The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 74. Threatened In And Out.

"I need to go," Nicolette said, clenching her fists.

She saw where he had run. If these bloody guards would just let her go, she could follow the man with the full black hair before he disappeared completely.

"No funny business," the guard said, poking the gun in her back.

"Hey, easy on the lady!" Trainer snapped.

Another guard approached Trainer, and she could tell he had a gun pointed at his back too.

"Three more minutes and you’ll be free to do whatever," the guard behind her said.

Three minutes was too long. By then, the full-haired guy would have been gone.

What could she do?

Think, Nicolette!

And she did.

"I can’t hold it in. I need to pee," she said. And then paused for the guards’ reactions.

Neither of the guards said anything, but the guns remained pointed.

"You heard the lady! Don’t be a dick!" Trainer snapped again.

"Fine," the guard behind her said as he lowered the gun. "Let’s go."

She didn’t think he would actually follow her, but he did. Yet, she didn’t care. As long as she could walk in that direction, she might get lucky.

Her phone rang inside her bag, but she knew she couldn’t reach for it now. She nodded at Trainer. "I’ll be back."

The second guard stayed with Trainer as she and the other one left. Nicolette walked fast, ignoring the guard’s warning.

She took the corner just where the full-haired guy had run, but to her surprise, there were even more guests gathered there than in the room she had left.

She strained her neck, trying to spot him — even if just to see the direction he had taken.

But to her disappointment, he was gone.

It was like he had vanished into thin air. Then again, she had wasted too much time trying to get out of the other side.

Dammit!

"The restroom is right this way," the guard said, placing a hand on her shoulder to redirect her.

His touch irritated her, and without thinking, she connected her elbow to his jaw. "Don’t fucking touch me."

The guard yelped in pain, clutching his jaw with one hand and pointing the gun at her with the other.

"Fucking move," he growled, his voice firm despite the pain flickering in his eyes.

She stared at him, showing just how pissed she was.

"I will shoot!" he said, shaking the gun at her.

Would he really? Without Lucian’s order? In front of so many witnesses?

She was willing to take that risk. "Even Lucian isn’t that stupid to shoot here."

His eyes flashed with anger, but he lowered the gun. "Let’s fucking go."

"Stand down, soldier."

Nicolette groaned at the familiar voice that joined them. She turned, forcing a smile. "Dad."

"You came!" Ronald said, his voice high with surprise, his eyes shining with delight.

She blinked at his tone. Did he really think she came on her own? "Yes," she replied carefully.

Excitement filled his voice. "Ah, Nicolette. I knew you would come to your senses. Come, let me introduce you around."

Before she could refuse, Ronald grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hallway.

He waved at a group of people. "This is Nicolette. The Nicolette." He winked, and they laughed.

What the fuck did he mean by The Nicolette?

Before she could even process it, Ronald dragged her to another table.

"Fix your face. You want your mother’s drawings, don’t you?"

She parted her lips but then closed them. If Ronald was willing to hand over the drawings while she was here, who was she to argue?

"Hey guys," Ronald said, stopping in front of another table.

Three men in blue suits stood there, glasses of wine in hand, along with Rachel.

Rachel averted her gaze, and a wave of guilt surged through Nicolette.

Was she meant to have sent Rachel off like that?

It seemed she had something to say.

"Rachel, meet my daughter, Nicolette," Ronald said proudly. "I know you two don’t like each other, but we can let bygones be bygones, huh?"

Rachel tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes sharpened, her voice hardened. "Nice to meet you, Nicolette."

Nicolette fluttered her eyelashes, studying her. Wasn’t Rachel trying to talk to her a moment ago? What was the sudden attitude for? "Yes," she replied coolly.

"I just wanted to introduce you guys," Ronald said, beaming. "Enjoy the party."

Nicolette didn’t want to visit anyone else so she yanked her hand free. "I’m not meeting anyone else. You can’t keep parading me around like your trophy."

"But you are," Ronald chuckled.

She stared at him, stunned. What the hell is wrong with him?

"Because of you, this—" he gestured around them— "happened. I told you Lucian was romantic. Did you know he named this building after you?"

Anger boiled inside her at the mention of Lucian. But it was at that moment that she realized the guard wasn’t following them anymore.

Time to get out of the place.

"I need the sketches, Dad," she said softly, hoping he wouldn’t catch on to her lie.

Ronald’s forehead creased into a frown. "I just said something, and you won’t even acknowledge it?"

She paused, her lips pouting slightly. "Oh, great. How romantic," she said flatly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, the sketches?"

Ronald ignored her and started walking; she had no choice but to follow.

"You know, you’re the most annoying person I know. Everyone else wants to help. Even Hillary sacrificed some of her business money for me. You’re the only one who refuses to do anything for your father."

She stiffened at the mention of Hillary.

Ronald had stolen from Hillary. And now he had the audacity to brag about it? Disgust curled inside her, but she didn’t show it.

"I just need the sketches. Please," she said instead.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Ronald asked, raising an eyebrow. "The party is just starting. Don’t you want to meet Lucian?"

She stiffened, but quickly recovered. "You know I’m married now, right?"

Ronald laughed. "Come on. Let’s go see Lucian."

The way he dismissed her marriage so casually stung more than she had expected. But it also jolted some sense into her.

"I think I’ll be on my way now," she said, realizing she didn’t have to put up with his bullshit anymore.

Ronald’s eyes darkened, and before he could speak, Lucian approached them.

"I see you have met your daughter," Lucian said, amusement dancing in his voice.

Nicolette froze as she spun to face him.

What terrible timing.

"I have," Ronald said, sounding pleased.

"It was a hassle getting her here," Lucian announced, folding his arms across his chest.

Ronald frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Nicolette shut her eyes, dreading the exchange.

"I had to threaten her to get her here," Lucian said casually, then turned to Nicolette. "Your five minutes are up. You can leave now. After all, I’m a man of my words."

Ronald groaned, breathing heavily with anger. "You... you lied to me!"

She plastered on a smile. "No, I didn’t. You assumed."

Ronald huffed, his eyes glinting with disappointment. "If we weren’t in public, I would have slapped that stupid face of yours." He didn’t shout but his voice was cold.

"Let’s not have an argument," Lucian said with a cunning smile on his face. "She came here, and she is free to go now."

Something about Lucian’s tone made Nicolette’s skin crawl. The smirk on his lips, the mischief in his eyes— it all added to her discomfort.

"You’re very lucky today," Ronald muttered through gritted teeth. "You really fucking are. Now get out."

Nicolette turned to Ronald, despite the rage in his eyes. Still, she had to ask, she couldn’t just walk away empty-handed.

"What about the drawings? You promised—"

"Forget about it!" he snapped. "You already lost them. Scram!"

Lucian grabbed Nicolette by the arm and steered her away. "Come on. Let’s not make a scene."

Disbelief surged through her. She couldn’t believe it.

She had been threatened into the party, and now she was being threatened out of it.

Just great.