The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 21. Gold Tooth And Humiliation.

Nicolette held her breath as she sat still in the car. Her eyes flicked to the side mirror—out of fear, out of hope that she had really escaped the men.

She had run from them, eluding them twice before stumbling upon this old man.

"You need to relax," the old man said. He had grey hair styled in a mohawk, a full-sleeve tattoo, with a single gold tooth that twinkled.

Despite his razz look, she had reached him for help because he was soft-spoken. "There’s no way they’ll catch us. I’m a badass driver."

A terrible driver. She wanted to scream but she held her tongue.

The car jerked erratically, and Nicolette clutched the seat belt strapped across her chest.

One thing was certain today—she was going to die.

Either by her father’s hand when his men caught up to her, or by the reckless way this old man drove.

"Wow wow!" he exclaimed, his eyes widened with excitement, much to Nicolette’s dismay.

Nicolette gripped the seat, her heart hammering with fear.

"We are here," the old man announced, slamming the brakes hard.

Nicolette lurched forward as the car skidded slightly. Before she could brace herself, she was thrown violently against the dashboard.

"What the hell!" she yelled, shooting him a glare.

The man laughed, visibly pleased with himself. "I got you here in one piece, away from those hoodlums."

"One piece?" she snapped, breathless from the rollercoaster of a ride. "I almost lost a tooth."

The man merely grinned, revealing his gold tooth. "You survived, didn’t you? Now, get out before they catch up to me."

She didn’t need to be told twice, she immediately unbuckled the seatbelt and jumped out of the car.

She leaned forward. "Thank you—"

But before she could finish, the man drove away, gathering up a cloud of smoke as he sped off.

Nicolette coughed, waving her hand to clear the air. That had been such a terrible ride, but she was glad she made it in one piece.

She turned towards Alaric’s office, her heart pounding with relief.

She was safe now.

Even though her body burned everywhere, and her legs felt so numb from all the running—she was safe.

And she was glad to be alive.

She glanced around to see if she was being followed by the men. After a second of observation and noticing no sudden movement, she finally allowed herself to breathe.

Relief washed over her as she climbed the pavement leading to Alaric’s office.

Her body ached, her clothes were torn, and she could still feel the dried blood on her elbow. But she had made it and that was all that mattered.

As she passed a group of women coming down the road, they looked at her—different emotions imprinted on their faces.

She hugged herself, suddenly aware of how she must look. Still, she knew there was nothing she could do.

Her stomach knotted with anger as she reflected on everything that she had been through.

If only she could see Lucian or her father, right now, they would have gotten a piece of her mind!

She glanced over her shoulder, a sudden wave of paranoia creeping in. Ignoring the pain in her legs, she quickened her pace and dashed into Alaric’s office.

She placed a hand on her chest, relieved to be in the security of Alaric’s building, but as she made her way to the reception desk, a security officer stepped in her path.

"Hey, where the hell do you think you’re going?" he demanded, his voice harsh as his eyes roamed all over her body with disgust.

Nicolette’s cheeks burned. Of course she knew how awful she looked, but she wasn’t going to let anybody talk down on her.

Definitely not after all she’d been through today.

She flipped her hair, and dirt fell to the floor. The security guard raised a brow at the mess.

Her cheeks turned red with embarrassment, but she held her ground. "I am here to see Alaric Allens."

The guard’s forehead creased into a frown. "Sorry. But Mr. Allens isn’t in a welcoming mood. You should leave."

He didn’t even give her the chance to say anything as he grabbed her arm.

Nicolette yanked herself free. "Get your fucking hands off me! I’m here to see my husband!" she snapped, hating that she had to say it out loud. "I am Nicolette Voss, and I demand you let me in!"

The guard threw his head back in laughter. "And I am Queen Elizabeth. Here’s my crown." He gestured to the cap on his head, his laughter loud that some staff had joined them in the reception area.

"Stop this! Please!" she pleaded, her chest heaving, eyes widening with embarrassment.

She didn’t need this. The day had been long. She had been running. She was weak, hungry, and thirsty. Seeing Alaric was supposed to be the best part of this hellish day, and now, she couldn’t even reach him.

A small crowd of employees had gathered them, and Nicolette’s stomach knotted with shame. The guard stepped forward, his eyes glinting with cruelty.

"Okay ma’am," he said loudly for others to hear. "If you can show me proof that you’re Nicolette Voss, I will let you in."

She swallowed, the shame intensifying. Of course, she had no way of proving that. She had nothing on her.

Her blush deepened as her eyes dropped to the ground. "I... don’t have anything on me," she muttered.

"What?" The guard cupped a hand around his ear, a smirk dancing on his lip. "I didn’t get that."

"I don’t have anything on me," she repeated, hugging herself to keep from crumbling apart.

The guard cocked his head, his hand pointing to the door. "You know what to do."

Nicolette’s heart shattered as she was completely overwhelmed by the humiliation.

It was supposed to get better.

She was supposed to be done running.

She bit her lip, wanting to tuck her hair behind her ear, but she remembered the dirt sitting on her head and she dropped her hand to her side.

Her eyes darted to the elevator, hoping that by some miracle, it would open and Alaric would appear and save her.

Well, if wishes were horses...

Succumbing to the defeat, Nicolette turned towards the door. Just as she was about to walk out, it swung open.

A tall woman wrapped in an expensive silk gown entered. Her dark hair was pinned in a bun, eyes hidden behind dark shades.

Nicolette froze in her step.

Clara.

What wrong timing.

Clara removed her glasses, eyes scanning Nicolette with unconcealed disgust. Before Nicolette had time to react, another woman stepped through the doorway equally in an expensive outfit.

Nicolette immediately recognized her. It was Violet, the lady from that night. Her stomach knotted with disbelief.

What a time to see these women.

Clara’s lips curled in distaste. "Good God. What is this?"

Nicolette bit her lip. She didn’t need this. She couldn’t do this. "I was... just on my way out."

She moved away from Clara, but Violet blocked her path, resting a hand on the doorframe.

"Honestly, Clara. I thought Alaric had better taste. She looks like she crawled out of a sewer," Violet said, a cold laugh escaping her mouth.

Nicolette saw the mischief in Violet’s eyes, the hunger for drama, and she stepped back. "I am not here for trouble. I just want to leave."

"What were you here for then?" Clara sneered, her voice filled with venom.

"I bet she came here to seduce my baby," Violet said, flipping her hair in Nicolette’s face, the strands slapping her furiously.

Still, Nicolette decided not to react.

"Has he seen you like this? Cause I know for sure he won’t settle for something as ugly as you when he has me."

Something inside Nicolette snapped. The exhaustion, the fear, the helplessness—it all boiled over and curled into pure fury.

"Get the fuck out of my way!" she snapped.

Violet stiffened, her eyes widened with shock.

"Or you’ll do what?" Clara asked, supporting Violet. "You should be grateful I’m in a good mood today. Otherwise, you’d regret it."

Violet smirked, regaining her confidence. "Whatever you have with Alaric, you better end it now."

Nicolette marched her gaze, unmoved by Violet’s threat. "Or what?"

Violet flinched at Nicolette’s stare, her smirk faded. She ran behind Clara.

Clara stepped in front of Violet, defending her. "Nobody intimidates my future daughter-in-law."

Nicolette let out a dry, humorless laugh. "But I am your daughter-in-law."

Clara’s expression darkened. "Why would I allow a tramp into my family?"

Before Nicolette could argue further, Clara turned to the guard. "Get her out of here!"

The guard immediately grabbed Nicolette’s arms. She fought, trying to yank herself free, but he was stronger and he defeated her.

"Take that tramp out!" Violet added, her voice high with mockery.

Nicolette struggled, but it was no use. With one forceful shove, he pushed her outside, throwing her against cold, sharp concrete.

"Go home," the guard said, his eyes devoid of warmth.

Don’t cry.

Don’t cry.

Pain shot through every part of her body, but she clenched her jaw. Nicolette picked herself up, biting her lip to stop the tears from falling.

Clara and Violet laughed loudly behind her, the mocking sound piecing through her, tripling her pain.

Don’t cry.

But reality set in.

She had nowhere else to go. Nobody else to turn to.

What was she supposed to do now?