Chapter 6 Awkward Moment

"Why isn't she answering her phone?"

Tricia, having failed to reach her daughter, Stacey Wheeler, noticed Nadine entering the room and her expression turned darker.

"Where have you been? Your father's in the hospital because of you, and you disappeared!"

Nadine sat down by the bed, responding, "I had to get some medicine."

Domenic, roused by Tricia's voice, interjected wearily, "Tricia, lower your voice. We're in a hospital."

Tricia's tone softened as she spoke. "I was so worried about you. Seeing you awake is a relief."

"Dad, good to see you're up," Nadine remarked casually.

Just then, a news report echoed from the TV in the room. "The scandal involving Rylee and Warren's engagement intensifies. There are rumors of Rylee being hospitalized, possibly due to the affair. The mysterious woman's identity is still unknown..."

Anticipating Domenic's reaction, Nadine quickly disconnected the TV.

"Dad, please listen to me before getting upset..."

Domenic, overwhelmed with frustration, removed his IV and lunged at Nadine, his hand striking her face. "Must you be the cause of my death to be satisfied?"

Nadine, feeling her cheek sting, insisted, "Let's think clearly. Isn't Warren also at fault? I'm the victim here! I could accuse him of rape!"

Domenic's anger flared at her defiance and the mention of involving the police.

"How dare you argue! Warren's involvement is a privilege for you! Considering our family's standing, do you realize the consequences of offending both the Brooks and Harper families? How will the Gordons view us now?"

Tricia, alarmed, shrieked, "Don't drag Stacey into your mess! If you want to ruin your life, do it alone!"

Nadine observed their agitation with a cold detachment.

What did they expect her to do?

"Come on. You're going to apologize to the Brooks family and to Warren immediately. Even if it means kneeling for their forgiveness," Domenic insisted, pulling Nadine's arm and leading her out of the room.

Tricia moved to assist him.

"I did nothing wrong! I won't apologize!" Nadine protested, trying to free herself.

Domenic, undeterred, said firmly, "You don't have a say in this!"

Nadine managed to break free, only to bump into someone, feeling a sharp pain in her nose. She feared her nose might be broken from the impact.

Tricia, recognizing the person, exclaimed, "Mr. Harper!"

Nadine, realizing whom she had run into, quickly covered her nose and stepped back.

Her eyes caught sight of Warren's phone screen, displaying an inappropriate photo.

Nadine couldn't believe it. So, despite how decent he looked outwardly, he had the audacity to view such images in public. His actions the previous night now seemed even more reprehensible to her.

In her eyes, he was nothing but a contemptible opportunist, taking advantage of a drunken woman.

A scumbag! Rapist!

Warren, unaware of her hostility, cautiously raised his hands, avoiding further contact.

Noticing his phone was still visible, he quickly pocketed it, feeling awkward.

"Why are you here, Mr. Harper?" Domenic, recalling the earlier news, suddenly realized the reason and hurriedly said, "Mr. Harper, we apologize for any trouble my daughter may have caused in your engagement with Miss Brooks."

Warren, deep in thought, glanced at Nadine, who was still covering her nose.

Domenic added, "This is my daughter, Nadine Wheeler. I've brought her here to allow you to decide her fate. Whether she should apologize by kneeling or through a press conference, it's your call."

Nadine, feeling a warm trickle in her nose, worried about a nosebleed.

Startled by her father's proposal, she looked up. "Dad, what are you suggesting?"

At that moment, her nosebleed worsened. She quickly lowered her head, trying to stem the flow.

Observing silently, Warren briefly allowed a faint smile.

His laughter was faint and ethereal, casting an indescribable sense of awkwardness around them.

Tricia chimed in, "Mr. Harper, we leave the decision to you. How you deal with her is at your discretion."

Hindered by her nosebleed, Nadine restrained her anger toward Domenic and Tricia.

Warren, still composed, handed a pack of tissues to Nadine.

He then said, "Miss Wheeler, may we discuss this privately?"

Nadine looked up at him, the sense of familiarity about him growing more apparent.