Chapter 1981


    Nicole reached out and patted the back of his hand. "It''s all in the past."


    Nicole did not care if anyone around her was concerned about the matter.


    "It''s not." Jared slowly let go of her, pulling her wrists away and checking her wrists to see the scar on


    the tendon of her arm.


    "Before this, you were able to do anything. Even I couldn''ty a finger on you, but now... you''re much


    weaker in strength..." Jared looked at Nicole with a troubled look, before reaching out and tucking her


    hair behind her ear. Jared''s action was so natural which caused Nicole to blush, but she did not shy


    away from it.


    Nicole felt relief in her heart, knowing that she did not jerk away from his touch.


    "It''s okay. It doesn''t matter anymore. I''m at the age where I don''t have to bother using any strength.


    Plus, now that I''m home, novelebookI doubt there''d be anyone who''d dare bully me."


    Jared had a dead set expression. "Whoever dares to hurt you again, I''ll let them suffer the


    consequences."


    The serious look on Jared''s face sent cold chills down Nicole''s spine. Mentally, Nicole knew that Jared


    meant every word he said.


    Soon enough, it was noon. The Riddle family had prepared avish lunch for Lawrence. The table was


    filled with various dishes. Jared pulled a chair for Nicole to sit on and Lawrence sat directly on the side


    of Nicole. Nn followed en suite and sat next to Lawrence, as if he was dering his support by


    standing by Lawrence''s side.


    Lana went and sat next to Nn, her face wearing an irritated expression. "Nn, you''re really


    annoying."


    Nn''s eyes widened in shock. "Me? Annoying?"


    Nn was known to take care of Lana well. He cared for Lana, and did his best to keep his sister


    happy. ''What did I do to make her so angry?''


    Lana peeked at her mother''s awkward expression, immediately feeling unhappy. "You made our mother


    upset! I hate you!" Lana then turned her head away after she finished speaking.


    Nn seemed to have understood Lana''s meaning and decided to stand his ground. ''Now I finally


    understand. So what, if he''s my birth father? He didn''t even take care of our mother and let her go


    through so much pain and suffering! Compared to him, my godpa had been taking care of us for the


    past five years! My godpa always shows up every time we''re in need. The only person suitable for my


    mom is my godpa. He will be and always will be!''


    The squabble between the two children was unrecognized by the adults as Daniel and Gloria were still


    getting everyone to their seats. Nicole was in an ufortable position, unable to muster out the


    courage to speak up.


    The moment Lawrence sat down beside her, Jared had tensed up. The air in the room became tense.


    Nicole could not help looking at Jared in embarrassment. "Don''t you think the room''s a bit cold?"


    ''Stop acting so cold!''


    With a nonchnt smile, Jared said, "Is it?"


    ''She brought a random guy home to meet her parents and she''s afraid of such confrontation?''


    Nicole was embarrassed to the point where she did not know how to refute.


    At the same time, Daniel spoke up to break the tension. "This meal here today is dedicated to Mr.


    Lawrence, to thank him for taking care of Nicole. Here''s a toast to you."


    N?velDrama.Org owns this.


    Lawrence immediately replied, "Mr. Riddle, there''s no need for a toast. Let''s cheer." After saying that,


    Lawrence reached out his ss to clink his ss with Daniel''s.


    Daniel nodded before motioning for everyone to dig in.


    Nicole let out a sigh of relief, thinking that she could finally eat. But just as she picked up her utensil,


    Jared suddenly ced a shrimp onto her te.


    "Eat up."