The Manipulated Villainess

Nicole was in a daze! Her complicated step-mother had become more complicated than ever before! Every word she heard just now was beyond her imagination and as such, she ended up standing still without uttering a single word.

"I will take it as a yes." Garcia Han said after a while and left the dining room.

Seeing her disappearing form snapped Nicole out of her stupor and losing no time, she quickly ran after her. She didn't think she could suppress her curiosity anymore!

"Mother, I don't understand." She uttered when Garcia Han was standing just before her. "You are acting strange these days." She briefly glanced at the door and saw Alex Jo standing there, all set to leave with the Minister.

Garcia Han turned around and said, "You're the one who is acting strange, Nicole. I grant you what you always wanted. Rather than thanking me, you said that you don't understand."

"I was in a daze. That's why." Nicole promptly replied. "You were never... " Her voice trailed off, reluctant to continue. 

"I was never kind to you. Is this what you tried to say?" Garcia Han finished it for her.

"What I'm trying to say is - "

"Nicole." Garcia Han muttered her name and let out a sigh. "I give you what you want yet you make a fuss. Are you trying to test my patience?"

Nicole still couldn't feel at ease but... she understood that this was a pointless argument. As such, she decided to back down. "I won't dare." She responded, slightly lowering her head.

Garcia Han remained quiet for a while and sighed once again. "Let's talk when I visit your new house. I'm tired." She said in a low voice and left the house with Alex Jo.

Even when she was on her way to her company, Nicole couldn't brush away what she had in mind. It was just too strange! Then she recalled what Alex Jo told her. Maybe she should give it another serious thought.

* * *

The launching of Yang Apparel and its new brand was held successfully. With Yang Apparel as one of their new field, Yang Group had made a grand entrance in the fashion business.

Despite all the things she went through these days, Nicole was extremely happy because one of her wishes was fulfilled. She even decided to spend more time and efforts in building up and expanding Yang Apparel.

After chatting with the guests and seeing most of them out, Nicole was currently preparing to wrap up things there and went back to the main building until...

"Chairwoman Yang, I really love all the products of your brand today."

She heard a man's voice from behind and she quickly turned around. A charming young man dressed in business attire was standing behind her with a little smile on his face. She didn't recognize him but if he could attend the event, he must be quite an established businessman.

"Thank you." She said as she slightly smiled out of courtesy.

"I heard some rumours saying that you designed some of the dress yourself. Is it true?" The man asked, making her blinked in surprise.

Only a very few people know about that... How come this man knew it?! That's impossible. She was about to ask him who he was but...

"I think I'm right. Your expression said so." The young man slightly chuckled and leaned a bit towards her, his lips near her ear. "The dresses are pretty, but not as pretty as the designer." He pulled back and flashed a menacing smile. Then he immediately walked away.

Nicole stared at the strange yet shameless stranger until he was out of her sight. A frown was on her face when she recalled what he just told her. "Is he a psycho?" She muttered and shook her head. Then she left for the main building.

* 

The young man who just walked out of the Yang Apparel building gets inside a car. He immediately loosened his tie when the driver started the car.

Sitting on the front next to the driver seat was another young man also dressed in business attire. He looked at the man in the backseat through the mirror and asked, "Why do you suddenly change your mind, sir? You always said that you hate such gatherings."

The young man on the backseat frowned. "I'm bored in my hotel suite." He paused and glanced at the car behind them through the mirror. "They won't let me leave unless it's for business purpose."

He recalled the event he just attended and slightly smiled. "I never knew that the young Chairwoman of Yang Group is such a beauty."

"Sir, you should remember your father's warning. No fooling around. Only work."

The young man frowned at his assistant's words. "I know that. You are just like my father. Always lecturing me."

He fell silent for a while but when an idea crossed his mind, his lips curved into a smile. Then be quickly turned to his assistant on the front. "Jony, let's lose them." He said smirking at the car behind.

The assistant named Jony frowned. "Sir, the Chairman arranged them to protect you. He won't be please if you do that."

"Even if they report to Father, I will take all responsibility. Just do as I say. I have somewhere to go." The young man firmly said.

Jony sighed in defeat and ordered the driver, "Lose them."

* 

Nicole was about to leave her office when she received a call from Aston. She promptly picked up with a smile.

"You're free?" She immediately asked him.

"A few minutes. I heard that the launching of Yang Apparel is very successful. Congrats, Nicole." Aston said to her from the other line.

"Though I already received those words many times today, I'm glad to hear it from you." Nicole playfully said and he chuckled.

"I should have attended the event. My schedule is so tight and it can't be helped." Aston clicked his tongue. Filming for a drama was never easy!

Nicole suddenly realized something and asked, "The drama you're currently filming also starred Anna Park, right?" She made a deliberate pause and then asked, "Do I have anything to worry about?"

Her question quite amused him and as such, he ended up chuckling again. Why did she have to ask him if she needs to worry?! He was never able to predict her words or actions!

"No. There's nothing to worry about. We helped each other to have great teamwork. That's all." He finally said after much thinking. If he didn't answer her carefully, he was afraid that it won't satisfy her curiosity. The result will be the same as before. Questions after questions!

"Okay then. I will trust you." She smiled in satisfaction but slightly frowned when she said, "Rather than blindly thinking about it, I decided to ask you straightforwardly. Worrying needs so much energy." 

"I'm glad your little mind think through that," Aston remarked. Why did she have so many sides in her?! However, he finds it adorable.

"Little mind? How can you say that while I look after a huge corporation?" Nicole whined. Was he saying she was dumb or what?!

"You get me wrong. What I'm trying to say is that sometimes, your mind works like a little child but at other times, you're very mature again. I find that so amusing." He promptly explained which finally made her smiled again.

"You really have a way with words, Mr. Min. No wonder you're a celebrity." She dryly said.

Aston let out a light laughter. "At least, I need to be good at that." He paused when something crossed his mind. "By the way, I already found someone who can protect you and be responsible for your safety. I will introduce him to you as soon as I have time."

"That soon?" Nicole raised a brow. "Is he someone you know?"

"Yeah. I know him well, so you can be at ease. He will be very reliable."

"Alright," Nicole said and glanced at her wristwatch. "I have to go. My step-mother is planning to visit my new house today."

"Okay. Take care."

"You too." Nicole ended the call and when she was about to rose from her seat, she received a message. When she noticed that it was from Garcia Han, she promptly opened it. The stepmother was saying that she won't be able to visit her tonight.

What's going on with her? Nicole recalled their conversation in the morning. She said that she was tired. Was she sick? She immediately shook her head, telling herself that won't be the case.

Then she left her office and started driving her car. Something felt strange. No matter how much she glanced around her surroundings, she didn't see Garcia Han's men at all!

Did she really ordered her men to stop keeping an eye on her?! She didn't expect that. After all, her stepmother said that they should talk later.

No matter what, she understood that Garcia Han was taking a huge risk. What's gotten into her mind these days?!