Second Chance His Unending Love (Calista Hartwell) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Nicole had long held a simmering resentment toward Stephanie, convinced the old woman looked down on her and was behind the Killian’s blind date.

Were it not for this constant meddling, she might have been married to him by now.

For the sake of appearances, she offered a few soothing

words.

“Mrs. Stephanie Frost, please don’t worry too much. Killian is just under a lot of pressure with company matters. Even though my field is public relations, many of my friends and former classmates now hold influential positions. I’ve already reached out to them to see how they can help sort things out for Killian.”

In the current landscape, controlling the narrative and having access to privileged information were invaluable

assets.

Her university studies had focused precisely on this realm of influence, and investigating a person was often a straightforward task.

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Stephanie studied Nicole for a moment.

She had always considered the girl flighty and immature, far from the respectable sort.

Yet during Killian’s recent hospital stay, Nicole had remained by his side day and night. That kind of devotion had to count for something.

If Nicole could genuinely prove useful to the Frost family’s interests, perhaps bringing her into the fold wasn’t entirely out of the question.

“You’ve done well these past few days, Nicole.” Stephanie patted Nicole’s hand and guided her to sit on the sofa. “I’ve seen how much you care for my son. In this world, aside from myself and his siblings, you’re the only one who’s shown him such unwavering kindness.”

A flush of satisfaction warmed Nicole’s cheeks. “It’s nothing, really. Looking after Killian is what I want to do.”

“Good. Then let’s speak frankly, as family.” Stephanie tilted her chin toward the staircase. “What’s going on

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with Austin? He came home looking miserable and hasn’t said a word. You’ve been around both of them-do you know what happened?”

Nicole didn’t have the full story. She had been waiting to hear about some dramatic scene Austin caused at the Sullivans’ that ruined Fiona’s engagement to Killian.

Instead, all she got was a call about Killian being hospitalized with severe muscle spasms.

When she later pressed either father or son for details. about the birthday banquet, both had clammed up entirely.

Still, her instincts pointed firmly in one direction.

“Mrs. Frost, Austin is upset because of his mother,” Nicole said without hesitation.

“Calista?”

“She has a new… companion. He was in the hospital room right next to Killian’s.” Nicole leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. “Those two were practically inseparable the whole time. It must have been

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very difficult for Austin to watch.”

Nicole had a tendency to embellish, and Stephanie was easily stirred. “What? Calista is seeing someone?”

“She admitted it herself. It’s absolutely true.”

Stephanie’s temper ignited instantly. “That brazen hussy -I always knew she was up to no good! She must have been fooling around for who knows how long.”

She had suspected it from the start: a woman like Calista, with no one to turn to, suddenly pressing for a divorce with such finality. Something wasn’t right.

Who had Calista lured into her bed this time-and how dare Calista parade her new man in front of her own son and grandson?

Nicole replied with a light shrug, “I wouldn’t know the details. But Austin… he’s taking it hard. Moping around the hospital these past two days, barely saying a word. Honestly, I’m afraid he might do something… unwise.”

At once, Stephanie reached for Nicole’s hand, her grip yrgent. “Nicole, you’re the one he trusts most—the only

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one he really listens to. Promise me you’ll talk to him. Keep him from doing anything… rash.”

“I’ll do what I can. Austin and I have always been close- practically family. Seeing him like this hurts me too.”

“You’re worth ten of that mother of his,” Stephanie said,

voice thick with emotion.

A thoughtful pause followed before Nicole spoke again, her tone brightening deliberately, “Mrs. Stephanie Frost, isn’t Austin’s chess championship coming up soon? I’ve already called in a favor-some friends in the press. Once he wins, we’ll arrange a proper interview, something high-profile. This could be exactly what he needs to find his confidence again. Let the world see how brilliant he truly is.”

“Yes-yes, exactly.” Stephanie squeezed her hand lightly. “I trust you completely, Nicole.”

Her narrow eyes gleamed with sudden calculation.

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