Right Person, Wrong Time

Chapter 63

Chapter 63 Drugging?

Lydia started from that blunt question from Nicole. Fortunately for her, she had years of experience backing her up, and so she knew how to handle herself. She quickly put a smile on her face.

“Nicole, you left for quite a few years. It’s been a while since we last saw each other.” As Lydia pressed closer, she kept spouting her empty words. “You were a little extreme a few years ago, but you know how to correct your mistakes. Such a good girl. Your father kept rambling about you earlier this afternoon. I reminisced about you too. I’ve always wanted to have a good talk with you and clarify everything. That’s the only way certain unsavory rumors will be dispelled.”

Nicole couldn’t stop the mocking look in her eyes as she listened to Lydia’s fake niceties. Nicole was currently the Chief Designer of F&M Apparel; scores of people would be clamoring for her attention. And here Lydia was, demeaning her in front of everyone while also tying her back to the Andersons. Such a good move, that was!

Lydia lowered her voice after that so that only Nicole could hear her. “If you want to know more, then come with me first.”

A sneer rose to Nicole’s lips. Lydia had perfected the art of hiding a scheme behind a veneer of niceness. But Nicole did not object either, and she followed Lydia, leaving the place.

Once both of them had left the crowd’s sight, Lydia quickly wiped the smile on her face faster than the eye could see. They walked down the corridor, never once stopping. Some time later, Lydia let out a cold chuckle and glanced at Nicole through the corner of her eyes in displeasure. “You want me to clear your mother’s name?”

Nicole’s smile turned frigid as well. She wasn’t a doormat that anyone could just walk over. Never had been! “Why else did I pretend to be an oh so patient and understanding daughter in front of everyone

just now? So I can creep myself out?”

Lydia’s crow’s feet deepened as a cruel look came to her eyes when she heard Nicole’s condescending words. She clenched her fists. “Fine. Once we’ve ironed out the conditions, I’ll clear your mother’s name.”

The two of them walked into the backyard. Nicole stopped then. She had no idea what kind of plan Lydia had cooked up. There was no one around now, so there was no need for them to walk any further.

“Just tell me what your conditions are,” Nicole said to Lydia harshly. Nicole had always known that a tiger could never change its stripes. She didn’t believe that Lydia would change in just a few short years.

“Of course I have a condition for this.” Lydia pulled herself to her full height. She turned her back to Nicole as she smiled, a most smug one at that. Fixing her gaze on Nicole, she slowly enunciated her words. “I want you to be permanently ruined! Never to rise again!”

Nicole wanted to fire a rebuke back, but heat suddenly spread through her body. As an adult woman— and one who already had a child at that—she of course knew what the heat was. But she hadn’t consumed anything at the Anderson Residence until now; when could she have been drugged?

Could it be that sweet fragrance I smelled when I arrived in the backyard?

Nicole’s mind was addled. Her black eyes had already gone misty. She bit her bottom lip, managing to claw back some sanity from the sharp pain.

“Drugging me?” Nicole laughed, disdain on her face.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Lydia admitted it outright. She lifted her head up slightly to look at Nicole and gave a cold chuckle. “Nicole, today, I will leave you in shambles permanently. Forget about staying as F&M’s Chief Designer —in the future, you will be the laughing stock of everyone!”

At her words, a few large, muscular men emerged from the shadows.

Lydia had a smug smile on her face. She waved a hand and gestured at Nicole. “Ms. Anderson is feeling a little under the weather. Bring her upstairs so she can rest.”