Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle

Chapter 274

A chilling sense of menace hung in the air behind Chad and his men. They had followed Corey for years, with more than a few bodies on their hands, but this was the first time they felt a murderous intent so palpable from a single man. Just Nicolas standing there was enough to strike fear into them. "Not only you," he stated coldly, "but everyone backing you, I won't let a single one slip away."

Nicolas had one unyielding rule. Anyone who harmed Thea would pay, and pay dearly.

After Logan and Jamie took Chad and his accomplices away, Thea trailed behind Nicolas into the room, visibly wilted like a flower beaten down by frost.

"Tell me the truth," Nicolas said, his piercing gaze making her feel laid bare. "If I hadn't discovered something was wrong on my own, would you have told me about any of this?"

Under that look, Thea had nowhere to hide. She lowered her head, voice soft. "You're already so busy, and the situation was handled... I didn't want to trouble you."

But this rare, meek reply did nothing to soothe him. "Sometimes, Thea, I wonder a thing. What do you really think I am to you?"

Nicolas's voice held both a bitter laugh and seething anger. "I'm open with you about everything, yet you keep me in the dark? Even if I were just a dog you kept by your side, shouldn't I have the right to know when you're in danger?" Nicolas rarely showed this level of anger. The mere thought of finding Thea's lifeless body chilled him to the core, filling him with dread. He couldn't remember how many times he'd felt this sting of being undervalued by her. "Thea," he continued, "if you'd just called me when Chad started breaking in, none of this might have happened." Nicolas lived right next door. He could have arrived in an instant.

can

on in moments of

"But

rely didn't. Deep down, you still don't truly trust me. You don't believe I'm someone you you crisis, do you?" he added.

Thea was at a loss. She wanted to say no, that wasn't true, but her actions had already spoken for her. When trouble started, she hadn't thought of Nicolas at all, convinced he had his own burdens and responsibilities. She'd forgotten that this constant habit of trying to spare him only deepened the chasm of mistrust between them.

"Nicolas, it's over now." Feeling a rare pang of guilt, Thea tugged gently on his sleeve. "Let's not argue about this anymore, okay?"

This time, Nicolas didn't soften. In fact, his expression grew even colder. "Security is poor here. How about moving in with, me? At least I'd be there to protect you." This was Nicolas's final compromise.

Thea shook her head. "Joyce was caught up in this because of me. If I leave, she'll be in even more danger alone."

Nicolas's face darkened as he turned on his heel and walked out, his steps brimming with frustration. Thea tried to follow, but an excruciating pain shot up from her ankle, sending her stumbling heavily to the floor.

He didn't turn back. For a moment, Thea couldn't tell if her ankle or her heart hurt more. She hated herself for her clumsy words.

From a young age, she'd never been as charming or well-liked as Emmalie by her mother and her brothers. And now, because she didn't know how to speak her feelings, she'd managed to drive away the only person who truly cared for her. Tears spilled down her cheeks, blurring her vision. Just then, a strong hand reached down toward her

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Chapter 274

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"Half the roast chicken on the table was gone?" Dressed impeccably in his suit, Nicolas held an oily takeout bag, looking hilariously out of place. "I brought more. After highs and lows like that, it's easy to get hungry."

Roast chicken was the last thing on her mind, but being with Nicolas filled her with quiet happiness. Taking his arm for support, Thea deliberately leaned further into him, letting herself fall into his warm embrace and breathing in his familiar, clean scent.

"Nicolas," she murmured, nestling closer, "please don't be mad at me anymore. I promise, next time, no matter what happens, you'll be the first one I call."

Nicolas's movements briefly stiffened as Thea leaned in, her soft fluffy hair brushing against him, always tempting him in ways he could barely suppress.

Finally, he steeled himself and replied, "Don't make promises you can't keep. For now, eat up. We'll need energy to get to work."

Thea blinked in surprise, her clear, wide eyes full of unspoken curiosity. "What work?"

Nicolas's expression turned cold. "After what Corey did to you, do you still have any lingering sentiments for him? For anyone who dares harm you... of course, I have to destroy his nest."

At that moment, Nicolas appeared radiant in Thea's eyes, glowing with an intensity that filled her with warmth and security. Later that night, a sleek silver Maybach cut through the dark, speeding toward the outskirts of Silvercreek. There, a lone, stately mansion loomed in isolation, its stone walls stark against the night sky.

Inside, Corey paced, his composure unraveling, face contorted in anger. "You must be out of your mind," he spat, barely able to control his rage. "How many times have I told you never to provoke Thea. Even I wouldn't dare to cross the man protecting her." He had worked hard to build a relationship with Thea, only for April's rash actions to destroy it all.

The anger boiled over, and he struck April across the face, leaving five angry red marks in his wake. "Do you have any idea the risk you've put on every single one of us?"

April's eyes filled with shock and tears, utterly stunned. He'd never raised his voice, let alone his hand, to her before. "You hit me? For that woman?" She choked out, her voice shaking. "Have you forgotten my father's last words? He entrusted the Viper

him?" to you, an outsider, so you'd look after me. And this is how you repay

Emotion overwhelmed her, and her words tumbled out in desperate fury. "Do you really think I don't see it? The way you feel about that bitch Thea?"

But Corey's face only grew colder. For the first time, he didn't reach out with his rough fingers to wipe away her tears. Instead, he twisted the emotional knife deeper.

"If it weren't for Mr. Sandy's last wish, do you think I would have tolerated your antics for this long? April, you've crossed every line and now Nicolas is on his way," he said.

Few knew the true location of the Viper's headquarters, hidden Here in Silvercreek, but there was no escaping Nicolas's far-reaching influence.

The very thought of Nicolas's imminent arrival tightened Corey's chest, making it hard to breathe. "The Viper was Mr. Sandy's legacy, his life's work. I won't let you destroy it." Corey's intentions were crystal clear. April had seen his methods of turning his back on others, but she had never thought that she would one day end up like this.

"You mean to sacrifice me just to save the Viper?" she asked, each word laboriously forced out.

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Chapter 274

Corey reached out and stroked her hair as if he still cared, but his voice was icier than ever. "April, as Mr. Sandy's daughter, you should bear the responsibility for the Viper's survival. "Besides, you caused this. Instead of clinging to me, maybe you should consider how to beg Mr. Hendrix for mercy."

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