He Does Not Deserve My Devotion-Chapter 52: Counterattack

The sky was bright, and a brilliant sunrise announced the start of a radiant new day.

Many cars were parked along the main road, not far from the warehouse.

Aiden Sinclair stood by his car, his gaze fixed on the warehouse.

Just then, Julian Sinclair emerged, carrying Nina Walsh in his arms.

Sensing Aiden’s stare, Nina averted her gaze and wrapped her arms around Julian Sinclair’s neck.

"I’ll take you home first. The police are handling those men."

Julian Sinclair placed her in the back seat of his car.

"Okay, thank you," Nina replied, sitting down obediently.

Julian shut the car door and turned, his eyes meeting Aiden Sinclair’s.

Julian jutted his chin toward Clara Jacobs in the other car. "Control your woman, or she’ll meet a very ugly end."

With that, Julian Sinclair got in his car and sped away with his men.

Julian Sinclair took Nina Walsh back to Maelie. After resting for two hours, some of Nina’s clarity and spirit returned.

"Mr. Sinclair, could you please help me arrange another meeting with Mr. Mario? I want to explain to him that I didn’t plagiarize. All my designs are my own. Just give me some time, and I can prove it."

Seeing the stubborn light in her eyes, Julian Sinclair was a little surprised. He had thought that after such a major setback and ordeal, she would bow her head and admit defeat.

"You just survived a disaster. You should get some proper rest."

Nina shook her head. "Maelie is the life’s work of my grandfather and my mother. I can’t let it be disgraced under my watch. This time, no matter how hard it is, I’ll risk everything to clear my name and restore Maelie’s honor."

The woman’s frame was petite, her face still etched with exhaustion and weakness, but her tone was incredibly resolute.

Julian Sinclair nodded in agreement. "Rest for a few days. Mario has returned to the country. I’ll arrange the meeting for you."

As he watched her go inside, Julian realized he actually felt a pang of sympathy for this woman.

Noticing this subtle feeling, Julian couldn’t help but ask himself: ’When have I ever empathized with a woman like this?’

...

After returning home, Nina Walsh collapsed into bed. She felt utterly exhausted, wanting to sleep and never wake up.

She slept for a full day and night, without eating or drinking.

The next morning, her bedroom door was thrown open with a violent BANG.

Leo Lloyd, holding an axe he’d used to break open the door, stood aside as Michelle Quinn rushed in.

"Nina, wake up!"

Michelle shook her a few times before Nina finally opened her eyes. "Shelly?"

"You scared me to death! We were knocking for so long, and you didn’t answer. I thought..."

She had been terrified that Nina might have been too distraught and done something foolish.

"I’m fine. I was just so tired, I passed out."

There was little emotion in Nina’s voice. Fearing she would get sick cooped up in her room, Michelle practically dragged her into the car.

"You must be hungry after sleeping for so long. I’m taking you to get something to eat."

Michelle drove, weaving through several turns before stopping at the entrance to a small alley.

"Lemon, do you remember this alley?"

"How could I forget? This is Rosethorn Alley, behind No. 2 Middle School. This is where we first met."

Michelle nodded and smiled. "I remember it so clearly. I was cornered here by two older boys. They were kicking and punching me when you came charging over, swinging a backpack with two bricks inside. You saved me, and because of that, those guys started harassing you."

"There were so many of them, and they harassed you every day on your way home from school, but you weren’t afraid. You even told me that evil can’t triumph over good, and as long as you’re brave enough, you have nothing to fear!"

Hearing her own "heroic words" from her youth, Nina laughed. "I watched too many wuxia dramas back then. I really thought I was a paragon of justice, that I could do anything."

"In my eyes, you are a paragon of justice who can do anything. You didn’t just save me—six years ago, you saved someone else from drowning. No one is kinder than you."

"Lemon, life is being unfair to you right now. You can go somewhere else and start over. You have such an amazing talent for design. If you assume a new identity, you’ll definitely have a brilliant future."

Michelle took a bank card from her purse and pressed it into Nina’s hand.

"I booked you a guesthouse in Southcrest. It’s by the mountains and the sea. Haven’t you always wanted to see the sunrise over the ocean?"

Michelle was urging her to leave Crestfall. Nina looked at the bank card, and a thought struck her. "You sold your house?" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"I sold it. Why are you looking at me like that? I can always earn more money and buy another house. But if you’re gone, I’ll have no friends left." Michelle’s voice choked with tears as she spoke.

Suddenly, Nina felt that fate hadn’t been so cruel to her after all. She still had such a wonderful best friend.

"Shelly," Nina said, hugging Michelle. "I’m fine. I’ve thought things through."

Thanks to the kidnapping, thanks to Aiden Sinclair’s heartlessness, she had woken up from her long sleep with true clarity.

Aiden Sinclair had been the root of her pain. Because there was always a lingering thread of hope she couldn’t sever, she was always thrown into disarray, helpless whenever disaster struck.

That night trapped in the warehouse had been a complete awakening.

What was love compared to the importance of just living?

"Really? Lemon, so you’re willing to leave Crestfall?"

"No, I can’t leave. I have to fight back. Everything they took from me, everyone who insulted me—I’m taking it all back."

...

On the most bustling commercial street in downtown Crestfall, a celebrity clothing boutique bearing Clara Jacobs’s name was opening today.

"Ms. Jacobs, congratulations on your grand opening. This is a gift from Madam."

Sophia Sawyer’s driver presented a large floral basket.

"Just put it over there."

Clara Jacobs gestured casually to a spot, her eyes glued to her phone.

After leaving the warehouse that day, Aiden Sinclair had taken her to the hospital and hadn’t appeared since. Today was her brand’s grand opening, and he hadn’t even called.

"Clara, it’s time for the ribbon-cutting. The reporters are all ready."

"Alright."

Clara Jacobs was a celebrity in her own right, with a built-in following. Many others came to suck up to her on Aiden Sinclair’s account. So, even though it was just a boutique opening, quite a few reporters showed up.

"Ms. Jacobs, congratulations! You’re truly one of the few in the entertainment industry who embodies both beauty and talent."

The reporters’ constant flattery was music to Clara Jacobs’s ears, and she swelled with pride.

"You’re flattering me. It’s nothing, really. I just have someone exceptional by my side, so I can’t afford to fall behind."

Clara Jacobs subtly brought up Aiden Sinclair, putting on a bashful expression.

"Ms. Jacobs, with your wedding approaching and your career taking off, you’re succeeding in both love and business. But your new collection is entirely dark-themed. Could you tell us about the inspiration for these designs?" a fashion reporter asked curiously.

Clara Jacobs was at a loss for words. She paused for a few seconds before speaking. "Design isn’t always a reflection of one’s inner world. This is a winter collection, and my design concept is about breaking through the cold winter with the coolest attitude."

"In that case, Ms. Jacobs, could you explain the meaning of this pattern? I’ve noticed it on every piece of clothing. It’s like a totem, very stylish, and it’s the finishing touch that ties the whole collection together," the reporter asked, pointing to an embroidered pattern scattered across the clothes.

How would Clara Jacobs know what it meant? She hadn’t even noticed the pattern.

Unable to answer, she tried to end the questions. "It’s time. Let’s start the ribbon-cutting..."

"Wait!"

A voice suddenly cut through the crowd. "I can answer that question for her."