Chapter 14 I Want You to Reconcile with Lily
Edward led Nicole into the CEO's office in front of all the staff members.
As soon as the door closed, she tearfully threw herself into his arms, tightly clinging to his waist.
"Edward, I'm so glad you came to pick me up. I was really scared earlier..."
Evelyn narrowed her beautiful eyes, revealing a wicked smile. "The big move should be saved for the critical moment. That's when it has the most impact."
Edward's deep eyes were like bottomless pits. He raised his hands and placed them on Nicole's shoulders, slowly pushing her away.
"Edward..." Nicole looked confused.
"Why did you do that?" Edward asked coldly, his gaze sharp.
"What do you mean?"
"Why did you leak the news of our marriage to Mugden Daily?"
Nicole let out a sigh of relief but then tried to hug him again. "Because I couldn't wait to marry you, Edward. Don't you want to marry me?"
"I do, but what you did was inappropriate." Edward's expression was serious, not as gentle as before.
"How is it inappropriate? You and Lily are already divorced!"
"Our divorce process isn't complete yet. And we promised Grandfather that we would wait until after his 80th birthday to divorce officially."
Edward instinctively moved backward. "Until then, she is still my wife in name. By exposing the news now, it will affect all three of us. Grandfather will be even more displeased with you."
He was rational. He always considered the pros and cons of everything. His emotions had been flawed since childhood. Nicole was the only one he showed tenderness to. But his words were still sharp and direct.
But he thought they had been childhood sweethearts, that Nicole would understand him.
However, she completely missed the point and became infuriated, tears welling up in her eyes. "Affect all three of us? Edward, did you see online that people said Lily is the third party and got upset? Do you feel sorry for her now?"
"I don't feel sorry for her, but Lily is not the third party. This matter shouldn't have turned out like this." Edward pinched his brow, feeling a dull pain in his brain.
"How is she not? She clearly is!" Nicole stomped her foot in anger. Her voice was loud and sharp, making Edward's headache even worse. "If it weren't for her, we would have been together a long time ago! It's all her fault for obstructing us! She occupied my place by your side for a whole three years!"
"Grandfather made the concession because Lily became my wife in name for three years. Without her, it would have been even more impossible for you and me to be together."
After Edward finished speaking, he felt a sudden pain in his chest.
He thought, 'Yes if it hadn't been for Lily leaving me after three years, how could Grandfather have allowed Nicole and me to be together?'
Lily always greeted him with a smile when he came home. She helped him change clothes and prepared a hot bath for him. She silently took care of everything, never letting him worry about a thing.
She did not compete, fight, cry, or make a fuss, and even when she signed the divorce agreement and left Riverside Villa, she did not complain.
Even though Lily ultimately chose Landon without hesitation, she fulfilled her duties as a wife over the past three years. On the other hand, Edward always treated her as a tool. He only looked forward to the passing of these three years so he could be with the person he desired.
If we talk about owing, Edward owes her even more.
"Edward, are you speaking up for her now?" Nicole was stunned. She couldn't understand this man's thoughts anymore.
"No, I'm just discussing the matter at hand."
At that moment, Edward's phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was Byron calling. His irritability became more evident.
He opened the door, and Bart was waiting outside.
"Bart, assign more people to escort Ms. Adams home."
"Yes, Mr. Wellington." Bart made a gesture of "please" towards Nicole.
"Edward! I don't want to go back... I'm so scared!" Nicole sobbed uncontrollably, holding tightly onto Edward's hand.
"Don't be afraid. But for these few days, don't accept any media interviews. I will handle the rest."
Edward firmly escorted her out and closed the door. He suppressed his headache and answered Byron's call.
"Grandfather."
"Edward! How dare you break the promise with me? Are you so eager to marry that slut?"
Byron angrily roared, "If you want to marry Nicole, then I no longer have a disobedient grandson like you!"
"Grandfather, the news was released by the media. It has nothing to do with me."
"I think it was Nicole who released it! Seeing that you haven't gotten engaged to her all this time, she got anxious and exposed the news without telling you!"
"It wasn't Nicole. Don't misunderstand her."
Edward's headache worsened. He tugged at his Windsor knot, slowly leaned against the wall, and sat back down on the couch.
Because he lied to Byron, the person who loved him the most, he felt guilty and bitter, but at that time, he had no other choice.
"I forbid you to marry Nicole! I want you to reconcile with Lily!" Byron didn't want to waste any more words and directly demanded that Lily and Edward get back together.
"Grandfather, this is the promise you made to me. After three years, I have the right to choose my wife."
Edward's forehead began to sweat, and his breathing became unsteady. "I have no chance with Lily anymore. Nicole is the only one who can be my future wife."
"Fine...fine! You blind bastard! Even if I have to die, I'll wait until you lose Lily and regret it before I close my eyes!"
After saying that, Byron angrily hung up the phone.
Edward sighed heavily with distress. He walked to his desk, hastily took out pain medication, and swallowed it.
After Bart escorted Nicole back, he happened to witness the scene, and he walked over to help Edward with concern.
"Mr. Wellington, how are you? Are you experiencing another headache?"
"I'm fine," Edward slowly sat down, closing his eyes and massaging his throbbing temples.
"You can't keep relying on painkillers. I remember that over the past three years, Mrs. Wellington would massage your headaches away. How did it come back?"
Bart sighed with empathy. "If only Mrs. Wellington were here. Every time she massaged you, you could sleep peacefully..."
"Don't mention her," Edward sighed and felt dejected.
"Oh, by the way, Mr. Wellington, about the task you assigned me... I have found out," Bart hesitated, unable to look at Edward.
"Speak."
"Ms. Adams provided information to the two bloggers who exposed Mrs. Wellington's scandals."
Edward suddenly looked up. His heart skipped a beat. "Are you sure about this? How is that possible?"
"I am sure I double-checked," Bart said under pressure.
Bart whispered, "Otherwise, how could everything be so coincidental? The engagement news was just announced, and the accusations immediately followed. It must have been prepared in advance."
Edward froze for a moment, and then his tall figure slumped, and a feeling of helplessness washed over him.
"Nicole, why would she do this..."
Edward knew that Nicole loved him and cared for him, and he also knew that she didn't like Lily, but she shouldn't vent her anger in this way.
"Handle it. No matter what method you use, I want those scandals to disappear from the internet before sunset!"
When Nicole returned home, her parents, Bray Adams and Karen Adams, and her brother, Dick Adams, were all there. They were glad to see her return!
"Oh, Nicole! Your plan worked wonders!" Dick beamed. "Once you announced your engagement with Mr. Wellington, the Adams Group's troubles instantly vanished! And now, many hotels are looking to place orders with us. We're going to make a fortune!"
"Nicole! You're the hero of our entire family!" Bray also praised from the side.
Before, the hotels under KnightSpear Group suddenly returned all the bedding to the Adams Group's Eilie Furniture and permanently terminated the cooperation, causing the industry to doubt the Adams Group. Many hotels that had placed orders also canceled their orders. The Adams Group suffered heavy losses, and Bray and Dick were anxious like ants on a hot plate.
Therefore, Nicole thought of announcing their engagement to save their crumbling business.
Indeed, it had a significant effect. Relying on the Wellington Group, they were really making a lot of money!
But Nicole looked unhappy. "Yes, the business is saved, but do you know what price I paid? Edward even argued with me today. And Byron will probably despise me even more!"
"Don't worry! Byron is just a dying older man. He won't live for long. We'll wait for him to die!"
Dick smirked evilly, "Once Byron is gone, Aunt will control Patrick, and you will manipulate Edward. The entire Wellington family will be in our control!"
"That's right, Nicole."
Karen approached and stroked Nicole's hair, unable to hide her inner desire. "As long as Edward loves you, Byron won't be able to stop you from marrying into a wealthy family. Tiffany is the best example."
Nicole felt comforted after hearing this. She nodded confidently.
This time, no matter what, she had to marry into the Wellington family and become Edward's enviable wife!
