Having heard those words, Nicole felt a sharp pang in her heart. Her mother, who was highly cultured and steeped in propriety, had devoted herself to supporting Zane just so he could make a name for himself in the industry.
She had even cleaned out her fatherâs company for his sake. But what did she get in return?
Her motherâs experience had taught her a lesson that one should never humble herself and go against her own principles for love.
âNicole, say something.â
âWhat do you want to talk about, dad?â
âNicole, I know youâre living a comfortable life now with Mr. Seet, but you canât just forget about us. Sylphiette is your sister and her marriage was ruined because of the Lane familyâs bankruptcy. Life has been terrible for us. Could you please tell Mr. Seet to have mercy on us and give us a chance to rise again?â
âOkay, but first, you have to answer my question.â
Sensing that there was hope, Zane quickly replied, âWhat is it, Nicole? Just fire away and Iâll answer without reserve.â
âHow did my mom die?â
There was a brief silence from the other end of the line.
âWhy are you asking that? Your mother died of an illness. You know that.â
âAn illness?â Nicole sneered. âYou think Iâll believe that? You and Sylvia had earnestly wished for mom and I to die, so you also got me a tomb when you bought one for mom; youâd even set up a tombstone for me, assuming I was dead when you didnât even find my body! Dad, who on earth would do that as a father?â
âWasnât that a misunderstanding? After finding out that you were alive, I brought you home, didnât I?â
âAnd you should know better how I was treated when you brought me home! Oh, donât worry, Dad. Iâll definitely have a good chat with you on my momâs death anniversary!â
At that, Nicole hung up the phone, her resentment growing deeper.
Remembering the time when she went to her motherâs grave and saw her picture next to her motherâs tombstone, she couldnât believe that Zane and Sylvia were so eager for her to die.
She had destroyed the picture on the tombstone and gone to look for Zane in a fit of rage.
Seeing that she was still alive, Sylviaâs face darkened and she had been muttering about how it was a waste that she was still alive when the tombstone was all set up.
Zane didnât stand up for her back then, but neither did he chase her away, as he needed to protect the company and his image.
From then on, she had been treated like a servant and bullied relentless by Sylvia.
She could endure these for the time being, but for once, she was determined to get to the bottom of the cause of her motherâs death. She was certain that Sylvia and Zane couldnât get away with it.
Five days later, after sending the kids to the kindergarten, Nicole dropped by at the floristâs to buy her motherâs favorite flower and bought her favorite fruits before heading to the cemetery.
But little did she expect her car to suddenly break down halfway, making her heart sink into her boots.
She got out of the car, called a car mechanic, and stood waiting by the roadside for half an hour until she saw a familiar-looking car coming this way.
Isnât that Evanâs Maybach?
As if she saw a glimmer of hope, she waved desperately at him, but he simply sped past her.
What the hell? Is he blind?
âBetter is a neighbor who is near than a brother far awayââ what nonsense! Heâs a jerk who doesnât even help his neighbor! And weâre not even neighbors! We live under the same roof!
She was bellyaching when the mechanic arrived.
The car was soon repaired and after paying, she continued her journey toward the cemetery.
Upon arriving at the cemetery and parking the car, it suddenly began to drizzle.
Unconcerned, she carried the flowers and fruits and walked toward the inside, but after taking a few steps, she unexpectedly bumped into Evan head-on.