Chapter 38
As she turned around. Nichole saw James enter the room and immediately threw herself into his arms.
“Nichole?”
“I thought you weren’t going to come” Nichole’s voice was low and filled with a sense of hurt.
James gently pushed Nichole away, saying, “It’s your birthday today. I promised I’d be here and I wouldn’t break my word.”
Hearing this, a blush crept onto Nichole’s cheeks.
However, James frowned upon seeing Nichole’s outfit and the decorations in the room.
James. I
“Nichole, that dress isn’t right for you.” Before Nichole could say anything, James had already interrupted her
Nichole was startled.
James casually tumed on the lamp beside them. “Do you like the birthday gift I picked for you?”
1 love it.” Nichole was still reeling from the comment James had made earl/
James then said, “I had Colt book this room for you so you could invite some friends over for fun, and it’s close to your college, so it’ll be easy to get to class tomorrow.”
Nichole was taken aback.
James‘ tone tumed cold, “I have some work to deal with tonight, so you should get some rest early.”
“James!” As James started to leave, Nichole immediately hugged him from behind, her voice choked up. “Did I do something wrong? Why do you suddenly have to go?”
James gently pried Nichole’s arms from around him, and without wanting to be too harsh, he said gravely, “I hope you focus more on your studies and not be swayed by your surroundings.”
Nichole’s heart shook, and by the time she gathered herself, James had already left.
Calt was parked outside the hotel, and when he saw James returned just a few minutes after he had gone in, he couldn’t help but ask curiously. “Mr. Burke, wasn’t it Ms. Nichole’s birthday celebration?”
“Drive. Let’s go home.”
James‘ expression was cold, and Colt, having been with him for so long, knew his mood was foul.
James was silent in the car. He had seen Nichole differently because of her innocence and kindness.
Having been in the upper echelons of society for so long, he was familiar with the manipulations of those women. Yet, he had never expected that the student he had personally sponsored could turn out this way.
Suddenly, James said, “Have I been too kind to Nichole?”
“You have always been very kind to Ms. Nichole.”
“And what about Sophie?”
Colt struggled to say, “Mr. Burke, you are polite to your wife.”
James pursed his lips, suddenly remembering the words Jessica had said at the Russell family dinner earlier that day.
It seemed like everyone in Devonport knew he didn’t favor Sophie. Only he was oblivious to the unsavory rumors swirling around.
“Starting tomorrow, you no longer need to pick up Nichole.”