The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 451

Jasper didn't press her for an answer.

"I'll find a way to get you out tomorrow night," Vivian continued. "You have to find your happiness."

"Once things settle down, I'm coming back to take you away from here," Jasper told her.

"I'll be waiting," she said with a bittersweet smile, looking at him with deep affection. "Now, go down and eat something. I made some soup for you."

"Okay."

As soon as Jasper stepped downstairs, he caught the tail end of Amber's biting remark.

"Too bad they didn't just stab her to death," she scoffed.

Amber and the others had just returned from the Cross family gala, still dressed in their haute couture. Mark caught Jasper's eye, looking visibly troubled.

"What is it, Mark?" Jasper asked.

"It's nothing," Mark muttered.

Amber let out a sharp laugh. "That loser Nicole finally ran out of luck. Someone stabbed her."

"Shut up! What is wrong with you?" Mark snapped at her. He ignored her glare and pulled a frantic-looking Jasper to the side.

"Mark, tell me what happened," Jasper demanded. "Is Nicole hurt?"

"It's a minor injury, really. Just a scratch on her arm."

"How did this even happen?" Jasper's heart sank.

He knew how much Nicole hated pain.

"One of the Cross family's enemies," Mark explained. "They were going after Elias. Nicole shielded him and caught a blade on her arm. Amelia and the others reacted quickly, though. Elias is fine, and Nicole's injury isn't serious, so try not to worry."

"I'm going to see her," Jasper said, turning for the door.

"Stop right there," Mark commanded. "Your engagement party is tomorrow. If you go running to her now, what does that say about the Moores? How do you think the Walsh family will react?"

Jasper had never felt so powerless. He was supposed to leave tomorrow night; he couldn't afford to be impulsive or let anything go wrong now. Forcing himself to stay calm, he backed down.

At the Azure Peak City Hospital, little Kenneth wrapped his arms around Nicole, his face tight with worry. "It must hurt so much, Nicole."

"I'm okay, really," she whispered, stroking his hair. "Don't be scared."

Despite her words, her eyes kept drifting toward the door. She knew how difficult it would be for Jasper to come to her, yet she couldn't stop herself from hoping.

She wondered if everything would truly go as planned tomorrow night.

"Nicole, are you okay?" Jaron burst into the room, his face tight with anxiety.

"I'm fine, it's just a scratch," Nicole reassured him. "How's Elias? Is he alright?"

"The kid is only three, but he's remarkably calm about the whole thing," Jaron said. He glanced toward the door, waiting for the Shaw family to step out and find a doctor before lowering his voice. "Don't be mad at Jasper. He's stuck, and he can't risk causing a scene right now."

"I know," Nicole said softly.

"I can't even get a hold of him anymore," Jaron added. "Felix is likely taking extra precautions to make sure nothing goes sideways."

Nicole's heart sank at the news. "Jaron... is this going to get you in trouble?"

Just as Jaron left, Amelia hurried in, the two of them narrowly missing each other in the hall.

"Nicole, let me see that injury," Amelia said breathlessly.

"Honestly, I'm fine. Once this IV drip is done, I can go home."

Amelia affectionately ruffled her hair. "Thank you, Nicole. If you hadn't moved so fast to shield Elias, that blade would have caught him right in the throat."

"He's your brother, which makes him mine too," Nicole replied. The two of them shared a warm embrace.

After a moment, Amelia pulled back. "Nicole... have you made up your mind?"

Nicole hesitated, knowing exactly what her friend was asking. "Amelia, I want to give this relationship one real chance. I have to try."

"Then I'm behind you," Amelia said.

That night, Nicole tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Across town, Jasper was just as restless. He was sick with worry for her, but his phone had been confiscated, and he had no way to reach Jaron. It wasn't until late into the night, when Vivian quietly told him that Nicole had been discharged from the hospital, that he was finally able to drift into a fitful sleep.

*****

The following day, at the Moore estate.

"Jasper, your father has already left," Vivian said, clasping his hand tightly, unable to hide her reluctance to let go. "If the plan fails, don't try to force it. If you really don't want this engagement, we'll simply refuse."

"Mom..."

"At worst, we'll just have a falling out," she said.