The Manipulated Villainess

Nicole hears out Aston and she couldn\'t believe everything that he just told her. Shara did what? And what organization was he talking about?!

Aston only said that it was an organization. He didn\'t mention anything about Blackhood or what they stood for. He also talked about how Peter Jung was the one behind his father\'s death.

"Aria did that? Why?" Nicole recalled how the sister was the one who informed her about Aston not showing up. For her, nothing made sense until... one thing crossed her mind. "Who is controlling her?" She gasped.

Aston shook his head. "I\'m not sure. She won\'t speak."

Both of them were sitting on the couch and Nicole turned to Aston, observing him. "I think you just refused to admit. You do have your doubts, don\'t you?" She gave him a knowing look.

Aston fell silent for a while and then heavily sighed. "I truly hope it\'s not him. He killed our father." He muttered.

"I know the Prime Minister quite well, Aston. He is very sly, the perfect epitome of a wolf in sheep\'s clothing. I never understand why my stepmother failed to see through him. She thought she could put him under her thumb but... " Nicole paused and recalled the seemingly innocent smile of Peter Jung which she truly hated. "I never believe that she could do it."

Just the thought of her sister obeying the orders of Peter Jung made Aston so furious yet he could barely hold back himself. "I will surely make him pay." He firmly said.

Nicole thought and tried to sum up all she just heard. Then she assumed one thing. "About Leon, I don\'t think he did it to punish Aria." She stated.

"Aria said that too." Aston sighed again. "I know that Leon is not a bad person but... it\'s hard to understand him."

"Why don\'t you assume it this way?" Nicole said and Aston turned his body to her, giving her full attention. "Maybe the Prime Minister knew Aria\'s weakness and forced her to work for him. That means Aria couldn\'t defy him no matter what the order is. She even rescued Lester Yun and tried to fake a failed attempt at catching you. Then... Leon learned about this. So, he locked her up to protect her from his father as he knew that Aria couldn\'t defy the Prime Minister."

All this time, Aston was blinded by his rage. He was always smart and calculative but he failed to be in his clear mind as his sister was concerned. He just reunited with her and he was too scared to lose her again! Now that he listened to Nicole in a clear mind, he realized that she had a point. What she said make sense.

"That\'s possible but what weakness would Aria have? All she cares about is Leon and us." He said with a troubled face.

Nicole nodded. "I have no idea about that. But why do you think Leon is too adamant in locking up Aria? Did the Prime Minister gave her another task which he didn\'t want to happen?" She assumed. "What would it be?"

Aston thought about what she said in earnest. "If Peter Jung is the one behind Lester Yun, then he is in danger of exposure if Lester Yun is caught. But it happens. The best way for the Prime Minister would be... " He paused and raised a brow. "Killing Lester Yun? He wants Aria to do that?"

"Leon would never allow her to do that." Nicole promptly said. "If I was Aria, I won\'t want to be locked up as Peter Jung has something on me. I might even attempt to run away even if they locked me up. What\'s more, Aria is very skilled. You say that she rescued Lester Yun and his men singlehandedly. Leon chained her to stop her from doing that. He didn\'t want to hurt her. It\'s his way of protecting her, Aston."

Aston felt as if all his confusion was finally cleared and every puzzle pieces had fallen to its places. If Nicole\'s assumption was the truth, then... everything Leon did was to protect Aria!

"Why didn\'t I think through this?" He muttered.

"It\'s understandable. If I were you, I would also lose my mind if I see my family in that situation. You\'re just a human too." Nicole calmly said. "By the way, I\'m planning to talk to Colin Park today. I think it\'s time for a game."

Aston\'s once dull eyes were now widened in the slightest bit. "That fast? Didn\'t you say that your stepmother still doesn\'t call you?" He asked, confused.

"I believe that she will join me. So, I have to make a move before the enemy did." Nicole simply said.

Aston\'s gaze was fixated on Nicole for a while, appraising her. "You\'ve changed a lot, Miss Yang." He remarked with a little smile.

"How?"

"You\'ve become tougher and now, you\'re way smarter than me." The actor jokingly said.

Nicole chuckled at his words. "Maybe because I\'m not afraid anymore. Even before, I was scared of nothing else but my stepmother. However, I have nothing to scared now."

"I\'m glad to hear that." He laughed. "Edwin told me that you\'re also training yesterday. I hope I could soon finish my current project. I can\'t wait to test your abilities."

"I\'m a fast learner. You won\'t disappoint." Nicole declared with confidence which made the actor chuckled. He really looked forward to it.

* * *

Nicole was sitting in her office with her head turning to Colin Park. The latter was looking at her with a sheepish smile but she maintained her composure. The carefree Nicole Yang in the morning was now replaced by a Chairwoman who seemed to be cold and somewhat unapproachable.

"I was shocked when I was informed that you want to see me. Is everything going well, Chairwoman?" Colin Park asked her. Though he seemed to be calm, Nicole could sense how scrutinizing his gaze was! He was trying to figure out her intention but she won\'t let him.

"I wonder if your offer is still valid," Nicole said, pressing her fingers against each other repeatedly. She wanted to appear nervous and when Colin Park saw this, he smiled.

"Of course. Do you change your mind?" He asked the Chairwoman, barely hiding his eagerness. Was his plan finally succeeding?!

"I\'m thinking," Nicole said. "But you\'re her eyes and ears in this company. Why do you wish to take her down?" She asked, putting on a confused yet innocent face.

Colin Park pressed his palms together and looked at the Chairwoman. There was a hint of bewilderment on his face and Nicole understood this.

"You have worked for her for more than a decade now. It\'s not easy for me to trust you. If this turns out to be the plan you made with my stepmother, I will be good as dead." She promptly said and she could felt how his doubt faded away. Things went smoother than she thought!

"You can trust me, Chairwoman. You were right that time. For the Minister of Justice, I\'m just someone whom she could easily replace. I should fight back in order to survive." Director Park said. He put on his best act, hoping to fool this young Chairwoman. If he could succeed, his plan will be perfect!

Nicole thought for a while and said, "You\'re right. I\'m also tired of holding back now. I can\'t take it anymore."

"Did something happened, Chairwoman?" Colin Park asked. He tried his best to hide his excitement but he wasn\'t too good at it.

"We had some argument. I think I will have to face the consequences soon." She paused and said, "Besides, she was so angry when she finds out that I date someone without her approval."

"You mean the actor?" Colin Park asked and faked a worried face. "She shouldn\'t get involved to that extent."

Nicole nodded. "You know how I was raised, so it\'s not easy for me to stand up against her. But with the help of you, the one she trusts, I think that we will be able to take her down with ease. However, if we fail, our lives will surely be the price." Nicole said in a low voice as if she was scared and the Director completely buy it.

"I know. Don\'t worry, Chairwoman. We won\'t fail." He firmly said.

Nicole was quite confused. Why was he so confident? Did he perhaps had... someone backing him up?!

"Why are you so sure, Director Park?" She finally asked.

Colin Park simply smiled. "I will tell you later, Chairwoman. However, I want you to know that you can be at ease."

Nicole nodded as she knew that Colin Park would only doubt her if she was too persistent. Then the latter left, saying that he would contact her soon.

Walking out of the Chairwoman\'s office, Colin Park takes out his phone and call someone. "Nicole Yang just take the bait." He reported with a victorious smile.....