Chapter 26
Lucy heard the familiar voice and felt a wave of relief.
Casting a seemingly casual glance at Nicole, she called out tearfully, “Mom!”
An elegantly dressed middle–aged woman entered, walking rhythmically in high heels.
However, rather than going to Lucy, she strode straight toward Nicole.
Nicole’s heart sank
Simultaneously, she recalled Lucy’s meaningful glance from earlier, and a sense of foreboding swept over her.
“Slap!”
A loud, crisp sound rang out in the hospital room.
Immediately after, the sound of a miniature hearing aid falling to the floor followed.
Nicole’s face turned to the side, her left cheek burning with pain.
“This is what happens when you bully my daughter!” the woman spat, her tone sharp with indignation.
Standing with arms crossed, her elegant face wore an air of superiority typical of those in power.
Her black hair was perfectly coiffed, her makeup immaculate, a luxurious gold necklace adorning her long neck. Designer handbag, dress, earrings… Her expensive, glamorous outfit made her look both impressive and arrogant. After a moment of shock, Nicole bent down to pick up the fallen hearing aid.
Just as her fingers brushed the device, a sharp black heel came down, grinding it mercilessly into the floor.
“Miss Spencer, are you so used to picking up trash?” Karen Garner stepped on Nicole’s hearing aid, grinding it ruthlessly.
Nicole’s hearing was severely damaged. Though she couldn’t clearly hear Karen’s exact words, her expression made it clear she was insulting her.
“Please move your foot,” Nicole said slowly, her face surprisingly calm.
Karen lifted her chin, her eyes filled with disdain and arrogance. “No.”
Though Nicole couldn’t hear her precisely, she understood the refusal from her body language.
Nicole stood up, walking step by step toward Karen, her black eyes as cold as a winter pond.
Karen, intimidated by Nicole’s terrifying silent presence, unconsciously stepped back. “What are you doing?”
Nicole simply smiled expressionlessly and swiftly grabbed Karen’s wrist.
“Ah!” A scream like a pig being slaughtered erupted from Karen’s mouth, completely at odds with her luxurious
appearance.
Nicole gripped her wrist, calmly stating, “Pick it up, or I’ll break your wrist.”
Karen immediately cursed, “You wouldn’t dare!”
Nicole, now closer, could hear her clearly. Seeing Karen’s stubborn resistance, she immediately increased the pressure on her wrist.
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Chapter 26
Karen was now crying out in pain, nearly in tears.
Feeling her wrist bone might snap at any moment, she had no choice but to swallow her pride. Bent over by Nicole, she picked up the hearing aid from the floor.
Looking at the now–dirty device, Nicole didn’t take it, instead saying coldly, “Clean it.”
Karen wanted to refuse, but feeling the excruciating pain in her wrist again, she reluctantly handed the hearing aid to Lucy. “Help her clean it, then return it to her.”
Lucy was shocked to see her typically arrogant mother so thoroughly subdued by Nicole.
Even more surprising was how Nicole, once so timid in front of Travis, had become so assertive.
After cleaning and returning the hearing aid, Lucy asked with apparent concern, “Nicole, what happened to your ear? Why are you wearing this?”
Nicole carefully placed the hearing aid back on.
Travis’s pupils slightly contracted as he watched the scene.
Lucy, seeing Nicole’s silence, added with a smile, “My mom was just too worried about me, which is why she acted out. I’m sorry. Can you let her go?”
Nicole had no intention of truly harming Karen. After putting on her hearing aid, she immediately released her.
The moment Karen was free, she raised her hand to slap Nicole.
Nicole wasn’t about to be caught off guard again.
In a swift motion, she grabbed Karen’s wrist and pushed her away.
Being a pampered wealthy lady, Karen lost her balance and tumbled onto Travis’s hospital bed.
Travis quickly helped her up, softly comforting her.
“Are you alright, Mrs. Miller?”
Filled with suppressed anger, Karen awkwardly stood up and confronted Travis, demanding to know why he wasn’t controlling his ex–wife.
Travis, feeling his dignity was at stake, immediately turned ashen. His icy gaze swept over Nicole as he coldly ordered, “Come here and apologize to Mrs. Miller!”
