Chapter 3: Fooling Around with a Man

Nicole's POV

We were in the pleasure of sex when my phone suddenly rang.

"Damn it!" I cursed.

I reached out to hang up, but Hodgson was faster, grabbing the phone from the nightstand.

Wendy's name flashed on the screen.

My heart skipped a beat.

"No, don't..."

Before I could finish my refusal, Hodgson pressed the answer button without hesitation.

His cock was still inside me, thrusting at a steady rhythm that made my scalp tingle and left me struggling to suppress my moans.

On the other end, Wendy's voice came through.

"Nicole, where are you? Shier is going crazy looking for you. We've searched everywhere and we're so worried about you."

How ridiculous.

Searching everywhere for me?

They were just feeling guilty after having sex.

I bit down hard on my lip, shaking my head frantically at Hodgson.

He curved his lips into a playful smile and suddenly increased his force, thrusting hard into me.

I almost lost control, nearly screaming out.

I glared at him angrily, and while Wendy hadn't noticed anything suspicious yet, I shakily pressed the hang-up button.

"Hodgson! You've gone too far!"

I used all my strength to push him.

"Let me go!"

Hodgson's body was as hard as iron.

He didn't let go; instead, he gripped my waist and penetrated even deeper.

He panted lightly, "The aphrodisiac hasn't completely worn off yet, Nicole. I told you I'd help you."

"Fuck... ah..."

He pressed me back down, pinning me against the disheveled sheets.

I don't know how long it lasted before he finally came, his hot cock withdrawing from my body.

The room was filled only with our heavy breathing.

My desire had been completely satisfied by Hodgson, but now, fear began to creep into my heart.

What should I do next?

Hodgson leaned against the headboard, lit a cigarette, and looked at me with satisfaction.

After the drug wore off, shame returned to flood my body.

I wrapped myself tightly in the sheets, covering my marked body.

Seeing the wedding dress on the floor, I fell into despair.

I was about to speak, to thank Hodgson and then leave.

After all, he had helped me.

But Hodgson spoke first.

"Nicole, I took your virginity. As compensation, I can grant you one request. Whether you want money or something else, I can satisfy you."

What?

What did he take me for?

A prostitute who could be paid off with money?

Indeed, all the men in the Hall family were bastards.

Endless grievance welled up in my heart, and my eyes reddened.

Hodgson frowned in confusion. "What's wrong? Is money not enough to satisfy you? Or perhaps..."

He smiled. "You want to continue a physical relationship with me?"

Damn bastard!

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.

"Hodgson, I don't want your money! Now get out, immediately!"

Clearly, I wasn't the first woman to sleep with him.

He probably liked to pay off women with money before, but I didn't need that.

He narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"What did you say? Nicole."

My body trembled with agitation.

I had to admit, I was still somewhat afraid of him.

"Between us, it was just a simple one-night stand. I don't need you to fulfill any requests for me."

I avoided his gaze, not looking at his expression.

Hodgson actually laughed.

He said, "Nicole, when you've thought it through, come find me."

He swiftly got out of bed, dressed, and pulled open the door.

Light from outside flooded in, making me instinctively squint.

The door closed, and I heard voices from outside.

"Uncle? What are you doing here?"

My heart leaped into my throat, and I froze on the bed.

It was Shier's voice.

Hodgson replied, "What? Do I need to report to you when I rest at a hotel? What are you two doing in the hallway?"

Wendy's voice was full of weakness.

"Mr. Hodgson, we're looking for my sister Nicole. She disappeared halfway through the wedding, and we're very worried about her."

"Worried?"

"The groom abandoned the bride at the wedding to entangle himself with another woman. And now you have the nerve to say you're worried?"

Hodgson mocked them.

Shier's voice immediately became stammering.

"Uncle, I... I didn't... it's not what you think."

"Get lost." Hodgson snapped.

After they completely left, I breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed on the bed, exhausted.

The room still carried Hodgson's scent and the strong smell of bodily fluids left after our lovemaking.

No, I couldn't stay here.

I struggled to get up and looked around.

I picked up the torn wedding dress and stuffed it haphazardly into the deepest part of the hotel room closet.

Then I randomly found a piece of clothing in the closet to put on, covering the marks on my body.

I opened the door and peeked my head out to look.

Fortunately, the hallway was empty.

I was about to step out of the room when the swollen pain between my legs made me gasp.

"Damn!" I cursed under my breath.

Hodgson, that man, was simply as terrifying as a demon.

In the latter half, the drug had clearly worn off, yet he kept pressing me down to continue.

Who exactly was the one under the aphrodisiac?!

I endured the pain between my legs and walked to the wedding hall.

The hall that had been bustling just hours ago now had only a few people left.

"Nicole!"

My father, Leighton, saw me and immediately let out an angry roar.

He rushed toward me, raising his hand as if to slap me.

I didn't dodge, just looked at him coldly.

His hand ultimately stopped in mid-air, probably mindful that this was a public place.

"Where did you run off to? You've disgraced the entire Gerald family today!"

Doris also walked over. Her eyes held no concern, only disappointment and reproach.

But I felt no guilt, because I wasn't the one who did wrong.

"It was Shier who abandoned me at the wedding." I explained calmly.

Doris scolded sternly: "I asked you to check on how Wendy was doing, and you disappeared for three whole hours!"

"I'm sorry, Dad, Mom. It's all my fault."

Wendy was being supported by Shier, her face pale and eyes red.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have fainted at that moment. I ruined sister's wedding."

As she spoke, tears began to fall.

Shier immediately embraced her with concern.

"Wendy, stop crying. Your health has finally recovered a bit."

I suddenly realized how stupidly laughable I had been in the past.

How had I not noticed the two of them having an affair behind my back?

Wendy leaned against Shier's chest, her gaze falling on me.

"Sister, why did you change out of your wedding dress?"

"I just called you, and I thought I heard a man's voice. You didn't go off to fool around with some man, did you?"