Chapter 16
The next morning, Nicole woke up and called Audrey. When the latter answered, her voice was filled with concem. “Nicole, stuft unline Oper the truth comes out, the situation will be cleared up.”
before responding. “Dr. Lawson, Tread all the documents you sent me. Thank you.”
Vultat have gone through all that trouble it I didn’t believe you’d never do something like this,” she teased.
Don’t worry about all the
“I’ll be holding you to that.”
After hanging up, Nicole reviewed the files, and her eyes gradually darkened. She rose to her feet and headed downstairs. Heidi hadn’t woken up yet, as it was still early.
Nicole recalled their conversations from the night before on how she hadn’t been feeling well lately and had little appetite.
She new that the Boyd family’s cooks prioritized taste and vanery above nutrition, which didn’t benefit her mother’s health in the long run.
Fmunately, after three years of caring for Jacob, Nicole had learned how to cook nourishing meals to help nurse him back to health.
ince he was a picky eater, she had become skilled at making food that never bored him. She wanted to use her cooking skills to make breakfast for Heidi.
Nicole entered the kitchen and began making breakfast. When a maid entered after tending to the garden, she was stunned to see Nicole cooking.
Sherished over in a panic. “Ms. Boyd, let me do that! You don’t have to trouble yourself.”
just then, Monica came downstairs. She was dressed immaculately, looking chic and sophisticated. When she saw Nicole busy in the kitchen, a flash of coldness passed through her gaze.
She thought that Nicole had such a knack for cheering her mother up. Who could think she was pitiful?
Monica cleared her throat a little. “Nicole, cooking is what the maid does Are you having a hard time adjusting to your new status?”
Nicole’s eyes flickered slightly at her words.
Monica’s tone dripped with scom, as if she were superior to everyone else.
When Nicole didn’t respond, Monica felt more triumphant, and her words became more condescending. “If you’re so eager to take over the maid’s job, how they supposed to eam a living?”
The maid’s face turned pale with panic
She didn’t want to lose her job because of Nicole.
Just as the maid was about to take over, Nicole spotted Heidi descending the stairs
ace
Nicole’s gaze dimuned briefly before she softened her expression and spoke gently. “I’ve been living on my own for years, so I leamed to cook for myself. Today, 1 just wanted to cook breakfast for Mom and let her try my cooking. How is that talking away the maid’s job? They don’t cook every hour of the day anyway.”
Heidi stopped in her tracks. She looked over, and there was a glimmer of delight in her eyes. She said, “Monica, stop nitpicking Nicole. She’s still adapting to life here. It’s okay. She’ll get used to it in time
Monica quickly turned and tightened her fists when she saw her mother. She couldn’t believe that Nicole was so fake as to purposefully put on an act in
in front of
Her chest fightened with frustration. “Mom, I was only saying it for her own good. It’s fine if you don’t understand my intention, but you’re making it seem like I’m in the wrong
With that, she turned around and stormed upstairs, pretending to be upset.
However, Heidi didn’t stop her
Back in her room, Monica’s perfectly applied makeup tumed smudgy as her expression twisted in rage. She kicked off her heels and hissed through clenched teeth, Nicole, you forced me to do this”
