Something about the picture looked different now, but Nicole couldn’t pinpoint what had changed.
When she initially saw it, there was no mole on that finger. She couldn’t have missed something that
obvious.
The thought only deepened her confusion.
Just as she was about to speak, Gloria burst into even harder sobs.
Gloria turned to look at Hayden as tears ran down her cheeks. “Are you not going to defend me? Are you
just going to let her misunderstand me like this? I’m so disappointed in both of you!”
Then, she covered her mouth and ran out of the room.
Hayden frowned, and guilt flickered in his eyes. He fixed Nicole with a long stare before turning and
chasing after Gloria.
Although he didn’t say anything, Nicole could tell from his expression that he condemned her for making
accusations without getting her facts straight.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and doubts swirled in their depths.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah looked completely bewildered, standing beside her.
“We’ve checked the photo repeatedly and were sure there wasn’t a mole on the finger. Besides, didn’t you say Matthew told you they were having dinner together? So, how did it suddenly turn into a fake picture that Gloria staged to throw her fans off?”
Nicole shook her head, her thoughts a tangled mess. She didn’t know what to think anymore.
However, one thing she was sure of was that Hayden and Gloria’s relationship was far from innocent. She suspected they had crafted this story all along to dispel her doubts.
After going back and forth like this, Nicole was utterly exhausted. She’d burned through what little energy
she had left.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m tired. Dr. Petersen, could you please step out? I need some quiet time alone.” Her voice sounded faint and weary.
Jeremiah didn’t press her after seeing how drained she looked. He merely nodded and exited the room.
Nicole soon lay down and fell into a deep sleep as soon as he left.
“Gloria, hold on.”
Hayden caught up to Gloria downstairs and stopped her before she could enter the ward.
Chapter 76
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“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this to cause you so much trouble. This is my fault. I didn’t handle things with Nicole properly, and you were wronged.” He looked guilty, and his voice was heavy with remorse.
Gloria’s gaze fluttered as she took a deep, long glance at him. “I understand Nicole for suspecting us since our relationship is unique, but I can’t accept being falsely accused. She came at me without getting the facts straight. Do you think that’s fair to me?”
“Of course not.” He frowned and added, “I know what she did was wrong, and I apologize. I’ll go back and
explain everything to her properly. Don’t let this matter upset you too much.”
Upon hearing this, she let out a bitter chuckle. “Based on what I’ve seen, Ms. Jensen hasn’t been feeling well lately. Her emotions are all over the place. She also acts like everything you do for her is as
expected, as if you’re meant to accommodate her every whim.”
Hayden listened silently, and he couldn’t deny that Nicole had been acting.as such recently.
Gloria sighed softly and said, “She gets upset over the tiniest things, and that’s not good for your
relationship. As a woman, I suggest you give her the cold shoulder for a few days.”
Her words caught him off guard.
“The cold shoulder?” He’d never been able to bring himself to treat Nicole like that.
“Yes. Give her the cold shoulder until your anniversary. Then, you surprise her with something special. Otherwise, things between you two will never improve. You can think about it.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving him in silence and lost in thought.
Chapter 77
