The Manipulated Villainess

In a split second, the atmosphere in the private room became very heavy. Tension was forming in the air circling between the Minister of Justice and the world-renowned potter.

This was an open challenge! Garcia Han was convinced. She was going to go easy on this young man but why did he keep on provoking her?! Maybe he was bored but he shouldn't recklessly challenge her. That's what she thought.

The wound which she tried to bury all her life resurfaced and in no time, her hands started shivering! Trying to suppress but failed, she muttered, "Excuse me." She then rose from her seat, walked out of the room and went straight to the washroom.

Standing in front of a mirror and a washbasin, she pulled up the tap and washed her face again and again. This goes on for more than a minute!

Bending down and placing both her hands on the washbasin, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. "Snap out. It's all in the past." She muttered. Was she trying to fool herself?

Breathing in and out repeatedly, her hurtful past came back and haunted her. Past? Why did it always felt like just yesterday? Maybe because she could recall all the exact incidents, clear like a sunshine day free of clouds.

Well, that so-called past was the reason why she was here today. It turned her into who she was today. A monster? A villainess? No. It's her own way of seeking justice.

She was only carrying out the justice that the darn law of this country failed to serve to her!

Wiping her wet face with a handkerchief, she braced herself, inwardly telling herself not to show her weakness.

She briefly fixed her makeup and then take a look at her reflection once again. She was 40 but she was still beautiful. She still looked young in contrast to her age. This was her most important weapon more than a decade ago - her beauty.

When she returned to the room, it was still quiet just like the time she left. "I'm sorry about earlier. I became quite emotional so I had to go to the washroom not to embarrass myself." She said as she occupied her seat.

"Are you alright?" Nicole asked. It was the first time she ever saw Garcia Han behaving that way and she was flustered. She can't help but wonder what the reason might be. Did the devil also have a weakness?

"I'm fine," Garcia replied. She holds Nicole's hand and flashed a smile.

Deciding that it was enough for one go, Leon stopped provoking the step-mother and quietly continued eating his dinner. While everyone awkwardly ate their dinner, the Prime Minister was the one to break the silence.

"I do some thinking these days." His gaze directed to the Minister of Justice. "I think our children will be able to help us in upgrading our image by doing some good deeds. Even though there is still a few months left before the election, it's always best to make an early move."

"Do you have something on mind?" Garcia asked, showing great interest in Peter Jung's suggestion.

"Donations and charities are a trend that never aged. Why won't we start with that?" The Prime Minister opined. His seemingly innocent smile only had greed beneath it.

"That's a good idea." Garcia Han simply remarked.

"Then let's pick an orphanage and some nursing homes for the donations. Our children will be the ones giving them out as a couple. It will be a benefit for everyone and even for the ongoing election for a Presidential candidate." Peter Jung stated.

At the mention of an orphanage, Nicole who was very bored with the greed talking of the two politicians became very interested. This might be a great chance to visit Moon Orphanage without drawing suspicions! She wanted to mention the orphanage but decided that it was not a wise idea. It will only make her seem suspicious.

"That's great. Let's do that." Garcia Han agreed, unaware of the hidden motive behind it. "Look into it and pick out two or three orphanages and nursing homes to help out. Me and the Prime Minister are both busy these days. It's time to chose a Presidential candidate for our party and we need to fully concentrate on this matter." She said to Nicole and Leon to which the two nodded.

The joint dinner was quietly wrapped up after a mixed atmosphere of tense and awkwardness. The two politicians went home and the couple went home together like they always did. Leon was driving the car while Nicole sat on the front seat beside him.

For minutes, Nicole pondered what she would do. Will she just tell Leon that she needs to go to Moon Orphanage and ask him to pick it? What will she say about the reason? She wasn't sure. While she was busy debating inwardly, Leon suddenly spoke up, making her startled but it was the words he said that almost made her heart stop.

"Are you wondering if you should mention Moon Orphanage or not?" The potter calmly asked Nicole which made the latter heart jumped! What did he just say?!

Nicole's eyes widened in surprise! She turned her head to Leon, looking at him as if he had superpowers! "How did you know that?!" She gasped.

"I have my ways. You can also say it as 'stalking'." Leon simply replied. He was so calm when he talked about stalking which made Nicole shook her head in disbelief.

"That's illegal." She retorted. Maybe she was so used to being watched by Garcia's men that she didn't even think about the possibility of Leon's men watching her! Well, it's only been a few days since she knew his feelings.

"I don't care. I only wanted to be of some help to you." Leon calmly responded again. 

When Nicole think about it, she realized that something was not right. She had never made a move regarding Moon Orphanage! It would be impossible to get information by stalking her.

"Jerome Min," Leon uttered which cleared all Nicole's confusion. "Isn't he the man who works for you in secret? The one who used to enter your apartment through your secret door. My men followed him when he went to Moon Orphanage."

Secret door? Just how much does her fiance know? It gave the Chairwoman quite a headache!

"Your step-mother's men are so incompetent, Nicole. They failed to discover that door even after many years while my men do it in less than a month." Leon remarked while remaining calm all the time.

"I don't really care but withdraw your men. As you said, Garcia Han's men are watching my every move and it's already tiring enough to have them around. You are only adding fuel to the fire." She coldly said while sharply glancing at the potter.

"I cannot do that. Learn to live with it." Leon simply replied, totally ignoring her words.

"Leon!" She snapped. "Must you behave this way?" She frowned at his seemingly calm demeanor. Just what was he thinking?!

Leon pulled over the car and turned his attention to his fiancee. "Your step-mother's men are there to watch you and prevent you from doing anything against her wishes. But my men are there to protect you from everything, including the dogs of the Minister of Justice." Leon explained. He didn't seem to be pleased but he never raised his voice at her.

Nicole didn't say anything but stared at Leon with displeased written all over her face. Sawing this, Leon sighed. "Nicole, even if you don't love me, you should trust me and my men. I promise you that they will be reliable. If you are uncomfortable because of me, then I won't interfere. But please, just let them be around. Let them protect you. I won't seek any information from them."

"How will I know that they are trustworthy?" Nicole asked, a hint of doubt in her voice and expression.

"Because I trained them myself." Leon blurted out but regret right away as Nicole stared at her as if he was a ghost!

"Yourself?" She didn't even know what to believe! "I don't remember you being skilled in such things. I never saw you touch any kind of weapons. Who are you?" She asked.

Leon sighed and sat straight, looking away from her. "You don't have to know that but believe me. All my men are skilled enough and loyal. Think about it, Nicole. It's been two years but have you ever sense their presence? No, right? If you wish, they will help you and do anything you asked, without a limit." His voice trailed off at the last three words.

Nicole used to thought that she knew this man. After all, it's been two years since they were introduced to one another. But at the moment, she was struck by a realization. She didn't know him at all! It was the first time she ever finds him this intimidating and fearful!

Before she could even process what the potter said, the latter started driving again. He remained quiet but his mind was fully occupied too.

They reached Nicole's apartment and when she was about to open the door, Leon grabbed her hand. "Please consider what I said. I'm serious. Ask me if you have any other questions. I will try to give you an answer." He pleaded with her.

Without giving him a response, Nicole freed herself from his grip. She gets off the car and walked straight to her apartment building while Leon stared at her until she was out of his sight.....