Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle

It was late at night when Emmalie's condition finally stabilized. She had slit her wrists but made sure to avoid any major veins, ensuring her life wasn't in danger.

Beside her was a suicide note. In it, she begged Thea to leave her alone, claiming she was innocent and terrified of going to jail.

She wrote that she didn't want to confess to something she didn't do and was afraid Then would send her back to that impoverished place. Feeling cornered, she claimed she had no choice but to end her life.

Now, Emmalie lay in the hospital bed, pale and fragile, like a puppet with its strings cut. Her red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked face made her look even more pitiful.

When Ivy regained consciousness, she wept for a while and began hitting and cursing at Thea. "You bring nothing but bad luck! You jinx! Why did you have to push Emmalie to this? Why couldn't you just leave her alone?"

Ivy didn't hold back, her words cutting deep. Thea tried to defend herself, but the bodyguards held her down. Before long, her hair was disheveled, and her face was scratched and bleeding.

Max watched silently, his expression cold. Finally, he announced giving Thea an ultimatum. "I can't believe I almost trusted you. You're heartless. We'll prove this evidence is fake, and if you keep targeting Emmalie, don't be surprised if the Hendrix family and I sue you." Thea let out a bitter laugh, feeling the weight of hopelessness.

"Lock her in the basement for three days. No food or water, Max ordered.

The butler hesitated. "What if Jake comes looking for her?"

Max scoffed, "She's headed to jail. Do you think the Hendrix family will still want her?"

Just then, someone rushed in, announcing. The Hendrix family is here:

Max's face shifted briefly, and he gestured for someone to quickly drag Thea away. But before they could, steady footsteps echoed through the room, followed by a deep voice. "Seems I've arrived at a bad time."

Nicolas stood in the doorway, his gaze icy.

Max quickly plastered on a smile. 'Mr. Hendrix, 1 apologize for the scene. Thea caused a scene, and my mother and I were just disciplining her."

Nicolas's cold eyes shifted to Max, who suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

The Rowland family's strict parenting is impressive, Nicolas remarked coolly as he casually sat on the couch. Tm curious what Miss Rowland did to deserve such harsh punishment from her own family. His tone was flat, almost- indifferent as if he was just there to watch the show.

Ivy was about to speak, but Max quickly pulled her back. Sweat formed on his forehead as he faced Nicolas, his usual arrogance replaced by a nervous politeness. "We acted in anger. Mr. Hendrix. What brings you here to see Thea today?"

He hesitated, then added, "If this is about the Avon Ventures data leak, Thea made a mistake. If you want to call off the engagement between her and Jake, I won't object. I just don't want any bad blood between our families." Thea quietly scoffed from the side-

Nicolas remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Sensing the tension, Darwin asked, "Hasn't Miss Rowland explained herself? She wasn't responsible for leaking the data. Tr was a setup by someone working with an Avon Ventures insider. The real culprit was Emmalie." "No!" Ivy quickly shook her head, her voice frantic. "Emmalie doesn't know anything about that kind of stuff. She's innocent. It couldn't have been her

Everyone in the room turned to Ivy with a strange look.

When Thea was under suspicion, Ivy had been eager to throw her under the bus. But now, faced with evidence pointing to Emmalie. Ivy rushed to defend her. The favoritism was painfully clear.

Trying to salvage the situation, Max said in a calm voice, Emmalle is talented in art, but she doesn't know anything about business matters. There has to be some misunderstanding" Uninterested in Max's attempt to explain things, Nicolas turned to Darwin. "You're getting sloppy. What's the idea behind trying to marry off an adopted daughter to the Hendrix family? Darwin sighed. "Mr. Hendrix, Thea is their biological daughter, not adopted"

Nicolas raised an eyebrow, his tone mocking. "Oh? I thought she was some stray they picked up."

Max's face flushed with shame. He bowed even lower. "No, Mr. Hendrix, you've got it wrong. We weren't trying to mistreat her. Thea just never speaks up when she's wronged."

He glanced over at Thea, his eyes suddenly softening "Why are you all standing around? Get a doctor to check on Thea immediately."

But Nicolas intervened, his voice cold.and dismissive, "Don't bother. I need to speak with Miss Rowland. I'll take care of her myself. There was a strange gleam in his eye as he glanced at Max.

As Thea walked out with Nicolas, her head held high, Ivy's gaze darkened. She thought of Emmalie still lying in bed, and hatred flashed in her eyes.

She grabbed Max's arm tightly. "After what Thea did to Emmalie, you're just going to let her walk away like that, huh?"

Max looked irritated and impatient. "Mom, don't you get it? Nicolas showing up in person means he's acknowledging Thea and Jake's engagement"

The fury in Ivy's eyes dimmed, replaced by a cautious wariness as she absorbed Max's words.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

The car was warm, filled with the soothing scent of medicinal ointment mixed with Nicolas's cool cologne, easing some of

Thea's tension.

"Lift your head," Nicolas said in a calm, commanding tone.

Thea obediently tilted her chin upward, allowing his large hand to support it.

As his calloused fingertips brushed her cheek, Thea pressed her lips together, trying to appear composed. But the redness of her ears betrayed her nervousness.

The ointment stung as it touched the raw scratches on her face. Thea's eyelashes fluttered, and she instinctively tried to pull away. "Mr. Hendrix, I can do it myself, she said softly. Nicolas didn't release her. Instead, he asked gently, "Did I hurt you?"

Thea quickly shook her head, her ears fluslaing even redder

Changing the subject, Nicolas said. "There's a charity gala next week. You'll attend with me. Make sure these heal up by then."

Thea's eyes lit up at his words. "So, you believe I didn't leak the data, right?" she asked, hopeful.

Nicolas raised an eyebrow. "Do I seem that easy to deceive?"

Thea smiled, relieved but still unsure how to express her joy. "M. Hendrix, you can count on me. I'll work hard and do whatever you need."

Nicolas pulled his hand away, his expression remaining neutral. Don't celebrate just yet. This incident caused significant damage. Someone will still have to take responsibility."

Thea's expression darkened as she thought of the Rowland family members obvious favoritism toward Emmalie.

"Sarah's been caught, and Braden can't stay hidden for long. Once we find him, he'll be the key to exposing the mastermind behind all this," she said.

The car came to a stop in front of Thea's hotel. She got out and began walking toward the entrance, but Nicolas's voice stopped her. "Thea, I'll consider your proposal from before." Thea froze, then turned around just as the car window rolled up concealing Nicolas's refined, handsome face.

The engine roared to life, and the car drove away, leaving Thea standing there, wondering if she'd imagined those words.

Asking Nicolas for a marriage of convenience had been a last-ditch effort when she was backed into a corner. Since Nicolas hadn't mentioned it again, she'd assumed he'd rejected the idea. Now, hearing him reconsider left her both surprised and oddly Hopeful about the future.