Chapter 35 An Accident? Nola’s heart, which had been in her throat, settled back down at the words. It looked like she’d been spot on–Tarquin wasn’t into that woman; it was she who had been throwing herself at Tarquin.. Typical home–wrecker! Nola began her performance, playing the victim with gusto. “She must have gotten the wrong idea about us. She came with her goons and roughed me up, and I was this close to being scarred for life,” she sobbed dramatically. Nola twisted the truth, aiming to tarnish Elysia’s image in Tarquin’s eyes. And maybe, just maybe, Tarquin would feel sorry for herself. Best case scenario, he’d be so furious he’d break that tramp’s legs! After everything she’d done for Tarquin, she hadn’t even had the chance to kiss him yet. What right did that bitch have? “Where were your bodyguards? She attacked you, and they did nothing?” Tarquin asked. “My bodyguards were taken down by her crew. She brought a horde with her; it was like a scene from a movie–they attacked me on sight. If it hadn’t been for a kind soul who called the cops, my face might have been history. Tarquin, you have to stand up for me. Tarquin just blinked. “Tarquin, I’m so scared. I’m terrified she’s going to keep coming after me. She kissed you, and now she thinks you’re into her, she’s gotten cocky! Tarquin, can I maybe move in with you for a while? She wouldn’t dare to mess with me there, and I can take care of Elijah, too.” Nola was patting herself on the back for her cunning plan so loudly that even the readers could hear it. But Tarquin’s response was unexpected. “That won’t be necessary. If she’s hassling you because she’s misunderstood something, just clear it up. Lowell, get the word out–I have a strictly platonic relationship with Miss Nola. We’re not an item. Tell everyone to mind their own business and stop spreading rumors!” Wait, what? Nola was stunned. She had wanted to use this opportunity to move in with Tarquin, not for him to publicly friend–zone her. If people found out she wasn’t Tarquin’s girlfriend, they’d stop treating her with respect. Nola quickly Interjected, “You don’t have to go to all that trouble, Tarquin…” “It’s already been taken care of. You don’t have to worry about her coming after you over a misunderstanding. Just focus on getting better,” Tarquin said, then he left. Nola watched him go, feeling like she was going to explode with frustration. Damn it! She was infuriated! Livid! All because of Elysia, she ended up injured and with a severed tie to Tarquin? “Argh!” Nola screamed at the top of her lungs, “That bitch! I won’t let her get away with this!” As soon as Tarquin stepped out of Nola’s hospital room, he asked Lowell, “Did you get to the bottom of it?” He had tasked Lowell with investigating because it involved Elysia. He wanted to look into Elysia’s situation, not because he cared about Nola’s drama. Lowell reported, “Ms. Nola Slater’s bodyguard said it was Gage who tipped her off about you being kissed by Ms. Thorne at the bar. She then rounded up her posse to confront Ms. Thorne. She slapped Ms. Thorne and threatened to disfigure her. Ms. Thorne fought back, kicked Ms. Slater, and managed to escape… The bodyguards chased after her, but she pepper sprayed them and then hailed a cab and got away. The weird thing is, some unknown party showed up later and beat the bodyguards to a pulp, then broke Ms. Slater’s ankle.” “Who could it be?” Lowell shook his head. “No leads yet, but Ms. Slater’s bodyguard thinks it was one of Ms. Slater’s haters. She isn’t exactly Miss Congeniality in the entertainment industry–she’s rubbed everyone from her co–workers to her fans the wrong way. She’s made quite a few enemies.”