Nicole was surprised and quickly turned around. She found the person familiar but could not remember
where she had seen him.
"Who are you?"
She became vigilant and glanced at Vincent.
He whispered, "Don't worry. We've met. I work for Mr. Bates. We met on the road."
It rang a bell.
But why did Mr. Bates' man track her down again?
Nicole frowned slightly.
"What's the matter?"
"Mr. Bates has something important to discuss with you, or Mr. Green. I'm sorry Mr. Bates can't see you
now. So, will you agree to a meeting with him? It's about Vincent."
The man lowered his voice, so that only she could hear him.
Nicole frowned again.
It was about Vincent?
Who on earth was Mr. Bates?
Was he an enemy or friend?
"Who exactly is Mr. Bates?"
"Mrs. Green, please trust Mr. Bates. Vincent is not a good person. He is plotting against Mr. Green. If
you care about Mr. Green, please come to Aegean Coffee at 8 p.m."
After saying that, the man quickly stood up and left.
Nicole frowned hard.
She and Samuel just knew Vincent was plotting against Samuel, but how did Mr. Bates find out about
it?
Was there more to it?
Nicole glanced at Vincent again. Noticing he was not paying attention to her, she heaved a sigh of
relief.
However, she was confused. It seemed she had to meet up with Mr. Bates tonight.
But how could she if Vincent was around?
Nicole was upset.
When Vincent and the children got off the roller coaster, Nicole was still wracking her brain. Zoe ran to
her in excitement.
"Mommy, it was so exhilarating! That roller coaster is amazing! Will you have a try when you feel
better?"
Looking at her daughter's flushed face, Nicole smiled, "Alright, wipe your sweat. Don't catch a cold."
Nicole quickly wiped the sweat off Zoe.
Vincent bought water and handed it to Nicole.
"Nicole, we've had enough fun today. Shall we eat in a restaurant or at home?"
"I want KFC!"
The greedy piggy Zoe shouted.
Vincent stroked her head dotingly and said, "Then KFC it is?"
Actually, Nicole wasn't in the mood. She didn't know what Vincent was up to. However, she couldn't
suggest going home and spoil the fun. Besides, Vincent might notice something if she did.
"Don't eat too much."
"Alright!"
Mom agreed to it, Zoe was over the moon.
Everyone was keeping Lucas' whereabouts a secret from Zoe. When Zoe found out Lucas had run
away with Joseph, she was worried. However, Joseph told her he did it for study and it was only
temporary, and Zoe believed him.
Lucas was a genius.
He was interested in learning everything.
So, the simple Zoe bought it.
She was having so much fun. How could she not be happy?
Nicole brought Zoe and Joseph to KFC following Vincent.
Vincent acted like a loving uncle the whole time, taking good care of Zoe. Some even assumed they
were a family, and Vincent did not explain.
Nicole didn't know what he was thinking about. After dinner, she couldn't help but ask, "Vincent, doesn't
the company need you today?"
"No. I've been too busy recently and ignored Joseph. My brother was right that day. Perhaps I was too
anxious to see my son succeed. And in doing so, I've caused him harm. I've been reflecting myself
these days, and it was my fault. I'll do it right by him."
As he spoke, he touched Joseph's head, his eyes full of kindness.
Joseph froze for a moment and lowered his head, but his eyes were red.
Vincent's words surprised him.
A child was sensitive after all.
Noticing how touched Joseph was, Nicole did not know what to say.
"Wait a moment...."
"I'll drive you home."
Nicole and Vincent spoke at the same time.
Nicole wanted to go somewhere?
She hadn't expected Vincent wanted to go home. So, she nodded and said, "Alright, I'm a little tired
anyway. Zoe and Joseph must be, too. It's time for them to take a nap."
She felt the Green's house was safer.
Although she was not free there, it was better than not knowing what Vincent would do next. She
suspected Vincent had an agenda taking Zoe and Joseph out.
Driven by the uneasiness, she wanted to play safe.
Vincent smiled, "Okay, then let's go back. I'm also tuckered out. A nap sounds good to me."
Nicole was somewhat depressed to hear that Vincent would stay at home too, but she did not show it.
By the time they returned to the Green's, it was one o'clock in the afternoon.
Zoe was exhausted and fell asleep in the car. Although Joseph stayed awake, he looked tired, too.
Nicole carried Zoe out of the car and whispered, "I'll take her to my room to rest. It's been a long time
since I spent time with her."
"Alright!"
Vincent did not stop her.
Nicole found him easy to talk to, but it only agitated her further, and she couldn't figure out his plan
when she was on edge.
She carried Zoe into her room.
Zoe rolled over on the bed and continued to sleep, but Nicole did not feel sleepy at all.
Was it just fun family time?
But why did he do that when Lucas and Samuel were not here?
Nicole couldn't put her finger on it.
She remembered seeing Mr. Bates' man at the amusement park today.
She did not know who Mr. Bates was, nor did she get Finn's report. She had been occupied with
searching for Lucas, so that was put on hold, but Mr. Bates' man found her first.
Should she meet with Mr. Bates tonight?
Thinking about Vincent's weird behavior today, Nicole felt the meeting with that stranger was part of
Vincent's plan.
Was that so?
Nicole was confused.
If Finn or Jacob were here, she wouldn't be at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, both of them were away,
and Samuel couldn't be reached.
Nicole quickly called Samuel, but his phone was still off.
He turned off his phone?
What made him do it?
Just a few days ago, Samuel also turned off his phone, and no one could get in touch with him. As it
turned out he had suffered a lot all by himself and almost died.
So, Nicole had a premonition when he did it again.
Did something happen to him?
Nicole was anxious, but she couldn't walk around the room.
She wanted to have a video chat with Lucas and see how he was.
Lucas was injured, but as his mother, she could not visit him. Nicole felt she was a terrible mother.
When Nicole picked up her phone, something flashed.
She frowned slightly and glanced at the phone, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.
However, Nicole was on guard.
She pretended to browse the web on her phone, sitting casually on the sofa and changing her positions
from time to time, as if she was uncomfortable but did not want to get up.
Just after Nicole turned to a certain direction, something reflected from the screen of her phone gave
her a start.
A red dot!
Although it wasn't obvious, Nicole knew what it meant after spending years with Lucas.
It was a camera!
When they were at the amusement park, a camera was installed in her bedroom!
It was Vincent!
It wasn't hard for her to guess.
Was he finally going to make a move?
In other words, from now on, Vincent could see everything she did?
Her heart twitched fiercely.
Fortunately, she hadn't invited Lucas to a video chat just now. Otherwise, it would give her away.
Nicole broke out in cold sweat.
She pretended to be bored and yawned, putting her phone aside. However, she managed to send a
text message to Lucas, telling him not to call or text her if he was fine, let alone invite her to a video
chat. She said she would visit him if she could.
Lucas was brilliant and understood what her text meant.
Hedy was puzzled to see Lucas frown.
"What's wrong with you?"
Hedy gestured to him.
He smiled and shook his head. "I'm fine. Are you hungry? I'll ask Gabrielle to get you something to eat."
Hedy might be really hungry, or her appetite might have gotten bigger after leaving the club. Anyway,
she blushed with embarrassment.
Gabrielle came in and saw what was happening, saying with a smile, "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. Gabrielle, Hedy may be hungry. Can you get her something to eat? She's too thin."
Gabrielle felt like laughing.
"You sounded so old. Got it. Are you hungry? Can I get you something, too?"
"Alright!"
Lucas did not refuse.
After Gabrielle left with Hedy, Lucas put away his smile.
How were Mommy and Zoe doing?
He was anxious but also knew Mommy told him to stay up by the message.
He blamed himself very much. If he hadn't run away from home, none of this crap might not have
happened.
Daddy was missing, Mommy and Sister were at the Green's, and Vincent was up to no good.
This was the first time Lucas felt helpless.
Nicole did not know what Lucas was thinking. After sending him the message, she quickly deleted the
record. Then, when she was about to pretend to sleep, she heard footsteps outside.
She got nervous.
Who was it?
Vincent?
What did he know?
Or did she just give herself away by not doing it right?
Nicole was agitated.
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