Racing with all her might, Leni dashed into the abode and made a beeline towards Susan’s room upstairs, but s, there was no trace of her.


    Wasting no time, she scurried downstairs and barged into the kitchen, yet again finding no sign of Susan.


    Mixed feelings of anxiety and confusion swirled within Leni as a servant approached her, informing her of Susan’s sudden disappearance.


    Coincidentally, at that moment, Nelson arrived and was taken aback by the servant’s words.


    “Mother has left the premises? How is it possible that she did not inform me of her travel ns? Tell me, when did she depart?” Nelson, ovee with agitation, couldn’t understand why his mother would vanish without notifying him.


    In that moment, Nelson’s initial reason for rushing into the abode was forgotten, his concern now solely focused on his mother’s whereabouts.


    “Why don’t you try calling her?” suggested Leni, mirroring Nelson’s frazzled state, prompting him to immediately dial Susan’s number.


    As he anxiously listened to the phone ring, Nelson wiped the sweat beads umting on his forehead and bellowed as soon as the call connected.


    “Where are you, Mother? Why would you leave without informing me beforehand? Please, tell me your location,” he demanded, his restlessness apparent.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    “Rx, my dear son, just take a deep breath,” replied Susan’s cheerful voice on the other end, to which Nelson was unable toply.


    “I felt as though I have not given you both the space you need since your marriage, which is why I decided to visit Morgan in Oand,” Susan exined eloquently.


    Nelson massaged his temples, feeling a headacheing on.


    “You could have told me beforehand, Mother. How could you do this to me?” he expressed, his wordsced with pain.


    “I did it for your own good, son. Now you and Leni can have all the privacy you desire,” Susan’s voice yfully dripped from the phone, giving away her grin.


    “Mother-” he attempted to speak, but Susan interjected abruptly.


    “Don’t worry, son. I’ll return before you know it. Give my regards to Leni, I’ll call herter tonight. Farewell, I love you!” Susan spoke quickly and terminated the call.


    Uncertainty crept up in Nelson as he pressed his lips together, sliding his phone back into his pocket.


    Leni, who had overheard their conversation, smiled at Nelson.


    “Does that signify my departure?” she asked, her smile widening.


    Nelson looked at her, irritated. “Departure from where?”


    “Your mother has left for Oand, which must mean our fabricated pact hase to an end?” Leni inquired with keen interest.


    “Is our agreement not for three months yet?” Nelson asked in his usual cold tone as he took a step closer.


    Leni blinked, taken aback, and took a step back.


    “Listen, woman. I have repeated myself countless times, but this will be the final time I address this. The fake marriage between us will only dissolve after three months. Do youprehend? If you dare question me about this again, you will regret it,” Nelson warned, piercing Leni with his steely gaze.


    A small whimper escaped Leni’s lips, as she tried hard to hold back the tears threatening to fall.


    Without a word, she left Nelson, but his next words made her stop in her tracks.


    “Remember, you cannot be seen with any other men while you are with me. Keep that in mind,” Nelson dered, implying that he did not want to see her with Jones again.


    Leni remained silent as she walked away, taking the stairs and leaving Nelson behind.


    ——


    In the following week, a lot had changed for some individuals, but for others, it seemed like nothing had changed.


    Leni fell into thetter category, her mood darkening since Susan’s departure. She was not her usual cheerful self and had sunk into a deep depression.


    She had been ruminating on how to retaliate against Nelson in a way that wouldpel him to release her from his grasp, yet she could not seem to conjure up a suitable n.


    The evening’s event was being held at Nelson’spany, and he had arranged for her attire and a professional makeup artist to prepare her for the night.


    Dressed to the nines, she perched on a stool while the makeup artist began her work, but suddenly, a cunning idea struck her. Grasping the artist’s hand, she dered her intentions, catching the person off guard.


    “I will do the makeup myself. I simply require you to provide the necessary tools for me to execute it wlessly on my own face,” Leni said with a gradual smile, enticing the artist.


    “But why, madam? I am a certified makeup artist, personally rmended by Mr. Nelson Carter. Please allow me to perform my duties,” the artist implored, but Leni stubbornly declined as she rose from her seat.


    “You have beenpensated, have you not?” she inquired of the artist, who nodded in confirmation.


    “Then there is nothing for you to worry about. Step aside and let me handle this,” Leni dered, shing a mischievous grin as she gestured for the artist to move aside.


    She seized a makeup brush and gazed upon her reflection in the mirror, her grin widening even more. “I’m certain you’ll be regretting your decision to keep me captive, Nelson Carter.”


    Some timeter, Leni sauntered with a dignified stride to the parking lot, where the driver had been patiently anticipating her arrival. However, uponying eyes on her, the driver instinctively nced behind her, searching for a second Leni.


    “Fear not, sir. I am the only one here  your boss’s wife. Now, let us depart. I have kept my husband waiting for far too long,” Leni stated calmly as she gracefully entered the waiting car.


    Despite more than twenty minutes passing since their departure, the driver could not cease from sneaking nces at Leni through the rearview mirror as he drove along the highway.


    Witnessing this, Leni’s smirk grew more and more self-satisfied, reveling in the reaction she elicited from the driver.


    The gathering was held in an opulent ballroom, with men dressed in their finest suits and women elegant and gracious in thepany of their partners.


    Nelson was receiving guests when one of them suddenly posed a question, “Mr. Carter, why is your wife not in attendance?”


    Nelson turned to see who spoke and recognized thedy as Hazel Smith, d in a resplendent purple gown. Her blonde locks were styled in a French twist, and her subtle makeup only added to her already stunning appearance.


    Hazel worked as an assistant to one of the top shareholders in Nelson’spany and had never hidden her interest in him. She had a liking for him, but Nelson, being aloof, never gave her a chance. Thus, it came as a surprise to her when she found out that he was finally married.


    “My wife will be here shortly, Miss Smith,” replied Nelson with disinterest, already walking away. However, Hazel’s voice echoed behind him. “Is she more beautiful than I am, Mr. Carter?”


    Nelson stopped in his tracks and turned to face her, sporting a genuine, proud smile that Hazel had never seen before. “I havee across many stunning women, but none as breathtaking as my wife, Hazel,” dered Nelson, his confidence evident. Hazel felt a pang of pain in her heart as she watched him continue walking without a second nce.


    Once he had made his way through the crowd at the entrance hall, Nelson immediately asked, “Where is Leni, Herbert?” Seeing Herbert near the row of luxury cars parked in a line.


    Herbert then notified, “I just called the driver. He said they will be here soon.”


    Nelson tried to hide his anxiety, but maybe because Herbert had been his loyal aide for a long time, he could easily sense his nervous state. “Why do you seem nervous, sir?” Herbert inquired candidly.


    Nelson paused and gazed at him. “Do I appear nervous?” he countered.


    “Sure, Mr. Carter. Given that this would be your first time bringing a woman to a party, are you concerned?”


    When Herbert stated why Nelson was nervous, Nelson almost cheered him on.


    Still, he rubbed his temples and said nothing. If Leni were any other girl, he wouldn’t be concerned, but she’s crazy and the first person to truly not be afraid of his position.


    A loud automobile horn abruptly stopped him in his tracks. Upon turning to face it, he saw that it was one of his vehicles, indicating that Leni had finally made her appearance.


    “Atst, sir, she’s here,” Herbert smiled and went to greet Leni in the car, but he was taken aback when she got out.


    He shifted his gaze to his boss and discovered that they both had the same expression at that moment.


    What was going on?