"Pardon me?"
"Yep, you're right. Just because I spoke ill of you, Tim hit me right here and it swelled immediately. Are
you happy about it? You are married, but he is still loyal to you. Even though he was having a date at
that time, he protected you. Nicole Bush, what spell have you cast? Why is every man attracted to
you?"
Maia's face became hideous.
Nicole thought she went crazy.
"Maia, I don't wanna argue with you about this issue. Tell me your requirement for releasing Aunt
Martha."
"I want you to die. Accept it? Tim could save you at the risk of his life. Are you willing to save his
mother at the cost of your life? I indeed hope he can know whether you are worthy."
Nicole looked at her, asking in a low voice, "Do you mean if I die, you'll release Aunt Martha?"
Nicole thought it was a waste of time to bring about the facts and reasons with such a crazy woman.
The best solution was to ask her directly.
Perhaps it never happened to Maia that Nicole would ask her so directly, so she was stunned.
"You are willing to die?"
"Sure. I was saved by Tim. If my death could save his mother's life, it can't be better."
Hearing so, Maia became nervous right away.
"Don't play tricks on me. I warn you. If you…"
"You want me to die. Be quick! Don't hesitate. Don't you envy me just because Tim cares more about
me and stands on my side? Don't you feel unfair just because you lack love while I have a happy
family? As for people like you, there's nothing wrong with your mental health. And there's no need to
say anything with you as it insults my intelligence. I'll follow your instruction as long as you let Aunt
Martha go. Before I kill myself, I must see that she is alive, or it's impossible for you to leave here."
Her words made Maia totally stunned. However, when she digested these words, she smiled.
"Nicole, is there something wrong with your mind? I can't leave here? I chose this place. Don't you
know I've arranged everything here? How naïve you are!"
"Who knows?"
While saying so, Nicole unbuckled the buttons on her coat.
Maia was so frightened that she stepped back.
"You crazy woman!"
But Nicole smiled, "Not as mad as you. I'm here for Aunt Martha. If you don't allow me to see her, it
doesn't matter for I'll bring you to the hell and let's seek justice in front of King of Hell. You're right. I
have a happy family with two lovely son and daughter. Even though I'm dead, my husband will take
good care of them and avenge for me. Guess whether he'll make trouble to Trevin?"
"How do you get my brother's name?"
Maia's face turned as pale as a piece of paper.
Nicole shook the charge hanging on her body, saying calmly, "I know whatever I wanna know. And I
know the college he's in as well as the name of his class teacher. Even if you ask him to move away, I
don't think you'll ask him to drop out. Many people support me, you know. Samuel would look for him
for revenge. I guess Tim will do it as well. At that time, you've been dead. Is it possible for your brother
to bear the two families' attack? Even if the people supporting you can protect him, why do they need
to help you look after your brother as you've been dead and you have no value in use? Think about it,
can I see Aunt Martha?"
Hearing her analysis, Maia became silent immediately.
She was right. It was impossible for them to help look after her brother.
"Maia, what I'm holding in my hand is the blasting cap. I don't mind destroying here. The worst is that
it's reported on the paper; however, I will be dead at that time and I don't care about other's comment,
right? I make you as the scapegoat, which is worthwhile."
Nicole sat opposite Maia, talking rascally.
She held the wine glass and sipped.
"Nice taste. This wine needs tasting slowly. Who knows who will laugh to the last?"
"Nicole, you win!"
After balancing the trade-off and seeing Nicole's behavior as if she had won, Maia became so angrily
that she grinded her teeth.
What Nicole behaved reminded her of Tim.
Thinking of this, Maia opened her eyes wide, anxious to cut Nicole into pieces.
How didn't Nicole understand Maia's thought? But she was making a bet whether Maia would allow her
only relative and brother in the world to have a rough time?
As she expected, Maia said angrily, "I'll bring you to Martha, but you can't be awake. Nicole, if you dare
drink up the water in front of you, I'll bring you there. But I don't know whether you're as brave as you
described."
Nicole smiled. She looked at the glass ready for her and drank it without hesitation.
Soon, she fell to the tea table in a dead faint.
Maia didn't feel relieved. She poked Nicole, finding her not give any reaction. Then she hurriedly and
nervously took down the blasting cap on her.
"Who do you wanna frighten? Idiot! If I don't make you fainted, how can I tie you easily? It really
confuses me why you attract Tim."
Maia kicked Nicole. Finding her still lying comatose, she took out the rope and tied her tightly. Then she
clapped her hands, and two men came from outside. They hung her on the shoulders and carried her
out of the club from the back gate.
Nicole was thrown into a minibus without mercy.
After giving her a glance, Maia spit towards her and drove the minibus a long way to a village in a
suburb faraway.
This was the countryside.
Maia stopped the minibus in a big yard, and carried Nicole with difficulty. Maia threw her into the room.
Martha felt scared when she saw Maia carrying Nicole inside.
"Who are you? Who is she? I tell you that my husband is powerful. Don't push us!"
"Why haven't you had the meal?"
"Who knows whether it is poisonous?"
Martha's words made Maia burst into laughter.
"I'm afraid you've watched too much TV. How can I poison you? Eat it. It's cold."
"No."
Martha refused like a kid.
Maia neither got irritated nor forced her to eat. She smiled, "What about frying an egg for you?"
"No!"
Maia still shook her head, but her eyes betrayed her.
Maia smiled, "Wait me for a while. Remember not to touch this woman. She is poisonous. Stay here,
okay?"
Martha was scared by her words and couldn't help stepping back.
"Poisonous?"
"Yes. She's a bad woman."
"You are."
Martha was able to know black from white.
Maia didn't care about it. She looked at Nicole, finding that she was still in a sleep. Then she went to
the kitchen.
The knockout drops could make a man sleep for one day and night. So Maia didn't worry about Nicole's
sudden wakening up.
As for what to do with Nicole, Maia had no decision yet.
She was jealous of Nicole and therefore disliked her. She just felt curious if Nicole went missing, would
Tim worry about his mum or Nicole? What about Samuel Green?
Maia thought herself might be crazy. She knew what she did was boring, but she couldn't control her
jealousy.
After entering the room, Martha carefully looked around to check whether Maia was back. After making
sure she was not back, Martha came up to Nicole and looked her up and down.
"What a pretty girl."
Then she smiled and quickly cast off the rope.
"Hey, wake up."
She shook Nicole, hoping that she would wake up soon.
As expected, Nicole suddenly opened her eyes, which startled Maia.
"Dear me!"
Maia abruptly covered her mouth, and then warned Nicole not to make noises as well.
Seeing her behavior, Nicole couldn't help smiling.
It never happened to Nicole that the knockout drops were useless to Nicole at all.
Once Nicole drank Laurence's blood as toxicide. Laurence's blood had the function of clearing away
heat and toxic materials. This was told to her by Laurence later on. Hence, Nicole dared drink the water
provided by Maia.
Nicole looked around and found Maia's confused facial expression. She smiled, "Aunt, I'm Nicole Bush,
Tim 's friend. He asked me to bring you home."
"Tim? You're his friend?"
Maia was in her right senses.
Nicole nodded immediately.
"Yes. After Tim knew that you went missing, he couldn't be more worried and looked for you
everywhere. Has Maia ill-treated you?"
"No. she said she was Tim's girlfriend."
Martha's unguarded facial expression made Nicole a bit sad.
"Don't make any noise. Whatever I do, don't shout, okay? Wait for me to take you to Tim, okay?"
Martha didn't nod until she looked at Nicole for a long while. She looked at Nicole full of trust.
Nicole asked her to stay where she had been and Nicole pretended to be in a sleep.
Very soon, Maia came back with the poached egg.
"Aunt, I fried the egg for you and frost some sugar. Have a taste please."
While saying so, she came directly towards Martha without noticing that Nicole had sat up.
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