Ch. 1976..1980: My Wife Is A Hacker Chapter 1976-1980

Chapter 1976

Lawrence noticed Jared's pained expression, and continued speaking. "But don't you think that amnesia is a good thing? At least it is for Nicole. She can forget how incompetent you were in protecting her, and all the terrible things from before. Now, she can live her life peacefully with her kid leading a normal life. I don't think that there was a need to tell you all this as I worry that you would find someone who looks like her to be her substitute. I don't want to ruin this for her." Lawrence was sincere in his words.

Nicole looked in his eyes and her heart felt inexplicably conflicted. 'Lawrence was a guy that helped me through thick and thin for the past five years. I have no right to not believe his words, but to have me separated from my family for five years... this is....'

"Shut up. It's between Nicole and I. You have no right to interfere with this!" Jared's eyes instantly turned cold. novelebook.comJared knew that although he failed to protect Nicole before, he knew that she was a strong woman and did not ever need to stand or require anyone's protection.

Sean, who had been staring at Lawrence for a while now, noticed that Lawrence was a powerful guy. From his expression and gestures, no flaws were found. 'It seems that he's really sincere about Nicole, no wicked intentions or anything... He's not an easy feat.'

Lawrence sighed. "I know I'm not qualified enough to talk to you about things like these, but it's been five years. I've been by her side, taking care of her and her children. Also, the relationship between both Nicole and I, I hope that Mr. Johnston won't come in between and meddle with it."

Lawrence had deliberately said it with a provocative smile on his face.

Jared's expression had gotten darker before smiling coldly. "I won't mind your five-year relationship. After all, nothing will change. Legally Nicole is still my wife."

'As long as we have a marriage certificate despite having to date for less than a year... These five years wasted with Lawrence are nothing. At the end of the day, I'm still her legal husband.'

"You're too kind, Mr. Johnston." Lawrence did not seem to be bothered and responded with a smile. "Then, I won't be too mean by caring who Nicole's legal husband is. I will only care who her heart belongs to."

As soon as these words came out, it seemed that both Nicole and Lawrence had agreed secretly of their feelings for each other, though the vague flirting had made Nicole embarrassed.

'What's he doing? I've never given him any reaction to his flirting before... Why is he speaking like we have something going on?'

At this moment, the entire Riddle family looked at Nicole with complicated expressions before looking at Jared with sympathy.

Jared was furious as he felt like he had been cheated on.

"Her heart is naturally mine! It can only be mine!"

'Nicole's heart, Nicole's body, they're all mine. This is one thing that'll never change!'

Lawrence was rather thrilled to see Jared's huge reaction. "Mr. Johnston, you're too domineering. Nicole isn't a thing for you to own and have. You only spent a year together with her, but we've spent five years together. I respect her choices and decisions. I hope that in the future you can respect them too."

Jared's face hardened. 'How dare he compare our time spent together!'

Chapter 1977

'Bullshit, respect!'

"Don't use this nonsense to corner me. She's someone I love. How can I let her go so easily?"

'Nicole, I won't ever let go, not ever.'

Lawrence was overjoyed to see Jared's emotions coming to the surface. He could not help but smile wider. "It's your choice to make. I won't mind it anyway, but you should know that the prettiest looking fruits won't end up being the sweetest."

Jared's face darkened. The entire Riddle family were looking at the two of them. Daniel looked at Lawrence with discontent. Everyone in the room was aware that Lawrence wanted to separate Jared and Nicole, not wanting them to have any chance of reconciliation.

With a cold face, Daniel spoke up. "Everyone in this family agreed with this marriage. Coming as an outsider, you have no right to talk about this. I'd like to know from this gentleman here, what right did you have to keep my daughter hostage abroad for so many years, and five years at that? Letting her be unable to be reunited with her family for so long?"

It was unexpected that Daniel spoke up and questioned Lawrence. Nicole sighed helplessly. "Dad..."

Though Nicole was conflicted with her emotions between Lawrence's care for the past five years, she had no right to refuse his kindness.

Lawrence did not seem bothered by the accusation. "I understand what you're feeling, but I have never, in my intentions, kept her hostage. It was Mr. Johnston who gave up searching, and no one had been to that island. Thus, I've always respected her choice and since she wanted to come back after five years, I supported her to go home, but..."

Lawrence paused before looking at Nicole. Nicole had no choice but to help him out.

"Five years ago, after I had given birth, I did come back to San Joto once. It's just that after I had landed, I was attacked..."

At the time, Nicole's body was still frail and was still healing from her pregnancy. Nicole did not continue to speak afterwards.

Lawrence continued, speaking with stern eyes. "I wasn't sure if she was Ms. Riddle at the time but because of her looks there were countless people in this country that had their eye out for her.novelebook.com They fired four shots at her. Her arms and legs were shot. If someone hadn't sent her to the hospital, she would've been long gone."

"What?!" Gloria's heart tightened as she heard the news. She could not help gasping, "Oh my goodness... Nicole, just what did you have to go through alone? Why didn't you talk to me when you came home?"

At this moment, Nicole could not help staring at Lawrence. She wanted to avoid telling the important bits of the story but instead, he told them all on purpose. Jared's eyes were full of shock, he could not help but look at Nicole.

It was at that moment Jared understood why Nicole's strength had gotten so weak.

"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Jared's voice was filled with worry and guilt.

'She's mine. No one can lay a finger on her. I won't let any one of them go! But, from the way she'd been treating me like a stranger and kept this from me... this feeling of alienation is quite depressing.'

"I just didn't want you guys to worry..."

'Before, I wasn't that close with them, so I didn't tell them, but now that I am, I'm worried that they'll be worried about me since that happened a long time ago and caused me psychological trauma. I didn't

want any of them to go through what I went through.'

Jared and the Riddle family fell silent.

Lawrence took a deep breath. "I'm not here to accuse anyone of anything. It's just that I've seen her being hurt so badly with my two eyes. I don't have the power to protect her here in San Joto, thus I didn't let her come back as soon as possible."

Jared stared at Lawrence. "But you could've handed her over to me."

'I can and of course will protect my own woman! This guy is too self-righteous.'

Lawrence noticed Jared's cold look, before making a big move. "Really? But what if she wasn't the person you were looking for? Would you still protect her? But even if you did find her and find out she's the person you've been searching for, she had already died twice. If you really had the ability to truly protect her, she wouldn't have gone through any of that."

Lawrence's words pierced through Jared's heart like a knife.

Chapter 1978

For the past five years, Jared had been hating himself for not protecting Nicole well enough, and to the extent of blaming himself for letting the jet crash. It was one of his deepest regrets that left him living in pain every day. Jared had a clear conscience when it came to everyone else he had to deal with. However, when it came to Nicole, the guilt ate him up entirely knowing that he owed her a lot.

Jared did not speak for a while, his eyes were filled with sadness. Nicole could not bear to look at him.

On the other hand, Lawrence continued to attack Jared with his words that were sharp as knives. "I gave her the power to decide for herself when she woke up.novelebook.com I asked her if she wanted to come back here, but because of her son, she had to survive. She hadn't come back here for the past five years and for all these years, I was the one protecting her, not letting her get hurt even slightly."

The last sentence Lawrence uttered out seemed to be him showing off of how well of a job he had done compared to the time Jared and Nicole had spent together which had brought Nicole to the brink of death.

The Riddle family fell silent. They realized that it was not just Jared who was incapable of keeping Nicole safe. The entire Riddle family were to blame too.

After a long silence, Sean took a deep breath before walking out. "Anyway, thank you for taking care of my sister for the past five years, Lawrence."

Both the Riddle family and Jared had failed to do what Lawrence had accomplished. Lawrence smiled. "You're utmost welcome."

The sudden confession from Lawrence had now made him the benefactor of the Riddle family. Sean could not help narrowing his eyes at Lawrence. 'He speaks way too eloquently for me to find any flaws in him. He's one mysteriously sketchy guy.'

Daniel had also restrained his anger. "Forget it. Lawrence, since you're considerate and you respect Nicole, and it's indeed our fault that we were unable to protect Nicole properly. We must thank you for taking care of Nicole and her child for the past five years. Why don't you stay and have lunch with us?"

Upon hearing his grandparent's extended invitation to Lawrence, Nolan was thrilled, rushing up to hug Lawrence's legs. "Godfather! Please stay. I missed you so much!"

Lawrence looked at Nolan and smiled gently before speaking affectionately, "Okay, you're the man. You call the shots."

Jared stared at Nolan. 'How dare they be this intimate with each other! The way Nolan called to him, they almost seem to be the actual father and son.'

Spencer and Samuel were giving each other looks with the feeling of something was wrong, yet did not know how to put their finger on it. It was when they could not keep up with the bullshit going on that spoke to the butler. "Alfred, prepare some dishes for lunch today. We've got guests."

"Godpa, let me show you around the house! Grandpa and grandma's house is huge!"

Nolan had wanted this to be an excuse, so he'd have some one-on-one time with Lawrence.

Lawrence understood immediately and agreed. "Sure, let's go."

Chapter 1979

Gloria and Daniel relaxed when they saw Nolan was taking the initiative to take Lawrence around for a house tour.

Lawrence took a glance at Nicole before he left. "You don't mind if I accompany him for a while, do you?"

Noticing Lawrence's modest and polite manner; Nicole nodded in agreement.

For the past five years, Lawrence would ensure that he asked her for her permission and would never force things on her that would make her uncomfortable.

"Go ahead. Nolan has been missing you these past few days." Nicole smiled at Lawrence, as if the two of them had an unspoken understanding.

Onlookers would misjudge them as husband and wife. Jared, who was looking at this scene, felt even worse and directly blocked Lawrence from his sight. Jared grabbed Nicole by her arm and said, "Let's go back to our room."

Jared emphasized on going back to their room on purpose, ensuring that Lawrence had heard him loud and clear, before leaving with Nicole.

"Oh yeah... Leo, feel free to do what you like. I'll come find you after I've got Lana settled down," Nicole explained awkwardly to Lawrence, with Lana in her arms.

Lawrence watched as the family of three walked upstairs before disappearing. 'Five years...'

Lawrence had always been an optimistic person, who had been inching toward Nicole slowly over time. 'In just a few days' time she had reconnected with Jared... To see them as a family of three is such an eye sore...'

Lawrence looked away and found that Steve had been staring at him. He quickly gave Steve a smile. "Steve, is there something you want to say?"

Steve slightly raised his eyebrows and replied, "No."

'He didn't avoid eye contact at all. He's quite a... dangerous guy. I'm worried he might've come here prepared. Otherwise, how could he have all our names right on the first try?' novelebook.comSteve kept his speculations to himself before deciding to investigate this matter with Sean later.

Upstairs, Nicole carried Lana into the room and Jared trailed along behind them. Jared noticed the relationship between the mother and daughter duo were close. He could not hide his smile.

"Mom, why does this handsome uncle have to live with you?"

Nicole was speechless and did not know how to explain. Jared on the other hand, who was still feeling resentful about what Lawrence had said and done earlier, spoke directly to Lana. "I'm your birth father. No one can live with your mom except for me."

"Birth father?' Lana was stunned, before speaking with watery eyes, "Oh my God! The handsome guy is my birth father!"

Lana stretched out her fleshy tiny arms toward Jared. "Birth father, I want a hug!"

Compared to Nolan, seeing Lana being this excited had lifted up some of the weight off his chest. Jared reached out and brought Lana into his arms.

Nicole was stunned at the suddenness of seeing Lana, who was often sensitive, easily accept Jared. 'Lana would've never let Lawrence hug her usually, yet she allowed Jared to hug her? I guess this is the miracle of blood relations, huh?'

Jared held Lana in his arms before proudly looking at Nicole. "You should've let us meet sooner."

'Compared to that brat Nolan, Lana is much cuter.'

Nicole did not speak, yet she watched as Jared enjoyed his time coaxing Lana to sleep. She could not help but feel a little helpless. "You better hug her tight. Lana usually wouldn't let others hug her."

A smile instantly spread across his face as he heard this before he turned to look at his daughter. "She's my daughter. That's how it should be."

Lana smiled happily. "Handsome man, you're really my birth father?"

Lana looked like she had been looking forward to having a father for a long time. On the other hand, her brother was fond of his godfather. Now, Lana only wanted her father.

'I guess from now on I can be like other kids. I have a birth father who will come to my sports events.'

Chapter 1980

"Of course." Jared nodded his head, eyes full of confidence.

Lana smiled brightly. "Then, birth father, do you have money?"

This sudden question stunned Nicole. 'Nolan and Lana are twins. They're both smart.'

Jared raised his eyebrows and said nonchalantly, "Yes."

"Then... birth father, do you have a big house?" Lana asked innocently, staring at Jared with her big eyes.

Jared grinned confidently and replied, "Of course!"

Jared carried Lana over to the balcony, before pointing to the manor next door. "That's the house I bought for your mother."

"Wow!" Lana had her mouth agape, trying to maintain her composure. "Then... do you know kung fu?"

Jared nodded. "Of course. Your father is an all-rounder in civil and military affairs."

Lana smiled. "That's amazing!!! All the kids at kindergarten will be jealous that I have such an amazing father!"

When Jared heard Lana's explanation, he could not help but laugh. 'How can a kid this young know how to show off? Kids these days are really keeping in trend.'

After a while of chattering, Lana got out from Jared's grasp and waddled over to Nicole's side with her short legs.

"Mom, I think father's traits are quite good. You can consider him!"

It was at this moment that Jared realized that Lana was not asking childish questions at all. All her questions were thoughtful toward Nicole. novelebook.comLana had done a background check on her own father to check if he was a suitable fit for her mother.

'These two kids are really a handful.'

Lana looked up at the two of them and said, "Mom, I want to go visit my uncles. You and my birth father can have a chat."

As soon as she said that, Lana shot Jared a wink, as if she was trying to match them, before leaving with a smile on her lips.

Nicole felt distressed as she watched Lana leave, waddling with her short legs. Lana was usually well- behaved and sensible like a little adult who hoped that her mother could find her birth father.

Lana could not hold back her excitement when she met with her birth father, yet she was able to maintain her rationality and decision-making to make considerations for her mother.

Nicole watched as her daughter left, filled with mixed feelings. In that time, Jared had come to her side and he brought her into a hug from behind. The sudden intimate gesture made Nicole tense up.

"You, what do you think you're doing? Let me go..." Nicole said hurriedly.

'What the hell is wrong with this guy, suddenly hugging me?' Nicole thought, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry."

Jared had never apologized to anyone, but for Nicole, all he felt was guilt and sadness.

Nicole was taken aback for a moment before saying, "Don't be..."

"I hate Lawrence, but him saying all those things... He's right, it's me who failed to take care of you," Jared said in a low voice as his mind thought of the scene of Nicole being shot in her arms and legs when she returned to San Joto five years ago. 'What excruciating pain did she have to go through?'

At this moment, Jared's hand was inching closer to Nicole, bringing her into a half hug. "I swear that from now on, I'll protect you and the kids with all I've got, and I'll make those who hurt you pay!"

'No matter who had hurt her, I would never let them go. I'll hunt them down one by one.'

As she felt Jared's trembling hands, Nicole felt her heart beat faster. It was like she could feel his sincerity. However, she could not fathom that Lawrence's words could affect Jared so much.