Chapter 6

The birthmark was almost etched in Heidi's mind. It was also the most defining detail she had remembered in her search for her daughter all these years. Yet, more than 20 years had passed in the blink of an eye. This was Heidi's very first time getting a clear view of the birthmark on Nicole's arm. It wasn't just a mark that could be wiped off. As pissed as Heidi was, she couldn't hide the glint of hope in her eyes. Forcing herself to keep a calm voice, Heidi asked, "M-Ms. Lawrence, could we get a DNA test done?" Nicole's eyes turned red the instant she heard Heidi's question. She nodded. "Sure." After plucking a few strands of her hair, she straightened her outfit. Now that the misunderstanding had become so serious, she wanted to prove her innocence. As a result, she was no longer in the mood to stay. "Mrs. Boyd, I shall take my leave now," Nicole mumbled. Then, without looking at anyone else, she turned around to leave. She did not even hesitate when she walked past Aaron. Nevertheless, Aaron glanced at Monica, who was standing by the side. No matter how well she acted, he noticed the smug smirk that flashed across her face. He nodded. "Mrs. Boyd, since I was the one who brought her here, I shall be taking my leave too." Surprised, Heidi looked at him. She fell into deep thought when she realized that Aaron was the one who had brought Nicole there that day. She was reminded of the marriage agreement that had been made with the Compton family since her daughter was young. If Nicole were truly her long-lost daughter, Monica wouldn't be the one to fulfill the marriage agreement with the Comptons. "Mr. Compton, thank you for bringing her here today." Aaron hummed an acknowledgement before turning around and leaving. After leaving the banquet venue, he couldn't see Nicole anywhere. He pressed his lips together, thinking about how quickly she had run off. "Keep an eye on Monica. Ensure that the DNA test results are accurate." The moment Aaron said that, his assistant, Lance Finch, understood his intentions. He immediately nodded and acknowledged, "Will do, Mr. Compton!" Meanwhile, a dazed Nicole flagged a cab and returned to the makeup studio. The makeup artist was shocked to see her again. Nevertheless, no one dared to take things lightly when Nicole was a patron whom Aaron brought. "Ms. Lawrence, is there something wrong with the makeup?" As Nicole walked into the changing room, she softly asked, "Are my clothes still in there?" "Yeah." After Nicole entered the changing room and changed out of her evening gown, she returned the night's outfit to the makeup artist. "Ms. Lawrence, Mr. Compton has paid for this evening gown—" "This isn't mine. Please return it to Mr. Compton on my behalf. Also, this is to cover the cost of washing the dress." Nicole retrieved a few banknotes from her bag and presented them to the makeup artist. She figured that cleaning an expensive evening gown like this was costly. Even though she felt the pinch, she placed the money on the table without hesitation before leaving. Knowing that she didn't have much money left after leaving the makeup studio, she booked a ride on a motorbike to get to the hospital. When she was almost at the door to the hospital director's office, Nigel happened to emerge from within. His face fell when his eyes met Nicole's as though he had just met with the plague. "Why, it's you again! Didn't I tell you not to come to the hospital again? What are you doing here?" Nigel's cheeks puffed up with anger. "Nicole, was I too nice to you yesterday? Did you think that what I said was a joke?" With a dull yet calm expression, Nicole responded, "I'd like to request the usage details of the medication. Even though the surveillance camera wasn't working at that time, every medication's use should be thoroughly recorded, including the time it was prescribed and dispensed." Nigel got hot under the collar. "Nicole, stop resisting! The hospital can't afford to keep someone like you. Can't you just go out the same doors you came in?" "Dr. Greer, what's wrong with wanting to prove my innocence? Why is the hospital being so unprincipled?" Right after Nicole said that, the medical director, Robert Cohen, shouted sternly, "That's nonsense!" He walked out of his office with an icy expression, his eyes fixed on Nicole. "You want to be treated fairly? Just think about who it was you wronged. Mr. Boyd almost died because of you. How are you going to argue yourself out of that? "Right now, you have to resign from the hospital so we do not upset the Boyds!" Those words sent a shudder down Nicole's entire body. She curled her lips into a sarcastic smirk. As it turned out, they were afraid of upsetting the Boyds and affecting the hospital's development. It explained why they had chosen to sacrifice her. Throughout her years of working at the hospital, she was named the most outstanding doctor multiple times. She was responsible, worked shifts, stuck to her assigned posts, and maintained a decent relationship with her colleagues. Despite all that, this was ultimately how things ended up for her. "In that case, I'll take the legal route to prove my innocence!" Upon saying that, Nicole spun around and left without even looking back. Robert and Nigel gave each other a look. Robert scoffed. "The legal route? You should be glad that the Boyds aren't taking you to court!" When Nicole was about to leave the hospital, she bumped into someone familiar. Maintaining a cold expression, she planned to ignore him completely. However, Jacob found himself mesmerized by Nicole. He even narrowed his eyes to get a better look at her. It was indeed Nicole! He wondered when she had gotten so beautiful. Looking smug, Jacob was now dressed in an Armani suit that highlighted his wealth as a scion. "What's going on, Nicole? Now that you're no longer working at the hospital, are you planning to switch to a career that lets you earn a living with your looks?" That comment instantly infuriated Nicole. She lifted her eyes and glared at him mockingly. "What I do has nothing to do with you." Jacob's expression darkened. Gritting his teeth, he replied, "Nicole, is it so difficult for you to just apologize to me? Or have you not understood your predicament yet?" Nicole coldly said, "It's still not your place to interfere." Much to her surprise, Jacob strode up to her and grabbed her chin. Tilting her face up, he studied her pretty face up close. Deep down, he tutted and thought that if she had dressed up like this before, he probably wouldn't have grown tired of her so quickly. At the very least, he could continue putting on his act for a few more years. Jacob frigidly suggested, "Nicole, apologize to me and I'll help you resolve your issue with the hospital. How about that?" Nicole's chin hurt from the way Jacob was pinching her. She stepped back to try and free herself, only to see a man walking in their direction. "Mr. Escobar, the contract is ready—" Nicole peered at the man. Just one look at him made her freeze. Disgust flashed across her eyes. Forcefully, she freed herself from Jacob's grasp. Staring at him through reddened eyes, she asked, "Jacob, how low can you go to actually do something like this just to force me to apologize to you?" Jacob was taken aback to hear that from her. Immediately after that, he growled, "Nicole, how dare you speak to me like that!" "Quit yapping here. Can't you just stay away from me?" After saying that, Nicole tried to walk away. Nevertheless, Jacob snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her into his arms. Lowering his head, he leaned into her until his lips almost touched hers. "Nicole, did I say that you could leave?" Suddenly, a click sounded and a light flashed. Aaron clicked his tongue and sarcastically remarked, "Mr. Escobar, are you forcing yourself on a woman weaker than you?"