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Novel Catalog
Chapter 76
Mr.
Riddle Sr.
sat silently, processing what Nicole had just revealed.
After a moment, he broke the silence, his voice laced with authority, “So, you’re a national martial arts champion?” His gaze shifted from Nicole to the others at the table, his eyes hardening with an unspoken understanding.
Nicole’s calm demeanor and the revelation of her hidden talent left the room stunned.
For years, she had been seen as the rebellious, troublesome member of the family, the one who would often challenge the status quo.
But now, with her words and the quiet confidence in her eyes, it was clear that she was not the naive girl everyone thought her to be.
Dillon, who had been the most vocal in his criticism, now found himself at a loss for words.
He had always seen Nicole as a child who needed guidance, one who would eventually grow into her role.
But now, in light of her surprising admission, he began to question his previous assumptions.
He glanced around at the rest of the family, but no one seemed ready to speak up.
The room was thick with tension as the air shifted from one of criticism to one of uncertainty.
Raine, who had been eager to smear Nicole’s reputation, suddenly looked pale.
She had not expected this turn of events.
Nicole, with her martial arts skills and the confidence that came with it, was no longer the easy target she had imagined.
Instead, she was an enigma, a force to be reckoned with.
Nicole’s eyes narrowed as she watched Raine’s discomfort, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile.
“You wanted to bring me down, Raine, but you didn’t expect me to stand my ground, did you?” Her voice was smooth, her words deliberate.
There was no hint of fear or hesitation in her tone.
The photo from the forum, which Raine had presented as proof of Nicole’s supposed bullying, seemed to lose its power in the face of Nicole’s calm and unflinching confidence.
“You see, I’m not just some country bumpkin who will bend to your whims,” Nicole continued, her voice firm.
“If I had really bullied Snow, don’t you think there would have been more significant consequences? But as you can see, nothing happened.
So perhaps it’s time you start looking at the bigger picture.”
At those words, Snow, who had been silently listening, shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Her act of concern for Nicole now seemed to falter, and the faintest glimmer of guilt passed through her eyes.
Nicole’s words had exposed the flaws in her story, and Snow could no longer hide behind the facade of being the innocent victim.
Nicole then turned her attention back to Mr.
Riddle Sr., her expression softening just a little.
“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble for the family, but sometimes, the truth is hard to ignore,” she said.
There was a slight pause, as if she was weighing her words carefully before continuing.
“You taught me to always stand by my truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.”
Mr.
Riddle Sr.
gave her a long, appraising look before nodding slowly.
“I’ve always believed in the importance of truth,” he said, his voice thoughtful.
“And I trust you, Nicole.
I don’t know what’s going on with the others, but I know you’ve always been upfront with me.”
Nicole’s heart warmed a little at his words, but she didn’t let it show.
Instead, she simply nodded in acknowledgment, grateful for the trust he placed in her.
It was rare, especially in a family where appearances and status often took precedence over genuine relationships.
Karen, still fuming at Nicole’s boldness, couldn’t hide her disdain.
“You may have your tricks, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’ve embarrassed the family,” she sneered, her tone dripping with venom.
“You need to learn your place, Nicole.”
Nicole’s smile only grew at the challenge, her eyes gleaming with determination.
“I’m learning my place just fine, Karen,” she retorted coolly.
“Perhaps it’s time for you to learn yours.”
The table fell silent again, the tension rising as Nicole’s words lingered in the air.
No one had expected her to respond like this.
She was no longer the timid girl they had once dismissed; she was standing tall, confronting the family head-on.
And for the first time, it seemed that the Riddle family was the one caught off guard.
The silence stretched on, but Nicole didn’t flinch.
She was no longer afraid of their judgments, no longer concerned with their opinions.
She had nothing left to prove to them.
As she looked around the room, she realized that for once, she was the one in control.
The Riddle family had underestimated her for too long, and now, it was their turn to face the consequences of their assumptions.
