The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 50. The Truth Shall Set You Free.

"What do you want?" Nicolette said through gritted teeth, trying to stop herself from screaming.

Suzie gave her a look but didn’t say anything.

"Oh, come on, baby. Why so angry?" Robert answered, his voice tinged with amusement.

She clenched her fists, her anger boiling inside her chest at Robert’s audacity.

"You have some guts calling me," she snapped, still keeping her voice low.

"Lettie, come on," Robert said in a cunning voice. "It’s all in the past now, baby."

His statement, the way the words coiled out of his mouth like it was nothing, doubled the anger in her chest. "You fucker!" she snapped.

Suzie leaned forward, concern etched on her face. "Are you good?"

"Yes," Nicolette replied with a forced smile, then stood. "Excuse me." She walked away, heading to a more secluded part of the venue.

She placed the phone to her ear, her grip around it tightening. "All in the past?" she snapped. "You stole my things, you left me because my dad paid you, and worse—you used me as a fucking guarantor for your debt!"

Her stomach knotted when she remembered Craig Walsh.

"The Mexicans have come to meet you?" Robert asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

She blinked, stunned by his tone. "What Mexicans?"

"The Creditor... or was it Q. Durk that approached you?"

The confusion stirred inside her for a moment before it clicked. "You... you... Robert! How many places did you put me down as your guarantor?"

"A lot," Robert replied casually. "There’s Theresa Mys, there’s Raven Bikers, there..."

Nicolette groaned as he continued to list names. He had mentioned about seven before even getting to Craig Walsh.

She rubbed her forehead, terrified and furious at how he had involved her in his shady business.

"Are you there? Baby?" His raspy voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "So who exactly reached out to you?"

Anger surged within her. "You are insane! You’ve been paid, my father paid you for breaking up with me. Why don’t you use that money and pay your fucking debt? I don’t want to be involved in this shit!"

"Uhmm..." Robert drawled. "No."

"What?"

"No, Lettie. I’m not spending that money on debt! I deserve it. You married someone else. It’s the least your father could do for me."

"What are you talking about? You broke up with me!"

"Because you were going to marry someone else," Robert shot back.

Disbelief raced through Nicolette, and she released a mirthless laugh. "I wasn’t even married when you left me."

"Well, I don’t care," Robert hissed.

"Why am I even doing this? It’s not like you were important. I’m done with you, Robert. Have a great life," she said, sighing and shaking her head.

"Your mother’s works are still with me. I didn’t sell them," Robert replied quickly.

She exhaled. As much as she would have loved to get those paintings back, she knew Robert was only using them as bait.

He was most likely broke, and he thought the paintings would give him leverage.

It might have, if she were still dumb, if she hadn’t seen him for who he really was.

If he hadn’t stolen all her things, she might never have rushed into all of this. His actions had taken a massive emotional toll on her.

She sighed again. "I don’t care, Robert. Keep them."

"It’s your mother’s work—your late mother’s." Urgency and desperation tinged his voice.

"Whatever."

"You will pay all my debt!" he blurted out. "I used you as my guarantor! They have all your details! They will find you, Lettie."

Robert’s tone had gone dark, but Nicolette wasn’t terrified by it. She knew this game very well.

He would threaten her with something just to make her cave.

But unfortunately that wasn’t going to work today.

"Just so you know, Robert. I’m now Mrs. Allens, and my husband does what I want."

Not quite there, but Robert didn’t have to know.

"If you involve me in your fucking mess, I’ll have you thrown in jail!"

His voice cracked. "Lettie—"

"Have a good life." She hung up.

She sighed, counted to ten before returning to join Suzie.

"What was that about?" Suzie asked as she sat.

"Robert," she replied flatly.

"That loser!" Suzie snarled, her fist curling into a ball. "What did he want?"

"He’s just being stupid as usual. I don’t want to talk about it."

Before the conversation could continue, a maid in uniform joined them, carrying Walter in her arms. "He’s awake now," she smiled.

"Thank you," Suzie said as she took him.

"Hey baby," Nicolette said softly, touching Walter’s cheeks. "Are you okay?"

"Hungry," Walter replied, still sounding sleepy.

"Let’s get you something then," she said, already signaling for a waitress.

"There’ll be no need," Suzie said, standing up.

Nicolette joined her, confusion racing through her. "What? Why?"

"We’ll be on our way now. You need the rest. I can see it in your eyes," Suzie said softly. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Nicolette stood there in silence, she couldn’t even deny it.

"Don’t worry, we’ll see you tomorrow when everyone is more relaxed. Today has been a day."

"I guess," Nicolette replied, her voice barely audible.

"Congratulations again, baby," Suzie said with a big smile. "Call me."

Nicolette nodded as she watched Suzie and Walter leave. She waved at them and blew a kiss at Walter before going inside.

In the hallway, she saw Richard and Alaric.

"Congratulations, Nicolette," Richard said with a warm smile.

"Thank you," Nicolette replied, though her eyes were on Alaric.

He didn’t even stop. He just kept walking like he couldn’t hear her talking to Richard.

His ignorance pierced her, and before she could control herself, she blurted out, "Alaric."

He paused in his tracks but didn’t turn.

Why had she called him?

What was she going to say?

She looked at Richard, whose brow furrowed with confusion.

"Hmmm." She opened her mouth and then closed it.

Say something.

"Were you able to find out who let Lucian Crawford in?"

Alaric’s shoulders lifted before he turned. His expression was hard and his eyes gleamed with annoyance.

"What are you trying to say? That I have an informant within my security?" His voice echoed in the hallway.

"Umm... no... I..." she stuttered.

"You’re saying that I can’t trust my men?" His voice hardened. "All because you don’t want to admit you invited him here just so you could..."

She gasped.

How could he say that in front of Richard?

How could he say that after they had made love?

"The truth shall set you free, Cole. Not that I care what you do. After all, I’m just your fake husband, right?" His mouth twisted in a dry chuckle before he walked away.

Richard’s face was filled with shock as he looked at Nicolette before following Alaric. He murmured something, but Nicolette didn’t hear it.

Anger coursed through her.

How dare he talk to her like that?

"Fuck you! Fuck you, Mr. Allens!" she shouted, loud enough for him to hear.

But of course, only Richard glanced back.

She swallowed, allowing the anger to settle before she made her way to her room.

The room was now neatly arranged, devoid of any sign that she had been bent over there. She sighed and jumped on the bed, exhaustion running through her veins.

She lay there, staring at the ceiling until she drifted to sleep.

Nicolette was jolted out of sleep by a knock on the door. She stretched and stood up, drenched in sweat.

The knock came again, and she went to open it. Anna was standing outside with a dress in her hand.

"Hello, Mrs. All—Lettie. Your husband sent this," she said, stretching out the gown. "It’s for dinner."

Her eyes widened. "What time is it?"

"7:40. I’ve been knocking for a long time," Anna replied.

"I’m sorry. I was sleeping," Nicolette said.

"It’s okay, ma’am. Need help with preparing?" Anna asked.

"No, don’t worry. I got this," she smiled.

"Alright, ma’am," Anna nodded and left.

Nicolette shut the door and placed the dress on the bed. It looked weird, but she decided not to hate it until she tried it on.

Quickly, she showered, styled her hair, did a little makeup, and wore the gown.

She was right. It was weird.

The design was off, there was almost no air to breathe, and it covered literally everything.

She was still adjusting it when another knock sounded. Thinking it was Anna, she rushed to the door.

"This dress—" she paused.

Alaric was standing by the door, dressed in a black tailored suit. He stepped inside without an invite, his eyes emotionless.

"What’s wrong with the dress?" His tone was even flatter.

"It... I can’t breathe in it," she said softly.

"Oh," he said mockingly. "I was just trying to find you a decent dress. Or is it too much coverage? You want me to cut a hole for the cleavage?"

She knew what he was doing, and it sent anger boiling in her chest.

"You’re going too far, Ala—Mr. Allens."

The formality in her voice seemed to bother him, and he clenched his jaw, his eyes shining with annoyance.

"I don’t want to keep my family waiting," he said, his tone harsh.

She lifted her head. She wasn’t going to let him bully her. "I’m not going anywhere looking like this."

Surprise flashed in his eyes. He paused, then a smirk tugged on his lips. "Fine, suit yourself." Then he turned and walked off.

Nicolette blinked, dashing behind him. "Suit myself what?"

But Alaric didn’t even answer. He just kept walking.