Nicole clenched her fists in anger. Winnie’s words had hit her right where it hurt. It was true—she’d been back with the White family for ages now, but the old man’s health had never improved, and he’d never hosted a homecoming party to officially announce to the world that she was Nicole, the White family’s rightful heir.
As things stood, she was nothing more than a figurehead—forever the princess in name, but never in power.
Fuming, Nicole realized she needed to talk to Jade. The sooner the old man publicly acknowledged her, the better.
But when Winnie called the police, Nicole’s bravado faltered. She’d thought Winnie and Alicia were just trying to scare her, but soon enough, officers from the university town precinct actually showed up and took her away.
Even as she was being led out, Nicole kept shouting, demanding someone call Clayton. But he wouldn’t answer.
Panicked, Nicole called Jade instead. “Sis, Alicia called the cops—she’s accusing me of slander. What do I do?”
Tears welled up in Nicole’s eyes.
“Where’s Clayton? Tell him to handle it,” Jade replied, sounding impatient. She was already swamped with business back in Harboridge City.
“He won’t pick up,” Nicole sobbed as she was ushered into the patrol car.
“I’ll call him myself.”
Jade hung up and immediately tried to reach Clayton, but he kept ignoring her calls.
Clayton knew Nicole had landed herself in trouble again. He played dumb, pretending not to have seen the calls. Worst case, he’d just claim he was in a meeting with his phone on silent later that evening.
Women like Nicole, he thought, could use a little lesson in humility.
…
Seaview General Hospital.
Easton had taken the day off to accompany Valery to her doctor’s appointment.
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