Chapter 2273
Chapter 2273 Write It Off
It was just that Nicole hid it so well that others could not see it.
The moment she came back, she did not mention anything about Clayton.
There were no fluctuations in her emotions either.
It was weird and out of character for Nicole, but Kai did not say anything. He just smiled and asked Michael and the others to go to the wine cellar to get some wine.
Leighton and the others also drank some.
Camille was the happiest, probably because the company’s problems were resolved, and everyone was safe and sound.
Nicole could not drink, so she only sipped on her juice.
After the meal, Leighton played games with Fischer and Chatty while Camille walked to Nicole’s side.
Camille could not hide the joy on her face.
“Ms. Stanton, this is great! We’ve gotten rid of Sebastian, and you’re awake. We can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”
Nicole smiled. “Yes. I was really lucky to not die in that explosion…”
Camille explained in a low voice, “I heard from Leighton and Connor that the self-destruction system is not that powerful and was only a microexplosion to destroy the lab. Perhaps Sebastian was worried that once the device was activated, he wouldn’t be able to escape, so he prepared this to scare everyone and destroy evidence. We sent some people to investigate it later. The nearby sea was
affected, but it didn’t cause any large-scale impact, and the damage was not serious. Leighton and the others also told the authorities about it, so no one came to investigate this matter.”
Nicole’s eyelashes trembled slightly.No wonder everything seemed so peaceful even after such a dramatic life- and-death experience.
“What about Sebastian?”
“He didn’t come up. I don’t know how he got shot. He couldn’t escape…” Camille said to Nicole.
Nicole smiled calmly.
That was good.
The welcome party was quite lively. They even video-called Floyd and the others in Mediania.
Although Floyd looked a little tired, he could not hide his excitement and joy.
It was already late at night in Mediania, and Nicole did not want to disturb Floyd’s sleep, so she asked him to go to bed after a few words.
At night, Nicole got dressed and went to the dinner location that Eric invited her to.
However, she went alone.
Eric always had good taste. He booked a restaurant overlooking half of the city, and he reserved the entire floor.
The chandelier cast a nice shadow on the ground, and the scene looked like an ethereal and luxurious dream.
The night view outside the window was also beautiful.
When Nicole arrived, she saw the man by the window. He was tall and standing straight, and half of his body was hidden in the shadows. He looked dignified and strong, just like that person back then.
Nicole went over and sat down.
When Eric heard her movement, he turned to look at her and fixed his gaze on her. He sighed softly and stepped out of the darkness to reveal his handsome and indifferent face.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah, much better.” Nicole spoke calmly.
Eric looked at her. His voice was unbelievably calm.
“What do you plan to do next?”
His eyes were dark, and he looked indifferent, so Nicole could not read his emotions.
Nicole glanced out the window and took a deep breath.
“I’m going back home.”
“Anything else?”
“What do you mean?”
Eric pursed his lips and said to her, “Aren’t you going to look for Jeff Lieberman?”
Nicole’s eyes flickered slightly. She looked at Eric with surprise.
Eric lowered his eyes and smiled self-deprecatingly.
“You guessed it, and so did 1.1 hated that person all this while without reason, and I finally knew why that day. When I went to rescue you, I didn’t think about getting back on shore alive. But when I saw you holding on to that person without caring for your own life, I began to doubt myself. You’re not a saint to the point where you would risk your life for anyone. Neither am I. So after I brought you two up, I had someone do a DNA test.”
Eric choked up slightly when he said that. He seemed to be in extreme pain, but he had to bear it and act as if nothing was wrong. His body was tense as he looked at her stiffly. His eyes were bloodshot.
“Nicole, I thought I would have a chance since he’s dead, but he came back again. What should I do?”
His voice trembled when he said the last few words, and he seemed so vulnerable.
Nicole had never seen Eric like this before.
She stared blankly at him for a few seconds and said frankly, “I never gave you a chance, and I told you to give up a long time ago. Eric, what we had was in the past. You don’t have to trap yourself in the past because you’re unreconciled. I won’t change my choice whether Jeff is him or whether he’s still alive. Thank you very much for saving US. I know you don’t lack anything, but you can state a condition and I’ll fulfill it if I can.”
She knew that these words were cruel. However, if she did not stay firm, how could she make him give up?
Eric had done enough for her.
Nicole accepted all the good and the bad, and she wanted to let it be in the past.
Eric should have his own life.He should not be someone’s backup.
Nicole could not bring herself to use him and be ungrateful.
Thus, she could only ask him to make a condition acceptable to both of them.
Eric looked at her for a long time in the dark.
The image of the person who looked at him with admiration and love in his impression gradually blurred.
Nicole, who was in front of him, looked so pretty, bright, and indifferent. Her slender eyes had long since lost that deliberate meekness. She did not belong to anyone, and she was aloof and cold.
Eric’s voice was a little hoarse.
“My condition? Will you agree?”
He looked at her as if he always only had that one condition.He wanted Nicole to come back to him or leave Clayton.
However, he knew that the moment he said this, the woman in front of him would leave without hesitation.She could not do it.
Thus, he had to compromise.
Before Nicole could speak, he raised his head again. Some light flickered in his dark eyes.
“You can do it, Nicole. I just want you to stop hating me.” Nicole raised her head slightly.
She looked surprised.
Eric chuckled lightly. His voice was deep and bitter.
“I only have this request. I’ve brought you so much trouble before, and I know I wronged you. I don’t want to hurt you, but when I was put in the position to make a choice between you and other things, I never stood firmly on your side. You must hate me very much and regret that you met me in the first place. This time, I didn’t think of any condition when I saved you. Even if you want me to state a condition, I just hope to atone for what I did back then.”
After all, he did not want her to hate him for life. That kind of guilt would torture him to death.
After he finished speaking, Nicole smiled calmly and said, “I never hated you, Eric. I will always remember that you saved me, and I remember how indifferent you were in front of Sebastian’s tempting project. You’re a good person, and I hope that you can let go of the past.”
“I can’t…”
Eric murmured in a low voice.