Chapter Seventeen

“Nikolai, it's after office hours. Wait until tomorrow. There's nothing we can't prove with just a phone call anyway.”

What Preston said made sense, and Nikolai knew that too. It's his fault for not thinking things straight and for not being rational. He had simply, for lack of a better word, had gone insane.

“What are you still doing there?” Preston asked Claudia, who was sitting quietly in the corner. “Why are you here anyway?”

Claudia rolled her eyes at Preston. They only met a couple of times, but every time they do, it's a clash of personalities that ends up with rolling of eyes or throwing insults.

“Because of this.” Nikolai arranged the documents and put them inside an envelope before handing them to Claudia.

She smugly stood. Loud stomping sounds can be heard from her heels. As expected, Preston rolled her eyes.

“Lacie always puts you on a pedestal. I never understood why.”

“You know Lacie?”

Claudia nodded and checked the contents of the papers. “She used to work as my father's assistant. She has an eye for business, he said. All that wasted with her current career, I say.”

She can be a pain to deal with, but no one would argue that she is a great businesswoman—meticulous and calculative.

“See you on Saturday, Love.”

Nikolai felt the goosebumps in his nape as Claudia gently caressed his cheeks. “No. I'm not going.”

“Aw, that's too bad you don't want to. I kind of wish you had a choice now. See you there.” Claudia walked out as she arrived, arrogant and unbothered.

“You can stop scrunching your forehead now,” Nikolai told Preston, who was still glaring at the door where Claudia left. You should go now, too. It's getting late. I could have emailed you the files or had my secretary send you the physical copies. Anyway, thank you for coming here.”

"I never thought being a bitch can be a talent. To be clear, the main reason I'm here is to visit my nephew. Don't be too full of yourself.”

The two shared a laugh. After everything that happened,  it was a great thing that they managed to reconcile. It didn't happen instantly. Preston was busy hating Nikolai. At the same time, Nikolai hated himself, too. If it wasn't for Liam, the two wouldn't probably stay in touch.

“And Nikolai, as much as I am curious about this wonderful lady who Liam claims looks like Belle, give it a day and don't think too much about it.” He must have read Nikolai's mind.

“What if it's her?”

“Maybe she looks a lot like Belle, maybe not. But that woman's name is Hyacinth. Let's keep that in mind before we get emotional.”

He left his law firm and accepted the position his parents offered. He started out as one of the executives and is now the COO of Laurent & Company.

Nikolai instantly became one of the most eligible bachelors. He's handsome, he's tall, an impressive lawyer, and has a billion dollar net worth. Every gossip site had even mentioned ‘Millions of ladies from all around the globe would line up to be his wife and the stepmother to his only son’.

This is the main reason why can tolerate romance rumors with Claudia. Because of the decrease in unwanted attention and admiration.

Career-wise, Nikolai's life has been great. His achievements are more than enough for a lifetime. He drowns himself in work every day and every night. At the end of his day, right before he sleeps, the last thing that's on his mind is where his wife could be and what life would be if she were there with them.

“This is unlike you, Daddy.”

“Hmm?” Nikolai's grip on the steering wheel tightened. 

“You rarely drive me to school.”

“I know. Sorry. I should have done it more often.”

He saw Liam shrug through the rear-view mirror. “It's okay. You don't have to. We see each other at home every day.”

Honestly, he's going to Liam's school because of his new teacher. The ride to school made him realize that even with his effort, he still could've done more to support Liam at school.

“I'm sorry, kiddo. We should do this from time to time. And why do you never tell me when you have school activities?”

“You're busy with work, and you always have headaches. I don't want to disturb you.”

His heart instantly sank. Luckily, they arrived at the parking lot before Nikolai's tears could fall. A strong and brave lawyer he might be, but he can be very vulnerable when it comes to raising his only son alone.

Liam reached out for his father's hand. He may act solid and fearless but he's only seven. He's still young and clueless, and he should be acting his age. He should be crying, complaining, and making mistakes.

Liam let go of his hands to run somewhere. “Teacher Hya!” He screamed.

It was the first time he saw his son that carefree and happy.

Nikolai, on the other hand, stood frozen in the middle of the field. His heart started to beat so fast. Liam was right. She looks exactly like Isobelle.