Chapter 8
I couldn’t hold back a laugh and said sharply, “And what if I refuse to back down? Jackson, what makes you think I’d ever give in to the woman you cheated with?
“What do you take me for?”
Jackson was completely stunned by my words. His face darkened, but he had no comeback.
I didn’t bother with him anymore and turned to leave.
But of course, he refused to let me go. He grabbed my wrist tightly, still unwilling to give up.
“No matter what, you’re still my wife. You’re coming home with me.”
Just then, the sound of a microphone rang out from the stage, and Jordan’s deep, steady voice filled the room.
“The purpose of tonight’s gathering,” he said, “is to introduce someone very important to me–my long–lost daughter.”
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the crowd and landed squarely on
- me.
More than half the people in the room had attended the auction that day. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they followed his line of sight, right to me.
Jordan gave a small, calm smile and continued, “Please welcome my daughter… Nicole.”
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With everyone watching, I walked step by step toward the stage. Once I was up there, I turned around and smiled at the crowd.
“I’m not someone who forgives and forgets,” I said coolly. “So if you’re smart, you’ll start being very careful from now on.”
It was a naked threat–and everyone heard it loud and clear.
One by one, the guests lowered their heads, scrambling to distance themselves. They all claimed they’d forgotten the past, that they couldn’t remember anything that happened before–and certainly wouldn’t speak of it to anyone.
Jordan nodded in satisfaction.
Then he turned his attention to Jackson.
“I hear Mr. Stainbrook has already moved on to someone new,” he said mildly. “My daughter will not marry a man like that. Consider the marriage over. I’ll be choosing a more suitable husband for her.
“I ask that you cooperate and complete the paperwork as soon as possible.”
Jackson stared at me, dazed like he hadn’t fully processed what Jordan had just said.
It was like he’d lost his mind–he refused to get divorced and even went so far as to fire Jessie.
But trouble was closing in fast. The businesspeople who had attended the auction with him already suspected Jackson had rigged the event to drain their cash flow. Now that I had officially rejoined the Fletcher family, they saw an opportunity. One by one, they turned on the Stainbrook family, hoping to curry favor with the Fletcher family
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Chapter B
instead.
The next time I saw Jackson, he was walking out of his office building.
His suit jacket was slung over one arm, his tie hung crooked across his shoulder, and his shirt was a mess of wrinkles. Deep dark circles ringed his eyes. But the moment he spotted me, they lit up with hope.
He rushed over.
“Nicole, the Fletcher family have kept you so well–protected, I couldn’t even get a glimpse of you. But now you’re here–I knew it. I knew you still had feelings for me.
“I’ve already fired Jessie. She won’t come between us again. Just give me one more chance, please. Help me save the company–help us.”
I looked at him coldly, and for a moment, I genuinely couldn’t remember what I’d ever seen in this man.
“Jackson, stop dreaming. I came here today for one reason to tell you I’ve already drawn up the divorce papers. All you have to do is sign. I don’t want a single cent from the Stainbrook family. But if you keep pestering me, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Jackson still refused to let go. He begged me desperately.
“Nicole, please don’t be so heartless. I know I was wrong—I do. It was all Jessie’s fault. She messed with my head. I wasn’t thinking straight; that’s the only reason I treated you that way. But I promise–I’ll never see her again. Just forgive me, okay? Just this once?”
