Chapter 5 Ugly Wife

Archie's older brother, Vincent Payne, was childhood friends with Nicholas. So, if the news came from Archie, then it had to be accurate.

But why did the universe keep bringing Nicholas' name up?

"Alison, according to a reliable source, Nicholas is meeting a famous lawyer at Splendor tonight," Archie added. "Will you go?"

After only a moment's hesitation, Alison agreed. "I'll be there."

For the past two years, she had lived a reclusive life, having been married off to a man who didn't even want her. She had gone by the surname Conley, so aside from the Bowman family and her closest friends, nobody knew she was Nicholas' wife.

"By the way, what exactly is the nature of the relationship between Nicholas and Paige?" Alison asked, curiosity piqued. After all, Nicholas hadn't divorced her yet.

Archie hesitated before saying cautiously, "My brother told me they grew up together. Other than that, I don't know much."

After a slight pause, he quickly added, "But I heard that Nicholas is secretly married, and people say his wife is very ugly. He doesn't like her at all."

At this, Alison felt a wave of irritation and felt like punching Archie in the gut.

"Alright, I'm going to get back to work." After transferring some money to Archie as a token of gratitude, Alison pondered for a moment before dressing up to head to Splendor.

Splendor was an exclusive, high-end members-only club frequented by the elite, so it was no surprise to find Nicholas there.

"Alison, you look absolutely stunning tonight," Archie remarked in admiration as soon as he spotted her stepping out of the car.

She had picked out a fiery red off-shoulder dress, her long hair cascading in the wind. In a word, she looked like a living, breathing work of art.

Alison rolled her eyes at Archie. "Oh, please," she scoffed sarcastically.

"Have you pinned down the exact location of their meeting?" She changed the subject, tugging at Archie's ear. "And where are the materials I asked you to prepare?"

"They're all here." Archie pulled a stack of documents from his bag.

Alison nodded in satisfaction, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Remember, we never fight a battle unprepared."

Without wasting another moment, they set off.

As Alison approached the entrance of Splendor, a sleek luxury car glided gracefully to a stop at the gate.

The door swung open, and a pair of long legs stepped out, followed by a tall figure exuding an air of unquestionable authority.

Alison's gaze traveled upward, locking onto a pair of piercing, deep-set eyes. It was Nicholas.

After a moment's contemplation, she greeted him with a polite, yet guarded smile.

Archie, standing beside her, waved enthusiastically. "Hi, Nicholas. Hey, Larry."

Nicholas, however, frowned and turned away, striding purposefully towards Splendor without so much as acknowledging Archie's greeting.

Larry, one of Nicholas' childhood friends, noticed Nicholas' frown and, assuming it was directed at Archie, chastised him lightheartedly. "Isn't that Vincent's little brother? I heard he's turned over a new leaf, taking on a female lawyer surnamed Conley as his mentor. Everyone's been raving about how she's managed to tame the black sheep of the Payne family."

"Which law firm?" Nicholas' voice cut through the air, sharp and sudden.

"Uh, she's with Apex Law Firm, the firm Hank owns. I heard she's Hank's trump card." Larry blinked, momentarily taken aback by his sudden interest.

"Well, are you interested?" Larry's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "We should consider her for Paige's case. She's never lost a case, you know!"

Though Nicholas remained silent, Larry tangibly felt the air around him dropping several degrees. Sensing the tension, he wisely fell quiet.

Nicholas' mind raced. Was that woman a lawyer? Had last night's events been part of a larger scheme?

His expression hardened at this thought.