Chapter 10

Looking at the card on the table, Nolan fell silent. There wasn't only money on the card. There was love as well. He didn't know how to face Audrey's deep feelings for him. He sighed and pushed the card toward her. He shook his head and said, "Audrey, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't accept the money. You don't need to worry about me. I have money. I won't go hungry. Besides, I'm in good health. I can take care of myself." Nolan didn't want to accept the money not only because he wasn't short on them, but also because he didn't know how to repay Audrey's kind gesture. Meanwhile, when Audrey saw him push back the card, her eyes turned red as tears fell. Upon seeing that, Nolan felt helpless. He quickly said, "Audrey, don't cry. I really am not short on money. I'm not lying. I'm not rejecting your kindness, either. I…" He didn't know how to continue his words because he didn't know how to face her or explain it. Audrey wiped away her tears and looked at him, her voice choked with emotion. "Nolan, I've never pestered you. Even though I've loved you deeply, I've always loved you silently without disturbing you. I just want to help you now. That's all. "Can you just accept this card, Nolan? I'm begging you. You've just gotten out of jail, so how much money could you possibly have? With your temperament, I know you won't accept any compensation from Megan after the divorce. "But your pride and dignity won't let you be in this predicament for long. Consider this as a start-up fund from me, alright? Even if you think of it as a loan, please just accept it. It's the last thing I can do for you. After this, we probably won't see each other again." Then, Audrey finally broke down and sobbed uncontrollably. Upon seeing her cry, Nolan felt bad, and it made his heart ache. Audrey was such an amazing woman. Whoever married her would surely be happy. But since they met that day, he sensed something different. She had been smiling the entire time, but her eyes were filled with sadness and pain. She seemed to be struggling and in despair as well. It was as if she were trapped in a mire with no one to save her as she sank into darkness silently. Nolan wanted to ask her about it earlier, but he thought it wasn't his place to ask about it. But now, he had to ask her. "Audrey, what happened in these three years I've been gone? Can you tell me? I can tell you're in pain and struggling. If you tell me, maybe I can help." Nolan wasn't just making empty promises. He genuinely wanted to help such a kind woman who had been loving him silently. However, Audrey just wiped away her tears and shook her head. She didn't intend to burden him with her problems. In her opinion, he was already having a hard time. He shouldn't be troubled by her issues. Besides, aside from bringing him a heap of trouble, there wasn't much he could do to help. While they were eating, a loud knock suddenly sounded at the door. "Nolan, you bastard! Open the door." Nolan felt helpless. Upon hearing that voice, he recognized who it was immediately. He looked at Audrey and said softly, "I'm sorry, but it seems like this meal won't be very pleasant." Then, he opened the door, revealing an angry middle-aged woman adorned with gold jewelry. He sighed and said, "Mom, you're here." It was none other than Megan and Chase's mother, Olivia. When she found out that Megan and Nolan had gotten a divorce, she was elated. Besides, she allowed Chase to harass Nolan. After all, she believed that the millions of dollars in assets shouldn't just go to waste on Nolan. But the outcome? What did she end up hearing? She heard that Chase had been beaten up by Nolan and was admitted to a hospital. Upon hearing that, she was furious and went to confront Nolan directly. "Who are you calling 'Mom'? Who's your mom? You and Megan have already gotten a divorce. You don't have the right to call me that." Nolan was calm as he looked at Olivia. He nodded and said, "You're right, Olivia. Megan and I have already gotten a divorce. So, what brings you here?" He never expected an explanation from her. As someone who had once been her son-in-law and lived with her for a while, he knew better than anyone how harsh and shallow she was. She was someone who favored the rich and despised the poor. Back then, when Nolan could improve the Turners' lives by giving them food, housing, and a good standard of living, she was full of smiles and flattered him a lot. But as he gradually handed everything over to Megan, and as her life became better, everything started to change. Now that Megan was a wealthy CEO worth billions and Nolan was just an ex-convict who had just gotten out of jail, Olivia's attitude was predictable. Seeing that Nolan dared to act and talk in such a manner in front of her, Olivia couldn't hold back her anger and slapped him hard across the face. "Bastard, what else am I here for? Did you or did you not beat up Chase? How dare you lay hands on him! I won't let you off the hook!" Nolan placed his hand on his cheek. He could have avoided the slap but chose not to. The slap marked the end of any ties between them. But before he could say anything, Audrey stepped forward. She couldn't bear seeing him being hit. "Olivia, how can you hit him? Even if Nolan did beat up Chase, shouldn't you at least ask why? You know what kind of person Nolan is. He has never been one to pick fights. If he hit someone, there must have been a reason for it. "When I got here, the place was a mess. It's clear that Chase was the one who started the trouble. How can you just blame Nolan?" Upon seeing that Audrey was feeling bad for Nolan, Olivia was enraged. "Audrey, you've always been eyeing to ruin Megan's marriage. Now, you finally got your chance. You two are even having an affair here. "You're having a meal together as well. Are you two living together now? You can continue eating. Let's see how you'll eat." Then, Olivia marched over to the dining table and swept the dishes to the floor while cursing the entire time. "Do you think you can get away with this? I'll get even for my son. And you, Audrey, you're so shameless! Aren't you engaged? How can you have an affair with another man behind your fiancé's back? Just wait. I'm going to tell your fiancé about this. By then, let's see if he'll beat you up!" At that, Audrey's face turned pale. Meanwhile, Nolan's expression became more ghastly as he grew angrier.