That was the worst time of my life. It was a nightmare which was etched on my memory for life.
During winter, I had to sleep on a wet and cold bed. It was freezing cold that I couldn’t stop trembling. No one was there for me whenever I fell sick. If I were lucky enough, I would get some leftover food.
When Sylvia was in a foul mood, she would vent it on me, and I would be scolded, beaten, and punished for no reason. My skin was always covered with bruises.
When things became unbearable, I would remind myself of Rose Garden and Tye.
His heart-warming care gave me the strength and courage to withstand the torment.
I used to wish that I will meet Tye one day so that I can feel being cared for and protected by someone again.
Fate has granted my wish, but it also put an insurmountable gap between us.
It turns out that Tye is now the president of the Seet Group. He’s as bright as the Sun, but I’m only a nobody.
Most importantly, in Evan’s eyes, I’m only a worthless and crafty woman.
This is because I’ve left a terrible impression on him ever since my return to the country.
These barriers between us have utterly dashed my hopes and dreams.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to talk about it?” Evan asked when he sensed her hesitation.
Nicole shook her head. “Mr. Seet, there’s nothing much to say. Let’s talk about you.”
Although she didn’t utter a word about how hard her life had been, Evan could tell from her red-rimmed eyes that she must have gone through unimaginable sufferings.
His heart couldn’t help but ache for her.
“What would you like to know?”
Nicole thought about it briefly before saying, “Mr. Seet, I wonder how it is to be someone like you. Your life must have been smooth sailing. Have you ever been through any tough times in life?”
Nicole still felt odd that someone like Evan had fallen from grace and ended up in the Rose Garden, getting bullied by everyone else.
Her question stunned Evan for a moment. Then he immediately understood her intention.
Looking at her solemnly, Evan answered, “I’ve had some tough times too. As a member of the Seet family, I would be severely punished for making any mistake. My grandpa once punished me by sending me to the Rose Garden to experience the life of servants.”
At the mention of the Rose Garden, Evan’s piercing eyes stared intently at Nicole, and he saw a look of realization on her face.
I see. He was being punished at that time.
I was so foolish to think that Tye was a child of a Seet family’s servant.
Nicole was dumbfounded briefly. Then she gave him a half-hearted smile and replied indifferently, “It seems like you had a strict upbringing in the Seet family.”
“Had you been to the Rose Garden when you were young?” Evan asked abruptly.
Nicole balled up her fist tightly as she shook her head at him.
“I grew up in the Lane family, so I had never been there.”
She’s trying to avoid my gaze. I can tell from her nervous expression that she’s lying.
She has her guard up against me.
I should stop asking her since she doesn’t want to tell me.
One day, I’ll make her trust me the way she trusts the boy, Tye, so she will voluntarily confess everything to me.
The two sat blankly on the couch, but Evan’s piercing gaze never left Nicole.
At the moment, Nicole was a little uneasy and at a loss for words.
She seemed slightly different from her usual self, who would retort without a second thought.
Evan’s intense stare puzzled her and caused her heart to beat quicker out of agitation.
“Would you like to have a cup of tea, Mr. Seet?”
“I’m not used to you being so polite to me. You don’t have to hide your true self when you’re with me. If you want to, you can even shout at me.”
How can I do that?
After all, you’re the savior of the Lane Corporation. How can I shout at you?
She smiled at him. “Mr. Seet, it’s getting late. Feel free to go ahead and do whatever you need to. Juan and Kyle are asleep, so please let them stay over tonight.”
