Nicole felt her chest tighten at his question.
Itâs safest to say that youâre my bodyguard. Iâll be in trouble if finds out youâre the man I love and the father of the kids.
In order to appease Evan, she nodded, fluttering the lashes of her twinkling eyes. âYes, youâre my bodyguard.â
The man secretly gritted his teeth. How could she say this? Is she embarrassed to admit that Iâm her man? Or does she have other ideas in mind?
Fury was evident in Evanâs gaze despite his effort to suppress the intense rage within him. On the other hand, Nicole seemed flustered, as if she were trying to conceal something. Observing the two, Stephenâs brows drew together.
After a brief moment of silence, he suddenly looked at Nicole and asked, âSince you and Levant are in love with one another, why donât you both get married right away? Then my wife will no longer pick on you and the kids because youâre her daughter-in-law.â
Marry Levant?
Why does Stephen bring this up all of a sudden?
Nicole was dumbstruck.
Stephen eyed her intently and observed her reaction. A realization hit him when he saw her shocked and anxious face.
Iâve heard that Nicole intentionally keeps a distance from Levant these days. The way they treat one another is nothing like a couple in love. Other than that, she also secretly tries to scout out some incidents of the past at the estate. I guess she has a hidden agenda, and the appearance of these âbodyguardsâ has confirmed my suspicion.
Meanwhile, Evanâs expression became cold as ice at Stephenâs words.
Looking daggers at the woman, he asked in a cold tone, enunciating every word, âAre you and Levant in love with one another?â
In a panic, Nicole lifted her head to see him.
Whoa! His face looks so stern. This is scary⦠How should I answer him? If I nod, will Evan lose his cool and do something extreme? But if I donât, the excuse I used to stay at the estate becomes invalid. Sir Musgrave will probably think I have a hidden agenda. How am I going to find out my identity then? Oh goodness, why must you give me such a tough challenge? I wish I can draw lots to decide. Now tell me, should I nod or not?
Seeing their motherâs conflicted expression, the four kids exchanged glances. Then Maya stepped forward, innocently blinking her luminous eyes at her mother.
âMommy, I donât want a stepdad. You canât marry Uncle Levant.â
Kyle followed and said firmly, âMommy, I donât want a stepdad, either.â
The quick-witted Juan noticed his dadâs sullen expression and hurriedly said, âMommy, quickly tell Daddy you donât like Uncle Levant.â
Rolling her eyes, Nina walked over to Stephen and looked at him solemnly.
âMommy is deeply in love with Daddy, so she wonât marry Uncle Levant.â
Seeing her kids defending their parentsâ marriage boldly, Nicoleâs dilemma was replaced by worry.
Oh, no. Sir Musgrave now knows that Iâve lied to him. Is he going to deal with me?
Sizing Evan up from head to toe, Stephen asked the four kids, âIs he your daddy?â
âYeah.â
âYes.â
âYouâre right.â
âThatâs him.â
The four kids nodded in unison.
Stephen then turned to look at John. âDid you call her Maâam just now?â
The kids have admitted it, so I have nothing to hide anymore. John gave him a firm nod.
âYes, sheâs our Maâam.â
Stephenâs gaze fell on Nicole. âSince you have a husband and kids, why are you still messing with Levant?â
Iâm here to find out who I really am! And I have no other way to get into the estate.
When Stephen saw Nicole remaining silent, he asked again on purpose, âWho do you actually love? Levant or this man?â
Urgh⦠Of course I love Evan.
Nicoleâs bright eyes landed on Evan and found him staring right back at her with his dark eyes.
Oh my! That murderous look.
Actually, Evan was waiting for an answer from her as well.
If given a choice, who will Nicole choose?