chill. She grabbed a small rug and placed it in a corner. Sitting with her back against the wall, she tried to suppress her fear.
Marie had summoned her alone, clearly not wanting to alert Clark or Damon. Nyla reassured herself that she would likely be released after
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enduring the night.
Suddenly, her phone rang, startling her in the quiet of the old wing. Seeing that it was Clark, she took a deep breath and answered.
“Where are you? I’ll come pick you up after your gathering,” Clark said.
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Nyla smiled bitterly. There was no way she could go back tonight.
“No need. The gathering is close to Valarie’s place. I’ll stay with her tonight,” she replied.
There was silence on the other end before Clark’s deep voice came through. “Are you still upset about last night?”
“No. I just haven’t had a good chat with Valarie in a long time, so I plan to stay over at her place tonight,” Nyla said, though she was lying.
After another long pause, Clark finally said, “Alright, but if anything comes up, give me a call.”
“Got it,” Nyla replied.
After hanging up, her phone flashed a low battery warning, indicating only 20% charge left. She frowned, realizing she hadn’t charged it since the previous night due to her busy schedule.
Sighing, she turned off her phone to conserve battery.
Clark sensed something was off after the call but couldn’t pinpoint what
it was.
Just as he was about to ponder the matter, Michael entered his office and reported, “Mr. Sumner, Gen Pharma and the Rainford Group refuse to meet, and several smaller companies that closely work with them are also terminating their contracts.”
Clark was furious, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “If they want to terminate, let them. They won’t get away without paying the penalty fees!”
Michael looked worried. Terminating contra ts was one thing, but now
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the shareholders were discussing demoting Clark to vice CEO.
“Mr. Sumner, perhaps… you should ask your wife if she’s willing to apologize to Ms. Rainford?” he suggested.
An apology from Nyla might resolve all their problems.
Clark’s face darkened. “No, she won’t agree. And apologizing now will make it look like the Sumner Group is afraid of Gen Pharma and the Rainford Group. It will set a bad precedent.”
The issue wasn’t just about the apology anymore. Jacqueline had been at fault from the start. If things escalated further, it would be more embarrassing for the Rainfords.
“So, are we just going to sit and wait without doing anything?” Michael asked.
“You can leave for the day,” Clark replied.
Michael was too worried to leave. If Clark were demoted, it would affect him as well. He offered, “I’d rather stay here and wait with you.”
The atmosphere was tense in the boardroom.
Richard sat at the head of the table while the shareholders looked
increasingly disgruntled.
“Mr. Richard, this situation was caused by Mr. Clark. He should be held accountable. Are we supposed to bear the losses together?” one
shareholder said.
“Exactly. He offended two partners at a single event. If he can’t manage his own wife, how can he manage the Sumner Group?” another asked.
“He’s young and needs more experience. Once he’s more capable, he can return to the CEO position,” a third suggested.
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Richard listened to the shareholders‘ complaints in silence, his face stern. As their voices gradually faded, he finally spoke.
“Gen Pharma and the Rainford Group were at fault first. If we demote him now, it will seem as though the Sumner Group is afraid of them. Under Clark’s management, your annual dividends have increased by hundreds of millions.
“Now, just because a few partners have terminated their contracts, you all want to remove him? What are your intentions?
“Or do you want to bring him down to replace him with your own people? “he questioned, eyeing the shareholders critically.
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With Richard’s words, the entire meeting room fell into silence.
Everyone lowered their heads, too intimidated to speak. Each person had their private reasons for wanting to remove Clark from his position.
After a long pause, a shareholder finally broke the oppressive silence.” Mr. Richard, we were simply too anxious… The Sumner Group lost billions in just one morning…”
Richard scoffed. “Billions? Is that a significant amount? He can recoup that in less than a year. If anyone wants the CEO position, prove your worth!”
Disregarding their reactions, Richard stood up and left the room, heading directly to Clark’s office.
“Grandpa…” Clark began.
“Shut up! If this happens again, I won’t step in to save you!” Richard snapped.
Under Richard’s furious gaze, Clark lowered his head, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. “I understand.”
“By the way, Brandon will be returning to the country soon. When he arrives, arrange a position for him at the Sumner Group. Make sure it’s a challenging role, not something trivial where he won’t learn anything,” Richard instructed.
A flash of hostility crossed Clark’s eyes. It was clear Richard was preparing to groom Brandon Sumner and eventually choose between him and Clark as his successor.
“Alright, I’ll handle it,” Clark replied.
Richard left with a dismissive snort.
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While the immediate crisis was averted, Clark felt the weight of his precatious situation. With Brandon joining the company, his position was at risk. He needed to ensure that he remained the sole heir to the Sumner Group.
Clark returned to the villa past midnight. He went to Nyla’s room and found it empty, just as he had expected.
Frowning, he hesitated before calling her, but her phone was off. His expression darkened, and he instructed Michael to find Valarie’s phone
number.
After receiving the number, he called immediately.
Valarie answered after a few rings, sounding irritated. “Who is it at this hour? This better be important!”
“It’s Clark. Is Nyla with you?” Clark asked directly.
Valarie, still half–asleep, replied curtly, “Do you even know what time it is? Of course she’s not here!”
Valarie realized something was amiss and was about to say more, but Clark hung up. Feeling uneasy, she tried calling back, but the line was busy.
Meanwhile, Clark was on the phone with Michael. “Find out where Nyla went after work. I need the results in half an hour!”
Sensing the urgency in Clark’s voice, Michael immediately began the investigation.
Nyla was shivering uncontrollably, curled up in corner of the old wing.
It was early fall, and the temperature difference between day and night.
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was significant. In her rush to the house, she had forgotten to bring a coat, leaving her in only a short–sleeve shirt and pants, freezing and pale.
Her phone had died after the battery drained to 20%, leaving her unaware of the time.
Without dinner, she felt cold, hungry, and miserable.
As time passed, she grew colder, her consciousness fading. Her head. spun…
Finally, she could hold on no longer and fainted.
Some time later, the doors of the old wing burst open with a loud bang.
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Damon’s eyes grew cold when he saw Nyla curled up in the corner, eyes closed, her face flushed unnaturally, and her body trembling. He was about to rush over when Clark suddenly pushed him aside, quickly striding to Nyla and lifting her into his arms.
Seeing that Nyla had already fallen unconscious, Marie frowned. She had only intended to lock Nyla up for a night to teach her a lesson, never expecting things to escalate like this.
Filled with anger but unable to lash out at Marie, Clark spoke in a low. voice. “Grandmother, I need to take Nyla to the hospital.”
Without waiting for a response, he carried Nyla out quickly.
Damon clenched his fists tightly as he watched him leave, his eyes flashing with fury.
Marie looked at Damon and couldn’t help but ask, “Damon, did I go too far?”
Seeing Nyla in such a state made her feel a twinge of guilt.
Damon’s expression remained indifferent. “What do you think? This wasn’t her fault, yet you punished her because you knew she had no one to support her. Don’t you think that’s unfair?”
Marie was at a loss for words.
After a few seconds, she muttered, “But it all started because of her. If she hadn’t forced Jacqueline to kneel, the Sumner Group wouldn’t have lost billions.”
Damon sneered. “Someone tried to set her up. Shouldn’t she fight back? And it wasn’t her who forced Jacqueline to kneel–it was me. If you need someone to blame, I’ll stay here tonight.”
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Marie said sternly, “No, your health isn’t good. If you stay here all night…
She fell silent, meeting Damon’s mocking gaze.
“Mom, she’s part of the Sumners. Jacqueline’s attempt to scheme. against her at the banquet might have been a provocation against the
Sumners.
“The Rainford Group has been secretly contacting the Sumner Group’s competitors. Even without last night’s incident, they would have found another reason to break the contract soon,” Damon said, then turned
and left.
Marie sighed and instructed a maid, “Send some supplements to Nyla. tomorrow.”
She realized she had indeed gone too far this time.
When Nyla woke up and found herself in the hospital, she was surprised.
Turning her head, she saw Clark sleeping by her bedside, and her emotions became conflicted. It seemed that Clark had sensed
something was wrong, tracked her to the Sumner residence, and saved her.
She carefully tried to get out of bed to use the bathroom, but her movement woke Clark.
Seeing her awake, he quickly asked, “Are you feeling any discomfort?”
“Just a bit dizzy, but otherwise fine,” Nyla answered.
Clark sighed in relief upon hearing that. As he saw Nyla attempting to get out of bed, he moved to assist her, but she waved him off, saying, No need. I can manage myself.”
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“Eat your breakfast.” Clark’s tone was cold, clearly upset by Nyla’s indifference.
Nyla replied, “I’m not hungry right now. I’ll eat later. You should go back
to work.”
Clark’s anger, which had been simmering since earlier, finally boiled over. He looked at her coldly, his voice laced with accusation. “Are you not hungry, or do you just lose your appetite when you see me?”
Nyla frowned. “That’s not what I meant.”
“That’s exactly what you meant. When Grandma called you to the house last night, why did you lie and say you were having dinner with colleagues?” Clark demanded.
If he hadn’t sensed something was wrong and called Valarie, he might still be in the dark about her lie.
Nyla lowered her gaze, her expression calm. “I didn’t want you to worry.”
Clark sneered. “Don’t take me for a fool, Nyla. Are you worried about me, or are you afraid I’ll drag my uncle down?”
She took a deep breath, her gaze growing icy as she met his eyes. ” Clark, can you stop being unreasonable?”
“Am I the one being unreasonable, or are you hiding something?” Clark pressed.
He grabbed her chin and leaned in close, enunciating each word, “Nyla, if you have any feelings for my uncle, you’d better stop them now. Do you think the Sumners will let him marry a divorced woman who was once his nephew’s wife?”
They were so close that Nyla could see the mockery and disdain in
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Clark’s eyes. It was as if he were laughing at her foolishness.
She pushed his hand away with disgust, meeting his gaze coldly. “Don’t worry. I know my place. I have no inappropriate thoughts about him!”
Seeing the anger on her face, Clark suddenly chuckled. “Good. But let me remind you, don’t play with fire.”
“Now that you’ve reminded me, can you leave? I don’t want to see your face!” Nyla hissed.
Her eyes were filled with loathing, and Clark felt a sharp pain in his heart -his breath became heavy.
“What a pity. You’ll have to look at it for the rest of your life!” he snarled.
Nyla didn’t respond, turning away from him coldly.
“Remember to eat your breakfast. It will get stale and hurt your stomach,
Clark reminded.
Seeing her icy expression, he said nothing more and left the room.
As he opened the door, he saw Damon standing there, his expression unreadable. It seemed Damon had overheard the conversation.
Clark smiled. “Uncle Damon, Nyla will be discharged this afternoon. You can leave now.”
Damon gave him a cold look and then gestured to Spencer. “Pass the items to him.”
Spencer handed Clark some supplements and flowers, saying, “Mr. Clark, these are from your uncle.”
Clark accepted them with a smile and turned back to Nyla.
“Nyla, these are supplements and flowers from my uncle. See how thoughtful he is, coming to see you first thing in the morning. Anyone would think you two are very close!” he commented snidely.
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Nyla didn’t react to his sarcasm.
Clark’s grip on the flowers tightened. He walked to Nyla’s bedside and leaned close to her ear, speaking so softly only they could hear. “Nyla, you said you have no inappropriate thoughts about my uncle. Now’s your chance to prove it. Throw away his gifts right in front of him, and I’ll believe you.”
Nyla’s hands clenched the blanket tightly, her already pale face turning even paler.
Seeing her hesitation, Clark smirked, but his eyes remained cold.” What’s wrong? Can’t do it?”
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Nyla met Clark’s cold gaze. With a scoff, she snatched the flowers and supplements from his hands, tossing them into the trash can.
Spencer’s eyes widened with shock, quickly shifting to anger. “Ms. Jayston, how could you do that? Mr. Damon came to see you, and you-”
Before he could finish, Damon had already turned and left, his presence so chilling that it sent shivers down one’s spine.
Spencer, struggling to control his frustration, hurried to catch up with Damon.
“Mr. Sumner, are we just going to leave like this?” Spencer asked.
The situation felt unbearably humiliating. After all, Damon had helped Nyla numerous times before, but she had repaid his kindness with disdain.
“What else? Storm into the room and demand an explanation?” Damon
retorted.
He wasn’t the type to grovel. Plenty of women wanted to be with him- he didn’t need her specifically.
Sensing the frostiness in Damon’s gaze, Spencer felt a chill rise from his feet and dared not speak further. Damon was clearly in a foul mood, and it was best to remain silent.
Back in the hospital room, Nyla glared at Clark. “Are you satisfied now?”
Clark smiled and spoke slowly. “Nyla, I’m doing this for your own good. This will prevent any further advances from my uncle. Otherwise, you’ll be the one who gets hurt in the end.”
Nyla’s expression turned mocking. “For my ow: good, or just to control
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me? You know the answer.”
“Nyla, do you have to misunderstand me like this?” Clark asked.
“I don’t want to see you. Get out!” Nyla snapped.
Clark’s gaze darkened as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. ” Nyla, I don’t like this attitude of yours.”
She shook him off, her eyes filled with disgust. “If you prefer someone gentle, go find Jordyn. I never asked you to be here.”
Clark’s expression grew colder. Just as he was about to speak, the door opened.
A nurse entered with an IV drip and said, “Ms. Jayston, it’s time for your
IV.”
Suppressing his anger, Clark softened his tone. “Nyla, take care of yourself. I’ll come pick you up tonight.”
Nyla didn’t spare him a glance, her expression showing annoyance.
After Clark left, she immediately threw the breakfast into the trash can.
Seeing the flowers and supplements on the floor, the nurse looked surprised. “Ms. Jayston, these flowers and supplements…”
“They fell on the floor accidentally,” Nyla said.
The nurse offered, “I can pick them up for you-”
“No need,” Nyla interrupted, pausing before adding, “Please throw them.
away.”
Some things shouldn’t be hoped for if there’s no future in them.
The nurse, assuming Nyla didn’t want the items because they had fallen, said nothing more. She hooked up the IV and picked up the flowers and supplements before leaving.
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Left alone in the room, Nyla closed her eyes, hoping for rest, but her mind kept replaying the moment Damon left. Even from a distance, she could see the iciness in his eyes.
Her heart ached, and her eyes stung with unshed tears.
There was no possibility between them. Pushing him away was the only path she could take.
That afternoon, after the doctor checked on Nyla and prescribed some medication, she was discharged.
The following morning, as soon as Nyla arrived at the office, Spencer came over with a young woman.
“Ms. Jayston, the company has decided to assign someone to assist you with your work.” Spencer’s tone was frosty. He was still upset about Nyla throwing away the flowers and supplements in front of Damon the day before.
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However, Damon had no intention of pursuing the matter, so as a mere secretary, Spencer had no place to comment.
Nyla glanced at the young woman standing next to Spencer. She had a baby face, shoulder–length hair, and eyes that smiled like crescent
moons, giving her a very cute appearance.
“Ms. Jayston, my name is Melody Sorley. I just graduated from university. It’s nice to meet you,” Melody introduced herself.
“Hello, I’m Nyla Jayston,” Nyla replied simply.
With many tasks in the lab, Nyla was indeed struggling to manage everything on her own. Having an assistant would be a significant help.
“Thank you, Mr. Hogg,” Nyla said gratefully.
Spencer’s expression remained cold. “No need to thank me. It’s my job. I’ll be going now. If you
company network need anything, just message me on the
Understanding that Spencer’s displeasure was related to Damon, Nyla chose not to get angry. She nodded and said, “Okay.”
After Spencer left, Melody turned to Nyla and asked, “Can I call your Nyla? ‘Ms. Jayston‘ feels too formal.”
Nyla smiled. “That’s fine. For today, just go through the literature. Your can start working in the lab in a couple of days.”
“Okay, thank you, Nyla,” Melody chirped.
Melody was lively and diligent, frequently coming to the lab to ask Nyla questions about the literature. Nyla patiently answered her, and by the end of the morning, the two had become muc closer.
At noon, Melody pulled Nyla to the cafeteria, saying, “Nyla, I’ve heard
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that Prospectus Technology’s cafeteria food is really delicious. Is that
true?”
Seeing her bright, eager eyes, Nyla couldn’t help but smile. “Yes. You’ll see for yourself soon.”
They chatted as they walked, quickly arriving at the cafeteria. After getting their food, they found a corner to sit down.
After taking a bite, Melody exclaimed, “This is so good! I’ve never had such delicious food in my life. Working at Prospectus Technology is such a blessing!”
Nyla smiled, about to respond, when a commotion at the entrance caught her attention. Looking up, she saw Damon and Erin walking side by side.
Erin was smiling, her eyes filled with curiosity as she occasionally turned to speak with Damon, who patiently answered her every question.
Nyla lowered her gaze, suddenly finding the food tasteless.
Melody, also watching them, lowered her voice and said, “Nyla, I heard before I even joined the company that Mr. Sumner is dating the heiress. of the Hulle family. I thought it was just a rumor, but it turns out to be true. They make a perfect match. It seems the Cinderella story only. happens in fairy tales.”
Nyla forced a smile. “Yes, you’re right.”
Noticing Nyla’s disinterest in gossip, Melody switched topics.
They were discussing what to have for dinner when a gentle voice suddenly echoed. “Ms. Nyla, what a coincidence to see you here again.”
Nyla turned her head to see Erin holding a plate of steak, standing a few steps away with a bright smile.
Nyla hadn’t liked Erin since the banquet whe she sided with Jacqueline
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and targeted her at every turn. Thus, she kept her expression neutral. Hello, Ms. Hulle.”
“Do you mind if we sit next to you?” Erin asked.
Nyla frowned slightly, about to respond, when Melody quickly answered, “Not at all, not at all.”
Erin sat next to Nyla, while Damon took the seat next to Melody, diagonally across from Nyla. He didn’t even glance at her, his presence radiating an almost palpable coldness.
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Erin chatted with Damon, her smile evident. Although Damon only responded occasionally, the atmosphere between them remained fairly. harmonious.
Ever since Erin and Damon had sat down next to Nyla and Melody, Nyla kept her head down, quietly eating. She hoped to finish quickly and leave
Suddenly, a somewhat shy voice came from nearby. “Ms. Jayston…
Nyla turned to see a tall, muscular man holding a bouquet of red roses. He stood a few steps away, looking at her nervously. She frowned, sensing something was off.
As expected, the next moment, the man extended the roses toward her.
“Hi, my name is Dylan Lomas. From the moment I saw you, I fell in love. at first sight. Could you give me a chance… to pursue you?” Dylan confessed.
Nyla often received such confessions back in university, but this was the first time since marrying Clark.
It was lunchtime, and the cafeteria was packed. Everyone’s eyes were on her and Dylan.
After a few seconds of silence, she said calmly, “I’m sorry, but I’m already married.”
Dylan’s face darkened, his gaze filled with disbelief.
Nyla’s youthful appearance and beauty made her seem too young to be married. Additionally, being publicly rejected left Dylan feeling humiliated, as if everyone around him were mocking him.
“Ms. Jayston… are you lying about be.. ig married because you don’t like
me?” Dylan pressed.
Nyla was unsettled by his accusatory tone, and her voice grew colder. Mr. Lomas, if you don’t want to believe me, there’s nothing I can do. I want to finish my meal now. Please leave.”
Her response only reinforced Dylan’s belief that she was lying. His expression darkened further as he considered the time and money he had invested in preparing for the evening, particularly the rose bouquet that had cost nearly 100 dollars.
Nyla’s public rejection felt like a deliberate humiliation.
Did she think that being pretty gave her license to disregard other people’s feelings? The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
However, surrounded by people, he suppressed his rage and forced a smile. “At least take the flowers. It’s my way of showing you how I feel.”
“Thank you, but I can’t accept them,” Nyla replied, turning back to her meal, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.
Dylan’s smile froze, his grip on the flowers tightened, and his eyes flashed with anger.
After taking a deep breath, he left quickly without further argument.
Beside them, Erin couldn’t help but laugh. “Ms. Nyla, you’re quite popular. You’ve only been at Prospectus Technology for a few days, and someone’s already confessed to you. I’m so envious.”
Nyla gave her a cool glance. “No need to be envious, Ms. Hulle. If you’re pretty enough, it can happen to you too.”
Erin’s expression stiffened, and she nearly snapped her cutlery in half. Was Nyla implying she wasn’t pretty enough?
Struggling to maintain her smile, Erin turned to Damon, who remained expressionless. “Not everyone can rely on their looks to get by like Ms.
Chapter 150
Nyla. I think true ability is more important. What do you think, Mr. Damon?”
Damon looked at her with an indifferent expression and simply hummed in response.
Nyla pressed her lips together, feeling a complicated mix of emotions. Did Damon also think she was just a pretty face?
