"Exactly. She is also from the Riddle family, yet nothing like Nicole. Such a stark contrast.""If I were here, I would have been too embarrassed to stay here.""Shut your dirty mouth. I'll cut off your tongue if you say it again." Raine stepped out angrily, trying to argue with them, but Snow stopped her."Don't bark up the wrong tree. Nicole is the one to blame. If not for her, these people would not have taunted us." Snow looked at Nicole with frosty eyes.It had now moved on to pole jump, which was an event June loved. After warming up, she walked to the field. But as she walked past Snow, a leg was quietly extended, tripping her up. She fell to the ground, injuring her palms and knees. June had no choice but to give up the competition and let her substitute take her place.Nicole had previously signed up for all the events. As some of her classmates liked to take part in some of these events, she gave way to her classmates while she would be a substitute. Everything had gone
"You should have been more careful. Now Nicole is the only person who hasn't been injured and could move around freely in the dormitory." What should have been a word of concern coming out of Lulu's mouth turned out to be a little funny. The three of them looked at each other and burst into laughter.Suddenly there was a knock at the dormitory's door. Nicole went to answer the door. It was Spencer and Samuel. "Oh, my God. You guys actually came to the girl's dormitory?" Nicole exclaimed."Is Lulu here?" "Is June here?"Nicole could immediately tell why the two guys came."I will leave you guys to it. I will leave first, as I still have something to do." Nicole actually did not want to be a third wheel here, so she left.She came in front of the classroom and pushed open the door. Ms. Emerson was excitedly praising everyone. When she saw Nicole, she immediately invited Nicole to the podium."Nicole has done great today, and because of that, our class has become the envy of teacher
"Okay, let's go to Riddle Corporation." Nicole felt that since they were discussing the tender, Sean's office was the most ideal place as he had more comprehensive material.Harvey did not dare to object. He was fine as long as Nicole agreed to meet him. So he drove Nicole to Riddle Corporation."Why didn't you make a phone call before you came so that I could make preparations, Nicole?" Sean ran into Nicole and Harvey when he came downstairs."Are you going out?" Nicole asked when he saw Sean with a briefcase in his hand."I need to discuss a project with a client." Sean shrugged helplessly."It's okay. I will leave you to it. We're here just to discuss the tender.""Okay. Steve knows where the files are. I'll call him and ask him to come down to meet you." Sean pulled out his phone and was about to call Steve."No, it's alright. We will go up and find him." Nicole stopped Sean."I'm really sorry, Harvey. Maybe we can go for dinner when I am back later." Sean then hurried away
"We need more precious data for our bidding documents," Harvey said."You're right; I also think the same. Steve, take note of what Harvey said, and have Sean revise it when he returns.""Okay."Harvey made a few more changes, and after each revision, he confirmed it with Nicole before finalizing it. In fact, they were all minor details.After sitting in the conference room of Riddle Corporation for nearly two hours, Harvey could not stay still. He looked at Nicole, who was still studying the materials. "Nicole, why don't we stop here for today? It's getting late."Nicole looked outside; the city lights were already on. "Okay, let's go then.""Steve, we're leaving. Do you want to come along?" Nicole asked.Steve had long since seen Harvey's affection for Nicole. He waved his hand. "I still have some work to do. You guys leave first.""Okay, then we will go first.""See you later, Mr. Riddle," Harvey said to Steve."See you later."In the car, Harvey broke the silence. "I'm s
Daniel saw the clue and immediately made himself scarce, leaving only Nicole and Harvey in the living room."What would you like to drink?" Nicole asked."Anything." He would love it as long as it was Nicole who made it.Nicole got up and went into the dining room. She came back with a glass of water and put it in front of him."Thank you.""Nicole, I saw your wonderful performance on the sports day. I'm sure you must be very fond of sports on normal days." Harvey started by asking about her interests and did not seem to have any intention of talking about the tender."Uh-huh.""How about we go play tennis together someday?" Harvey extended the invitation again."Sure.""Harvey, this project is one of the best projects this year. Looking through the bidding proposal, what do you think our chances of winning will be?" Nicole had to bring the conversation back to the tender."My analysis is that we have an eighty percent chance of winning." Harvey was confident in his work. Rid
The following morning, Aegis Corporation held a bidding session on timeInside the bidding venue, Mr. Harmon sat on the second floor with the representatives from the bidding companies and media below.The McCarthy and three other families had arrived early to the bidding session. Hearing that Mr. Harmon was on the second floor, they were going up to pay a visit. But when they reached the staircase, the security guards stopped them. The three families had to return to their seats and wait for the bidding to begin.After a while, Nicole, Harvey, and Sean walked in. Luke saw the three of them and came up to provoke them."Harvey, didn't Mr. Ellison come today?" Luke asked as he did not see Mr. Ellison."My grandfather has other things to do. So he won't be coming today.""If your company wants this project, I won't compete with you. But if you work with the Riddle family, then I will have no choice but to compete." Luke looked at him with a pleasant expression.Harvey did not take
"What is there to say? We bid on our own merits." Nicole instantly poured cold water on Sean's suggestion.Immediately, a leader from Aegis Corporation came on stage to say some words of thanks, and then a staff member read out the bid evaluation principles and things to note before he proclaimed the start of the bidding process."The bidding has now officially started."The person in charge of the project walked up to the stage and started introducing the project. "The above is the content of this project."Next, a staff member confirmed that all the bidders were present and then went through some more procedures."It is the bid opening time."Harvey looked at Nicole and reassured her. "Don't be nervous. We'll get it.""I'm not nervous. It's just too boring to sit here." Nicole gave an unexpected reply.After the bid opening and quoting, the project manager made the last announcement. "The winning bid for the Aegis Corporation project goes to Riddle Corporation."Sean and Har
"Jared?" The moment she saw Jared, her mood instantly improved."What brings you here?" Nicole looked at him."Of course, to keep you company." Jared took her hand in his."I heard the sports day was a success, and you're now a celebrity at school." Jared looked at her dotingly."The sports day was really quite successful, but I'm not as famous as you say." Nicole remained modest in front of Jared."You know, that's what I appreciate about you; a very humble mind, no matter how much you've done." Jared had not realized that he was still complimenting her."I learned that from you." Nicole quipped."By the way, there's something happy I want to tell you." Nicole looked at him with excitement."Oh? Tell me about it.""We got the Aegis Corporation project."Jared nodded. "A merry thing indeed, but I have something even happier to tell you."Nicole did not expect this. "What other happy things?""About our engagement, of course."Nicole looked at Jared and blushed. "This is so
"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