The Deserted Rich Beauty (Nicole and eric)
Chapter 209 Stay Away From My Son

Nicole was a little hesitant when she received the invitation to the Carter family's banquet.

Since lan had feelings for her, Nicole subconsciously did not want to get too involved with the Carter family. However, on second thought, this might just be a polite way to thank her for the painting.

It would be petty of her to overthink things.

When Nicole arrived at the Carter mansion as promised, she unexpectedly saw Chloe Snyder there as well.

Chloe came earlier than she did.

She was laughing with Old Master Carter and Gillian.

Nicole handed over the painting she had gotten, "The Blazing Sun".

Gillian thanked her and took a glance at it.

Her face stiffened slightly, but it only lasted for a moment before she regained composure.

Nicole did not notice this change.

She went up to greet Old Master Carter.

lan had been hiding out upstairs until he heard Nicole's voice. He hurriedly came downstairs and smiled in surprise.

"Lil N, come on up! I just flipped through our yearbook and saw that we even wore wedding outfits!"

Nicole froze for a moment.

Although they had always been very casual when she came over to his house, Chloe Snyder was here, so Nicole did not want to seem too close with lan.

Moreover, Chloe was already very prejudiced against Nicole because of lan.

Nicole glared at lan. "That's for a play and it's a costume, not a wedding dress!"

'This dumb*ss!'

Gillian simply placed the painting on the ground and set it aside.

"lan, don't be rude. Ms. Snyder has been here for a long time, and you haven't come down to greet her..."

Chloe looked up at lan's bright eyes that were like the stars. She felt like she had been zapped.

That glint and passion were so dazzling and eyecatching.

However, they never belonged to her.

lan was only so gentle, cheerful, and patient when he was with Nicole.

For a moment, Chloe clenched her fists tightly.

Chloe felt like she had fallen into quicksand as she kept sinking endlessly.

She struggled to smile as if nothing had happened, then made excuses for him.

"It's alright. We've known each other for a long time, so there's no need to be polite." Nicole stood there and could feel it. Chloe's fondness for lan was a little suffocating. lan reluctantly went downstairs and politely said a few words before he got impatient. He just kept staring at Nicole.

Old Master Carter had always loved speaking with Nicole. He just kept asking questions about everything under the sun.

On the other hand, Gillian's attitude was perversely cold, but she was very friendly with Chloe.

After the meal, Chloe offered to make dessert.

Gillian dragged lan over to help.

Old Master Carter chatted a bit more and went upstairs to rest.

Nicole and Gillian sat face to face. When they were alone, Gillian collected her smile and handed over a check to Nicole.

Seeing this, Nicole was puzzled.

She looked down and saw that it was for ten million dollars.

"This is..."

Gillian laughed and hooked her lips in disdain.

"This is the money for that painting. Although I know that it's not worth so much, seeing as we've all known each other for so long, I'll take this loss."

The corners of Nicole's tender lips curved into a cold and restrained arc.

"Mrs. Carter, I don't understand what you mean. How are you suffering a loss when I'm giving you this painting?"

Gillian flipped her hair. She had a contemptuous look on her face.

There was not the slightest bit of warmth or courtesy in her gaze when she glared at Nicole.

"Because I know that this painting is a fake, a reject."

The corners of Nicole's lips stiffened slightly.

The two women stared at each other for more than ten seconds.

Finally, Nicole withdrew her gaze. 'This painting is worth more than $100 million, but she's saying that it's not even worth $10 million?! How is this a reject?!'

Nicole had a complicated mood and did not know how to describe it.

She lowered her head and smiled gradually.

Her smile was cold.

"So, you took this as a fake?" Her tone was frivolous and somewhat incredulous.

"Nicole, we're considered family friends. Although your mother died early, I still allowed you to be close to lan. I know that you're close friends, but you can't just fool me like this." Gillian spoke indifferently as she tried hard to suppress her anger and pretended to be calm.

At the mention of her late mother, Nicole's heart inexplicably tightened.

Her gaze turned colder.

The corners of her lips hooked up slightly.

"Since you don't like this painting, I'll just take it back.

I can't let you suffer a loss, right?"

'She's so blind! These high-society women really don't have any taste in art...'

Nicole was just about to stand up and leave when she heard Gillian's surprisingly cold voice.

"Also, stay away from my son."