A few hours after leaving Adeline's house, Nicholas received a call from Peter telling him that he wanted to meet up at a nearby cafe.
When Nicholas arrived at the cafe, he saw Peter and Ella sitting near the window. He then went to them and sat down as he folded his arms.
"What's she doing here?" Nicholas asked Peter, glaring at Ella.
"She went with me to Switzerland. Aren't you glad we're back?" Peter patted his back.
"I don't want to see her."
"Then don't look at me. It's not like I want to either." Ella rolled her eyes.
"So what did you want to meet up for?" Nicholas took a sip of his black coffee.
"It's about Jacob." Peter looked around before continuing what he was saying. "The man that threatened him."
"H-How do you know? I thought he only told a few people."
"Remember the day we went to my father's resort? I heard him talking to the man in his room a few minutes after Adeline went out."
"So? Do you know the man's intentions too?"
Peter shook his head. "But seems like Ella does."
"What does she know?" Nicholas bursted into laughter.
"The man's not after you anymore, Nicholas." Ella leaned back on her chair. "He's after the people you care about."
"My parents are dead. Who else is there to—"
"Adeline. You love her don't you?"
"You must be joking." Nicholas giggled. "She and I aren't even friends anymore."
"It's up to you to believe your ex or not," Peter interrupted.
"Don't tell me that you actually believe everything she's telling you?"
"She's just telling us what she knows. Forget the past, Nic. Ella isn't like before."
"You forgive her for killing Beatrice?"
Peter looked at Ella. "I actually—"
"It's my fault." Ella stood up. "I killed her because I was jealous of her relationship with Peter, happy?"
"Murder is unforgivable, Ella." Nicholas clenched his fist.
"Well no matter how much you despise me, I can't change the past. You gotta learn to accept it."
"Don't you even feel guilty? You deserve to die too!"
Peter slammed the table. "Enough. We didn't come here to start a fight with you."
"If that's the case, I'll get going then. I've got more important things to do." Nicholas stood up.
"Wait, do you plan on telling Jacob all of this?"
"Maybe." Nicholas smiled. "If I'm in the mood."
A couple of days later...
(In Abigail's office)
"What?" Molly jumped out of her chair. "He's fooling you!"
"She's right. We can just help you pay the debt," Abigail added.
"That's not it." Adeline sank into her chair. "If I don't work for his company, the money my parents borrowed will have interest..."
"Well how much is it now?"
"Twe-Twenty million..."
"What's wrong with Nicholas these days?" Molly scratched her head. "He's acting strange."
"Isn't it obvious that—"
"He's in love with Adele," Erick interrupted. "The debt was the only way to let her stay."
"What are you saying? Maybe you're just jealous." Adeline bursted into laughter.
"I don't want you to leave. Who knows what he can do to you?"
"I have no choice. I'll just try to keep in touch."
"That's not the point!" Erick clenched his fist. "I can't do a long distance relationship."
"Long distance?" Adeline held his hand. "I'm just a few blocks away, silly."
"He wants to see you everyday. That's why." Abigail rolled her eyes.
"Well I didn't gather you guys here to ask what you guys think about it. I've made my decision already... I'm resigning."
"What? Are you really sure about this?"
"I don't want your help, Abby. I want to pay the debt with my own hard work. I don't want to rely on someone else."