The Manipulated Villainess

After Cassandra left, Nathan heard a knock on his door.

"Come in."

Kyler walked inside and bowed. "Have your fever gone? I saw Miss Lim leaving the house just now."

When his Boss glanced at him without saying anything, Kyler felt the pressure and he quickly lowered his head. "I apologize for going against your words, Boss. Your fever - "

"Since when did you start explaining yourself?" Nathan simply asked his right-hand man and gets off his bed. He was still dressed the same as last night.

"I'm sorry," Kyler uttered and lifted his head. "But if my disobedience can get you treated, I'm willing to do it again and get punished for it."

Nathan didn't say anything and poured himself a glass of water from the jug which was placed near his bed. Lifting the glass, he finally turned to Kyler. "What happened last night?" He asked.

"When Miss Lim was about to leave, your fever gets worse. So, she stayed and ended up nursing you all night. I don't think she gets to sleep for even just an hour." Kyler promptly informed the Reyon Boss.

Nathan who was about to take a sip of the water halted when he heard Kyler. After remaining quiet for a while, he said, "Leave. I'm going to take a shower."

"Boss, last night, you fell asleep within just a few minutes. That never happened before. You - "

Kyler was interrupted when Nathan roughly puts down the glass. "You talk too much today." Nathan paused and took a breath. "Leave. I won't repeat anymore."

Nathan was quite patient compared to other gang bosses. Kyler was well aware of this and he didn't want to push his Boss too much. The Reyon Boss might be patient but his rage wasn't one that could be easily deal with. So, Kyler bowed and walked out of the room.

Nathan quietly stood still for a while until he went to take a shower.

* * *

Nicole was amazed when she finds out that she was on the headline of all the newspapers in the country. It's not just her, Aston's name was mentioned too! It's the news about their relationship! There were even photos of them leaving the hospital after she was discharged!

As someone who never loved attention, she wasn't pleased that she was thrown into the spotlight once again. While she read the articles with a displeased face, she received a call from Aston.

"Hello."

"You see the articles?" Aston promptly asked her from the other line.

"Yeah. Those paparazzi's doesn't have better things to do." The Chairwoman bluntly said.

"It's their work," Aston said and let out a light chuckle.

"How can you still laugh? Don't you know that I'm in danger right now?" Displeased was written all over Nicole's face.

"What danger?" Aston who was alone in his apartment confusedly asked.

Nicole sighed. "I'm afraid that your fangirls would want to kill me." She stated, shaking her head out of disappointment.

The actor laughed at her words. "Don't worry. My fans are very understanding. If they know that you are a good person and how much I love you, they will surely accept this."

"I really don't believe that." Nicole frankly said.

"I won't lie to you. Just wait and see." He paused and said, "I'll talk with my agency and release a statement. You don't have to be bothered by this. I will handle everything." His voice was assuring like always and Nicole can't help but smiled.

"Well, I have no choice but to trust you." She muttered and glanced at the articles on her tablet. "I always make breaking news these days." She blurted out.

"I think it will be worth it. From now on, we will be able to do many things together in public. Even a morning exercise." Aston remarked.

At the mention of a morning exercise, Nicole recalled that morning when Mario Aris pestered her. When Aston heard about it, he wasn't that pleased and even felt a bit jealous.

However, that Mario Aris turned out to be his childhood friend! She wondered if she should tell him that the guy from before was his friend. After giving a quick thought, she decided to not talk about it.

"That would be great." She spoke up, glancing at her wristwatch. "I have to dress up for work."

"Alright. Don't forget about tonight. I will introduce you to the one I mentioned before. With this dating news published, you need security more than before."

"Okay. Have a nice day." Nicole said and ended the call. Then many things crossed her mind right away.

What if she was crowded by reporters due to the dating news?! After all, Aston was the most famous actor right now!

Just as expected, reporters flocked at the entrance of the Yang Group main building.

"Chairwoman Yang is here!" shouted one reporter and they all ran towards her car. For the first time, Nicole regretted not hiring a driver! She didn't saw this coming at all!

When they see her car, the security guards came rushing out, trying to pave a way for the Chairwoman. After much efforts, Nicole could finally step out of her car but she was greeted by the endless flashing of the cameras!

"Chairwoman, are you really dating Aston Kang, the top celebrity?"

"When did your relationship start?"

"Please give us an answer! Is the news true?"

Despite the bunch of questions that were thrown at her, the Chairwoman kept her silence and made her way inside the building. 

Even after she walked past the reporters, the curious stares won't stop! Her employees gossiped about the news and glanced at her.

There will surely be the actor's fans among the employees and she knew what was on their mind. 'What did Aston Kang see in her?' In their eyes, she was still that villainess, the heartless ice queen though she didn't blame them. After all, they don't know her story.

Ignoring everyone, she made her way to her office. When she received a call from Garcia Han, she saw it coming but she really wished to avoid her for now. However, that would bring no good and she ended up answering the call.

"You are very popular right now."

The Chairwoman frowned when she heard her stepmother's remark. It instantly made her face gloomy.

"What do you want?" She asked. Her displeasure was quite evident in her voice.

"Now that the media know about your relationship, I wonder if I should push my plan forward." Garcia Han simply said.

Nicole thought of the plan and clenched her fist. "You still don't give up? I won't allow you to use Aston's name."

"Nicole, you will soon know that things are not as simple and easy as you thought." Garcia Han said. Her tone screamed one thing - confidence.

Whenever Nicole heard her stepmother talking so confident, she always felt uneasy. However, she thought of the information Jerome Min told her last night. Maybe she might find out what she wants soon. So, she decided to put up with it.

"I don't care. Don't bother with my life anymore." She darted her eyes to the door when she heard the sound of a knock. "I'm busy. I'm hanging up." She said and ended the call.

"Come in."

Julia Cha walked inside and bowed. "Chairwoman, it's almost time for your meeting with Chairman Jun. I heard that the Chairman will arrive soon."

She wasn't pleased to hear that. However, she maintained a nonchalant face. "Alright. When he arrives, escort him in right away."

"Yes, ma'am." Julia Cha bowed and left.

Many thoughts crossed Nicole's mind right away. Why did Carson Jun want to work with her? Was it because of Garcia Han?! If that's the case, she wanted to steer clear of him. Besides, he might even be her stepmother's accomplice and that was the worst in her eyes! While she was thinking of these things, Carson Jun arrived.

Trying her best to remain professional, she rose from her seat and greeted the man. All the time, Carson Jun maintained a friendly smile. However, after they took a seat, silence fell upon her office which was very uncomfortable for both of them.

"If you have anything to say apart from work, you can say. I will listen." Carson Jun finally spoke up after what seemed to be forever.

"Do you work with me because of my stepmother?" The Chairwoman promptly asked.

Carson Jun slightly smiled. "No."

"Then why? How can I believe you? Right now, Chairman Jun, I'm not even sure if I could trust you as a business partner. You know the reason." Nicole said. Staring at Carson Jun, she demanded an answer.

"It's true that I hide my relationship with your stepmother from you but it had nothing to do with this project." Carson Jun let out a sigh when he saw Nicole's doubtful face. "What do you expect me to say, Nicole?"

Nicole pursed her lips when he heard him call her name. He was just like Garcia Han, persistent.....