The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 289

Lance didn't say another word. He just lounged there, finishing his cigarette with a calm that almost felt lazy. Smoke drifted around him, thin and barely there, before it faded away.

Even so, Nicol could feel a strange tension hanging in the air. He went rigid, every muscle tight with warning.

Suddenly, the relaxed man in front of him snapped into motion. Before Nicol could even process what was happening, Lance was coming at him, fast and sharp. Instinct kicked in, and Nicol moved to defend himself, but it only took a few moves for him to realize he was completely outmatched. Lance’s style was unsettlingly familiar, and somehow that made it feel even more threatening.

Within fifteen moves, Nicol hit the floor. Lance pressed a foot firmly against Nicol's chest, his gaze cold and unimpressed. “You’re just barely good enough to protect her.”

Nicol was breathing hard. Gone was the arrogance from before—now he just looked at Lance with confusion and a bit of wary respect. “Who are you, really?”

Lance took his foot away and answered in a quiet, even tone. “So. Are you ready to listen to me?”

Nicol pushed himself up, his eyes complicated. It took him a while to get the words out. “I would never hurt Ms. Blair.”

“I won’t either.” Lance sat down on the sofa again. The wildness in his manner faded away, replaced by the polished air of someone who always knew how to take control. “But I need two things. First, give me everything you have on the new people around her. Every detail. Second, there’s another group by her side, even more mysterious. Keep your eyes open. Report if you notice anything. Got it?”

Nicol slumped a little, frustration coloring his voice. “Fine. I understand.”

But he couldn’t let it go. He looked up again, persistent. “Who are you?”

Lance didn’t bother answering. He just stood up and walked out, leaving Nicol with nothing but questions.

Furious, Leda grabbed her phone and called Madonna. “Your son is an absolute disgrace. Why aren't you doing something about him? Don’t you care what people will say?”

Madonna knew about everything but wasn’t about to interfere, not this time. Leda had pushed things too far, and she knew it too.

Her voice was calm and distant when she replied, “Mom, living abroad isn’t the end of the world. Lance will make sure you’re taken care of. You’ll be better off there than here.”

“That is complete nonsense.” Leda’s voice was shaking with anger. “I’m old, and you’re just shipping me off to die alone in a foreign country? You kids are ungrateful. I can’t believe this. It should have been that animal that left the country back then, not Jackson. If Jackson was still alive, he’d never treat me like this.”

Madonna’s tone chilled. “Jackson’s been dead four years, Mom. Maybe it’s best not to dredge that up. If Lance hears you, he’ll lose his temper, and you’re the one who’ll have to deal with the consequences.”