Chapter 4 Strange Women

Eve remembered the history of the Wellington family that she had heard when she was still at school. Wellington is a family that still has bloodlines from the British era of the 80s. She doesn't know who made Wellington look like a noble family with almost seven generations of wealth, but what Eve knows is that Nolan always shows his invisible nobility side.

Once, during a summer camping event in the mountains, when everyone was putting up tents, busy preparing food, or collecting firewood, Nolan was the only one sitting in a recliner reading a book. It wasn't because he didn't want to help, but all the students, even the teachers, always forbade him from doing that work. The impression sounds ridiculous, it could be the influence of his family who has always been a source of charity for the school. This caused Eve to be able to go to school on a scholarship there because of the Wellington family's financial supply.

Nolan often suddenly got up and helped his friends pull the ropes to set up the tent or just light a fire for firewood, but his friends immediately told him to sit down again and not have to worry about putting things together. Everyone seemed to respect him, but Eve, still clearly remembered how Nolan's words had pierced her pride time and time again.

"How much do strippers get paid? Does everyone want to get naked just for money? Not unless they are poor."

There are many other actions that Nolan does to Eve that make her almost unable to fight back because of the great power that the Wellington family has at the school. Thinking about it a little bit made Eve's heart tear. Since then, until now, she has been trapped in that world again.

But instead of thinking about those painful times, Eve could only pin her hopes on the check she had been promised. She will get Dad out of prison. For the sake of her family being together again like before, Eve wouldn't ask for anything other than that.

Crossing the quiet Broadway, from Central Park, the car drove towards Times Square, crossed the long bridge, and entered the elite Manhattan area. Buildings along the streets filled the view, but nothing was interesting in Eve's eyes. Nolan's house is in a remote location that is almost difficult to find. The building does not join the residential blocks or shops on the outer streets. Its position is slightly cornered from the prefecture and it feels very secretive.

The exterior of the building was incredibly majestic. Eve stopped in front of the car door and looked up to admire the Neoclassical style with Greek and Roman touches. Large columns with long, straight lines stand neatly at the front. The detailed ornamentation at the corners of the stairs leading up to the elegant front terrace also looks stunning. Eve felt like she was in another world, not in Manhattan. It's like England in the middle of the city.

"How long are you going to stare like an idiot like that?" Nolan put one hand in his trouser pocket while looking at Eve indifferently. Eve gasped and immediately followed the man who was now walking in front of her accompanied by the two big men.

The front area of ​​this house is almost like a palace. Gardens stretch the length of the building, a fountain with two stork statues in the center of the street, meticulously pruned plants, and shiny marble floors on every staircase. Eve had to be alert and keep her mind focused on the various luxuries that flashed before her eyes.

The double doors at the front of the house opened slowly. A white-haired old man in a black suit smiled at Nolan-who didn't care at all.

"My young master, welcome. I-"

"I don't have much time, Ruth, where's John?" Nolan trotted quickly into the room while Eve struggled a little with her fairly high heels.

"I think he's still in the office. Sir, actually we were misinformed about the arrival of the great master."

Eve passed through a living room with walls painted ivory white and plastered with various paintings that Eve could probably guess were relics of the Wellington family's history. The high ceilings with pillars standing firmly in the wide open space make this house worthy of being called the Manhattan Palace.

"About what?" Nolan stopped at the end of the hall for a moment.

The man called Ruth seemed hesitant to speak, but then he whispered. "Today it wasn't your father who came, but Danny."

Just as Ruth said that someone was heard opening the glass door across the living room. Nolan and Eve both turned around and saw a tall man in a gray suit without a jacket entering the room.

"Oh, hi Nolan. Miss me?"

Nolan frowned faintly, his frozen face visible but it was quickly diverted. "Where's Dad?"

"It seems like there's an emergency. He'll soon be here." The man approached Nolan with a sly smile on his face. Eve tried to calm down because anxiety suddenly hit her. Sh knows that now is the time to work. But, how exactly should it work?

Danny's eyes turned to Eve who was bowed beside Nolan. "Who's this?"

"Will he come home tomorrow? Or the day after tomorrow?"

Danny saw the reluctance on Nolan's face, while Eve was silent because she didn't feel the need to answer.

"Why do you seem to be in such a hurry to meet Dad? Relax a little, Nolan. I also came back from Paris not just for the sake of that will."

"It's not. Either way, your coming to this house will only bring bad luck."

Danny chuckled slightly. "You mean like when dad made love to his girlfriend who was a stripper? Well, it seems like that still holds a grudge against you to this day."

Eve's throat tightened. So in this family, Nolan's father's affair is a disgrace?

"You're the one who's a disgrace, Dan."

Danny didn't reply, he just grinned and then turned back to Eve. Eve felt herself so naked when touched by Danny's hazel eyes which were sparkling with curiosity. Before Eve could guess, Danny first lowered his head slightly to match his face with Eve who was looking down.

Eve gasped in surprise and looked into Danny's charming hazel eyes. "Wow, you dare look at me?"

Eve immediately looked down, realizing her mistake. "Apologize."

"Apologize?" Danny almost laughed. He reached out and pulled Eve's chin to look up at him. Her heart was pounding, hoping she wouldn't get slapped or worse-hit. This wasn't the first time Eve had carelessly stared at the Wellington family. The first one Eve got was ten years ago when she loudly glared at Nolan and one of the man's best friends slapped Eve until she rolled backwards.

It was the hardest slap she had ever received in her life. So when that image flashed through her, Eve subconsciously closed her eyes that were shaking with fear.

"Why are you closing your eyes?" Danny asked confused.

Eve was silent for a moment, unsure whether to answer or not. But Nolan immediately slapped Danny's hand away and made Eve open her eyes in relief.

"Don't touch her."

"Is this your special bitch?" Danny asked in an innocent tone.

"Do you call all the women in your eyes bitches? Including your wife?"

"Watch your mouth, bastard," Danny clenched his teeth.

"Then keep those words to yourself." Nolan pulled Eve to turn into the hallway. But Danny held him back.

"Why does it feel like I'm familiar with you, huh?" Danny's question pierced Eve's heart. Nolan turned his head, slightly knitting his eyebrows sharply.

"What do you mean?"

Danny stepped closer, this time with a deft and agile movement, he grabbed Eve's chin and Eve widened her eyes in surprise. Danny's eyes penetrated Eve's mind until it felt like she was almost being spun by the man's various speculations.

"Yeah... you look a lot like that damn bitch."

Nolan pushed Danny's hand away again and pushed him away. "Once you touch her again," Nolan's tone was low and sharp, "I won't hesitate to kill you."