The Enigmatic Return (Neera and Jean) novel Chapter 1371

At that moment, Nicole wore a face full of resentment. “Why are you calling Neera?”

Leopold's brows furrowed even tighter. “Were you eavesdropping here?”

“Yes, so what if I eavesdropped? If I hadn't, I wouldn't have known about your hidden intentions! To think you'd use your own sister to curry favor!” Nicole's anger did not subside but intensified. Her words were extremely sharp. “What a pity. She's not interested in you at all! No matter how much you try to discredit me in front of her, or how much you act obsequiously, she's too conceited to ever like you!”

The expression on Leopold's face changed subtly several times, the muscles in his cheeks twitching slightly. “Nicole, stop trying to guess what I'm thinking. What you should be doing now is going back to your room and reflecting on your actions. Isn't the mess you've created big enough? You've even managed to upset Grandpa to the point of illness, yet you show no signs of remorse. Look at yourself now. Where is the demeanor of a proper lady?”

Unsure whether it was out of grievance or anger, Nicole's eyes were rimmed with red as she glared at him unblinkingly. “Self-reflection? How else should I reflect? Isn't kneeling for three hours enough? What kind of spell has Neera cast on you all? You all only just met her, yet you all seem to be bending over backward for her! What am I in your eyes?”

Leopold increasingly found her to be unreasonable. “What kind of tantrum are you throwing? When were you ever not the one being unreasonable first, whether it was before or now? Ms. Garcia let this incident slide out of respect for the Meyer family. You should be grateful. If it wasn't for me pleading with Grandpa, do you think kneeling for three hours would have settled the matter?”

He didn't want to waste words on her. Impatiently, he sternly reprimanded, “Enough. Grandpa is resting, so don't disturb him. Go back to your room.”

Nicole was punished and didn't even receive a shred of comfort. She was so angry she felt like she could explode.

Suddenly, she sidestepped him and stormed off downstairs in a huff.

“What are you going to do?” Leopold asked as he turned around.

Nicole descended to the first floor, replying with a sneer, “You don't need to worry about me. No matter what I say or do in this house, it's always wrong. Since you're all so keen on helping that outsider, then do as you please. Just leave me alone.”

Leopold frowned. “Are you acting out of spite and planning to leave home?”

Nicole didn't respond.

Seeing that, Leopold was enraged.

Suddenly, he raised his voice and called for his assistant, ordering, “Take her back to her room. Without my permission, she is not allowed to step out of the room!”

He had always been gentle, seldom showing anger, and rarely imposing anything.

That was the first time Nicole had seen such a thing. She stopped in her tracks, her face filled with disbelief.

“What are you doing? Are you trying to imprison me?” She questioned sharply, her face full of anger.

Leopold's expression remained unchanged, completely unfazed. “It seems you still don't understand where you went wrong. Starting today, you will stay in your room and reflect on your actions. You are not allowed to step out of the room. Only when you realize your mistake can you come out.”

After speaking, he turned to look at his assistant, his gaze cold and detached.

The assistant understood implicitly, walked over to Nicole, and made a “please” gesture toward the upstairs. “Ms. Meyer, I suggest you go up by yourself. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to carry you up. If that offends you, you'll just have to bear with it.”

Nicole's face paled and flushed.

She knew that her brother, who usually appeared gentle and refined, had a good temper.

Once he was truly angry, his word was final and he would allow no further discussion.

In the end, she realized she couldn't leave. Stomping her foot in frustration, she reluctantly went upstairs.

As she passed by Leopold, she deliberately bumped him with her shoulder, not even turning her head as she ascended the stairs.

Bang!

The door was slammed shut forcefully by Nicole, the impact so great that it seemed to shake the very air around it.

Leopold stood on the staircase, raising his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, feeling quite a headache.

In his mind, Nicole's recent mocking suddenly echoed in his mind, causing his heart to sink to the depths gradually.

After the surgery, Frederic's health indicators seemed to be stable.

However, since he still needed some time for observation, he stayed in the hospital for recuperation.

Wrenn had always been by his side, caring for him with warmth and attentiveness in every possible way.

Ever since it was confirmed that Frederic was out of danger, and everything was moving in a positive direction, she seemed like a different person. Her entire demeanor had changed.

Once again, her elegance and refined grace reappeared in her.

However, her tendency to be sharp-tongued did not reappear.

It was only at that moment Neera believed Wrenn had truly let go of all her prejudices against herself and was genuinely reflecting.

During that period, Wrenn was always polite to Neera, every word and expression revealing a deep sense of gratitude.

However, she didn't get too close, and whenever she spoke to Neera, there was always a sense of awkward timidity.

Seeing the situation, Frederic took the opportunity when they were alone in the ward to ask her, “Why do I get the feeling that you're scared of Neera? Has something happened again?”

Wrenn was taken aback. “No, there isn't.”

Frederic narrowed his eyes. “Really? Then why are you always so polite to her and overly cautious?”

Speaking of that, Wrenn fell silent.

After a moment, she let out a long sigh and took the empty water cup from his hand. While wiping his hands, she began to share the thoughts that had been weighing on her heart.