Chapter 8

Nicole stood upright with the support of her crutches and replied coldly, "I didn't push her. She fell in on her own." "You pushed me and you still won't admit it!" Chloe cried out with grievance. Nicole found the whole thing absurd. She turned to Maverick, her tone firm. "Go check the surveillance footage and you'll know whether I pushed her or not." Maverick looked at Nicole's calm gaze, then at Chloe sobbing pitifully in his arms. He frowned. After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke to smooth things over. "Enough! Nicky, even if you did push her, it's just a small matter. I won't blame you." Then, he turned to Chloe, his tone reproachful. "The last time I saved you, I grabbed the wrong person in a moment of panic. Don't bother Nicky again. I already owe her enough. What you're doing now only makes things harder for her. Go back!" As he spoke, he motioned to the bodyguards standing nearby. "Take Ms. Tucker home to rest." Chloe stared at him in disbelief, her sobs growing even louder. In the end, she bit her lower lip and left under the guards' escort, turning back to look again and again. As Maverick watched Chloe's retreating figure, a flicker of tenderness flashed in his eyes before vanishing almost instantly. But Nicole, who had been watching the entire time, caught the look clearly. Her lips curved into a bleak smile. Her heart had already hurt so much that it felt numb. A week later, Nicole was discharged from the hospital. Maverick went down to the underground carpark to get the car, telling her to wait at the hospital entrance. Nicole stood by the roadside. Shortly afterward, a sudden sharp pain struck the back of her neck. Her vision went black, and she lost consciousness. When she came back to herself, she realized she had been stuffed into a sack, and her hands were tightly bound. Then, searing pain exploded from her fingers, the agony so intense it was indescribable. Someone was using cold metal pliers to rip her fingernails out! She let out a piercing scream as her body convulsed violently. Again, and again… There was blood everywhere. The pain was unbearable. Just as she was on the verge of passing out, she vaguely heard one of the kidnappers step aside to make a phone call, his tone eager to please. "Don't worry, Mr. Pitt. It's been taken care of… Yes, yes, yes. We taught her a lesson. She should not have been so brazen, pushing Ms. Tucker into the water… All ten fingernails are gone. That'll teach her to never mess with Ms. Tucker again…" Mr. Pitt? Ms. Tucker? Taught her a lesson? It was as if Nicole's mind was struck by lightning. Even the pain seemed to disappear. These people… were sent by Maverick? All because of that ridiculous accusation that she had pushed Chloe into the water? He used such cruel methods, ripping out all ten of her fingernails, just to avenge Chloe? Curled inside the sack, Nicole let out a low, broken laugh. It was hoarse, filled with despair and sorrow. Her tears mixed with her blood, soaking into the sack. So… For Chloe, Maverick could really be this ruthless to her. As her tears flowed uncontrollably, Nicole lost consciousness once more. … When Nicole woke again, she was lying in a hospital bed. Both her hands were wrapped up like thick burritos, and waves of piercing pain radiated through them. Maverick sat at her bedside. When he saw her awake, his face was immediately filled with distress and guilt. "Nicky, you're awake! I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I was only gone for a short while, and something like this happened to you! "Don't worry. I've already caught the people who hurt you and sent them all to prison. They'll face the harshest punishment! And your fingernails… The doctor said with proper medication, they'll grow back. Don't be afraid…" Nicole slowly turned her head and looked at him. Her eyes were empty, calm, and shockingly cold. It was as if she was looking at a complete stranger, yet at the same time, someone who was completely see-through. Maverick felt a sudden, inexplicable panic under her gaze and instinctively looked away. Just then, a nurse knocked and entered cautiously. "Mr. Pitt, Ms. Tucker's emotions are unstable. She keeps asking for you. You should—" Frowning, Maverick cut in coldly without hesitation. "I'm not going! Tell her I have nothing to do with her. And tell her to behave herself!" The nurse responded hesitantly before turning to leave. But Nicole, who had remained silent the whole time, suddenly said, "You should go."