Chapter 162
“Tarquin! What brings you by today? Got some time on your hands?” Nola chirped, her voice bubbling with surprise and delight. She was in the midst of a shopping spree with her friends while waiting for a message from Oriana.
The news that Oriana had successfully kidnapped Elysia had sent waves of glee through Nola’s heart.
With a grand gesture, she treated her group of girlfriends to high tea and a lavish lunch.
They were all buzzing with excitement when word got out that Tarquin had come to see her.
The girls couldn’t hide their envy as one sighed dramatically, “Ah, Nola’s got the golden ticket. We can’t even get a glimpse of Mr. Bradford, and there he goes knocking on Nola’s door!”
“Exactly! Nola, you gotta spill the beans. Did you and Mr. Bradford have a tiff after he announced you two weren’t an item?”
“Is that even a question? It’s all a lovers‘ tiff. They have a spat, pretend to break up, and now here he is, making amends. Bet they’ll be announcing their engagement before we know it.”
“Oh Nola, you’re so lucky. Who else but you to fill Mrs. Bradford’s shoes?”
“Remember us when you’re rolling in it, Nola. Once you’re Mrs. Bradford, you better not forget your old pals.”
Nola basked in their flattery, feeling on top of the world.
was
” he‘
It was as if Tarquin’s visit was truly a peace offering, as if
about to become Mrs. Bradford herself.
Without giving Tarquin a chance to speak, Nola bubbled over, “Tarquin, I’m in such a great mood today. If you’re free, why don’t you join me for some shopping?”
Tarquin’s brow furrowed, and he gave her a cold, piercing look.
Nola, oblivious to Tarquin’s irritation, was still lost in her own joyous bubble.
“Tarquin, don’t be shy. Just say what’s on your mind.”
His voice was ice, “Did you contact Oriana?”
Nola’s heart skipped a beat, her expression shifting instantly. “Tarquin, what are you talking about?”
“I don’t like games or manipulations,” he said, his tone hardening. “I’m only here because of the time you helped Elijah.”
Nola panicked.
Tarquin pressed on, “Did you reach out to Oriana?”
“LL”
Donovan, clueless about the extent of the situation and seeing Tarquin’s serious demeanor, quickly chided his daughter, “Speak up! Tell the truth!”
Nola, feeling cornered, confessed, “I…I did reach out to Oriana.”
“What for?”
Facing Tarquin’s icy gaze, Nola stammered, “I heard that… that wretch Elysia caused Oriana and Mr. Huber to break up. We’re like sisters, so I went to console her.”
“And then?”
“And then… I told her not to be afraid of Elysia, that I’d help her.”
“So you suggested that she kidnap Elysia, force her to confess to setting up Gage, and then… what? Have people take advantage of her?” Tarquin’s voice was rising with accusation.
Realizing that Tarquin was here to call her out, Nola quickly tried to defend herself, “I didn’t tell Oriana to go that far. That was all her doing. I just wanted her help to find out if Elysia was behind my uncle’s troubles. My uncle said the assailant warned him to stay away from Elysia or else he’d be killed! That’s my uncle we’re talking about. I was furious. Elysia seduced my uncle first and then got him into such a mess!”
“Are you any better than her?” Tarquin suddenly cut her off, his voice sharp and unforgiving.
Nola was taken aback.
Even Donovan was startled.
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