Ch. 31..40
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 31
Nicole looked like she had a headache. “Yvette, who the hell is so dumb to send me flowers?“
“Of course, it’s Ian Carter. He instructed me to deliver it to you by hand.“
‘Ian? That Young Master is really capable of making things happen!’
Yvette laughed. “Old Master Carter sent Hugh to study abroad. I heard that if he fails this time, his grandpa will break his legs.“
“Awww… It’s a pity that we didn’t get to send him off. I guess we’ll just have to wait for him to come back and throw him a nice welcome back party! “
Nicole was helpless and got her assistant to take the flowers out of her office. She felt a lot more comfortable without the strong scent of flowers in the air.
Yvette nodded. “Yup, my thoughts exactly. By the way, I’ve looked into FH Corporation like you asked me to last time.“
Nicole looked up at her. Yvette laughed and said, “FH Corporation has long since become a shell company. They keep asking for loans everywhere and owe the bank a large sum of money they can’t even pay off. Their company is about to be auctioned off and they just have a bunch of sh*tty projects left. Whoever gets involved with them will surely get into trouble. That Samantha Lindt is trying to push you into a trap, huh?“
This was what Nicole expected. She raised an eyebrow and thought, ‘So she’s trying to dig a pit for me to jump in myself… The dinner tonight will be extra interesting…’
“Thanks.“
Yvette scratched her head. “It’s nothing, but… I can’t work for you anymore. My mom is coming back from Hong Kong. She just acquired a new cosmetic company and promised that I can participate in their research and development. Nikki, you know that this has always been my dream.“
Yvette’s mother was a famous career woman in the industry. She had always wanted Yvette to be part of the management in their family business, but Yvette preferred laboratory work. Since she finally got the opportunity to participate in research, she certainly would not give up on it.
Nicole smiled. “Sure, then I wish our dearest Miss Quimbey all the wealth in the world! “
The two ladies looked at each other and smiled. There was no need to say more because they had a tacit understanding between them.
“Then you should be careful. Just ask if you need help with anything. We’11 support you as best we can! “
Nicole nodded. “Don’t worry, I won’t be a stranger with you guys.“
Yvette took her purse and slipped away after chatting for a bit, then Nicole began to focus on work again.
After work, Nicole stood up from her chair and was planning to talk to Logan about the dinner. However, Samantha sashayed into Nicole’s office and said, “ Since it’s a private dinner, it’s not necessary to bring your assistant, right?“
Nicole raised her eyebrows. “Okay then.“
Logan looked at Nicole worriedly, but Nicole gave him an assuring smile.
When they got to the private club, they went into a pre -booked private room. Samantha did a friendly cheek kiss with a pot-bellied middle-aged man who was sitting at the table, which made Nicole feel nauseous.
Out of politeness, Nicole still walked over to say hello. When Chairman Zeller saw Nicole’s face, his eyes visibly lit up with unconcealed lechery, which was very disgusting.
“This is Vice President Nicole, right? I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re as beautiful as they say…“
Chairman Zeller stretched out his hand, but Nicole only nodded slightly as a greeting before she took a seat. “Mr. Zeller, you’re too kind. Your reputation precedes you.“
Samantha gave Nicole a meaningful glance. “Vice President Nicole, since you just joined Stanton Corporation, you might not know that we have a good relationship with FH Corporation, so it’s not a problem cooperating with them. Why don’t you take out the contract for Mr. Zeller? If there’s no problem, we can sign it today.“
Nicole paused and raised an eyebrow, then took out the prepared contract. “Sure. Mr. Zeller, you’d better look at it carefully.“
The middle-aged man opposite her took over the contract and swept a casual glance at it as if he already knew of its contents. When he caught sight of a number there, his face instantly sank.
“Vice President Nicole, why is the commission on this 30% higher than the promised figure?“
Samantha was startled and took a look at the contract. Her expression changed greatly and said, “ Who changed this?“
“Me, of course…“ Nicole lowered her head with a smile.
“Since I’m here to talk about this project, I have the say in it. We can go with this percentage or forget about it altogether.“
Everyone knew that if it was raised by thirty percent, FH Corporation’s initial investment would be tens of millions more, which was too much for a faltering shell company on the verge of bankruptcy.
Samantha’s face turned red with anger. “Nicole, how can you just change it as you please?“
“I’m Stanton Corporation’s Vice President, so I can do as I please. Ms. Lindt, I’m thinking of our company’s best interest, so why are you getting angry? You should be happy, don’t you think? Are you Stanton Corporation’s employee or FH Corporation’s person?“ Nicole looked at Samantha meaningfully.
As soon as she heard this, Samantha’s face turned glum. “I -I’m Stanton Corporation’s employee, but Nicole, business is based on trust. We’ve already agreed on the amount beforehand, so you can’t just change it like this! “
“As long as nothing’s been signed, everything can be changed.” Nicole playfully looked at the angry Chairman Zeller. “Or perhaps, Mr. Zeller and Ms. Lindt have already reached some sort of agreement in private?”
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 32
Both Mr. Zeller and Samantha Lindt were shaken when they heard Nicole’s words. Mr. Zeller suddenly smiled widely, picked up the bottle of red wine next to him, and poured a glass for Nicole.
“Ms. Nicole, since it’s a negotiation, I came with my sincerity. Why don’t you take a look at this document? As long as you sign it, I won’t treat you badly.“
Mr. Zeller took a file from his bag. The content was similar to the contract Nicole was holding, but the figure was another ten percent lower than the one Samantha had set.
Samantha looked at them and quickly advised her. “ Nicole, what’s the point of you only relying on Grant Stanton? You’d be better off getting a few more backers. Think about it, Grant clearly wants to do you harm because he just left you in this position without even guiding you. He probably won’t marry you either…“
Nicole did not care for Samantha’s sowing of dissension because she probably thought that they were lovers.
‘Is she trying to poach me?’
“Look at the clothes you’re wearing. They don’t even have a brand. Did you buy them off those online catalogs? How do you get to and from work? A taxi?“
Samantha looked askance at Nicole’s brandless getup and tugged on her Chanel suit, as she pursed her lips and smiled.
“To be honest, I’ve been in your shoes. You won’t lose out if you follow Mr. Zeller. He prepared a secondhand Audi for you. With Mr. Zeller’s help on the project, you’ll be able to sit firmly in your position…“
Seeing that Nicole was silent and in deep thought, Samantha thought that she was moved and winked at Mr. Zeller contentedly. She then stood up wobbly and said, “I’m going to the bathroom. You guys can continue the talk.“
Once Samantha went out of the room, her eyes looked sharp. She saw a familiar person sneaking around the bathroom entrance and yanked him over. “Are the things ready?“
The waiter trembled. “T-That drug has been put into the wine…“
“Good.“ Samantha hooked her lips in satisfaction.
The waiter bit his lower lip. “Ms. Lindt, if I ‘m not mistaken, that lady is President Eric Ferguson’s ex- wife, right?“
“Mm, you’re right. That’s her.“
“How does Mr. Zeller dare to make a move on President Ferguson’s ex-wife… Is he not afraid…?“ The waiter did not dare to say it explicitly for fear of getting into trouble, but he felt extremely remorseful at this moment.“
“She’s merely an ex-wife, so how much would she matter to him anyway? She’s the kind of woman that relies on other men to get to the top, so why would
Eric Ferguson spare a look at her? Since she’s sleeping her way to the top, it’s all the same whoever she sleeps with anyway, so why not Mr. Zeller?“
The waiter buried his head very low. “Okay. I’ll go back to work then.“
“Get lost. If this matter gets out, I’ll make you regret it!“
Samantha stomped to the bathroom on her high heels to fix her makeup without noticing a tall and well-built figure standing stiffly on the other side of the corridor.
Eric Ferguson’s face turned cold and glum. His eyes were stern and intimidating as he pulled over a waiter nearby. “Which room is Nicole in?“
“Huh? Mr. Ferguson?“
Anyone who came in and out of this private club was rich and famous, so the waiters here went through the basic training of recognizing the elites. That waiter immediately recognized Eric Ferguson and was scared senseless that his face turned pale.
“Tell me! “
“A—At r—room 3888.“ The waiter stammered subconsciously. He could not afford to mess with Chairman Zeller, but Eric Ferguson was on a whole other level.
Eric turned around and left, exuding a penetrating chill.
In Private Room 3888.
Chairman Zeller smiled lewdly as he reached out to touch Nicole’s hand on the table. However, he did not manage to touch her. Nicole picked up the wine glass and gently swirled the wine in it with her long slender fingers that looked like a work of art.
The middle-aged man took out an old car key from his bag and threw it on the table. “Ms. Nicole, this car is yours.“
Nicole stared at the car key for a long time and suddenly laughed coldly. “Samantha Lindt took more than I did, right?“
Mr. Zeller sized her up with his lecherous eyes. “Ms. Nicole, with your looks, Samantha surely can’t compare to you. When this project is completed, there will be a bigger surprise waiting for you.“
Nicole inadvertently found out how Samantha Lindt had gotten to where she was today.
‘Great, I’ll just clean it up in the meantime.’
“Let’s have a drink and celebrate…“ Mr. Zeller could not wait to raise his glass of wine.
In the next second, Nicole’s phone on the table suddenly fell to the ground. Mr. Zeller bent down and picked it up, then presented it to Nicole like it was a treasure. Nicole raised her glass and clinked it with his. He then chugged it all in one go.
Nicole’s glass of wine only touched her lips, but under Mr. Zeller’s eager gaze, she deliberately hesitated for a moment before she took a sip. The corners of her lips were dyed a slightly dark red, which added to her charm.
Mr. Zeller smiled in satisfaction and leered at Chapter 32 The Wine Is Spiked Nicole’s intoxicating beauty. He went over and put the Audi keys in her hand as he coaxed. “As soon as we reach a deal, I’ll buy you a new Audi.”
Nicole’s face sank and did not have time to react before she suddenly heard Mr. Zeller’s shocked cry. He was kicked to the ground!
Suddenly, someone tugged on her wrist fiercely and a cold voice came to her ears. “This wine is spiked. Did you drink it?”
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 33
That handsome face with that tall and upright figure currently standing in front of Nicole was the man that she had been infatuated with for three years, Eric Ferguson.
At first sight, Nicole was stunned for a moment but quickly regained her composure.
‘Why is he here? It’s probably a coincidence.’
Nicole was not so self-absorbed as to think that Eric Ferguson had been watching her every move so that he could swoop in like a hero to save her.
“Mr. Ferguson?“ Mr. Zeller stood up in a panic and trembled in fear.
Eric’s face was gloomy as he glared viciously at Mr. Zeller. “Do you have a death wish? I can grant your wish! “
At this moment, a wave of inexplicable anger suddenly surged in his chest. His eyes were cold and intimidating.
Eric was just about to go forward to teach Flint Zeller a lesson when a figure suddenly appeared from behind. The other man kicked Flint Zeller, who had just stood up, back to the ground. Then threw a flurry of punches on Flint’s face and body. No place was left out.
“Ian! “ Nicole shouted at the man.
The man who hit Flint Zeller paused slightly and turned back. His cold eyes instantly turned warm. “I went to your office to look for you and they told me that you’re here, so I purposely came over to surprise you.“
Ian Carter then walked over to Nicole as if that episode earlier did not happen. He ignored Eric’s presence, took a bouquet placed at the door, and handed it over to Nicole. “Do you like it?“
Nicole sighed helplessly. Although her plans were disrupted, she more or less had gotten what she came for, so it was not entirely a failure.
“Thank you, but forget him. If you continue punching him, he might die… I don’t wanna get into trouble.“
“As you wish, my queen.“ Ian smiled and continued, “Then I’ll spare his worthless life.“
Flint Zeller looked at the people in front of him with fear. One of them was Second Young Master Carter, and the other was Eric Ferguson. He could not afford to mess with either of them. ‘Didn’t they say that Nicole was abandoned by Eric Ferguson? How could he still meddle in her matters?’
Once Flint heard that they would spare his life, he endured the dizziness and wanted to flee in a panic. He certainly did not want to mess with these two big shots.
Before he could crawl out of the room. Something hard landed on his head before it fell to the ground. It was the Audi keys.
Ian sneered coldly. “Take this away! Don’t taint my girlfriend’s eyes.“
“Yes, yes, yes.“ Flint Zeller ran out in a panic. Nicole was rendered speechless. “Watch it…“ ‘What girlfriend?’
She glanced at Eric and felt a little strange. He then looked at her with a cold and deep gaze.
“Mr. Ferguson, why are you here?“
“Yes, I’m also curious. Why are you here, Mr. Ferguson?“ Ian looked at Eric with obvious scrutiny.
“Nicole, didn’t you know that there was a problem with the wine? Why are you attending all kinds of dinner parties? Is this the life you want?“
The mockery in his words was obvious. ‘She accompanied others to dinner and was drugged unknowingly. Is this the life she wants after our divorce?’
Somehow, the rage burst out of his chest at that moment.
Nicole lowered her head and laughed. ‘I really made a fool of myself to think that he’d be so kind to help me. Turns out he just wants to find an excuse to teach me a lesson?’
She looked up at him with her bright and delicately made-up eyes that carried a hidden sharpness.
Under Eric’s shocked gaze, Nicole picked up the glass of wine on the table and downed it. She then hooked up her lips and stood up. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Ferguson. I’ve already replaced the wine beforehand, but you no longer have the right to comment on what I want to do with my life.“
Who was he to lecture her?
When Nicole stood up to leave, Eric grabbed her arm and stared at her coldly. “What do you mean? You didn’t answer my question.”
Nicole smirked and said with a straight face, “I didn’t say it so explicitly as a courtesy to you, Mr. Ferguson. I came here for work, which is certainly better than being a lowly servant to your family in the past. Speaking of which, is there even a difference between your family and Flint Zeller?”
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 34
Nicole sneered and did not look at Eric Ferguson again. She took her phone and purse, then stomped away in her high heels. Her back was slim and valiant.
Ian raised his eyebrows and immediately followed after Nicole.
Eric stood frozen in place. His gaze was as cold as frost. Nicole’s words felt like a thorn in his heart that made him uncomfortable.
‘Being a lowly servant to my family? When did the titular Mrs. Ferguson become a servant?’
It seemed that there were too many things that Eric was not aware of.
As soon as Nicole walked out, she saw a red -faced Samantha Lindt tugging on Flint Zeller at the entrance.
‘So, she already knew and was prepared for it… Then was my move earlier superfluous? Tsk, tsk…’ Nicole thought.
Nicole got into the car and left. When she heard Eric’s misunderstanding earlier, she felt hurt because he did not know what kind of person she was after three years of marriage.
After a moment, Nicole regained composure and did not show any mood fluctuations.
She promised not to look back and repeat the same mistakes twice. Eric Ferguson had nothing to do with her.
Cl a ster 34 Treated You Like a Sister Ian hummed a tune and glanced at Nicole. “I saved you today, so how would you like to thank me?“
“What kind of gift do you want? Or do you just want me to transfer money into your account?“
Ian looked at her with a smile. “This is the first time a woman tries to slap me with money, but I’d prefer if you pledge yourself to me! “
Nicole gave him a sidelong glance. “Dream on! “ “Why? You should give me a chance! “ Ian grunted.
Nicole gave him a faint glance. “I’ve always treated you like a sister.“
Ian’s lips twitched. “Anyway, I ‘ll prove that I’m the most suitable person for you.“
Not knowing where his confidence came from, Nicole could not help but laugh. “Suit yourself.“
After all, Second Young Master Carter’s enthusiasm usually would not last a month.
Ian looked at her smile and felt a pain in his chest. He would not give up this opportunity to anyone else again.
After Nicole got back home, Yvette excitedly called her to ask about the progress.
Nicole told her what happened. She paused slightly when she mentioned Eric Ferguson and lightly brushed over it.
“This Samantha Lindt is like a pimp at those nightclubs. I think her talent’s wasted in the company. She should really just be a pimp instead.“
Nicole lowered her head and laughed. “I can’t just close this case sloppily. Now isn’t the time to fire her yet. Samantha is capable, she just doesn’t have the right mindset. She’s just a clown anyway. It won’t do me any harm to keep her around as long as she doesn’t make trouble.“
The next day.
Early in the morning, Nicole went to the office and found that her chair was replaced with a new one. She was satisfied with Logan’s efficiency and brewed herself a cup of coffee when her door was slammed open.
“Nicole, are you deliberately trying to mess things up? I clearly asked you to accompany Mr. Zeller to dinner, but you left me behind?“
Samantha barged in furiously. She still had some ambiguous marks on her neck that she could not hide. Flint Zeller’s eccentricity was indeed horrifying.
Afterward, Samantha thought about it and knew that Nicole must have backed out. Otherwise, why would Flint Zeller not take a bite of the cake that was at his mouth?
Nicole waved her hand, signaling for Logan to leave, then hooked her lips into a seeming smile as she looked at Samantha.
Samantha suddenly felt guilty and no longer looked so fierce.
“Forget it. This will all be over once you sign the contract.“
Samantha brought the contract over and threw it in front of Nicole.
Nicole did not even raise her head, took out her phone, and tapped on it a few times to play a recording of yesterday’s dinner conversation.
“Nicole, what’s the point of you only relying on Grant Stanton? You’d be better off getting a few more backers. Think about it, Grant clearly wants to do you harm because he just left you in this position without even guiding you. He probably won’t marry you either…”
“Look at the clothes you’re wearing. They don’t even have a brand. Did you buy them off those online catalogs? How do you get to and from work? A taxi?”
“To be honest, I’ve been in your shoes. You won’t lose out if you follow Mr. Zeller. He prepared a secondhand Audi for you. With Mr. Zeller’s help on the project, you’ll be able to sit firmly in your position…”
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 35
Samantha’s face turned pale and her body trembled slightly.
Nicole laughed. “Samantha, if I expose this recording, the company will thoroughly investigate all the projects you handle. If so, you won’t be able to stay in this industry anymore and might even be imprisoned. Are you really willing to give up your career for FH Corporation?“
Samantha would not give it up.
A trace of panic flashed in Samantha’s eyes as her face paled. She immediately spoke with a respectful tone, “Nic- Vice President Nicole, I was too reckless earlier. FH Corporation’s project isn’t that great anyway, and that company is in fact already an empty shell…“
Nicole nodded with satisfaction. “Then don’t mention the cooperation with FH Corporation in the future. I recognize your capability, but you have to use it for your own work. Don’t worry about other companies.“
“Yes, Vice President Nicole.“ Samantha stiffened slightly.
After dealing with Samantha, Nicole had to study J& L’s project. Getting this project was imperative because, besides Eric’s Ferguson Corporation, there was no other company that had a stronger background than Stanton Corporation to compete for this project.
Nicole found out that Ferguson Corporation did not intend to get involved in artificial intelligence , so she was confident about landing this deal.
The sky gradually dimmed. Logan came into Nicole’s office with a stack of documents and said, ”Ms. Nicole, J&L Corporation’s dinner turned into a networking party. They invited a lot of people and intend to announce their project partners on their anniversary. They’ve sent us a VIP invite. Should I contact them beforehand?”
Nicole rubbed her temples. ”J&L Corporation is pretty confident in their project. They know that they have a big slice of the pie and everyone’s waiting to get a cut. There’s no need to contact them in advance. We have the best conditions, so we’ll just attend the party.”
Logan nodded. ”Yes, Vice President. Do you need me to arrange for a car to take you home?”
Nicole glanced at the time. It was indeed quite late. Just as she was about to leave work, there was a knock at the door. Ian stood there with a seductive smile and looked devilishly handsome. ”Ms. Stanton, do I have the honor to invite you to dinner?”
Seeing the man, Nicole could not help but smile. ”Of course, I ‘d love for Second Young Master Carter to buy me dinner.”
Logan wisely retreated.
Ian was a gentleman and went over to put on Nicole’s coat, took her bag, and excitedly said, ”I’ve driven away our biggest third wheel, Hugh, so we
can finally have some alone time today! “
Nicole rolled her eyes at Ian and did not take him seriously because Ian was always flirting and fooling around with countless women.
“I’m hungry. What are we eating?“
“There’s a new lovers’ restaurant in South City… “ Before Ian could finish his words, Nicole swept a glance at him, so Ian continued, “…That I just opened, so let’s go check it out.“
Nicole strutted out in her stilettos. Ian followed closely behind her with a smug face.
The restaurant was on the top floor of the building that had a great view of the city. They could see the colorful neon lights scattered everywhere that showed the vibrance and opulence of the city.
Couples were dancing to the music on one side of the restaurant. It was such a romantic atmosphere that it was difficult not to get immersed into it.
Nicole finally had time to relax. The music that was playing was Nicole’s favorite song and moved her soul, so she closed her eyes slightly to enjoy the moment. She suddenly smelled a faint floral fragrance. Once she opened her eyes, Ian handed her a bouquet with a charming smile on his face.
“For you, your favorite Swiss lilies.“
Music and flowers were the gold standard for a lovers’ restaurant, but Nicole did not have the slightest romantic thought about Ian.
She smiled and took the bouquet from him, then put it aside. “Thank you. Not bad for a lovers’ restaurant.
The service is spot on! “
Ian stared at her blankly. ‘She thinks that this is the standard service of this restaurant? This fresh bouquet was flown in from Switzerland this morning and the soil was still moist when I received it. Does she think that everyone can enjoy such an expensive service?’
He shook his head helplessly. ‘Forget it…I have all the patience in the world! ‘
When the food was served, Nicole no longer immersed herself in the scenery and music and lowered her head to enjoy the food. Ian passionately introduced her to the specialties of each dish. The atmosphere was very cordial.
Nicole was not very particular about food. When Ian saw her eating, he was elated.
“Did you receive the flowers I sent to your office?“ Nicole replied, “Mhmm, thanks.“
Ian’s face stiffened. “That’s it? Shouldn’t you ask why?“
“Second Young Master, pray tell…“ Nicole looked puzzled. ‘Was this not just a whim?’
“I’m courting you! “ Ian was a little annoyed that Nicole was slow to get his intentions.
Nicole just let out a faint “oh“, then wiped her mouth gently and said, “Sorry, but I don’t accept it. Don’t waste your time and energy on me.“
Ian was angry. ‘Such a straightforward rejection without even caring for my feelings?’
He looked at Nicole solemnly. “We’re not friends anymore. From now on, I’m your suitor.”
Nicole blinked. “Then let’s stop contacting each other.”
Not far away in a corner, Keith Ludwig snorted and said, “Look at those two people flirting with each other. What does Second Young Master Carter even see in such a woman?”
Opposite him, Eric Ferguson had a dull expression as he retracted his gaze. He looked down at the food in front of him and suddenly found it tasteless.
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 36
This new lovers’ restaurant opened right above Keith Ludwig’s restaurant. It was very popular, so Keith had to come and experience it himself and even dragged Eric Ferguson with him.
The waiter stressed over and over again that this was a lovers’ restaurant.
Keith winked at Eric and lightly tugged on Eric’s arm. “Don’t we look like a couple?“
“Ferg, Ludwig, what a coincidence…“
A man and a woman walked over to them. Colton White looked like a typical gentry, and the woman holding Colton’s arm was a recently popular social media influencer with a small common-looking face and big eyes.
Keith snorted lightly. “Why are you here?“
“Lily said this place is nice, so we came to check it out. Isn’t this a lovers’ restaurant?“ Colton implied something and covered his mouth to hold back his laughter.
They were all childhood buddies, so there was no need to evade each other. Eric scowled and glared at Keith.
Colton White felt amused since it was rare to see Eric at a loss like this. He did not leave and invited himself to their table. His date sat opposite Eric.
When Lily saw Eric’s chiseled face, she tried to suppress the excitement in her heart but dared not say anything with Colton around.
“Hey, Ferg. Isn’t that the scheming b*tch?“ Colton lifted his chin slightly in one direction.
The music was pleasant and soothing. Ian dragged Nicole to the dance floor as he said, “It’s just one dance. Since we’re already here, don’t you want to experience the feeling of being on this dance floor? “
Before Nicole could answer, the next song had already started, so it would only attract more attention if she refused. ‘Whatever… It’s just a dance
The music was upbeat. Ian and Nicole’s steps only had a momentary pause in the beginning. Soon after, they matched each other’s rhythm very well and gradually became the focus on the dance floor. The couples around them stopped to look at the pair. The man was devilishly handsome and the woman was elegant and beautiful. The hem of her skirt swayed as she danced and the two of them stole all the attention.
Ian inadvertently saw a certain someone in the corner. When the song ended, he pulled Nicole into his arms, turned around with his back against the crowd, and lowered his head as he embraced the woman tightly. From the perspective of the crowd behind them, they were kissing passionately.
Suddenly, the restaurant resounded with loud applause.
Before Nicole could react, Ian chuckled and pulled her out of the restaurant.
In the corner.
Eric did not speak, but his face was a bit cold.
Keith Ludwig looked at the couple’s departing back and coldly snorted. “It’s not that great.“
Although their dance was comparable to professional dancers, Keith would never admit that Nicole danced well.
“Right? This scheming b*tch hooked up with another guy so soon?“ Colton sneered.
Eric swept a cold glance at Colton when he heard that. “Scheming b*tch? Is that what you guys call her behind her back?“
“Yeah, what else? She did everything she could to marry you for money, didn’t she? We know what she did to trap you, so we’re all happy that you finally divorced her. You don’t have to put up with that shrew anymore…“
Colton did not notice Eric’s increasingly glum face. He recalled some of their old memories and retold them as a joke.
“I remember that when you just got married and we went out drinking together, that woman called in the middle of the night to check on you when you were in the bathroom. I picked up the call and warned her back then to know her place. She’s so ignorant. Can’t she see that marrying you is already an honor for her.
Suddenly, a cup landed heavily on the table. The lively chatter and laughter at the table instantly ceased.
Keith looked puzzled. ‘Eric is clearly angry! Is it because of that woman?’
Colton did not know what he had misspoken. Everyone knew that Eric was forced into his previous marriage.
The influencer was so frightened that she shuddered. She originally thought that she would be able to hook up with someone more powerful, but she did not even get to say a word at the table.
“Ferg…” Colton looked to Keith for help.
Keith was just about to speak when Eric sneered and said, “Colton, why don’t you just become the Head of the Ferguson family if you like to meddle in my business so much?”
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 37
After that, Eric Ferguson stood up and left, leaving the pale-faced Colton White behind.
Keith Ludwig chased after Eric. ‘This must be related to Nicole again. That woman’s really troublesome. ‘
“Ferg, why do you look so upset? We’re all bros. You know that Colton’s always been straightforward.
Don’t take whatever he said to heart.“
Eric also knew that he had overreacted and did not expect to have lost control of his emotions like that. I t was just that when he found out about these things that he should have known but was kept in the dark, his only thought was, ‘Is this why Nicole hates me? ‘
His chest felt stuffy and uncomfortable.
He stood at the entrance for a while. After getting blown by the cold wind, his mind felt much clearer. He took out a cigarette and lit it. “I know. You can tell him that it’s not directed at him.“
‘I’m just mad at myself! ‘ Eric thought.
Keith breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, but you’re not longing for that woman, right?“
Eric cast a sidelong glance at him and snorted. He was not bothered to answer Keith’s curiosity. “Your restaurant can’t compare with this new restaurant. My advice is for you to close your business…“
Keith’s face reddened with anger. “Are you even my bro?! “
J&L Corporation invited many socialites, businessmen, and politicians to their anniversary banquet. Everyone who attended the banquet was an elite.
Nicole had done her research. J&L Corporation was a relatively new company that did not have much backing, so it was not an easy feat to achieve such a reputation and develop to this scale in a few short years.
J&L Corporation’s R&D focus was to integrate technology and artificial intelligence into regular life. They had already mastered core technologies that were beyond the reach of many countries.
Nicole thought, ‘If I can land this artificial intelligence project, Stanton Corporation will be able to become a pioneer in this new field.“
Thus, Nicole came prepared this time.
Everyone was in the hall exchanging pleasantries when there was a sudden cry of surprise. The crowd looked towards the sound and saw a couple standing at the entrance of the banquet hall.
They were all familiar with the man – Grant Stanton of Stanton Corporation. He was ruthless, decisive, and feared by many.
The woman beside him had on exquisite makeup that highlighted her stunning features. Her long wavy hair was pinned back. Under her gentle appearance was a hidden majesty.
She wore a hand-stitched bespoke dress inlaid with diamond bits that accentuated her slender waist. Her dress glittered when she stood under the light, which made her shine so brightly. Her elegant demeanor and extraordinary temperament made the crowd marvel at her presence.
Some people also recognized her. ‘Isn’t she Eric Ferguson’s ex-wife? He’s so blind to divorce such a stunning woman…’
People came forward to greet them. “Mr. Stanton, your female companion today is a real showstopper “Mr. Stanton, welcome…“
Grant Stanton’s smile reached his eyes as he held up his wine glass to the crowd. “She’s my Vice President, Nicole. Please take good care of her.“
“Vice President Nicole is so beautiful and talented. You must be very outstanding to be able to stay in Stanton Corporation…“
“That’s really remarkable! Vice President Nicole, please take care of us in the future…“
“We must cooperate when we have the chance…“
Nicole maintained a decent and elegant smile and responded to everyone’s greeting. Grant saw that it was almost time, so he patted her wrist and lowered his head to whisper a reminder in her ear. “President Lichman of J&L Corporation is upstairs, so let’s go.“
This was their purpose of coming here. Nicole nodded gently. Her long slender neck was flawless and her every move was simply amazing.
Not far away, Ingrid Ferguson and her clique of high-society ladies watched as Nicole accepted the crowd’s praises. Their expressions were very amusing with all sorts of emotions because Nicole’s diamond -studded dress stole all the attention away from their carefully selected dresses.
Ingrid looked especially shocked and angry because she already had an eye on Nicole’s dress half a month ago. It was one of Louis Vuitton’s private custom dresses. The diamonds on it were real diamonds from a famous jewelry brand. This dress was valued close to the nine figures and was only for display among the elites.
She had asked to rent this dress but was told that someone had already ordered it. Moreover, she was told that this dress could not be replicated because that mysterious lady wanted unique attention.
Who knew that the dress she wanted would be worn by Nicole?
‘What’s going on?’ Ingrid thought.
Nicole used to be conservative and ugly when she was staying with the Fergusons. She only knew how to do chores around the house and did not even dare to utter a word. Nico le was so humble like a servant, but this woman in front of Ingrid was proud, confident, and had such a stunning aura. She was like a completely different person!
If it was not for the wrong occasion, Ingrid wanted to go up and tell everyone that Nicole was just an ugly, old-fashioned woman who had been abandoned by the Ferguson family. Ingrid wanted to tear off Nicole’s confident mask and let everyone see how miserable and lowly Nicole actually was!
“What’s going on? Ingrid, is Nicole really your sister-in-law? She’s not ugly…”
“Yeah, she’s so pretty! Did you see that? Her skin is glowing! I wonder where she does her facials…”
“Did you girls see the man next to her? He’s so handsome and considerate! I just saw that your brother was also staring at her…”
Ingrid closed her eyelids to suppress the jealousy brewing in her eyes, she slammed the glass down on the side and coldly snorted.
“She got kicked out of my house, so what else can she do but hook up with other men? I’m sure that she’s just a gold-digger trying to find a sugar daddy so that she won’t have to worry for life…”
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The girls looked at Ingrid’s grim face and quieted down.
The second floor of the banquet hall was relatively quiet. When Grant brought Nicole upstairs, an unruly-looking young man in an expensive black shirt stood up.
The two men shook hands briefly. Grant smiled and said, “Mr. Lichman, it’s been a while.“
Gerard Lichman laughed. The corners of his lips hooked up charmingly. “Hello, Mr. Stanton.“
Without waiting for Grant’s introduction, Gerard had already moved his gaze onto Nicole. It was an appreciative glance with a decent sense of proportion that was not offensive.
“Ms. Nicole, you’re not only beautiful but also capable. I hope that you won’t mind that I put off our dinner and invited you to this banquet instead.“
Nicole smiled, “Of course not. Congratulations on J& L’s 5th anniversary. I hope we’ll be able to work together happily in the years to come.“
She made a double entendre.
Gerard smiled. “Mr. Stanton, may I talk to Ms. Nicole privately? After all, if there’s a chance for cooperation, the person we’ll be liaising with is Ms. Nicole.“
“Sure.“ Grant was not surprised by this request and gave Nicole a reassuring glance. He then turned around and went downstairs to network with others.
Gerard and Nicole stood facing each other in front of the railing on the second floor under the ambient light. The handsome man and beautiful woman talked eloquently and calmly.
“Ms. Nicole, I’d like to know why you’re so confident about this cooperation.“
Gerard held a glass of wine and casually shook the burgundy liquid in the glass.
Nicole raised her eyebrows. A strand of wavy hair fell across her forehead and around her ear. The look in her eyes was very alluring.
“Mr. Lichman, the conditions I gave are very sincere. I believe that you’re also aware of it. Compared to so many other investors, there’s no one else more suitable than Stanton Corporation. To put it bluntly, you have the technology, and I have the money.
Stanton Corporation won’t expect J&L to be profitable in five years. Instead, we’re looking at long-term cooperation. I believe that in the next ten
years, we will be the ones to determine the level of AI development in this world.“
Those that could pay more than Stanton Corporation could not provide more benefits than Nicole, while those that could provide more benefits did not have the capital.
Gerard was not just a businessman. He was also an engineer, so he wanted to find the most suitable business partner for his brainchild.
Nicole’s bold words made Gerard re-examine the woman in front of him with less playfulness and more solemnity.
Gerard bowed his head and pondered. “Vice President Nicole, do you mind participating in a three-way partnership with another company?“
“Who else?“
Nicole did not believe that there was a better fit than Stanton Corporation.
Gerard raised his glass to indicate behind Nicole. Hearing the soft footsteps that gradually approached them, Nicole’s heart suddenly jumped and missed a beat.
Nicole felt a sudden silence in the air. She turned around with her glass of wine and her smile was frozen on her face with just one glance.
Sure enough, the only one who could compete with Stanton Corporation in the same project was none other than Eric Ferguson.
Eric was wearing a black suit with expensive cufflinks that looked familiar to Nicole. It made him seem so cold, indifferent, and unapproachable.
His gaze lingered on Nicole for a few seconds before he greeted Gerard frankly.
Gerard’s eyes bounced between the two of them. “I guess I don’t need to introduce you both since you should be familiar with each other. Ms. Nicole, my apologies for not telling you in advance that regardless of who our final partner is, Ferguson Corporation will be involved in the project.“
Looking at Nicole’s puzzled gaze, Gerard chuckled and continued, “That’s because Mr. Ferguson has been funding all of my projects as an angel investor since the inception of my company.”
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 39
Nicole thought, ‘So that’s how it is…he’s already a shareholder, huh? I just didn’t expect Eric Ferguson had set his eyes on the field of artificial intelligence for so long.’
If Gerard Lichman did not take the initiative to tell Nicole this, Nicole would not have been able to find out. The fact that he told her this information also proved that he genuinely wanted to cooperate with her.
Although Nicole was not happy about Eric’s involvement, she had a clear mind and separated her personal affairs and business well. She would not give up on this opportunity.
Nicole lowered her eyes and smiled. “With Ferguson Corporation’s strength, you can very well enjoy the fruits of this cooperation by yourself. Why do you need a third party to get involved?“
She raised her eyebrows slightly and glanced at Eric.
“After all, this is a brand new field that no one’s involved in, so Ferguson Corporation cannot take this risk alone.“
The man’s voice was deep and clear. The corners of his lips hooked up. “It won’t be a wrong move for Stanton Corporation to choose J&L. I hope we’ll have a pleasant cooperation.“
He raised his glass with his slender and beautiful hand. Gerard Lichman clinked his glass with Eric’s and the two men waited for Nicole’s response.
Since there was no other choice, Nico le could only smile faintly and coldly as she gently raised her glass. The soft clink of the glasses was crisp and pleasant. Everything was settled.
Even though Nicole was not happy about it, there was no way out. Her chest felt stuffy and unpleasant.
Gerard breathed a sigh of relief and noticed the tense atmosphere between the two of them. He tried to ease the situation and said, ”Why don’t you two take the first dance as the opening to our anniversary celebration? I think this is undoubtedly the best way to announce our cooperation.”
Eric frowned slightly. Nico le chuckled and reached out to tuck her hair behind her ears. She smiled perfunctorily and said, ”Sorry, but I don’t know how to dance.”
After saying that, she turned on her heels and left, ignoring Eric’s cold and sullen gaze.
Gerard shrugged his shoulders and said, ”It’s just one dance, but she’s not even willing to. It seems that our future cooperation won’t be very pleasant. Mr. Ferguson, you’ re the first among the elites that have such a messy divorce.”
Eric’s face sank as he stared at Nicole’s swaying dress. His expression turned even more downcast.
‘Don’t know how to dance? Hah ! Then was I blind back at Ian Carter’s restaurant?’
However, Eric suddenly thought of Colton’s words and felt the anger in his chest dissipate. Instead, his heart clenched uncomfortably. ‘I really owe her too much…’
Even if Nicole was upset, she still maintained a graceful smile. When she got downstairs, Grant approached her with a warm smile. “Done?“
Nicole’s dull expression seemed somewhat cold without the joy of closing a deal. This made Grant a little puzzled.
“Eric Ferguson is a shareholder, so Gerard Lichman asked for a three-way cooperation, “ Nicole explained.
Grant paused for a moment and finally understood why Nicole looked so cold. He smiled and stroked her hair dotingly and gently. “It’s okay. That just means we have someone to share the risks with. The benefits in this certainly outweigh the disadvantages.“
Nicole froze for a moment and raised her eyebrows. She suddenly realized that what Eric Ferguson was worried about was exactly Stanton Corporation’s woes as well. The benefits of this three-way cooperation did outweigh the disadvantages.
After Nicole figured it out, the moodiness in her chest was instantly swept away. She smiled and took Grant’s arm, then gently placed her chin on his shoulder as she whined. “G, thanks for reminding me. Otherwise, I would’ve been cursing all of them for days on end! “
Grant could not help but laugh. This intimate scene was an eyesore to a certain onlooker.
Eric stared at the pair from upstairs and watched Grant and Nicole’s intimate gestures. Keith Ludwig came up and scoffed.
“Tsk tsk…I heard that Grant Stanton isn’t close to women, but why is he so attached to this woman? They must have an unspeakable relationship! ”
Eric faintly retracted his gaze with a cold face. He ignored Keith and went downstairs to network with the other guests.
The banquet hall was finally abuzz. Gerard walked over and whispered a few words to the emcee, who then came forward with a microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to J&L Corporation’s 5th anniversary! To celebrate this momentous day, I will announce the latest project partners of J&L Corporation on behalf of Mr. Lichman, which are Ferguson Corporation and Stanton Corporation. Now, let’s invite Mr. Eric Ferguson and Ms. Nicole to share the opening dance!”
The crowd cheered loudly.
The Divorced Billionaire Heiress chapter 40
When Nicole heard her name, she froze for a moment. She did not want to have anything to do with Eric Ferguson, but this situation was out of her control and she felt everyone’s eyes on her at this moment.
The awkward relationship between them after their divorce added to the mystery of this coincidental cooperation.
Eric also did not expect this. Without a doubt, this was Gerard’s doing.
Nicole was still in a pickle when Eric walked to her. He was exuding a cool aura as he bent slightly and reached out, inviting Nicole to the dance floor.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on the pair.
There was no way Nicole could reject Eric’s invitation because she did not want to leave a negative impact at the beginning of their three-way cooperation.
Grant gave his baby sister a heartfelt look. Nicole smiled faintly, then stretched out her hand to take Eric’s.
The people in front of them consciously made way for the pair. Nicole carried her dress with her other hand and walked forward without looking at Eric. Eric’s palm was slightly cold. At that moment, he suddenly realized that in their three years of marriage, they had never held a wedding ceremony and he had never taken the initiative to hold her hand. This was the first time they held hands.
Nicole’s fingers were long and beautiful, like a work of art. Her hand was warm and delicate, and he immediately etched this feeling in his heart.
The band began the next song at the right time. The refreshing and cheerful music echoed in the banquet hall.
The moment Nicole’s hand landed on Eric’s shoulder, their eyes met momentarily. Eric’s dark and deep gaze was affixed to her face. When his hand rested on her slim waist, Nicole’s body stiffened for a moment as she felt very uncomfortable.
The two of them had never been this close in their three years of marriage. Being here like this after the divorce was also really unexpected.
Nicole merely took a few seconds to regain her composure. She then put a fake and indifferent smile on her face.
Their good footwork, confident posture, and humility, completely captured the audience’s eyes while the music from the center of the stage drowned out their conversation.
“Can’t dance, huh? “ The man’s deep and clear voice was very seductive.
Nicole raised an eyebrow. “Depends on the person. “ She was straightforward and unforgiving.
Eric’s eyes sank imperceptibly. The two of them moved back and forth. The music took a steep turn and the rhythm gradually quickened. The man tightened his grip on her hand and her slender waist.
“Why didn’t I know that you know how to do business? Is it Stanton Corporation’s idea to cooperate with Gerard Lichman, or is it yours?“
Nicole did a graceful turn and the two came together again.
“There’s a lot you’re not aware of, and I don’t have to tell you anything.“ The corners of her lip curled up gently with a hint of mockery.
In their three years of marriage, he never thought to understand her as his wife, so what was the point of telling him anything after their divorce?
To him, Nicole was just a passing character in the past three years, but for Nicole, this was an unforgettable lesson.
The light shone on the pair. Eric was as handsome as usual. His tall upright built made every woman marvel at him. Nicole’s dress swayed with every step she took. Her graceful posture and her striking features stunned the crowd. If time froze at this moment, one could see the people in the hall gasp collectively.
All eyes were on these two people. Their movements clearly matched tacitly, but the pair had no intention for interaction.
To be precise, Nicole had no intention of dealing with Eric. She only wished for this song to finish quickly because being so close to Eric Ferguson made her very uncomfortable.
Eric’s gaze felt like thorns on her face as he quietly inspected her. The music took a turn into the final section.
Eric leaned his body forward while Nicole took a step back and lifted her head to end the dance. Her long and slender neck curved delicately. When the song was about to end, Nicole subconsciously straightened her back, but she did not expect Eric not to take a step back.
Their lips unexpectedly touched. One was soft and delicate, and the other was cold and thin.
The last note dragged on before it stopped abruptly as if it reflected the freezing of time at this moment…