He Does Not Deserve My Devotion-Chapter 18: Scum

"BLECH—"

The sports car pulled over to the side of the road. Nina Walsh immediately unbuckled her seatbelt, dashed to the grassy median, and bent over, vomiting.

Milo Preston was stunned for a few seconds before getting out of the car. He handed her a bottle of water and chuckled. "This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone make themselves sick from their own street racing."

’This woman is full of surprising contrasts from head to toe. She looks so quiet and gentle, but behind the wheel, she’s wilder than any street racer I’ve ever met.’

As Nina Walsh tilted her head back to drink, Milo Preston noticed her face was a little pale. "Are you that sick?" he asked with concern. "Should we go to a hospital?"

Nina shook her head and explained, "No, it’s fine. I’ve never driven that fast before. That guy on the overpass who cut us off almost ran us off the bridge. It was just the adrenaline. I lost control for a moment. Thinking about it now is a little terrifying."

Milo didn’t think much of it. "The alcohol has worn off. I’ll drive the rest of the way. Let me take you home first."

"Okay, thank you."

The two switched seats and got back in the car. Nina turned to face the window and discreetly popped a sour plum into her mouth.

"Nina, are you free tomorrow? I’m meeting some friends to go foraging on the tidal flats and then diving. Want to come with us?" Milo guessed Nina would enjoy that sort of thing.

"I’m sorry, Young Master Preston, but I’m not free for the next few days." Nina briefly explained that she was preparing a bid for the Lawson Group’s co-branding project.

Milo seemed a little disappointed but said nonchalantly, "If you want that contract, I’ll just have a word with Cameron Lawson. It’s simple."

Milo Preston was a notorious playboy in Crestfall. He was fickle but generous, and it was nothing new for him to spend a fortune trying to win over a woman.

He was being so forward that his intentions were obvious. However, Nina had no desire to pursue anything with Milo. She had only agreed to the date today because she was pressed for time and couldn’t find anyone better to put on an act for the Grant Family.

"Thank you for the kind offer, Young Master Preston, but this is the first contract I’m handling since taking over my grandfather’s company. I want to win it on my own merits. It’ll make it easier to earn everyone’s respect down the line." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The sports car pulled up to the gates of the Sheridan estate. After a polite goodbye to Milo, Nina got out of the car and walked through the gates without a moment’s hesitation.

In the living room, Brian Sherman was nowhere to be seen. Hayley Vance and Wendy Sherman were sitting on the sofa, their expressions making it clear they had been waiting for a long time.

"So, you decided to come back? I thought you’d be off in some hotel bed, fooling around with a man."

Wendy’s words were laced with ice as her eyes fell on Nina’s slender waist and flat stomach, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind.

’Could I be wrong? Her waist and stomach are even slimmer and flatter than mine. She doesn’t look pregnant at all.’

Nina ignored her taunts and turned to Hayley Vance. "Where’s Brian Sherman? I did what you asked. Now, where’s what you promised me?"

"Your father went to the office and isn’t back yet. He told me to handle things with you."

Hayley Vance produced a file folder and a check. When Nina reached for them, Hayley snatched them away.

"The Grant Family suddenly backed out of the engagement today. Did you say something to Declan Grant?"

Nina had expected this. The Grant Family’s business was booming, their fortune far surpassing Brian Sherman’s. He had overestimated himself and Wendy; the Grants wouldn’t give them the time of day.

"When things go wrong, don’t just look for someone else to blame. Why don’t you take a good long look in the mirror? A homewrecker and an illegitimate daughter—is it really so surprising the Grant Family wants nothing to do with you?"

Hayley and Wendy’s faces paled. With a stern expression, Hayley commanded, "If you still want to live off the Sheridan family, then you’ll go to the Grants right now and get that engagement back."

Nina stared at Hayley as if she were an idiot. "Alright. Call me ’Mom,’ and I’ll go get her engagement back."

Wendy pointed a finger at Nina’s nose, seething with rage. "You!"

Hayley brandished the items in her hand. "So, do you want these or not? If you dare to defy me again, we’ll burn that pathetic factory to the ground and make sure the Walsh Family disappears from Crestfall for good!"

Nina’s expression remained unchanged as she stared at Hayley. "You just try it. If you dare, by tomorrow morning, the entire world will know what your daughter did five years ago!"

Wendy panicked and hid behind Hayley, who let out a cold laugh. "Go on, tell them. See who believes you. In this world, money makes right. Even if you tell the truth, we have ways to make sure no one believes a word you say."

"So your little exposé won’t work. But for me to destroy Maelie, dig up your mother’s grave, and scatter her ashes? That’s just a phone call away."

’Brian Sherman and Hayley Vance are scum—worse than animals.’

"You don’t believe me?"

Hayley calmly took a glittering hair clip from her pocket. It was a bow-shaped, limited-edition piece from a brand that had been released over a decade ago.

Nina’s eyes flew wide open, and she lunged for the clip. "That’s my mother’s!"

Hayley clenched her fist around the hair clip. "It is your mother’s, yes. I had someone dig up her grave and take it from her urn..."

"You monsters! I’ll kill you!"

Nina spun around and rushed into the kitchen to grab a knife, but two maids intercepted her.

Seeing Nina’s frenzied state, Wendy scrambled to hide. Fear crept into Hayley’s heart as well, and she tossed the file folder onto the floor.

"Here, take Maelie for now! But if you dare to disobey me again, I’ll take your mother’s ashes and feed them to the fish!"

Hayley had given Maelie to Nina. It was a decrepit factory they had long wanted to sell anyway. If Nina wanted the mess, she could have it.

Nina didn’t know how she made it out of the Sheridan estate. All she knew was the hatred in her heart, a loathing so intense it felt like it was burning her alive.

...

「Meanwhile, at Lividia Villa.」

Aiden Sinclair was in his study, working at his computer again. Clara Jacobs walked over, the corners of her mouth turned down in a pout. "Aiden, can you please stop working? You’re the president of Aethel. You can just have your subordinates handle whatever it is."

"What’s wrong?" Aiden Sinclair looked up at her, his tone neutral.

"Your mother invited me to go shopping with her tomorrow. She also asked when we’re getting engaged."

As Clara drew closer, a faint, elegant fragrance wafted from her. Aiden’s focus sharpened, and he reached out, pulling her into his lap.

Clara tumbled onto his lap, a flash of delighted surprise running through her.

Aiden doted on her, giving her anything she wanted, but she never felt any real passion from him. He was like a stoic monk, devoid of desire. No matter how she tried to seduce or tempt him, the most he would ever do was hold her, never anything more.

Clara had been on the verge of giving up. Tonight, she was even wearing her most conservative, comfortable set of pajamas.

’I can’t believe he’s actually making a move!’ she thought. ’Does he like this cozy, domestic look?’

While Clara was still lost in her thoughts, Aiden rested his head on her shoulder, his warm breath tickling her ear.

"You smell so good," Aiden murmured, his eyes closed and his expression relaxed.

Clara froze for a second. She had fallen in love with the scent of an aromatherapy block she’d lit a while back and had placed it in her wardrobe. Her pajamas had been absorbing the fragrance for days, and now the scent had fully permeated the fabric.

Clara wrapped her arms around his neck, her gaze turning sultry. "Aiden, it’s late. Let’s go to bed."

"Alright." Aiden agreed, lifting Clara into his arms and carrying her into the bedroom...