The Manipulated Villainess

Nicole could felt her jaw dropped to the floor! Garcia Han wanted her to date Aston? What exactly was on her mind?!

She was tight-lipped and keeps on staring at her step-mother with a stupefied face! For a split second, she even thought that she was dreaming!

"Did it shock you that much?" Garcia Han mused when she saw Nicole's reaction. Was her declaration that unexpected? Well, it may be.

Garcia Han's voice snapped Nicole back to reality. She blinked and tried to clear her mind. She knows one thing for sure. Garcia Han didn't want her to love someone, so that means she wanted to make use of Aston!

After what seemed to be forever, she finally asked, "What benefit will you get from this, Mother?"

Garcia Han gazed at her for a few seconds. Was she feeling flustered? Nicole had no idea. Then the step-mother spoke up. "I plan to admit that you and Leon entered the engagement arranged by me and the Prime Minister. I will say that we get both of your consent but failed to love each other even after two years."

Nicole wondered if this had anything to do with Aston but while she was occupied by the thought, Garcia Han's next words cleared all her confusion.

"Then you both met the one you love. You wanted to break off the engagement due to that and we give you our consent. That's what I have on mind."

In the end, that will mend all her broken reputation again. She will be seen as a step-mother who prioritized her step-daughter's feelings and happiness rather than her own benefits. The people will be all praise for her again. That's how Nicole heard. She finds it too laughable! What a great mind Garcia Han had!

"I understand what you said. But Mother, why must it be Aston Kang? He won't be any use to you." Above all, she didn't want her to use Aston. Wasn't she satisfied with using her? Why must she drag in Aston too?!

Garcia Han slightly chuckled. "You have no idea, Nicole. Do you know that my reputation went downhill especially among the younger generation? They hate forced engagement and marriage. They are young and wild, that's why." She paused and her lips curved into a smile.

"But those young people love Aston Kang." Garcia Han continued. "Putting aside his success and handsome features, he is carefree. He has a reputation as a free-spirited man who didn't let himself be held back by rules and other regulations which people think it's mandatory for a celebrity like him. He lives his life freely and young people love that about him."

Nicole was in awe. It seemed like her step-mother had better knowledge of her boyfriend than her! She didn't even know how to feel! So, did Garcia Han said that she wanted Aston on her side because of the massive amounts of his admirers? She wanted to use his fame and win the election!

"If someone like him becomes the boyfriend of my daughter, it will help me a lot. Besides, people will think that you break off your engagement because you love him. Judging from Aston Kang's reputation, even his fans will surely accept." Garcia Han stated with an exciting smile.

Nicole was cornered once again. No matter what, she really didn't want Aston to be involved with her step-mother. She loved him and he was too precious for that!

"Mother, Aston Kang clearly knows that my engagement with Leon was not broken off because of him. I already told you that I rejected him. How can we fool him? It won't be easy." She brought up some excuse, hoping to change the devil's mind.

However, Garcia Han was more than firm in her decision and said, "Throughout my life, I never chose an easy way, Nicole. You can go to him and tell him that you want to be with him. You can say that you break off your engagement because of that. You must make him believe in you."

"But - "

"I already decided, Nicole. You should do as I said. No argument and no more defiance. As long as you can make him yours, I will handle the rest." Garcia Han's voice was unyielding. She glanced at Nicole, meeting her gaze.

After seconds of silence, Nicole lowered her head in defeat. "I understand, Mother. I will do as you said." She couldn't keep arguing with Garcia Han. It would bring no good! But she made up her mind. She will only play along for now. She will never allow her to use Aston! Not him!

"That's great." Garcia Han smiled in satisfaction. "I don't have much time, so I'll give you three days to get together with him. If he likes you as you said, it won't be difficult."

Nicole suddenly regretted saying that! Why did she say that Aston likes her? If she saw this coming, she won't ever say that! But still, she had to give in. "I will do that."

Even when Nicole left the house and drive to her company, she was still trying to process what she just discussed with her step-mother.

How did things turn out this way? What was she supposed to do as the one who was stuck in the middle of all these?! She never felt as lost as she did now!

As soon as she entered her office, she takes out her phone and calls Aston right away. Then she sat on the chair, anxiously waiting for him to answer. Maybe the latter was busy with his work, he can't answer the call. Why now of all times? She felt like she was going crazy!

*

When Aston finally checked his phone after a few hours of filming, he instantly raised a brow. There was more than 10 missed calls, all from Nicole! It made him felt anxious as its the first time this happened.

Usually, Nicole would call once and if he didn't pick up, she would just know that he was busy working. She never left this many missed calls! Feeling the rush, he took a seat and called her right away. By this time, it was already 1 in the afternoon.

"What happened, Nicole?" It was the first thing he asked her even before she could speak up.

"I tried calling you many times. We have a problem." Nicole was on her way to an important meeting. She was sitting in the backseat of the car while her assistant drives the car. Though she was the Chairwoman of a large corporation, she wasn't comfortable with having a driver. She drives by herself most of the time.

"What is it?" Aston promptly asked. He was all ears to listen to the problem she mentioned.

"I think it's better to meet and talk. It's not a trivial one. Will you be free tonight?" 

Aston thought of his meeting with Nathan. It was scheduled for tonight and it's a very important one.

"You have a filming?" She asked when he didn't respond.

"No." He promptly replied. "I have an important appointment but I will make time. Will it be okay if I come a little late?" 

"Okay. I will wait for you."

"But can you tell me what it is? You're making me worried. Are you alright?" His voice was full of concern for her. After knowing her situation, he easily gets worried which was very unlike him.

"Don't worry. I'm fine. I don't know what you think but I can assure you that it's not what you think about." She was confident that what happened in the morning won't cross his mind too!

He didn't know what happened but knowing that she was fine was enough to make him sigh in relief. "Okay. See you tonight." 

Aston quickly puts down his phone and then called Nathan again. The latter picked up the call in the first ring.

"Hi, Aston! Did you call to ask about tonight?" Nathan was playful and enthusiastic like always but don't underestimate the Boss of the Reyon Gang.

The Reyon Gang were one of the most powerful Gangs because of a reason and that was Nathan Woo. He was smart and calculative yet unpredictable. However, Aston trusts him because of two things. He was loyal and he was a man of his word. He never betrayed anyone first.

"Nathan, though we agreed to meet at 7 p.m., would it be okay with you if we shift to 6 p.m.?" Aston asked.

"Why? Did something happen to you?" Nathan's playful voice was completely gone. He might be a Gang boss but he also has people he cared about and Aston Kang was one of them.

"No. I have an urgent matter." Aston replied.

Nathan simply nodded his head though he couldn't see Aston. "Fine. I don't have a problem with that." He smiled and opened his mouth to say something but...

"Thanks. See you at 6 then." Aston promptly said and ended the call right away. He still has a few scenes to shoot today and he wants to finish It as soon as possible.

Nathan Woo glanced at his phone and frowned. Did that actor even considered him as a friend?! He always hangs up as soon as he got what he wanted!