Chapter 6

NICHOLE'S POV

The light flicked on me and I straightened my back, their applause like horns sounding my victory, but nothing prepared me for the look on Blake's face.

He was pale, frozen with shock, his mouth wide open. He couldn't barely process what was staring right in front of him.

The same woman he had discarded like trash was one of the most important people in Orion Heights.

"Nicole, you... Why didn't you tell me?" His voice faltered and so did his eyes.

He could falter all he wanted; that was none of my business.

My fingers gripped the hem of my dress, Adrian's stance moved protectively, his hands firmly placed around my palm.

"Let's go. We shouldn't keep everyone waiting." He flashed me a smile.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. I was unable to wrap my head around the fact that Adrian was acting this way.

Three years ago, he was so different, barely even talked, not to mention smiled.

With him, I felt like I was always walking on thin egg shells, but now I felt comfortable...

I could feel a nudge in my chest just looking at him. I almost felt bad using him like this... Like I said, almost.

He wasn't helping me out of the goodness of his heart, it was only a matter of time before he revealed his real colors and I will be waiting.

I placed my hands against the podium, my breath shallow, flashing the crowd a smile.

I was at the pinnacle of it all.

It was supposed to be a dream come true for most people, but not me. This was a nightmare. Imagine falling back into the flames you escaped, only to find freedom to be normal.

But after what happened, after what they did to me... I would gladly walk through the shadows of death itself just so I could get a chance to give Blair and Lydia a taste of their own medicine.

"Good day everyone, I am Nicole Valmont. The heiress of the Valmont empire." I took a deep breath, feeling the bile rising up inside my throat.

My eyes scanned the hall and I made sure to set my eyes on Blake before I continued.

"As you all know, my father passed on tragically from his illness and we are still mourning his loss. But as his heir, I have officially stepped in as the current CEO of the Valmont empire. With God's grace, I plan to take it to the next level and surpass even the works of my forefathers."

Applause rippled through the crowd, but Blair was stiff. Lydia’s eyes darkened as she glared at me, but my composure was tight.

An act I've learned to perfect over the years living with that beast.

As the applause died, I smiled, leaning closer against the mic and then I continued. "As CEO, I will be making my first announcement."

The air was stiff with tension, all eyes were fixed on me. I could feel my own heart beating, but I forced a smile.

Blake's eyes were searching mine. He could feel something was off but couldn't tell what it was.

"The Valmont Empire will no longer be doing business with H. Group." I said with a straight face, not breaking eye contact, not even once.

"Mr. Thompson, please pass Mr. Hamilton his termination contract." My smile brightened. "Blake Williams Hamilton, it was nice doing business with you."

The crack on his calm and collected demeanor deepened, his hand moved up to his chest, his fingers clutching his shirt as he stumbled back. His eyes were wide with disbelief.

Lydia rushed over to hold him but he shrugged her shoulders off, looking at me intensely.

Was he regretting his actions already? Good, because this was just the beginning.

It was going to be a roller coaster with a lot of fun... Since I'm in hell, why don't I take them all with me and then burn everything they have to the ground.

I broke the eye contact because he looked pitiful and disgusting.

I had been a fool to secretly help him secure so many business deals with my family so my so-called perfect family would be better, but what did I get as a reward for my action?

Lies, betrayal, the list just goes on and on.

"You were amazing." Adrian says, with his lips curled up, his hand outstretched to me.

I snapped back into reality, letting my palm slide into his grip as he helped me down.

"Thank you. This wouldn't have been possible without you. If you didn't get me out of that awful place, I would have still been rotting in the depths of that filthy cell."

"Don't worry, I promised to protect you, didn't I? With me here, no one can lay a finger on your head."

I forced a smile and then turned my face away as we made our way through the crowd.

His words felt so meaningless. Maybe if he had done something like this three years ago, I would have been swooning, blushing so hard like a fool, but not this version of Nichole.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that people—especially men—are unreliable, and the only person who can truly protect me is me.

"Now that you're done, do you want to go home or..."

"Nichole!" Blake's voice groans from behind us and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Adrian's eyes flashed with annoyance and he snapped his head towards the direction, but I held his hand.

"Don't worry, I'll handle him. I don't want you to cause a scene." I smiled and then we turned towards Blake and he stared at me for a while before he nodded.

I had a feeling he wanted to argue, but he was holding back.

"Nichole, we need to talk..."

Whack!

My palm connected with his face and he stopped right in his tracks. The sound must have been so hard that it echoed, drawing so much attention.

Then came the hushed whispers.

Loud footsteps clicked through the floors before Lydia pushed through the guests and then rushed to Blake.

She noticed my palm imprint on his face, her teeth dragged against her bottom lip as she turned to me.

"You bitch..."

I didn’t give her time to finish. Before she could spit out the nonsense from her mouth, my hand swung in a wide arc.

SMACK

The sound sliced through the silence like a gunshot.

Her head snapped to the side with a red print blooming across her cheek.

She blinked, feeling stunned, with lips parted in disbelief. “You hit me—”

I tilted my hand to look at my palm, my expression devoid of emotions. "I thought it was pretty much obvious."