"Drive," Jared ordered."Of course," Max replied and sent the engine running, whereupon they made their way to the Riddle family manor.Upon arrival, Nicole and Jared entered the manor. Their eyes narrowed a little when they saw the people present in the living room."Grandpa." Nicole greeted calmly as she walked over to the living area where the couches were.There, Mr. Riddle Sr. shot Nicole and Jared a glance and said, "Please, have a seat."Once they were seated, Nicole centered her gaze at Dillion and Karen, who were disheveled and unrecognizable. In fact, Nicole could barely recognize them, and it was evident that they had been in the trenches as of late."Dad, now that things have been cleared up, and it wasn't me who did it, can you at least take care of us?" Dillion looked at Nicole then back at his father.He was feeling a little ashamed, but he had to speak up anyhow.He had truly suffered enough being homeless, and if things continued this way, he might actually die
In short, the Riddle family would provide them with food and shelter, but nothing more.Hearing that, Dillion and Karen expressed their gratitude at once, promising, "Thank you, Dad. We will stay at home and take care of you.""Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you can't do that, don't ever come back," Mr. Riddle Sr. warned sternly."Dad, rest assured, we won't break our promise," Dillion firmly assured.They were genuinely afraid and did not want to return to a life of homelessness and scavenging for food.Mr. Riddle Sr. then turned to the butler and said, "Have someone take them downstairs to freshen up and prepare a room for them.""Yes," the butler replied."Thank you, Dad." Dillion and Karen said, after which they followed the butler downstairs."Nicole, don't you have anything to say?" Mr. Riddle Sr. hesitated for a moment before asking.With a gentle smile, Nicole replied, "They have suffered enough, and the past is the past. Besides, they didn't commit the cr
Jared gently placed his hand on Nicole's shoulder before he drew her in for a light embrace. "The butler will keep an eye on them."Although Mr. Riddle Sr. had taken them in and Nicole had warned them, an observation period was still necessary.Nicole then looked up at Jared and nodded with a slight smile. "Yeah."She was not overly concerned, as she believed her grandfather would not throw his rationality to the wind over this matter. She would also keep an eye on them to see if they were truly trustworthy or not.After a while, the two returned to the Riddle residence, where the family had just eaten their dinner.Surprised to see them back so soon, they asked, "Weren't you at the family manor?"'Why are they back at this hour? Did they not have dinner there?'"We stayed for a while and then came back," Nicole replied, noticing that the housekeepers were already clearing the table. "Please prepare dinner for both of us.""Please wait a moment, Miss," the housekeeper replied a
Relieved, Samuel remarked, "That's good.""It's getting late. Let's all head upstairs and get some sleep," Daniel advised everyone.Gloria then looked at Nicole and said, "Nolan and Lana have already gone to their rooms. Why don't you go check on them?""Alright," Nicole agreed, after which she and Jared headed upstairs.In Nolan's room, the two kids were in the middle of a discussion, but the instant they saw Nicole and Jared entering, they immediately fell silent and rushed toward them, exclaiming, "Mommy, Daddy, you're back!"Holding Lana, Jared's gaze softened as he asked, "What were you two up to just now?"Lana could not come up with a lie as she met her father's eyes, so she pouted and said, "Daddy, it's a secret. Can you not ask?"She could not tell Jared, but she did not want to lie to him either. Therefore, the best option, at least for her, was to request her father to not ask her about it.Jared could not help but smile when he saw her being caught in such a dilemma
Nicole raised an eyebrow at Jared as she attempted to understand what he had meant.A warm, fuzzy feeling arose within her as she said, "I'll have a glance at it first. I'll contact them if I need to."Jared stayed with Nicole as she browsed the Hunters. And a while later, Nicole logged off the computer and the couple went to bed thereafter.The next day, the sun shone high and hot as Nicole arrived at the headquarters of Riddle Corporation. She was about to give Preston a call before she realized that he had already arrived before she did."Thanks!' Preston said as he came over and stood before Nicole.Nicole turned to look at Preston. "You ought to thank Grandpa yourself. He was the one who made the decision.""I still have to thank you for that," Preston insisted.Preston knew that had it not been for Nicole, her grandfather would not have rendered aid to his parents, nor would he have asked her to pay him a visit last night."So, from now onwards, whatever happens next will
Then, Preston speculated. "How about this? There could've been a possibility that whoever had saved you back then had stolen it?"'If it wasn't on her, is it possible that someone could've intercepted it along the way? As she woke up with amnesia and did not remember anyone, that perpetrator might've taken it and hid it elsewhere.' Preston thought to himself.However, Nicole felt that it was unlikely that someone could have stolen it from her, as she was the only person who knew how to activate the Fire Crest."Perhaps they took it and sold it off without knowing the value of it," Preston muttered.In a flip, the look on Preston's face changed, and he exclaimed, "What if they took it and sold it off!"Nicole chuckled. "I don't think they would do something like that. The people there? They all live very honest lives."Nicole was certain that the bunch of people who had saved her would not commit such petty crimes. After all, the device housing the Fire Crest itself was rather ins
"I think I need to locate my watch," Nicole said as she immediately posted a message onto the system."Yes, ma'am," the system replied as it began processing its command.Nicole turned the system off shortly after while issuing a heavy sigh.Right now, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.'I could never have thought that Lawrence would lie to me. Why did he do so? Moreover, the Fire Crest would've recognized me as its sole owner anyway. It won't change until I die, but if I had helped him crack it earlier on the way before I regained my memories, I can't imagine what kind of things he would've done to me,' Nicole pondered.She had a hard time telling what was true from what was false among the people on Crescent Island too. 'Was everything one big, practical joke from the start? Was everyone in on it too? Those people I had been friends with, were waiting for me to help them crack the code too?'Preston looked at Nicole with worry written all over his face, "So, ever since yo
Jared and Nicole got into the car, and right away, he noticed that something was off.That was when he quickly brought her into a comforting hug. "Consider this a good ending."Nicole having to find the Fire Crest the way she did indicated that her 'friendship' with Lawrence was nothing but a sham and that they were not really 'friends' to begin with.'I guess discovering the problem now is better than finding out about it later, when it has mushroomed into something bigger,' Nicole thought to herself, somewhat trying to make herself feel better about the situation.In response to Jared, she nodded. "I know."Nicole had always been one who needed time to process all that was going on around her, and this time, it was the deception and betrayal of her 'good friend'.Jared took Nicole into his arms and gently held her. "Let's just go with the flow."Nicole bit her lips, contemplating for a while before asking, "Did you find anything?""Hanwick was under Lawrence's payroll just as
"Let's go, it's time to head down. The ceremony will start soon."The group laughed and talked as they left the bridal suite. Jared and his friends, Spencer and Preston, were also guided out by everyone.Now, only the family of four remained in the bridal suite, getting ready for their big entrance."Mommy, it's almost time. Let's get ready," Nolan said, pulling on Nicole's hand.Nicole gently patted Nolan and Lana's cheeks, whispering, "Okay."As she made to stand, Jared extended his hand toward her. Lifting her gaze, she caught Jared in a moment of elegance, his charm unmistakable. A smile bloomed on her face as she placed her hand in his.With a gentle tug, Jared drew her up, his touch tender against her palm.In a swift move, he pulled Nicole into his arms, his other hand circling her waist to pull her close.As Jared looked at Nicole, admiration shimmered in his eyes. "You look truly beautiful today," he remarked."Daddy, Mommy is beautiful every day," Lana chimed in, til
Nicole laughed off the debate between Lulu and June, saying, "Both are lovely. I'm happy with either."Both sets of jewelry were beautiful, and she felt that either would do."Exactly. Nicole will shine in anything," Cindy said, picking a set. "Let's go with this one."Lulu gave June a victorious look. "Told you this was the one."Cindy then suggested, "Why not wear this for the ceremony and switch for the reception? That way, we use both.""Great idea," June agreed, smiling at Cindy's suggestion.Nicole smiled. "Sounds perfect."With everyone agreeing, the stylist went ahead with preparing Nicole.Lulu watched Nicole, amazed by how calm she seemed. "Aren't you a bit nervous?" she asked. Lulu remembered her own wedding jitters.Nicole bit her lip, a hint of nerves showing. "I'm more excited than anything," she admitted.She had been looking forward to this day, ready to face the future with Jared with hope and joy."Just finished," the stylist announced, stepping back to adm
"Do you think I don't want to meet someone? I just haven't found the right person," Gary said somewhat resignedly. He had long regarded Nicole as just a friend."Why don't we just try the dates our families set up?" Ryder suggested, calm and collected. He figured since finding someone on his own wasn't working, maybe arranged dates could help. In their circles, it seemed like good matches were meant to be."Arranged dates don't sound great. You hardly know the person. Are we really okay with deciding to spend our lives together like that?" Preston wasn't too keen on the idea."Emery's doing pretty well with it, you know," Ryder said confidently. "I trust our families. They wouldn't set us up with someone terrible. They've probably made sure we'd be a good match."Gary thought it over. "You might be right. Our families aren't just trying to make deals; they want us to be happy."As Gary and Ryder seemed more into the idea, Preston was still unsure. "You guys are serious?""Why not
Jared held Nicole close and looked at her. "After we get married, we'll move to the estate," he said.Their future home would be just theirs.He thought it was good for Nicole to spend more time with her family since she hadn't been with them for five years. But they knew they would move to the estate later."Okay," Nicole said, nodding. She was happy Jared made the estate close to her family, so she was okay with moving.Jared gently touched her hair and kissed her...****Time flew, and soon it was Nicole and Jared's wedding day.From the morning, San Joto was alive with excitement. Everyone was talking about Jared and Nicole's wedding.Politicians, business leaders, close friends, and business partners all came to wish the couple well.The Riddles were busy welcoming the guests, making everything look amazing."Patricia, hurry up, Charlie's here," Ellar called out as he spotted Charlie. He quickly got Patricia to come and greet him. Max, hearing the fuss, came over too.C
"You really need to rest. You shouldn't work for the next few days. Stay home and rest. A bride has to look her best," Gloria said, looking at Nicole and making the decision for her."Bride!" Nicole was surprised because she hadn't talked about any wedding yet."Yes, now that everything is settled, it's time for your wedding with Jared," Gloria said, deciding firmly. She used to think it was best for the kids to decide for themselves, but after several delays, she felt waiting longer made no sense. The wedding should happen soon."I was thinking that too," Jared said. They had planned the wedding after solving the Everett problem, but then they found out Lawrence had hurt Nicole in the past, causing more delays. Now, with everything sorted out, they saw no reason to wait. The wedding was the next big step.Nicole looked at Jared and, with a smile, agreed, "Okay." Their wedding had been waiting for five years; it was time, with no need to wait any longer."That's so cool, I'm the f
Patricia felt a mix of reluctance and happiness as she prepared to part ways with Charlie.Jared glanced at Charlie and said, "It's about time for us to board." He tenderly held Nicole's hand and led her toward the boarding gate."I need to go through the boarding procedures too," Patricia said, biting her lip. "You must find happiness as well.""I will," Charlie assured her with a gentle smile, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You've grown up, too. You don't need to cling to me anymore. I believe Ellar will take great care of you."Patricia nodded, then, leaning closer to Charlie, she whispered, 'When Mr. Johnston and Ms. Riddle get married, make sure you bring my future sister-in-law back with you.' Caught off guard, Charlie playfully scolded her, "You little rascal."Doretta, standing not too far away, overheard Patricia's whispered words. Her cheeks turned even redder."Let's go," Patricia announced, then turned to Doretta, adding, "We'll meet again.""Goodbye,
Lying in bed with Nicole cradled in his arms, Jared whispered gently, "Sleep for a bit.""Mhm." Finally feeling at peace, Nicole smiled slightly, and she quickly fell asleep.As Jared listened to her soft breathing, his eyes softened with affection, and he too closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.The next morning, as the group got ready to head back to San Joto, Zane and Doretta came to say goodbye."I still have things to finish here, but I promise to be at your wedding," Zane said with a big smile."And I'll be there to wish you well, Nicole," Doretta added.Saying goodbye is always hard, but everyone knew they had their own journeys to continue."Great, we'll see you in San Joto," Nicole said with a bright smile."It's time to go," Zane said, knowing they couldn't wait any longer without risking missing their plane."I've got the paperwork," Patricia said, ready to help with the travel documents for Jared and Nicole. Then, looking at Charlie, she asked, "Need help with
Nicole was quiet, thinking about everything. 'If I hadn't remembered everything, maybe Lawrence and I could have stayed friends. But after finding out about the airport, it's impossible...'Not only had she regained her memory, but she had also learned about the airport incident. Lawrence had gone to great lengths to prevent her from returning to San Joto."Thanks for saving me before, but you also hurt me. We're even now," Nicole said calmly, looking at Lawrence like he was someone she didn't know anymore.Jared squeezed Nicole's hand gently. "Let's go."They decided to leave the rest to Zane and head back."Wait." Lawrence's voice stopped Nicole. He sounded almost like he was begging. "Please, don't tell Nolan about this."Nicole paused, then said, "I won't tell him. Not for you, but because I don't want Nolan to see how bad people can be."With that, Nicole walked away with Jared.Lawrence sat down, watching her leave, with mixed feelings."Let's go too," Patricia said to C
"Your robots don't work anymore," a voice said, sounding very pleased. Then, a person came out from behind the crowd, looking pretty proud of himself."Carl!" Nicole was shocked to see him. 'It's Carl!'"It's been a while." Carl smiled and waved at Nicole.Carl had come as soon as Zane told him about the problem. He couldn't just do nothing when Nicole needed help.He didn't expect them to act so soon, which is why he was a little late. But he was still in time to help. Carl was surprised by Lawrence's robots at first, but luckily, the weapons he brought, which he had been working on for years, stopped the robots. This was a big help to everyone."We really need to thank Carl; we would have been in big trouble without him," Zane said, feeling relieved.Zane had asked Carl for help, hoping it would make them more likely to win, but Carl ended up being very important."Thank you," Nicole said with a warm smile. It was nice to see an old friend again."No need to thank me. I'm jus