Chapter 12
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Ashley gritted her molars and started typing.
A third message arrived: “Nicole, you wouldn’t be so mean?”
…Right. She’d been presumptuous.
Ashley deleted everything she’d typed, turning to call inside: “Nicole!”
Then came the fourth message: “Nicole’s mom?”
Ashley completely deflated, even chuckling.
Her friend on the video call asked: “What’s so funny? Smirking like a fool-new romance?”
Ashley smoothed her curling lips, lying through her teeth: “Nonsense. Strictly professional.”
At first it really was.
When she contacted him for the assignment, they hadn’t met.
Ashley trusted this private investigator solely based on her best friend who’s a lawyer.
He met her in person the second day she arrived in Australia to discuss the case.
She found it odd-Nicole studied in America, so his investigation should focus there. Why was he in Australia?
Bruce said he’d settled here now.
During their initial calls, Ashley assumed he was quiet and reserved.
Yet meeting him surprised her.
Bruce proved talkative and humorous, openly showing interest while insisting on walking her home.
How do you feel about Bruce?
Ashley composed herself, texting Bruce: [Fighting!][Fighting!]
while answering her friend: “He’s quite humorous.”
“That’s it? Not considering him further? His family background tops even Aaron’s. But he’s loved investigation since childhood, started his own company after graduation, and excels in this field with stellar industry reputation.”
“He’s two years younger than me.”
“So what? Puppies have more energy. If Bruce Jr. liked me, I’d never let this catch go to waste. Philadelphia’s young masters are usually spoiled rotten-rare to find such a capable one. Seize the chance, got it?”
Ashley gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.
Talking with Bruce felt relaxing. His warmth and energy stood in stark contrast to Aaron’s quiet reserve, carrying a certain magic.
It let her feel what being genuinely valued should be like.
It let her briefly escape that failed, painful marriage and glimpse something beautiful.
So when Bruce made his advances, she silently allowed things to progress.
But wasn’t she just using Bruce too?
How was this any different from what Aaron had done?
This wasn’t right.
It shouldn’t be like this.
Nicole ran over asking, “Mom, did you call me? Did Uncle Bruce text me?”
Ashley arched an eyebrow. “Why would he text you?”
“Last night when we were chatting, he promised he’d say good morning today. Did Uncle Bruce text me?”
Lying to a kid.
Ashley frowned and picked up her phone, only to find the new voice message was for Rui.
She froze for a moment.
Suddenly she realized she was applying Aaron’s behavior pattern to Bruce.
Things Aaron promised could always change at the last minute.
Because of sudden work issues, because of one of Nicole’s unreasonable demands……
She snapped out of it and found Rui had video-called Bruce.
Ashley almost jumped up, hurried to hang up but it was too late, and her face appeared right in front of the camera.
“Morning” Bruce said with a smile, “Rui.”
Another sudden turn.
Ashley moved her face away and saw Rui holding the phone, chatting happily with Bruce, feeling both glad and a bit
heartbroken.
Only in front of Bruce would he regain a child’s innocence and joy.
At all other times, the collapse of Dad Aaron’s image left an indelible shadow on his psyche.
“What’s on your mind? You’re so lost in thought.”
A handsome face inches from hers snapped Ashley back to reality.
Rui Rui shoved the phone at her. “Uncle Bruce wants to say good morning.”
Then he blinked his big eyes at her.
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Ashley ruffled her son’s hair and glanced at the strikingly handsome face on the screen, her tone resigned. “Good morning.”
Bruce chuckled softly. “Hearing those words from you is no small feat.”
“Bruce,” Ashley’s voice turned serious, “when you finish your investigation and return, we need to talk properly.”
“Alright.” Bruce winked. “Hope it’s something I want to hear.”
A week later came the wedding day.
Aaron sat in his office, arranging for his assistant to track down Ashley and her child’s whereabouts, then sent a text to that perpetually switched-off number:
“This is your final chance. Come to me, and I won’t go through with the wedding.”
After typing every word, he deleted them one by one.
If he didn’t marry Nicole, what did that make her?
Hadn’t she been the woman occupying his heart all these years?
His father wanted him to settle down, so he’d married Ashley.
When did a practical woman become more important than Nicole?
He recalled Ashley’s hostility and targeting of Nicole, then finally called his assistant back in.
Aaron glanced at the clock, grabbed his files and darted out toward the conference room. Just as he reached the door, Nicole’s call came through.
“Bro, someone’s picking on me!”
Rushing to the bridal boutique, Aaron discovered Nicole’s “bullying” meant she’d demanded another bride’s gown and refused to back down.
“It’s just a dress! I offered triple the price-what more does she want? I just love this one. They even hurled insults at
me, humiliating me!”
Aaron instinctively wiped her tears before turning to negotiate with the group.
Ten minutes later, the other party relinquished the gown and left.
Nicole threw her arms around Aaron, beaming sweetly. “Bro, I knew you’d fix it!”
“Got another meeting. Shop alone.”
She clung tighter. “Since you’re already here, watch me try it on!”
She bounced off to the fitting room.
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Aaron stood there, suddenly recalling their last wedding anniversary when Ashley had planned the celebration a month in advance.
But on the departure day, an overseas client arrived unexpectedly. While he hesitated about how to gently tell Ashley, she said understandingly, “Let’s postpone the trip.’
Rubbing his exhausted temples, Aaron turned and walked out of the bridal shop.
Sure enough, Nicole called demanding why he left first. When she sensed his coldness, she started apologizing in a fragile, trembling voice.
Leaving him to comfort her instead.
Maybe they just needed time to adjust to each other.
Aaron consoled himself with that thought.
The wedding was extravagantly grand. Nicole invited everyone possible, determined to have the whole world witness her happiness.
Under the host’s guidance, Aaron escorted Nicole up the stage, his steps mechanical, his eyes searching the audience for Ashley.
The large screen behind them started playing a slideshow of his and Nicole’s wedding photos, and the audience sud- denly started whispering, their looks turning strange.
Aaron and Nicole turned to look at the screen at the same time, both changing their expressions.
Those screenshots shockingly revealed Nicole’s crime of intentionally poisoning Aaron’s son and father!
And her exciting life of sleeping around the entire North American student community.
