The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 78. Stupid Games, Stupid Prizes.

Anna cleaned Nicolette’s face in her room.

By the time she was done, Nicolette realized her face wasn’t as serious as she had feared. The blood and tears had only made it look messier, and even her mouth wasn’t that swollen.

"Thank you, Anna," she said as Anna laid a tray of food on the bed.

"You’re welcome. Do you want me to stay here? You know, keep you company?" Anna asked sweetly.

"No," she replied, "but thanks," she added with a smile.

Anna nodded. "Just call me if you need anything."

"Sure, Anna," she said.

Anna nodded again before reluctantly leaving the room. Nicolette pulled the tray closer as the aroma of the food reached her nose, making her stomach growl.

Anna had prepared tomato soup with veggies and pieces of beef. Nicolette dug into the meal, picking up a piece of toasted bread as well.

She munched quietly, her mind blank, her body weak.

Her phone rang, but she ignored it.

It had been ringing all night. From Suzie to Hillary, even Lucian, yet the one person she badly wanted to hear from hadn’t picked up her call, nor called her back.

She felt numb from everything. Partly because she had cried her eyes out and there was nothing left to cry, and partly because she was on some heavy painkillers.

She finished her food and set the tray on the bedside table before drifting to sleep.

The next day, she was awakened by the buzzing of her phone. She yawned, as she reached for it, and her eyes widened when she realized it was a message from Alaric.

"You have a meeting in your new building with some designers by 10. I am in Australia, I’ll be back soon."

That was it.

No baby, no sweetheart, no form of intimacy. Nothing.

But she knew she should appreciate the text—it was better than receiving none at all.

Her mind snagged on the part where he mentioned Australia, but she couldn’t process it.

She got out of bed, drank the remaining bottle of water from yesterday, and went to take her bath.

She felt better; her body didn’t ache anymore and the pain in her lips had subsided.

Time to focus on work until Alaric was back and ready to speak to her again.

When she finished bathing, she walked to her phone and replied to Alaric’s text.

"Can I call you?"

She bit her lip, then added:

"Safe travels to Australia."

She waited for his response, seeing he had already read it. After five minutes with no reply, she gave up and went to dress.

She picked a black suit—jacket and trousers—and a yellow top. She was setting the outfit on the bed when Anna walked in.

"Good morning, Nicolette. How do you feel? Sleep well?" Anna asked warmly.

"A lot better. Thanks," she replied.

"Time for work? Let’s get you something to add to that," Anna said, gesturing at the outfit.

"Alright," Nicolette said and watched her walk to the closet.

Nicolette dressed in the outfit. Just as she was buckling her belt, Anna returned with a pair of black heels and a bag.

"What do you think of this?"

"Good," Nicolette replied.

"Good," Anna echoed, placing the items on the bed. "Let’s get your hair ready."

Nicolette sat on the bed while Anna quickly styled her hair. Once she was done, Nicolette walked to the mirror and checked herself. Pleased with what she saw, they both made their way outside.

When Nicolette got to the living room, she gasped. There was a fresh bouquet of sunflowers on the table. They were bright and matched her yellow top perfectly.

Her heart leapt with happiness at the colors and the joy they brought.

She reached for the bouquet, her heart pounding.

Alaric sent her flowers. Did that mean he wasn’t mad anymore?

She took the small note attached to the bouquet—and her stomach dropped.

"I hope you like these ones better,

L.C."

"What the hell!" she snapped, anger pumping through her chest. "How... how does he do it?"

How the hell was Lucian able to send her flowers again?

Anna rushed to her. "Are you okay, ma’am?"

"Who brought this in?" she demanded.

"I did," Anna said, her eyes widening with confusion. "Mr. Allens sent it—"

"It’s not him!" she cut in sharply. "It’s Luci—fuck." Then panic raced through her veins. "Take it away! Throw them away!"

If Alaric walked in and saw those flowers, whatever explanation she had to say would never be enough.

Not after yesterday.

Anna scrambled around, quickly removing the flowers.

"Always check where they are from!" Nicolette barked. "Don’t bring in weird stuff, it’s too fucking risky!"

As soon as the frantic energy wore out, pain found its way back into her chest. She had thought it was Alaric, and now that disappointment hurt even more.

She braced herself, exhaling as she adjusted her jacket.

It’s a new day. Don’t let anything get to you.

She adjusted her hair and walked outside.

"I’m sorry, ma’am," Anna apologized. "I didn’t know it wasn’t from your husband. I thought—"

"It’s okay, Anna," Nicolette said with a small smile. "Just be careful next time."

"Yes, ma’am," Anna nodded.

Then a thought crossed Nicolette’s mind.

Alaric would be furious if he found out Lucian was sending flowers again.

"Uhmm, let’s... just keep this between us," she said, swallowing. "I don’t want Alaric finding out until I tell him myself."

"Understood."

Nicolette’s cheeks heated up as she smiled at Anna. "Thank you."

Anna nodded and went back inside.

Nicolette took a deep breath, collecting herself before proceeding to the car.

"Trainer?" she called out. But instead of Trainer, another hefty bodyguard approached her. Her brow arched. "Where’s Trainer?"

The bodyguard shifted uncomfortably. "He... got fired, ma’am. I’m your new driver."

"What?"

Fuck. It was because of yesterday.

How dare Alaric fire Trainer without knowing the full truth?

She pulled her phone from her purse and dialed Alaric’s number, but it was unreachable. Then she remembered he was in Australia.

"Shoot!" she muttered.

What to do now?

It was almost 10. She was already running late for her meeting with the designers.

"Fine," she told the new guard. "Drive me to my new office. I have a meeting."

"Yes, ma’am," he nodded and entered the car.

Just as Nicolette slid into the car, her phone rang. She reached for it, hoping it was Alaric.

But to her disappointment and anger, it was a message from her father.

"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."

Attached to the text was a news link. She clicked it, and her stomach dropped.

Her mother’s drawings had been painted and displayed for sale, and Rachel was taking credit.