What had she been through?
Just listening to it made his heart ache strangely for her.
"Bruce, you have any kind of woman you want around you! It's better not to provoke her." Whether it was the Rovellas or the Hills, the waters ran deep. Bruce Aleen, an unfavored son of the Qin family, really didn't need to get involved with them.
Bruce Aleen didn't speak, but his gaze remained fixed on Janelle.
Seeing the terrifying level of anger radiating from Erik increasing, Sara tugged at Janelle's hand.
"Janelle, he's actually really good to you." This man was willing to go against the entire Hills family for her; he was indeed a real man.
Janelle felt a bit annoyed. She wasn't afraid of people coming at her hard; at worst, it was just a head-on clash. But she was afraid of people being good to her. The hardest debt to repay in this world was a debt of kindness. Once you owed someone, it was difficult to settle.
Just then, the long-awaited Nelson finally appeared at the entrance of Nightfall. Lillie came with him.
In the car, Nelson was in agony. He truly didn't want to apologize. But for the sake of entering the Research Institute, for the sake of the Hills... everyone was forcing him.
Lillie grasped his hand. "Nelson, no matter what, I'll go in with you. We'll face this together." Right now, she genuinely liked Nelson and hoped he could return to his former self soon.
"Nelson, see? Only you truly care for me. Janelle... she probably never liked me at all, did she?" If she had, how could she put him in such an embarrassing position?
Lillie wrapped her arms around his waist. "Haven't I told you? I love you more than anything. Nelson, after this is over, let's go to Imperial Capital. We'll focus on preparing for the next assessment properly." If they stayed here, she really didn't know what else might happen.
"Alright, I promise. Don't worry. Once I enter the Research Institute, I won't let them off. The humiliation they're giving me today, I will repay tenfold." They were just two people with no power or influence; did they really think they could do anything to him? He was only bowing his head now to secure his place in the Institute.
With Nelson and Lillie's arrival, the atmosphere at Nightfall reached its peak. The place, which had been buzzing wildly just moments before, fell strangely silent as the two entered.
Janelle remained lazily perched on her barstool. The young woman looked utterly detached, yet even so, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Janelle, Nelson and Lillie are here. Lillie came with him." Lillie, who feared losing face more than anything, had actually accompanied him. Janelle still wore an expression of utter disinterest.
"Oh my god! Nelson actually came! Look at his face, it's so pale!"
"Honestly, I didn't expect Lillie to come with him. Public apology is truly humiliating."
"It just shows Lillie really loves Nelson. If it were me, I couldn't do that for a man."
"Do you think after this, Nelson will still like Janelle?"
"Who knows? Matters of the heart are impossible to predict."
"Alright everyone, quiet down. Enjoy the show." Seriously, even TV dramas weren't this dramatic.
Seeing the massive crowd at Nightfall, Nelson's carefully built mental defenses completely crumbled. Was he really going to apologize in front of all these people?
"Nelson, we truly have no other choice now," Lillie whispered urgently. If the video of him hitting someone with the car leaked... the consequences would be disastrous.
Nelson gripped Lillie's hand, his force so great she felt like he was crushing her bones. She knew he must be seething with resentment, but what could he do? They had no choice but to submit now. "Once we get the flash drive, once we're in the Institute, then we settle the score. Revenge is a dish best served cold." Lillie was genuinely afraid he might bolt. Him not getting into the Institute didn't matter, but this absolutely could not affect her chances.
Nelson was practically dragged over by Lillie. Standing before Janelle, even Lillie's face had paled.
"Janelle, what happened before was all a misunderstanding. No matter what, we're family in the future. There's no need to make a spectacle for everyone."
"Lillie, who is family with you? Could you stop being so shameless?" Janelle gave her no face whatsoever.
"Just apologize. Skip the pointless chatter," Erik cut in, unwilling to listen to their excuses. Nearby, people pulled out their phones to record. Such a dramatic moment had to be shared with friends who couldn't be here! Nelson had always been the "perfect child" held up by their parents. Seeing this golden boy humiliated was strangely thrilling.
"Janelle, do you really have to go this far?" Nelson asked, his voice strained. He had always wanted to give her a chance. Why wouldn't she take it? If only she would stay obediently by his side... he could give her a good life.
Janelle took a sip of her drink. Even now, he was still dreaming?
"Nelson, isn't it just the flash drive you want? Cut the crap. Either apologize, or become truly famous." Janelle remained seated on the stool, one hand braced on the bar behind her, her posture regal. Despite wearing only a simple black tank top, she was mesmerizingly beautiful.
Faced with this Janelle, Nelson burned with resentment. He wanted her submission. He wanted her kneeling at his feet, begging.
Seeing the look in Nelson's eyes, Lillie felt like she'd been punched in the heart. Janelle had treated him like this! How could he still look at her with such deep affection? Shouldn't he hate Janelle with every fiber of his being?
Erik naturally noticed Nelson's gaze too. He couldn't help but snort coldly. This Nelson truly had no fear of death. Even now, he was lost in his delusions.
"Fine. If he doesn't want to apologize, forget it." Erik pulled out his phone. On the screen was unmistakably the video – the one of Nelson driving into someone.
Just as he was about to send it...
Nelson gritted his teeth and yielded.
"Sorry. I was wrong. I was... possessed at the time." For his future, for the Hills, Nelson bowed his head.
"That's it?" Erik was wholly unimpressed. The apology lacked any sincerity.
Nelson clenched his fists. In front of so many people, what more did they want?
"You're making such a fuss just for money, right? How much do you want? I'll give it to you!" This man clinging to Janelle's side was surely just after the status of the Rovellas heiress!