Olivia instantly sat up. “Is Gloria here?”
When Nicole heard that, she knew Olivia was fully aware of Gloria’s intentions.
It dawned on her then that the boutique she’d purchased the dress from was the same one Olivia
frequented. Thus, it was no surprise that Gloria appeared in something so eerily similar.
This was all a setup to humiliate her and make her the subject of gossip. Nicole wondered what Hayden’s
role in all of this was.
“Why are you looking at me like that? I asked you a question. Is the banquet over or not?” Olivia stood up, still wearing her coat, and vented her rage on Nicole.
Nicole chuckled coldly and answered, “No, it’s not over yet. The niece–in–law you’ve been dying to see is downstairs entertaining the guests. From now on, she’s Matthew’s mother, the lady of the Spencer residence, and Hayden’s wife. Are you satisfied now?”
Upon hearing this, Olivia’s mouth dropped in shock, and she looked at the man standing behind Nicole.
Hayden stood at the doorway, his face gloomy and unreadable, clenching his fists tightly.
Nicole glanced at him before looking away. “Get out of my room.”
Olivia’s gaze flickered between them, and she lowered her head, hurrying past Nicole.
As she walked past Hayden, she smacked his shoulder and lambasted, “Look at the wife you married! She has no respect for her elders and has no sense of decency!”
She walked off in a huff, and the door closed behind her.
“Is this the surprise you planned for me?” Nicole rubbed her forehead in frustration, her back still facing
him.
Hayden instantly shook his head. “No. I had no idea Gloria would come today. I told her not to come because she’s close to Matt. I was worried he might cling to her, and it would only hurt you.”
“But she came anyway.” Nicole turned to look at him with an icy gaze.
Hayden seemed at a complete loss for words.
For a brief moment, Nicole almost believed that he’d genuinely prepared the wedding gown sketch for her.
“You let Matthew acknowledge her as his godmother, gave her your favorite car to drive, and gifted her a jewelry set worth millions last night.”
Nicole let out a soft, bitter laugh as she recalled the picture Gloria had sent her last night.
The picture showed a set of jewelry glittering on the table, Hayden’s name clearly printed on the gift card
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next to it.
As she recalled all of that and thought of what had happened earlier, it was impossible for Nicole not to
hate him.
“Tell me, Hayden. What exactly are you trying to do here?”
“It’s not like that.” Hayden walked over and pulled her into his arms. “Please don’t get upset and listen to me. I had no idea about the godmother stuff either. Matt only made Gloria his godmother during her
birthday-”
“That’s enough. I don’t want to hear it.”
She didn’t have the energy to push him away. At this moment, she remembered the fact that Matthew hadn’t even called her “Mom” once during the banquet.
From the moment Gloria came into their lives, Matthew had treated her like she was the worst person in the world. He frequently sided with Gloria to provoke and hurt her. To call him ungrateful would be far too
kind.
Hence, Nicole decided that after tonight, she would leave her position as Mrs. Spencer and wouldn’t
stand in anyone’s way.
Her eyes flashed with a cold gleam as she gently wrapped her arms around him.
Hayden stiffened in shock as disbelief flashed across his face. He then tightened his hold around her.
“Nicole, this is the first time you’ve held me on your own volition in half a month. Please don’t be mad at me anymore. I’ll make Gloria leave right now.”
“It’s fine.” Nicole’s voice sounded soft, almost tender, but something about it felt off.
Sensing something amiss, he immediately loosened his grip and saw that she was smiling.
Hayden was taken aback, and an unsettling feeling crept into his chest for an inexplicable reason.
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