"Mhm." Nicole nodded, her face a mask of calm. She didn't want the children to pick up on any unease.As she watched the kids devour their food, a gentle smile graced her lips. Above all, she hoped their lives would remain simple and untouched by chaos.Meanwhile, Lawrence sat in his car a short distance away, his expression clouded with dark thoughts.His eyes, fixed on the image of a joyous family of four, felt a sting of irritation. Once, he had dreamed of such a life – a peaceful existence with Nicole and her two children."Mr. Royce, Scorpio wants us to kidnap Nicole and deliver her to him. But I'm concerned..." Ian began, aware of Scorpio's sinister intentions toward Nicole."We must take her," Lawrence stated firmly. 'But whether I hand her over to Scorpio or not, that decision is mine alone,' he thought resolutely.Deep inside, he was determined not to let Nicole fall into Scorpio's clutches.Ian, pushing for clarity, said, "But if we do this, Nicole might..."The conse
"Yes, we miss you when we can't see you," Gloria affirmed with a smile, her love for Nolan and Lana shining in her eyes.While the kids enjoyed their time with Daniel and Gloria, Nicole and Jared found themselves at a dining room for a late-night snack.As they sat there, Nicole couldn't help but watch the four in the living room, her eyes brimming with warmth. She felt an overwhelming sense of contentment, thinking, 'This kind of family moment is so precious, it's hard not to cherish it.'After a long day, the quiet of the night embraced the Riddle household. Nicole and Jared, having tucked Nolan and Lana into bed, retreated to their own room, the peacefulness of the home enveloping them.Feeling the day's weariness in her muscles, Nicole stretched her neck, trying to ease the tension. Jared, ever attentive, noticed her fatigue and offered a gentle shoulder massage. "If you're tired, you should go to bed early," he suggested with genuine concern in his voice."Mhm." Nicole nodded
"Okay," Lulu said, turning to leave the office. She nearly bumped into Ellar just outside.Noticing Ellar's haggard look, Lulu frowned with concern. "Why do you look so tired?""You're here," Ellar replied, a tired note in his voice as he walked into the office.His eyes widened slightly when he saw Nicole inside. "Nicole, what are you doing here?""I heard from Lulu you weren't feeling well. Came to check on you," Nicole said, her gaze lingering on Ellar.Ellar felt an uncomfortable twinge of guilt. Trying to mask any strangeness, he said, a bit stiffly, "No, just busy, that's all. Just tired."Nicole's eyes narrowed a fraction. "You look more than just tired," she said, skepticism lacing her words. She wasn't buying the mere fatigue story.Ellar, now more nervous, gave a forced chuckle. "What else would it be? Honestly, just tired." He gestured to the mountain of paperwork on his desk. "See? So much work lately. Some I can't even finish in one day.""It's not the work that's
Nicole excused herself from lunch with Lulu, saying, "Now that everything seems okay, I'll head back to the office."She had come out of concern for Ellar, but seeing him seemingly alright, she felt it was time to leave."Do you think you can manage the work alone?" Lulu asked Ellar."I'll be fine," Ellar assured with a nod."Just remember, if you need help, have your secretary send the crucial documents to the team," Lulu reminded him as she prepared to leave."Got it," Ellar responded, escorting Nicole and Lulu to the door.Once they were gone, Ellar collapsed onto the couch, a wave of exhaustion washing over him."Sir, these are the documents," his secretary announced, entering with a stack of papers and a bottle of medicine. "Ms. Riddle asked me to give this to you."Holding the medicine, Ellar felt a mix of warmth and guilt.He hated keeping things from Nicole, yet he knew revealing his plans would stop her from letting him proceed. He was trapped between a rock and a har
Nicole gazed out the window, lost in thought. She was aware of the security measures Jared had put in place for her, yet the car that had been trailing her from BayCorp was an anomaly. It was a vehicle she didn't recognize, with occupants she couldn't identify.She was fairly sure it wasn't connected to Scorpio. Her mind then drifted to Lawrence. In San Joto, he was one of the few who might have a reason to follow her.Time seemed to fly, and before she knew it, the workday was over.As Nicole left the building, she instinctively glanced at the spot where the mysterious car had been parked earlier. A different car occupied the space now.Without lingering, Nicole made her way to Jared's car and got in."Let's go," she said to Max, settling into the seat.As they drove off, Max reported, "Mrs. Johnston, there was no trace of that car you mentioned.""Nothing at all?" Nicole's frown deepened. Were they dealing with someone highly skilled?"Correct. Our team arrived, but the car h
"Nicole..." Tia looked at her, her eyes filled hesitation, as if to ask, 'Is this really okay?'"I've still got things to handle, and I'm worried I won't make it in time, so I'm actually relieved to leave this in your hands," Nicole explained. She then reassured Tia, "Don't worry, everything's been taken care of."Tia nodded, now understanding the situation.She was aware that lately, Nicole and Jared had been personally picking up Nolan and Lana for the kids' safety. Now that Nicole was entrusting her with this responsibility, and with Nicole's assurance that arrangements were in place, it likely meant someone would be there to ensure Nolan and Lana's safety. So, Tia felt a sense of relief."Okay, I'll make sure to be there early tomorrow morning," Tia said, smiling.She really adored Nolan and Lana and was more than happy to pick them up.Nicole had made these arrangements out of concern.'If someone is actually after me, it's better I keep my distance from the kids,' Nicole t
"Is Ellar's problem still not sorted out?" Jared asked, with a slight frown on his brow.Nicole shook her head in response to Jared's question. "I just can't shake the feeling that something's off," she admitted.Sighing, she said, "I guess all we can do is wait and see." If there was really an issue with Ellar, the truth wouldn't stay hidden for long.The thought that something might be amiss with Ellar lingered in her mind. The mystery deepened with Patricia's apparent unawareness of Ellar's recent activities. 'Wasn't he supposed to be with Patricia? Why would he lie about that?' Nicole pondered, a frown creasing her brow as she mulled over these questions.Jared reached out, gently ruffling her hair in a comforting gesture. "Go take a shower and head to bed. We'll figure out what's going on with Ellar in due time."Jared, despite the oddities in Ellar's behavior, didn't seem overly concerned. He believed that whatever Ellar was involved in, he had his reasons, perhaps reasons h
Nicole paused briefly, weighing her words. "Yes, and I'm going to ensure the news of my presence at the event is openly circulated."It seemed wiser not to conceal her schedule, as transparency might provoke a reaction from the opposing party.Max's comprehension dawned, his complexion turning a shade paler. "Mrs. Johnston, are you really planning to use yourself as bait?"It was evident that exposing Nicole's itinerary now would certainly draw the attention of those figures lurking in the dark.Nicole nodded affirmatively. "Since I'm their target, let them focus on me. It'll keep others out of harm's way."Considering their reluctance to confront her in San Joto, she saw an opportunity to draw them out."But isn't that exceedingly risky?" Max's worry was palpable.Nicole looked toward Jared, her lips curving into a smile. "You wouldn't let anything happen to me, right?""I'll be by your side," Jared stated, his tone solid and resolute.Nicole's expression showed a momentary f
"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