The Manipulated Villainess

"I'm glad that you like the house. I will tell my friend and let's get the paperwork done as soon as possible."

Aston was at Nicole's apartment. They left the mansion separately after they had a great look. As always, he entered the Chairwoman's apartment through the secret passage. By this time, it was already 8 in the night.

"That would be great. Things will be a bit easier for me after I move there but I think I will need some security. I wondered if I would be able to find someone I can trust and that bothered me." Nicole heavily sighed.

Her step-mother could easily win over the guards in her office to her side. That's why she needs someone reliable and loyal to protect the house and even herself. It's not an easy task.

Aston gave a quick thought and then spoke up. "I will look into that. I think I will be able to find someone reliable." He assured her.

"I bothered you too much. Besides, don't you say that you will be very busy starting next week? It's just three days away." 

"Don't worry. I don't have to search for a new person. I know a few men who will fit for the job." He smiled and rose from his seat. "You still don't have dinner right? Given the time, shall we just have a light one? I will make something real quick."

"Okay." Nicole glanced at the files on the small table. "I will work during that."

Aston head over to the kitchen while Nicole started working. After working quietly for half an hour, she saw the file that contains the pictures of the land where the non-profit hospital will be built. Then she suddenly realized one thing.

She walked inside her room and comes out with a file. It was the file that Harris Ahn gave to her. She opened it and gazed at the pictures of the land which were on the file. She recalled what Harris Ahn told her and it gave her a bittersweet feeling.

Aston who was in the kitchen glanced at her from time to time and when he saw her sitting still, gazing at the photos, he came out to check what's going on with her. "Is something wrong?" He asked and sat beside her.

Nicole smiled and put the photos on the table. "My late mother's friend gave me these photos. He said that my mother was planning to build an orphanage here. She even bought this land with the money she earned. She wanted to run the orphanage herself and provide a better life for orphans like her but she died before she could do that."

Aston took the photos and looked at them. "It seems like a vast one. It will be very suitable for establishing an orphanage. Children's love to run around in the playground and campus." Then he turned to Nicole. "But why did you pulled a long face?"

"The problem is that this land already belongs to my step-mother. I was so young when my mother died, so I don't know how it ends up in my step-mother's hand." Nicole sighed and glanced at the photos which Aston was holding.

"If this land wasn't bought by my mother herself, I don't have to worry. When the time comes, I can just find a suitable land and built one as my mother wanted. But my mother chose that place and even bought it using the money she earned." She added.

"Then let's just take it back from your step-mother." Aston simply suggested.

"How?" She promptly asked.

Aston put down the photos and glanced at her. "Do you want to use the method which gangsters often used?" A little smirk appeared on his handsome face.

Nicole frowned and pushed him away. "Forget it. What do I even expect?" She shook her head in disappointment.

Aston chuckled at her reaction. "Are you afraid that I might turn you into a criminal?" He teased her and this only annoyed her more.

"Why? Do you plan to make me one?" She bluntly said and glanced at the photos again.

"Even if you do some evil deeds to bring down your step-mother, you don't have to worry. I will take all the blame for you." Aston dryly said which made her frowned deeper.

"You're hopeless." She shook her head.

"But I'm serious." He still smiled in contrast to his words.

"Can you just go and prepare the dinner? I'm quite hungry here." Nicole bluntly said, pointing her chin at the kitchen.

Aston laughed and rose from his seat. "I need just five minutes. You can come and eat after that."

*

After they finished their dinner, Aston was preparing to leave. "Can I come and see you tomorrow?" He asked as he took his jacket which was placed on the back support of the couch.

"Do you have to ask me for that?" Nicole mused. "You can come whenever - "

"I mean, at your office," Aston said, interrupting Nicole. A menacing grin appeared on his face.

"No." Her response came quicker than he expected. "Are you crazy?" She blinked at his absurdity. Was he planning to tell everyone that they were seeing each other?!

Aston faked an apologetic face and glanced at her. "Too bad. You will have to see me. I already made up my mind to come."

Putting her hands on her waist, she stared at him with displeasure. "I don't think you are this thoughtless, Mr. Min. Did you forget that... " She paused when she was hit by a realization. She blinked again, trying to think clearly.

When she saw Aston gazing at her, grinning victoriously; she sighed. Did he play around with her?!

"It's my turn, Miss Yang. Did you forget that we have a meeting with the people from Yang Apparel tomorrow? I heard that the meeting will be held in your office. So, I will come to your office tomorrow and I doubt you won't be there." A mischievous grin never left the actor's face.

"Your acting skills are truly outstanding, Aston Kang. Is it fun to play with me?" Nicole turned her head away from him and sat down.

"It's not that my acting skills are outstanding but... you have a terrible memory. If you remember your schedule, I won't have the chance to play with you." Aston dryly said. "See you tomorrow then." He smiled and left through the secret passage.

Nicole glanced at the secret passage and sighed once again in frustration. "I should memorize my schedule." She uttered with determination.

* * *

Just as they talked about, the meeting occurred in the Chairwoman's office at 11 a.m. the next day.

Aston and Nicole were there along with some employees of Yang Apparel. Anna Park couldn't attend the meeting, so a Representative come in her place. They were having a discussion to arrange shooting schedules as the launching of the brand was just a week away.

After almost an hour-long meeting, all the employees and Anna's representative left the Chairwoman's office, leaving Aston and Nicole behind.

"I don't see your Secretary today."

"She's sick, so I tell her to rest. I don't have much in my schedule for today anyway." Nicole rose from her seat and glanced down at Aston. "Do you like some tea?"

"Yes, please." Aston stood up and walked towards the glass walls. Nicole's office had a great view of the city. Staring at the mesmerising view, he asked, "Are you really not interested in doing it my way?"

Nicole who was busy making tea turned around and glanced at him. "Are you talking about the land? What is your way? Kidnapping? Threatening?" She shook her head. "That won't work with her. This is Garcia Han we are talking about."

"Even if we don't know her weakness, we can just kidnap her. We can use something to shut her up. She's a politician and she won't want her image to be ruin." Aston's gaze was fixated on the view the whole time. He did some thinking last night and had some great plans in mind but... he won't make a move unless Nicole told him to.

When Nicole was very quiet, he turned around and looked at her. He saw her narrowing her eyes on the floor. "If you don't want it, then I will try to find another way. No need to force yourself."

"I wish I know her weakness. Something she treasures or someone she deeply cherishes. Someone who can be considered her weakness." Nicole muttered, her eyes fixated on the floors.

"Do you think she has someone like that? Perhaps a lover? You know, she is still young and it won't be a miracle even if she has one." Aston assumed.

Nicole shook her head. "I never saw her with a man. She only meets politicians and some businessmen who are her allies."

The two remained quiet, thinking about a way until... they suddenly heard a voice from the door.

"Do you want to know the weakness of the Minister of Justice?"

The couple darted their eyes to the door which was yet to be open. Even before seeing who the person was, Nicole stood frozen. Were they exposed?!

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