For a moment, Nicolette couldn't move. It wasn't just the shock holding her still—it was the uncertainty of what she would do next.
Her phone wasn't with her, so she couldn't reach anyone.
She had no idea how she would get to Alaric's house to ask him for help!
She bit her lip. Panic surged inside her again. She looked at the mess around, and her heart tightened. She could hope her father hadn't done anything harmful to Suzie and Walter.
Quickly, Nicolette dashed into Suzie's small room, searched for her own briefcase and changed out of Alaric's shirt into blue jeans and a comfortable blouse.
She tucked her hair behind her ears and searched around for Suzie's purse. After going through different drawers in the house, she finally found it in a small box under Suzie's bed.
Nicolette counted the cash and tucked a few inside her pocket before leaving the house.
Her breath hitched when she got outside. What was she going to do now?
Don't cry.
Don't lose it.
Don't cry.
Even though she even found Alaric, how was she supposed to save Suzie and Walter?
At that point her father was going insane and it terrified her to the bones.
Nicolette exhaled sharply as she proceeded down the street. Two blocks away from Suzie's house, she saw Mrs Wahlberg, Suzie's neighbor.
Mrs Wahlberg straightened up, a frown on her face. "You don't go about hitting people!"
Nicolette blinked, confusion racing inside her. "Hitting people? What happened?"
Mrs Wahlberg stepped closer, her frown deepening. "I saw those fancy cars stopping at Suzie's house! Leo went to look and those guys hit him."
Nicolette shook her head, still very confused. "Wait, some cars stopped at Suzie's house, and your grandson went over to check and they hit him?"
Mrs Wahlberg's mouth curved in a frown. "Yes!"
"Oh," she gasped. "I'm sorry. Can I see Leo? Can I talk to him?"
If she could speak to Leo, she could know it was Lucian's men or her father's men—not that it mattered, but she could know what she was against.
"He left with his mother to the hospital!"
Nicolette's heart sank. "Hos… hospital?"
"Yes. He couldn't walk properly, he was bleeding!" Mrs Wahlberg's voice rose with anger. "That boy was barely standing! Soon as he gets well, I'm pressing charges against Suzie and her fancy friends!"
"I'm so sorry, Mrs Wahlberg," Nicolette pleaded, her voice wobbling. But it wasn't out of fear for Mrs Wahlberg's threat, it was out of fear of the men who took Suzie.
If they had beaten Leo badly, she wondered what would happen to Suzie and Walter.
"I have said my piece! Bye!" Mrs Wahlberg said with a hiss and went inside her house.
Nicolette exhaled, rubbing her forehead with the back of her hand.
This was just strange.
She sighed again, and made her way to her father's house.
Once the cab stopped at Ronald's front gate, her nerves came rushing back, but she steadied them and proceeded inside.
"Well, well. I knew you would come back to your senses," Ronald said as soon as she entered the living room.
Nicolette stiffened as she faced him, the smirk on his face twisted her stomach. "Where is Suzie and Walter?"
Ronald ignored her as he crossed his legs. "With every passing day, I wonder if you're really my daughter."
Nicolette clenched her fists, stopping herself from reacting. He could say anything he liked, as long as he let Suzie and Walter go.
"Where are they?" she asked again, firmly this time.
Ronald didn't speak immediately and his silence made her chest tightened.
Did he have them, or did Lucian?
The question almost made her dizzy from fright.
Finally, when Ronald spoke, his voice was cold. "You'll see your friend when you follow Lucian home."
Her eyes widened. "Follow him home?"
"Oh yeah," Ronald snapped, standing up. "I am done with your stupid games! I gave you time to act, but you're obviously not going to."
Pain streamed within her, flooding her vision for a bit, but she held her ground, refusing to give in, at least until she was sure Suzie and her baby were safe.
"And Lucian is tired of being a gentleman," Ronald added. "You're definitely not worth the chivalry," he hissed, his eyes glinting with rage. "So you will go home to him today and begin your life."
"You sound so sick and desperate!" Nicolette snapped, the pain in her chest, the helplessness she was feeling, morphed into anger.
Ronald let out a long laugh, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Of course I am desperate. I made progress yesterday! Three artistes left the Allens House"—his mouth twisted with disgust— "and came to mine. Well, one left yesterday, but we're working on it."
Oh, Alejandro.
"But that's not the point," Ronald continued as he began to pace in the living room. "The point is I made progress, so imagine I have Lucian's support, you know how much growth that will be? I will be bigger than… them!" He laughed hysterically.
"Well I don't care! I just want to live my life."
Ronald turned to her, his eyes twinkling with delight. "But you have no life! I gave it to you! And you deserve to help me with it!"
Nicolette flinched, stepping away from his rage. God she couldn't believe her father was this deranged.
"I can't have a young… boy take over my hardwork! It was supposed to be easy. Julius was supposed to retire and I rose to the top, instead he handed the business to his son. How was I supposed to compete with a billionaire?"
Nicolette saw the fright on her father's face, and it gave her the strength to challenge him. "Just so you know that boy is my husband!"
The fear in Ronald's eyes immediately turned into rage and for a moment, Nicolette braced herself, waiting for him to hit her on the face.
But instead, his jaw tightened. "If you weren't having your wedding tomorrow, I would have disfigured that face of yours! I would have cleaned that smirk off your face!"
Nicolette gasped, but it wasn't because of his threat. It was because of his statement about… her wedding.
"I am getting married…. tomorrow?"
"Oh yes. Lucian is no longer wasting time," he laughed, his laughter stinging even more.
"But… but…"
"No buts. Don't worry you'll have the luxury of picking your own dress," Ronald said and went back to the couch. "So, about your friend," he said, picking up his glass of alcohol.
Nicolette's eyes fell on the table and it landed on her phone.
He had her phone.
Ronald followed her eyes and he smirked. "I found it, and don't worry, I blocked that stupid pathway." He leaned forward, picked the phone and smashed it against the wall. "I shouldn't have given you that in the first place."
The pain surged through Nicolette, her knee buckled, throwing her on the floor. She bit her lip trying to stop herself from crying.
"Will!" her father called. When the hefty bodyguard came, he continued. "Get that lowlife and her son out of my house."
Nicolette didn't move, she was too overwhelmed with emotions to make a move. She just sat there when Suzie and Walter were pushed out.
Suzie's eyes were red and swollen and it made Nicolette mad!
"Are you okay?" Suzie whispered as she clutched to Walter.
Nicolette nodded. "And you and Walt?"
"Good," Suzie replied.
"This is not a reunion, get them out of here," Ronald interpreted the conversation, his voice tinged with annoyance.
As Suzie was being pushed out, a thought crossed Nicolette's mind.
"Wait!" she yelled, forcing herself to stand up.
"What?" Ronald demanded.
"I… want to hug her."
"Fine. Do that quickly. We can't keep Lucian waiting," Ronald said.
Nicolette saw the shock in Suzie's eyes as she approached her. She hugged her and whispered in her ear. "Go to Alaric's office."
"That's enough! Take her out!" Ronald snapped and Will dragged Suzie out.
Nicolette turned to her father, anger mounting in her chest. "I'm ready."
Ronald cocked his brow. "Nicolette, don't even think about pulling another stunt."
"How can I?" She challenged him. "You know where Suzie is."
The statement seemed to work as she watched him nod.
"Well, then," he said, standing up. "Lucian's men are waiting for you outside."
Nicolette's heart flipped.
It was already happening.
She hadn't thought of a plan yet.
"Come," Ronald said, pulling her outside.
She followed him, her head racing with ideas, but as they reached the waiting car, nothing came to her.
Ronald opened the door for her. "Off you go. We'll all come tomorrow for the wedding."
Nicolette turned to her father, hoping he would change his mind. "Dad…"
"Bye." He pushed her inside the car, and walked to the front door. "Take care of her."
"Dad!" Nicolette pleaded, but Ronald didn't even look at her, he walked away.
The reality dawned on her as she turned to the cold, hefty man seated beside her. Her heart shattered as the car drove off.
No. She can't just let this happen.
Think, Nicolette!
And an idea popped in her head.
She checked the lock. She glanced at the guard by her side.
The car was heading towards the highway.
Now or never.
Nicolette unlocked the door and threw herself out of the moving car. She didn't have the time to check if she was hurt.
She stood up sharply and dashed onto the road.