Nicole was left speechless for a while but then thought of Sophia.
“Your aunt, Sophia, was also a member of Wicked Palace, but she’s different. You should learn a few things from her.”
Avril smirked when she heard that. “You’re wrong. My aunt is even bolder when it comes to getting what she wants. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have left with Grandma and severed ties with Wicked Palace. The only reason she came back was to help her son. To achieve that, she had no problem going back to Wicked Palace after staying away for so many years. So you see, if something’s important enough, people will do anything to get it. It’s not just me because I believe we’re all the same.”
Nicole could not help but unwillingly agree with Avril’s words.
“So what’s so important for you have to get close to my dad?”
“I want to be with someone I love. Don’t you think that’s important? For that, I’m ready to give my all,” answered Avril frankly, her words leaving Nicole speechless once again.
Aspirations do differ from person to person. To each their own, I guess.
Noticing how Nicole kept silent, Avril continued, “Think it over. If you help me get what I want, I’ll promise you something in return. Think of it as a deal.”
Nicole was surprised by the offer, but she was not sure if she should do it. She knew her father did not have feelings for the woman before her now.
“My dad only has eyes for my mother, and that’s been the case for more than twenty years. Nobody can replace her in his heart, so I think you should listen to him and find somebody else to give your love to.”
Avril stayed silent for a moment.
She then responded, “I don’t blame you for not wanting to help me. After all, it must be hard for you to imagine having a stepmother as young and beautiful as I am.”
Nicole was left dumbfounded by the woman’s way of thinking.
But then again, Dad must feel like he’ll never find love again. He’s been missing Mom ever since she died more than twenty years ago. That couldn’t have been easy.
It’s not exactly a bad thing to have someone take care of him in his later years and make him happy.
I’m sure Mom wouldn’t mind.
She probably wouldn’t want to see Dad live out the rest of his life miserably.
After taking a deep breath, Nicole looked at Avril. “I’m not going to stop you from pursuing my dad, but it’s up to you to win him over.”
The former was taken aback by her own words, for she was supposed to solve her father’s problem for him, but she now sounded more like she was encouraging Avril to carry on.
At that, Avril turned delighted. “Don’t you worry. I’ll do my best to win him over. Just you wait!”
Evan was just as surprised when Nicole told him what had happened.
“You said what?”
“If Avril truly loves my dad, it’s not a bad thing for him to have someone beside him in his later years.”
Evan froze as he stared at Nicole with his deep-set eyes. Although he knew she simply wanted her father to be happy, he was still not convinced that things were that simple with Avril.
I should speak to this cousin of mine when I get the chance.
“Have you talked to your father about going back with us?”
“Shoot! I forgot all about it! I’ll do that now.”
Naturally, Stephen promised to go back with the two when he learned that his own daughter was going to have a wedding, but when he noticed Avril waving excitedly at him, he doubted his decision.
