The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 56. The Building On Willie’s Street.

Nicolette paced around her room. The emotions brewing inside her were overwhelming, so much so, she couldn’t even tell which one it was.

Excitement? Concern? Pain?

She had gone into Alaric’s study to thank him, like Suzie had suggested, and a tiny part of her was hoping he could explain more about the whole incident that happened six years ago.

But when she saw how different, how sad he looked, her heart couldn’t bear speaking about the incident.

With a sigh, she pulled her phone from her back pocket and dialed Suzie’s number.

Suzie picked up immediately. "Hey, love."

"Hi, Suzie," she said softly. "So I went to meet him, but I couldn’t get him to talk about it. I... couldn’t..."

Suzie’s voice softened. "Did something happen?"

Nicolette closed her eyes as her thoughts drifted to Alaric. "I just couldn’t. He looked different. He... was in pain, and I... felt bad for bringing it up."

It wasn’t just the pain on his face that got to her, it was the shame in his voice. The slight jitteriness, the sudden awkwardness. It was like she had awakened an entirely different version of him—the weaker one, the naive one. And she didn’t feel good about it.

"I’m sorry about that, Lettie," Suzie said. "At least you do have your answer."

Nicolette slumped onto the bed. "I do," she sighed.

At the detriment of Alaric’s well-being.

"When do you leave?" Suzie asked, changing the conversation.

"In five hours," she said. "He got me a new place for my gallery. We’ll be checking it out soon."

"Holy moly!" Suzie cheered.

The excitement in Suzie’s voice made Nicolette bubble with laughter.

"That’s crazy!"

"I know," Nicolette said, laughing.

Finally, she could allow herself to feel excited. When Alaric had told her, she didn’t know how to react.

She had been expecting something else entirely, and the shock had stopped her from expressing her excitement. But right now, she did.

"Congratulations, Lettie. I am so happy for you," Suzie said. "You deserve this."

She nodded, her smile broadening even though Suzie couldn’t see it. "Yes. Thank you, Suzie. I gotta go now, though."

"Time for preparation, right?" Suzie said.

"Yup," she replied. "What will you be up to?"

"I’m going to see Mr. Liu for..." Suzie trailed off suddenly.

Nicolette sat up, her brow arched. "Why are you going to see Mr. Liu?"

Mr. Liu was Suzie’s top boss, and she only ever went to see him when she needed help—like more extra shifts or... money.

"What’s going on, Suzie?" Nicolette’s voice dropped with concern.

"Nothing," Suzie replied quickly. "Someone at work got injured and I have to check in with Mr. Liu."

Nicolette didn’t entirely believe Suzie, but she didn’t push. "You’ll call me if you need anything, right?"

"You’re Mrs. Allens—of course I’ll call you," Suzie teased.

"Alright then."

"Gotta go. Bye."

"Bye," Nicolette said and ended the call.

She tucked the phone in a pocket and went to the closet. Her stomach flipped with excitement at how stocked it was.

Anna had returned with a haul of designer dresses, shoes, bags, and jewelry.

She ran her hand through the stack of clothes, her heart popping with delight.

She was Mrs. Allens now, and she had the wardrobe to back up her title. Her eyes dropped to her diamond ring, and a new wave of excitement rushed through her.

A knock on her door brought her back to the room, and she reached for it.

"Hello, Lettie," Anna smiled as she entered. "Mr. Allens said I should get you ready."

Nicolette’s cheeks heated up. "Alright."

"What do you feel like wearing? Gown? Shirt?" Anna asked as she made her way to the closet.

Nicolette followed her. "Jeans, maybe."

She would be checking out the new place which would involve walking around. She wanted to be comfortable.

"Alright, ma’am," Anna said as she reached the section of jeans.

All the clothes had been sorted out—different sections for different types. Anna went to the rack, pulled out a pair of jeans, laid it on the small table in the room, then picked a shirt.

"This is a Chanel top. What do you think?" Anna asked, holding the top against herself for Nicolette to view.

Chanel.

She hadn’t been able to afford anything designer since she started the gallery.

Her stomach knotted at the thought of the gallery.

She was finally restarting her career.

Her throat tightened with emotion. "Yes. It’s beautiful."

Anna smiled. "Great. Let me get you shoes, bags, and jewelry to match."

Nicolette watched as Anna scrambled around for everything. When she was finally done, she left Nicolette to dress.

Nicolette felt empowered in her new outfit, and she had Alaric to thank. She exhaled as she made her way out of the room.

Alaric was waiting for her outside. His eyes gleamed with admiration when he saw her.

"Ready?"

"Yes," she replied.

He opened the door for her, and she slid in. He then joined her. Trainer started the car and silence fell over them.

After a moment, Alaric cleared his throat. "Lucian Crawford released a statement that you invited him to the wedding."

Nicolette’s stomach dropped. "No, I didn’t."

"I know," Alaric replied, turning to face her. "He’s just trying to cause a ripple—and he’s succeeding." Alaric’s face twisted with annoyance and seriousness.

He was back. Alaric was back.

"But I’m working on it. Apparently, releasing our wedding pictures didn’t stop him."

Anger slammed into Nicolette’s chest. She couldn’t believe Lucian had the nerve to lie in public—though, truthfully, she wasn’t surprised. And it wouldn’t shock her if Ronald had encouraged him.

She settled into the car seat. "What are we going to do now?"

"My team is working on it. I just..." Alaric hesitated. "I just need your help."

Her brow lifted in surprise. "My help? With what?"

"I need you to release a statement debunking it. Not you directly," he added quickly. "But your permission. My team will build a social portfolio for you and release the statement there—on your behalf."

She didn’t have to deliberate long. "Sure," she said.

She wasn’t really a social media person, which was why she was always late to the party.

"If it’s going to solve something, then do it," she added.

"Thank you, Nicolette," Alaric said, relief in his tone.

He brought out his phone and typed quickly. Shortly after, his phone chimed with a message. "It’s done," he said, his voice sharp with determination. "Do you want to read it?"

"No." She shook her head. "Not yet."

She wasn’t ready for all that just yet.

"Alright. I understand," Alaric replied, turning to the window.

Silence fell again before Trainer announced, "We’re here."

Nicolette looked out the window and was surprised to see they were on Willie’s Street. "I know this place," she said as she stepped out of the car.

Willie’s Street was just two streets away from her gallery. It was calmer, posher. She had always admired all the buildings here, and now she might actually own one?

This was a dream come true.

"Yes, I figured. It’s not far from your... gallery," Alaric said.

Nicolette’s heart squeezed. Her gallery was a building she shared with three other occupants, and she had been expecting something closer to that.

But instead—and to her surprise, it was an entire building.

Alaric had bought a whole building.

"Do you want to check it out?"

She nodded, not trusting her emotions not to spill if she spoke.

Alaric led the way and she followed. The building was a two-story structure and it was huge.

Emotion tightened her chest as she stepped inside. The ground floor was massive, and she could already imagine her work displayed there.

"It’s not fully furnished, but we can do something if you like it," Alaric said from behind her.

"I love it," she said, excitement evident in her voice.

Alaric’s eyes glinted with relief. "That makes me so glad. Should we go check upstairs?"

She nodded, and together they went. She gasped when they reached the top floor. It had been divided into spacious offices, and the vision it offered made her knees buckle with excitement.

Could she really expand?

Like... having staff and everything?

As if Alaric had heard her thoughts, he said, "This is such a perfect place for your staff. You can hold meetings, attend to clients. It’s beautiful."

Alaric was thinking big for her, and her stomach clenched.

She had never imagined this. Not in a million years. Before she could stop herself, she reached for his hand and squeezed it.

"Thank you."

Alaric’s eyes widened at her touch. "You... are... welcome."

Heat and a sudden need for him coursed through her and she quickly dropped her hand.

What had she done that for?

She tucked her hair behind her ear, her cheeks burning.

Alaric cleared his throat. "You like it?"

"Yes, I do. Thanks," she replied softly.

"Alright then. When we get back from the honeymoon, we’ll check it again."

Nicolette gave the room a final glance before going downstairs. Her heart pounded with each step, gratitude swimming in her veins.

Oh, she was back.

And she couldn’t wait to rock the art world again.

Get ready for me, Dad.

"Do you want to check out... the other place—your gallery, I mean?" Alaric asked, his voice snapping her out of her thoughts. "We don’t have to. I just thought..."

She knew what he meant, and she was grateful for it.

"Yes," she smiled. "Let’s go there. I think I can handle it now."

She was ready to face her loss now. It was the only way to move forward. She needed closure before beginning this new Chapter.

Just as she was about to climb into the car, her phone rang. She reached into her bag and pulled it out.

"Excuse me," she told Alaric as she stepped aside.

She glanced at the screen and picked up. "Hello?"

"Lettie. He... he did it."

Nicolette’s stomach dropped. "Who?" Then she recognized the voice. "Hills? What happened?"

Hillary mumbled, her words incoherent as she cried.

"Slow down, slow down. I can’t understand what you’re saying," Nicolette said, her heart racing with fear.

Hillary sniffed. "It’s Dad. He’s ruined my business. My life is over, Lettie."