The Manipulated Villainess

When Aston and Nicole went to Nicole's house after dinner, they had a guest and it was none other than Nathan Woo.

"I should have come sooner but Aston told me to wait until you recover." The Reyon Boss said with a light chuckle. "The money that my men took from your stepmother... I want to return that to you."

Nicole slightly raised a brow. "It's the ransom and as the one who did the work, it's yours to keep."

"You're too kind, Chairwoman Yang," Nathan said, turning to Aston who was sitting beside Nicole. "But I did that to help my friend. Besides, it's 30 million we are talking about."

Nicole puts down the cup of tea which she was holding and gave a quick thought. "You and your men went through quite a trouble. What's more, you risk your life for that plan. I just can't take back all the money."

"Let's do like this. I understand the heart to help your friend, so you can return some and keep the rest." Though Nicole wasn't interested in keeping her stepmother's money, she didn't want to force Nathan either. So, she said, "We can split it to 60-40. You can take the bigger amount."

Nathan glanced at the young Chairwoman and let out a sigh. "Truth be told, you are the one who suffers the most here. You even get hospitalized."

"Then just split 50-50." Aston chimed in. As someone who was never interested in business and this kind of negotiation, he was getting quite bored with their 'business' talks.

"Talking about it, why don't you just take the half while Nathan takes the other? I'm not interested in Garcia Han's money." Nicole blurted out.

"I'm not interested either." Aston simply said and Nathan laughed.

"Alright. You insisted, so I will take the half. However, don't bother me with the other half." The Reyon Boss said, glancing at his friend.

Aston nodded but his lips curved into an exciting smile when an idea crossed his mind. "The donation we talked about; we can use it for that. You can choose some other orphanage and homes."

Nicole promptly nodded. "It would be a good idea but let's do it in secret. I don't want to draw suspicions."

"Even if I take the half, it's still 15 million and that's still more than enough in comparison to the efforts we made. So, if you need any help in the future, the door of the Reyons will always be open for you." Nathan said to Nicole.

"I'm grateful to hear that," Nicole uttered and looked at Aston. "But I think Aston will need you more than me."

"What do you mean?" Nathan promptly said and turned to Aston, demanding an answer.

"I'm fine now." The actor said and let out a sigh. "I met Lester Yun three days ago. He tried to make use of Nicole and get back at me."

"For destroying the alliance?"

"Listen, Nathan. I wasn't just helping you. I did that to stop Lester and avenge Michael. You don't have to feel responsible. To be honest, that won't be a success without your help." Aston explained. He can't mention the Blackhood and all but... it's quite hard to explain it without mentioning them. What will he say if Nathan asked him where Lester Yun was now?!

"Where is Lester Yun now?"

There! It happened right away. 

"Trust me, Nathan. He won't be able to show up in front of me again." Aston said, hoping that it would be the best decision.

Observing his friend, Nathan let out a sigh. "Sometimes, I can't understand you, Aston Kang."

Nicole glanced at the two friends and then rose from her seat. "I have some work to do. I'll be in my study." She said and went upstairs.

"Sometimes, it's hard to know if you're telling the truth or if you're just lying to make others feel at ease," Nathan remarked after Nicole left them alone.

"I'm telling the truth this time. It's just that... " The actor paused, observing his friend's reaction. "I can't tell you the details."

"Alright." Nathan promptly said which made Aston raised a brow. "But your woman is worried about you and I just tell her that I will help her in whatever way she needs. So, I will keep track of you from now on."

Aston could felt his jaw dropped to the floor! "Is that really necessary? Lester Yun can't hurt me anymore."

"I have to keep my promise." The voice of the Reyon Boss was unyielding which made the actor sighed.

"You are always firm." He remarked in defeat.

Nathan only nodded and one thing crossed Aston's mind. "Have you met Cassandra Lim?"

At the mention of the name, Nathan narrowed his eyes at the floor. But soon, he turned back to Aston. "I met her. Don't worry. If she still has some conscience left, she won't bother Nicole."

Judging from Nathan's tone and reaction, Aston could felt right away that there was something wrong. "You don't look well today. What did she say to you?" He promptly asked.

Reading Aston's face, Nathan slightly smiled. "I'm fine but it seems like she also said something to you."

Aston nodded. "But I told her to talk to you."

"Back then when we still don't know her identity, we used to hang out altogether often. Do you still remember?" Nathan muttered, narrowing his eyes at the floor.

Before Aston could speak up, he said, "Don't follow in my footsteps, Aston." The Reyon Boss eyes trailed upstairs. "Don't do anything that you will regret later."

"Nathan - "

"It's getting late, Aston. I will leave now. Say goodbye to Nicole for me." Nathan promptly said and left the house without even waiting for Aston's response.

Aston stared at the disappearing form of his friend and heavily sigh. What would he do with him?

*

Walking out of the gate, Nathan entered his car and told his right-hand man, Kyler who was sitting on the driver's seat to take him home.

He leaned back and closed his eyes. Ever since he talked to Cassandra that day, he couldn't even get a proper sleep which made him unusually tired.

He thought of that seemingly strong woman who had gone through a lot. If the late Boss of the Moyan Gang was her adoptive father, he could imagine how hard it would be for her. His life wasn't easy either but at least, he had a loving father.

When she told him that she had no involvement in his father's death, though she had fooled him in the past; he didn't doubt her at all. Maybe because he saw the pain in her eyes. For a proud person like Cassandra Lim, showing her weakness to others might be worse than death!

Being too absorbed by his thoughts, an hour ride seemed like just a few minutes for the Reyon Boss. In no time, he reached his house and the car door was opened.

He stepped out of the car but somehow, he felt so weak and even dizzy. He skipped meals often and never had a good sleep for days. Maybe it was the effect of that. 

"Are you alright, Boss?" Kyler promptly asked him when he stood beside him.

Making a dismissive gesture, he tried to walk towards the gate but...

She showed up again. That conversation never left him during the past days and even tormented him and now... there she was, making her way to him.

Men who were on duty in his house were all members of the Reyon Gang. As such, they instantly recognized the leader of their rival gang, their enemy!

They were about to take out their guns but... Kyler stopped them. As someone who knows everything about his Boss, he knew that the Moyan Boss meant no harm. What's more, she came alone! Didn't she fear at all?!

"Dismissed. I will deal with her." Kyler said to the men.

Having no choice, the men walked away with a bit of hesitation.

"You came here? You truly have no fear, Cassandra. You should at least fear for your life." Nathan said, giving her a cold shoulder like he always did.

"I can't stop thinking about our conversation that day. So, I came." Cassandra said.

Nathan realized that this woman hasn't changed at all. She always did whatever she had on her mind! Always bold and daring. Though it used to be the traits he liked in her, things changed. She was an enemy now.

"You look unwell." Cassandra said when Nathan fell silent. "Are you sick?"

"Go back. This is the house of a Reyon Boss. A Moyan is not welcomed here." Nathan said and tried to enter the gate to his house.

"I won't go back." Cassandra firmly argued. "Don't you know that I risk my life to come here?"

"Suit yourself." Nathan promptly said and walked inside. Cassandra followed him right away but he ignored her and maintained his pace.

Knowing that his Boss won't turn a blind eye if he didn't allow her to enter his house, Kyler didn't do anything to stop the Moyan Boss and quietly followed them in.....