Chapter 1402:
Nicola, slightly tipsy, had lounged on the sofa with an effortless grace that bore no hint of impropriety. Her long, soft hair had draped over her chest. She had propped her chin on her hand, her gaze slightly blurred as she smiled at everyone, her eyes twinkling with flirtatious charm.
âStart a company? If I really wanted, I could just return to the Sanderson family and realize any grand dream I have. Why take such a roundabout route? And as for men? Ha, I cherish my freedom too much to tie myself down.â
Her eyes sparkled with self-assuredness. The women around Nicola had laughed, dismissing her words as the ramblings of someone too tipsy to be serious.
Nicola hadnât bothered to counter them, instead simply closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep on the sofa.
Later, after getting to know Nicola better, Lucius had once asked her why she hadnât defended herself against those remarks back then. She had told him that worrying about othersâ opinions was pointless, and only her own happiness mattered. He had never forgotten those words. After hearing Lucius out, Harlee was shocked to find Nicola was at the heart of the feud between Lucius and Nathaniel.
âIt looks like youâve pieced together the story in your mind. Now, what do you think was my relationship with Nicola?â Lucius, pulled from his reverie, stood before Harlee, looking down with affection. Harlee and Nicola bore such a strong resemblance. To Lucius, seeing Harlee was like seeing the daughter he and Nicola might have had. This explained why Lucius had always treated Harlee so kindly, without condition.
The first time Lucius had seen Harlee at the army camp, he immediately knew she was the lost child of the Sanderson family. Driven by a selfish desire to keep her close, he had pretended not to recognize her. He never anticipated that after all these years, she would return to the Sanderson family and ultimately end up with Rhys. Their unresolved romance led Lucius to accept Nolaâs proposal for collaboration. Lucius aimed to haunt Nathaniel endlessly, to strip him of descendants, and to disturb his peace forever.
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âA love that was destined to remain unfulfilled,â Harlee spoke slowly. Nicola had died just three years ago, and Luciusâ absence indicated he was unaware of her struggles. Remarkably, Nicola had never once mentioned Lucius until her demise, much like her resolve never to see Nathaniel again. It was a story of love not reciprocated.
Harlee hadnât realized before that Lucius was among Nicolaâs numerous admirers, nor could she have envisioned that his conflict with the Green family stemmed from romantic roots.
âIndeed. Nicola never loved me, nor did she have feelings for Nathaniel!â Lucius confirmed openly.
âYet, Nathanielâs actions contributed to her problems. Without Nathanielâs intervention, Nicola and I could have grown old together, just like any other couple!â
The memories of discovering Nicolaâs plight still tormented Lucius. He vividly recalled his overwhelming urge to retaliate, which culminated in him breaking Nathanielâs leg.
Harlee remained silent. Although she didnât know Nicola well, she understood Nicolaâs characterâNicola was not someone to be easily exploited. Nicolaâs agreement to be with Lucius was likely the result of her drunken state.
âOn the tenth anniversary of our friendship, Nicola, Nathaniel, your father, and some now-deceased acquaintances and I went out for a heavy night of drinking. Everyone was drunk, except for me. I stayed alert because I knew she was leaving the country the next day.â
A sorrowful look crossed Luciusâ face.
âI gathered the courage to sit next to her and asked if she would stay with me forever. Although she was tipsy, I believed she was aware of what she was saying. She agreed, asking only that I wait for her return.â
Nicolaâs acceptance back then had brought Lucius a mix of joy and surprise. It was a response he had not expected but deeply valued.
Harlee frowned. It seemed clear that Nicolaâs words were just the result of intoxication. Her lips pressed tightly together. Lucius held Nathaniel responsible for Nicolaâs troubles, but Nicolaâs actual cause of death was the Bloodthirstiness Pill. What was Nathanielâs real role in this?
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