The Manipulated Villainess

"I know you are busy. So, why don't you just stop visiting me? I will be fine alone. Besides, it's not like we are pleased to see each other." Nicole simply said to her stepmother as soon as Mario Aris left.

"That's up to me." Garcia Han said and took a seat on the couch which was a few steps away from Nicole's bed.

"Then can I get discharge and rest at home?"

"I don't trust you enough to do that."

Nicole let out a sigh. "Just what do you want?"

"Tormenting you by my presence." Garcia Han said and slightly smiled. "Won't it be fun if I stop you from doing everything you like? If you are tired of staying here, then you can stay for another week. You are sick, so that's the only way to punish you, for now." She added, enunciating the last two words.

"Mother," Nicole grunted. "You should - "

"Didn't you say that you will do whatever I say?" Garcia Han slightly smiled, interrupting Nicole before she could say anything. "Besides, I have something to tell you since the night you were kidnapped."

"What is it?" Nicole bluntly asked.

Garcia Han picked up her bag and rose from her seat. "Let's save that for tonight. I will come again after work." She walked towards the door and when her hand reached for the doorknob, she turned back to Nicole. "I told the guards to not let any visitors in until I return. You are not allowed to step out either. So, don't bother to struggle."

Nicole glanced at her with disbelief and she walked out of the hospital room.

* * *

It was evening and Aston was on his way back to the city. He was driving his bike despite his manager's constant pressure to drive a car. He said that driving a bike will save him some time.

Nicole had told him that Garcia Han forbids any visitor. He first wants to go to the hospital and find out the situation. 

However, he only gets to drive for a few minutes until two cars suddenly appeared, blocking his way. He had to suddenly stop his bike, making him leaned forward with quite a force. Then he sighed. What was it again?! Why can't they just leave him alone?

The door of one car opened and getting out from the car was none other than Lester Yun. He was instantly followed by 4 men.

Lester Yun disappeared ever since that night and the Blackhood were looking for him and now, he was standing right before Aston.

"We meet again, Aston Kang." Lester Yun said with a malicious smile.

Aston gets off of his bike and removed his helmet, placing it in the seat. "I don't expect you to still be alive." He remarked sarcastically.

"You played well last time. Joining hands with your former friend to destroy me. Due to your petty trick, I lost more than half of my men." Lester Yun's face darkened.

"It's not because of my trick but your tyranny. The members of the Red Tiger Gang are tired of you. That's why." Aston clicked his tongue and shook his head. "If you don't love to play dirty, then you don't have to suffer that."

"Watch your mouth!" One of Lester's men suddenly shouted and rushed forward trying to punch the actor. However, the actor holds back his hand and twist it. The man gritted his teeth in pain and he pushed him away to the side with quite a force.

"Don't you often told me this while I used to work for you? Don't start a fight that you cannot win. You always said that." He glanced at the man who just failed to attack him. "With such a weak subordinate, why did you even bother to come to me?"

"Don't be too confident, Aston Kang. You might regret it later." Lester Yun said, unfazed by Aston's mocking words.

"You pushed me too much, Lester. I only wish to live a quiet life but you never let me do that." Aston paused and said, "Now, you made me want to destroy you. You push me to my limits. I think I should just avenge Michael today. Then I will finally live in peace."

Aston recalled how he had to send away Michael's family to protect them from Lester Yun. They were a family to him but... he needs to be apart from them, all because of the man standing before him!

"I will make you pay for your sins today." Aston confidently said and one of Lester's men rushed forward again. This time, the actor avoided two punch before caught the man's hand on the third attempt. Holding back the man's hand, he hardly kicked him in the leg and make him fall on the ground.

"Won't you regret if you continue to make a useless attempt? If I were you, I will retreat now." He rudely remarked.

"I already warned you not to be too confident, Aston Kang," Lester said with a sinister smile.

Aston suddenly sensed that something wasn't right. Lester Yun seemed to be the one losing here but... what made him so confident?!

"Are you playing dirty again?" He coldly said.

"I'm only seeking for some fun. Besides, I have to pay you back for playing a trick on me last time." Lester Yun said with a playful smile.

"That's nothing compared to all the things you had done to me. Using my weakness against me, you have stepped on me for so long." Aston remarked.

"Now that you have brought it up, why don't you submit to me again? You know I have always wanted you back." Lester Yun suggested with a smile.

"Are you crazy? Stop talking nonsense. Why would I - "

"Westview Hospital, VIP Room number 5." Lester Yun proudly stated. "Does that ring a bell?"

Aston raised a brow and fell silent as if his tongue was chopped off! That's Nicole's hospital room! How did...

"You're truly amazing, Aston Kang. Even with such a messy past, you still managed to win over the young Chairwoman of Yang Group!" Lester Yun faked a surprised expression and clapped his hands. "Wow! What a big catch!"

Lester Yun tilted his head and frowned. "I'm congratulating you yet you remained quiet. That's rude."

"Is this your way of threatening me?" Aston said, tightly clenching his fist. 

Lester Yun smiled. "Unfortunately, yes. You know it's not every day that I can threaten the famous Pacesetter." He lightly chuckled but in a split second, his face turned serious. "Do you wish to know what your secret lover is doing now?"

"Lester Yun!" Aston snapped. "If you dare to lay a hand on her, I won't stop until you regret a thousand times!"

Lester Yun laughed. "I don't do anything to her. At least, for now. But... it can change any minute."

Aston was quite confused. Any minute? What was Lester Yun saying?!

"You feels lost, right?" Lester Yun said. "Let me tell you. Who do you think commands the two guards on your lover's room?"

Aston recalled and.... he was burning with rage on the inside now! The guards were Lester's men?

"You figure it out, right? You're not the only one who can play a trick, Aston Kang." Lester said in a sarcastic tone.

He takes out his phone and makes a call, putting it in a loudspeaker mode. Then one man picked up the call.

"Boss."

"What is the Chairwoman doing now?"

"She's sleeping."

"Sleeping?"

"Yes. Her stepmother didn't allow any visitors until she returned. Maybe she is bored."

"Alright. Continue to keep an eye on her."

"Got it."

Lester Yun ended the call and turned to Aston. When he saw his pale face, he smiled. "I'm curious." He muttered, observing Aston from head to toe. "What would the Pacesetter willing to do to protect the woman he loves?" An exciting smile was on his face. Then he nodded to one of his men.

The man stepped forward, forcing his fist towards Aston but the latter grabbed his hand, stopping the punch midair. His face darkened and his eyes were filled with anger.

"Are you willing to never see her again?" 

He darted his eyes to Lester Yun when he heard his threatening words. The latter was lifting his phone next to his face, reminding Aston that he could easily end Nicole with just a single phone call!

"I'm not patient. You know that, Aston Kang." Lester Yun said with a disappointed face.

Aston glanced at the phone without making any movement. Nicole who won't even know she was in danger crossed his mind. He won't allow her to suffer even a small injury again, let alone letting his enemies kill her!

As long as he could keep her safe, he would surrender many times. He would rather suffer than parting with her forever.

Then he let loose his hand which was tightly clenched and withdrew his other hand from Lester's subordinate. "I'm the one you want. Leave her alone." He muttered.....