Chapter 7

"Nathaniel, why are you here?" Regina's sweet voice sounded through the door. "Have you come to look for Ms. Shea?"

Flatly, Nathaniel replied, "No."

Her words were laced with a hint of worry as she said, "Ms. Shea has been out for quite a while now. Do you think something might have happened to her?"

He seemed to let out a mocking laugh, cold and biting. "She's shrewd and resourceful; she knows how to make ends meet. She doesn't need your concern."

Nikita felt her breath catch in her throat. His words were just shy of outright calling her promiscuous.

"You have a point. Ms. Shea is a very capable lady who can easily handle those at the dinner table." Feigning deafness to his sarcasm, Regina continued with admiration, "Unlike me, who doesn't know what to say whenever I see those men."

Nathaniel reached out and brushed his fingers through her hair. Softly, he said, "You're different from her."

Nikita's hand slipped, and she accidentally snagged her stocking. It wasn't until a long pause later that she gathered her senses. She tugged at her skirt, hoping to cover the hole as best as she could.

She straightened up and checked herself out through the reflection in the glass. After ensuring nothing was out of the ordinary, she opened the door. To her surprise, Regina was still outside.

"Ms. Shea."

She stood by the door with a grim expression on her face. In fact, she almost looked sullen. It wasn't until her gaze fell on Nikita's collar that her face changed completely.

Despite her best efforts to cover up, the faint red marks underneath were still visible.

Anger set in Regina as she clenched her fists and sneered, "Ms. Shea, I think it's worth knowing your place. Some individuals are not meant to be pursued by just anyone. I don't think you'd want your efforts wasted."

Nikita didn't think it necessary to explain herself further. In truth, there wasn't much to explain anyway.

She readjusted her clothing and calmly replied, "Don't worry, Ms. Lane. These are only mosquito bites."

"Nikita Shea!"

Regina's body trembled with rage. She raised her hands and shoved Nikita, her voice filled with venom as she shrieked, "Do you think I'm a fool? Who do you think you are? How dare you try to show off in front of me?"

Caught off guard by Regina's sudden attack, Nikita lost her footing and stumbled backward.

In a moment of desperation, she reached out to grab something to steady herself. However, Regina extended an arm again and swatted her hand away.

As a result, Nikita lost her balance completely. As she fell to the ground, she caught sight of Nathaniel emerging from around the corner.

The next second, her vision went dark. She lost consciousness.

"Nathaniel."

Nathaniel's return was the last thing Regina had expected. She scurried toward him with tears glistening in her eyes and wailed, "Nathaniel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I was trying to catch her, but..."

She didn't bother finishing her sentence, for Nathaniel didn't seem to be listening at all.

His attention was entirely on Nikita as he rushed over to her side. In one swift motion, he bent down, picked her up, and turned to leave.

His expression was one Regina had never seen—it was utterly grim.

Left alone, Regina stared blankly at Nathaniel's retreating figure. Her nails dug deep into her palms, leaving little crescents.

She was in disbelief. How had this happened?

Nikita was such a shameless little bitch. How could Nathaniel be so oblivious and fall victim to her seductions?

Regina's features slowly contorted into a sinister expression. She couldn't just let this continue. No matter what, she had to make Nikita Shea disappear forever!

…

When Nikita started to regain consciousness, it had been two hours since the incident.

She stared at the white ceiling in a daze for a few seconds before her thoughts started to flow back into her mind.

She heard a familiar voice beside her. "You're awake."

She turned to find Mason sitting by her bed with a smile on his face. "Ms. Shea, we meet again. What a coincidence."

Nikita was taken aback by his presence. "Mr. Gray, what brings you here?"

After the words left her lips, she instinctively scanned the room. Yet, there was no one else in sight. Her heart was immediately flooded with immense bitterness.

She was certain she'd seen Nathaniel before she'd blacked out. But now... Well, he must be comforting Regina somewhere.

Mason handed her a cup of water from the bedside table. He chuckled, "You needed my help. Of course I would be here."

Nikita's lips pulled into a helpless smile. "Considering the fact that we're business rivals, don't you think your behavior is a tad bit too intimate, Mr. Gray?"

"Of course," he answered, his smile unchanged.

"There is no such thing as an eternal arch-enemy. Don't speak so definitively, Ms. Shea. Who knows, we might become colleagues someday."

Nikita plastered on a faint smile and accepted the cup from him.

The water was still warm. She tipped her head back and took a few gulps, which slightly eased the burning dryness in her throat.

She set the cup down and hesitated for a while before saying, "Well, there is nothing else to do here, Mr. Gray. You don't have to stay here with me."

Mason sighed, putting on an expression of gloom. "Are you burning bridges now that you no longer need me? I've been here watching over you, and the first thing you do after waking up is make me leave?"

Nikita wasn't sure whether she should laugh or cry. "That's not what I meant. It's getting late, and you still have work tomorrow. I can't have you neglecting work because of me."

Sounding a little more serious, she added, "I'll treat you to a meal as soon as I am discharged."

"Deal. Promise me a speedy recovery, because I'll be waiting for our meal."

Mason finally stood up. He put his hand by his ear, making a phone call gesture. "Give me a call if you need anything during the night."

He then left the ward, and Nikita's forced smile faded. Boundless self-mockery took its place instead.

She thought Nathaniel would've ended up developing at least some attachment after so many years. But in the end, it had all been in her head.

In Nathaniel's eyes, she was no more than a shameless stand-in who'd climbed into his bed just to get to the top. Now that he had a new lover, it wouldn't be long before he grew tired of her.

It would probably be ideal for her to leave as soon as possible and preserve whatever little dignity she had left.

Nikita picked up her phone and opened her chat with Nathaniel. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she drafted and deleted her message over and over again.

Ultimately, she typed out a single line that read, "Mr. Foster, I would like to resign and would appreciate your approval."