Chapter 218
In the living room, Catherine gestured for Nicholas to sit on the sofa. “Alright, since Nicholas has already treated Serena’s wound, let’s not fuss with her hand anymore so late at night. We’ll see if it’s red or swollen tomorrow p>
Nicholas accepted the hot tea from Alfred and sat down.
His gaze swept across the room and landed on an exquisite crystal display case in a very prominent spot. Inside was a bright red certificate of commendation.
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
Noticing his gaze, Edward immediately broke into a proud smile. “That’s a national award given to Serena. Serena wanted to be low-key about it, kept telling us to put it away or in the study, but I thought… this is a national-level award, embossed with the national emblem in gold! Such a great honor must be displayed in the most conspicuous place. We can look at it every day and feel happy p>
He didn’t dare show off this certificate outside.
Now that he had Nicholas here, it was a golden opportunity to boast, and Edward wasn’t about to miss it.
Nicholas’s lips curved into a sincere smile. “Serena is truly amazing p>
“Of course, she is! Look whose daughter she is!” Edward was beaming with pride.
Isabella bit her lower lip hard, her face contorted with jealousy as she stared at the national award certificate.
She saw the pride and joy radiating from Edward’s face and the way Nicholas stared at the certificate with a burning intensity.
She was so furious she could have burst.
That certificate was supposed to be hers!
The person making her father proud should have been her!
The person being praised by Nicholas should have been her!
That country bumpkin, Serena, loved to steal everything from her!
She stole her parents, her brother, and Nicholas, and now she had even stolen her accomplishments!
The more she thought about it, the more furious Isabella became.
Her heart was filled with a sour mix of jealousy and bitterness; she felt sick.
She couldn’t take it anymore. Taking a deep breath, she quickly walked down the stairs. “Nicholas p>
She acted as if she had just noticed him, her face a mask of pleasant surprise, She rushed toward him. “Nicholas, I cant believe you’re here so late! Did you bring my sister home p>
She smiled sweetly, her eyes full of affection for him. “Thank you so much for bringing Serenahome so late But Louess it’s for the best Serenais so pretty, but she’s always out playing so late. It wouldn’t be good if something happened p>
It sounded like she was thanking Nicholas.
But between the lines, she was hinting to him about Serena’s habit of staying out all night!
What kind of respectable girl stays out so late every day, making her family wait up for her?
She must be messing around with the wrong crowd.
After all, country bumpkins play dirty.
But the moment Isabella rushed over, Nicholas’s dark brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He shifted slightly closer to Serena, his cool, handsome face a mask of indifference. “Bringing Serena home is my duty. You don’t need to thank me on her behalf p>
With that, he finished his tea and stood up. “It’s getting late. I won’t impose any longer p>
From beginning to end, he didn’t spare Isabella a single glance. His expression was utterly calm and
indifferent tinged with
disguised
distance. “Also, when Serena comes home is Serena’s business. It’s not
for you to worry about p>
Isabella’s smile froze. She stared blankly at Nicholas, who showed her no courtesy and was so blatantly biased toward Serena. The color drained from her face.
Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.