The Reunion After Seven Years

Nicole was fully aware that what transpired last night was not what Baron actually wanted.
Now, she felt awkward to face him. It was not that she didn't want to see him, but she never wished to put Baron in such a
predicament because of her.
Feeling like she had no other choice but to see him, she hurried down and walked out of the Gu Group office building. As soon
as she spotted Baron's car, she sauntered straight to the passenger seat and got in. She couldn't hide her surprise the moment
she lifted her eyes and noticed him still had his suit on which he wore yesterday. His face was unkempt, and he looked tired.
"What's wrong with you? Did you stay up all night?"
Nicole asked as she had no inkling that he had been waiting for her the whole night.
"Did you go to Kerr's house last night?"
Even though Baron was quite sure in his heart, he still couldn't help asking. He never let his eyes wandered off her face. Seeing
how uncomfortable she was because of his words, he opted to remain silent as he fought hard the anger that was about to
consume him.
"That's what you want to ask me?"
Nicole deliberately changed the topic. For her, Baron misunderstanding her relationship with Kerr was the last thing she wanted
to happen. To think that her relationship with Kerr now remained as clear as mud, sometimes, though she hated to admit it, she
was confused herself when it came to her emotions.
"I want to apologize to you. I honestly didn't expect that my mom would do that. I have never thought about bringing you any
harm. Trust me, Nicole. If possible, I genuinely hope to protect you at any cost.
Yesterday, I was going to tell you..."
Baron expressed apologetically. He no longer wanted to hide how he felt for her as he didn't want to lose her. All he needed was
to get this off his chest and openly pursue her.
"Baron," she countered. "You know I have always regarded you as my best friend. In Manhattan, when Jay was still a baby, it
was you who took care of him. And I'm so grateful for that.

I am aware that you don't like the marriage arranged by your mother, but you can't use me as a pretense. I think you'd better go
back and have a talk with her.
I accept your apology, but I can't take anyone to hurt Jay. So I'm sorry that I can't forgive your mother for slandering him."
It was true that back then in Manhattan, she had blocked a lot of girls who were chasing after him. But she could no longer do
the same as the situation now was quite different.
At this time, they must not do anything stupid anymore.
"You understand my heart, don't you?"
he softly pleaded as he gazed sadly at Nicole. The truth was, her honesty had already proved that she had no feelings for him
other than friends. And it was all just his wishful thinking.
"I don't know anything. All I know is that you are a good friend of mine. I hope we will be good friends forever. Regarding Jay's
identity, I hope you can keep it a secret. I don't want anyone to know it,"
Nicole said with a sad smile. That was what she painfully carried in her heart, keeping her worried all this time. The situation last
night was indeed a close call. Fortunately, Kerr was not skeptical about it. Thankfully, he was still left in the dark. Otherwise, how
would she manage to get out of it? What if Kerr also took Jay to do a paternity test? She briefly closed her eyes as lots of
questions started to run wildly in her mind.
"I know what I am doing. I was too rash yesterday. Don't worry, Nicole,"
Baron reassured her while reaching for her hand, squeezing it. After getting along with her for seven years, he knew her so well,
that if he continued to persuade her, she would surely leave him. He was left with no other choice but to keep everything in his
heart, for the time being.
"Thank you, Baron. I still have something to do. I have to go now,"
she smiled when she received a positive reply from Baron. Feeling so much better and relieved, she alighted from the car.
Baron gloomily stared at Nicole's retreating figure. When his eyes subconsciously landed at the parterre, he noticed the camera
behind it outright. He casually started the car and left, not giving it a damn.

He was still in a daze as he vowed to himself that he would never let Kerr get so close to Nicole. If things went on like this, he
could sense that it wouldn't be long before Kerr realized who Jay was. And when that happened, he would not have stood a
chance to be with her.
In the CEO's office, Gu Group
"Mr. Gu, Mr. Fang came to see Director Ning, just now."
Jared carefully reported Nicole's situation as he gauged Kerr's reaction.
Working for him for such a long time, he was certain that there was only one person in the world that could make Kerr suffer like
this.
"I don't want to hear such news anymore,"
Kerr replied flatly, interrupting Jared's silent musings. His voice carried a still calmness, but it had no trace of warmth.
Of course, he understood what was on Baron's mind and what he was doing here. Before he had to consider Baron's existence
in Jay and Nicole's life, but now, knowing where he stood, Kerr was finally relieved.
And as he thoughtfully considered the attitude of Baron's mother last night, he deduced that right there and then, Baron had
already lost the advantage to stay with Nicole.
However, he still had to weigh whether he should let the Fang clan off the hook. He couldn't accept the way they slandered Jay.
Kerr's face turned grim as he vividly recalled the word "bastard," which was deeply imprinted in his mind.
"Yes, Mr. Gu, I understand,"
Jared prompted a quick response. Although he certainly said yes, he was unsure of what to do. After all, he couldn't do anything
to stop Baron from approaching Director Ning, could he? But judging from Kerr's expression, it seemed that he wasn't going to
give in. So he could only utter a silent prayer that Baron would completely stop seeing Nicole again.
"Send this document to her,"
Kerr casually instructed him after a fleeting moment. This time, he was slightly smirking as he handed him a folder.

Upon hearing this, Jared silently reached out and nodded. Then he quickly left and proceeded to give the files to Nicole in
person.
A trace of surprise flashed across Nicole's eyes as she conscientiously examined the set of documents sent to her. Initially, she
planned to work overtime last night to finish all these data, but because of the emergency, she fell short in beating the deadline.
It was indeed undeniable that Kerr was helping her. He was doing this on purpose since he intended to ease her from some
difficulties in her work.
"Thank you, Mr. Kang. Please send my thanks to Mr. Gu as well,"
Nicole politely acknowledged. She was not ungrateful, but she decided not to accept this friendship with Kerr. If possible, she
ardently hoped that he would still treat her as an ordinary employee and nothing more.
"Director Ning, if you go personally to thank Mr. Gu, I believe that he can feel your sincerity more explicitly,"
Jared gently urged her. He refused to lose this moment in creating a chance for Kerr and Nicole to be together.
"I still have something to do now. I will thank Mr. Gu later,"
she stated matter-of-factly. Anyway, they had to go out for dinner tonight. She had to face it. So it didn't matter.
"Okay,"
Jared nodded and soon left her office. Glancing back at the documents, Nicole went over the data made by Kerr without any
reservation. She had to admit that his work style was more sensitive and conscientious than hers.
She immersed herself in her work that she didn't notice how time flew. Darting her eyes at the wall clock, it was already past the
closing time.
She gathered the files on her desk at once. Feeling satisfied that everything was in order, she hurriedly grabbed her bag and
went downstairs.