Chapter 35
Simone Milton and Nick Arthur were both there, one downstairs and one upstairs. They stared at each other, as if time had stopped in that moment.
Nick Arthur, with dark circles under his eyes, yawned and tried to make as little noise as possible as he went downstairs.
He said to Simone Milton, “Welcome back. You should have called me so I could pick you up. Martha misses you very much. She would be overjoyed to see you back.”
In response, Simone Milton simply smiled helplessly.
She opened her mouth, wanting to speak, to ask Nick Arthur if he knew any of the latest news online.
She even wanted to ask Nick Arthur what he thought of her.
But in the end, she didn’t say anything at all.
As if he hadn’t noticed Simone Milton’s distress, Nick Arthur went straight to the kitchen and prepared a simple lunch.
“I guess you haven’t eaten anything since you got off the plane. Let’s eat something first! The world may be big, but eating is most important. Let’s talk about whatever needs to be discussed after we eat, okay?” Nick Arthur smiled as he placed the lunch in Simone Milton’s lap.
Facing Nick Arthur’s smile, Simone Milton simply couldn’t refuse.
Just think about it: a man who’s already extremely handsome smiles at you. It’s definitely a wonderful thing to think about.
Especially this incredibly handsome guy—who, before this, seemed like an iceberg in every sense.
Who can resist the feeling of having an iceberg melt just for them?
Simone Milton nodded, sat down at the dining table, and ate in silence. The lunch was, fairly speaking, quite acceptable.
After finally getting through with lunch, Simone Milton cleaned up the mess before finally finding the opportunity to continue asking Nick Arthur questions.
She stopped Nick Arthur, who was about to enter the living room. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Um, Mr. Arthur… you should…”
After talking for so long, she still couldn’t express the thoughts in her mind, which made her feel frustrated.
Simone Milton, oh Simone Milton, that’s not like you at all! If you have any problems, just say them directly. This hesitancy of yours is completely pointless.
She thought this, but her mouth seemed to be stuck together with superglue.
Simone Milton simply couldn’t bring herself to ask Nick Arthur what he thought of her.
Meanwhile, Nick Arthur glanced at Simone Milton’s troubled expression and slowly asked, “Are you trying to ask me if I know anything about those things about you that are circulating online?”
Simone Milton nodded.
“I do know those comments about you online, and I know how outrageous the insults from those trolls are! Don’t take it to heart. Just be yourself.” Nick Arthur said to comfort her.
“I…” Hearing Nick Arthur say that, Simone Milton suddenly felt a sting in her nose.
It’s as though all the resentment she’ve held in her heart can finally be vented on the person standing before her.
But she held back her tears and said, with a slightly trembling voice, “Thank you, Mr. Arthur. Your words of comfort really touched me… Thank you so much.”
“No need to thank me. It’s what I should do. After all, we’re boyfriend and girlfriend! It’s my duty to comfort my girlfriend.” Nick Arthur said this while gently pulling Simone Milton into his arms.
Simona Milton, who bumped into Nick Arthur’s chest due to inertia, heard Nick Arthur’s strong heartbeat. She felt her own heartbeat gradually quickening as well.
As her heart rate increased, she felt as though her cheeks had turned red, so hot that they could probably be used to fry eggs on.
With its cool, pine-like scent, the air filled Simone Milton’s nostrils, bringing her a sense of deep peace. It was as though the entire world was made up of this soothing aroma.
For a moment, she became somewhat immersed in it.
“Mr. Arthur, you’re really too kind to me!” Simone Milton murmured.
Hearing this, Nick Arthur smiled and said, “I think you’re actually quite easy to please. I simply did what I was supposed to do, yet you consider me very friendly. It’s a rather strange feeling.”
“In my eyes, Mr. Arthur, you’re my hero, my last hope,” said Simone Milton. Uncontrollably, she kissed Nick Arthur on the cheek.
Realizing her mistake, Simone Milton covered her mouth, feeling embarrassed to look at Nick Arthur.
Nick Arthur, who was caught off guard by the attack, was completely stunned. As he looked at Simone Milton, who seemed visibly shy, his gaze grew increasingly intense.
“Do you know what your actions mean?” he asked Simone Milton in return.
Hearing Nick Arthur ask that in return, Simone Milton’s first thought was: Would Nick Arthur get angry? Would he think she was too frivolous for asking such a thing?
In an attempt to salvage the awkward situation that was about to arise, Simone Milton forced herself to speak up and try to save face for her previous actions.
“Uh, Mr. Arthur, please don’t misunderstand. I was just trying to express my gratitude to you. I certainly have no improper thoughts toward you at all! Please don’t take it to heart.”
Simone Milton said this, and to make her words more believable, she even nodded vigorously.
It’s as if what one says becomes fact just by saying it out loud.
But in reality, Simone Milton knew all too well that her actions weren’t motivated by mere gratitude.
Nick Arthur couldn’t be told whether he believed those words or not. It was impossible to tell from his expression.
But whether he believed it or not, his behavior showed that he believed what Simone Milton said. In fact, he even went on to say the same things as Simone Milton.
“I know, you don’t need to explain. Come on, sit down and rest for a while! You must be tired.”
Seeing that Nick Arthur didn’t dwell on the previous topic, Simone Milton felt relieved, yet also a little disappointed.
In her heart, she secretly hoped that Nick Arthur would have a special reaction.
“Shall I go upstairs and rest for a while? I’ve been quite busy these past few days. After all, there are things related to the online business that I need to take care of.” Simone Milton hesitated for a moment.
Seeing that Simone Milton had brought the conversation back to the internet, Nick Arthur pondered for a moment before slowly making a decision: “Do you need my help?”
Hearing this, Simone Milton was momentarily stunned, before remembering that Nick Arthur had considerable influence.
If Nick Arthur steps in to help clarify the matter, it will achieve twice the result with half the effort.
But then again, if Nick Arthur takes action, the people in the Arthur family will also find out. In fact, Nick Arthur might even get involved in this matter as a result.
After much thought, Simone Milton ultimately rejected the tempting idea of having Nick Arthur help with it.
She said, “No need. Although if Mr. Arthur were to help, this matter could be resolved easily.”
“But more than that, I’m afraid that Mr. Arthur might get involved in this as well.”
“If Mr. Arthur suffers online abuse because of this, even if the likelihood is small, I simply can’t bear such consequences.”
“So, please allow me to decline Mr. Arthur’s kind offer.”
