The Manipulated Villainess

Nicole was standing on a balcony, staring at the vast sky. Unlike last night, the weather was clear and mesmerizing stars scattered throughout the sky. However, there was a cold breeze and it was a little cold.

"What are you doing?" Aston asked her from behind. He was holding a small blanket in his hand and when he reached where she was standing, he covered her with the blanket.

"I\'m just enjoying the view," Nicole said as she glanced up at the sky.

Aston stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her body, embracing her. "I think I still don\'t thank you enough. You fulfilled my dream of 17 years." He muttered.

"I\'m glad to bring you happiness. That\'s all." Nicole said as she narrowed her eyes at his head which was placed on her left shoulder.

"I will never forget today. It\'s the best birthday ever and the most precious gift." He said and lifted her head to look at the sky.

His words made Nicole realized something. She raised a brow and turned around, facing at him. "Wait a minute." She said and walked inside.

After a while, she returned with a nicely wrapped gift. Then she made him sat down on the bench which was placed in one corner. "This is the gift I bought for you but with your sister\'s presence, I completely forgot about it." She said and shook her head. Why was she so absent-minded?!

For Aston, reuniting with his sister was already the greatest gift but he didn\'t want to let her down. So, he took the gift with a smile.

When he opened it, an enchanting watch was presented to his sight. Equipped with an astounding 1280 diamonds; polished and satin-finished with18k 5n gold and HUB2900 Quartz Movement; it was one of the famous collections of the Hublot Big Bang watch.

Aston was in awe when he glanced at the watch! After observing it for a while, he turned to Nicole.

"Do you like it?" She promptly asked him.

"Yes, I have only seen this watch in pictures and never had one. The Hublot Big Bang watches are extremely pricey." Aston remarked and Nicole raised a brow.

"You know the brand right away?" She asked with an amazed face.

"Yes. I love watches and I have quite a collection. But this is my first time having a piece as pricey as this one. I love it but Nicole, this is too much. I\'m sure that you will spend at least 5 million on this single piece." He said with his gaze never leaving her.

Nicole didn\'t know that he would know so much about watches! He even figured out the price that easy. "I Iike that one so much when I first come across it. Besides, I want to buy something that will be with you every day. So, even when we are too busy, that will remind you of me. That\'s why I choose that watch." She explained.

Hearing her out, Aston promptly put on the watch. "Does it suit me?" He asked her with a satisfying smile.

Nicole stared at him for a while and said, "It\'s just like I imagine."

Aston chuckled and narrowed his eyes at the watch. "It\'s amazing." He commented.

Nicole also stared at the watch on his wrist and when something crossed her mind, she turned to him. "If you love watches and have quite a collection, that means you will often change your watch. If I know this beforehand, I will buy a few for you and give you a whole new collection."

Aston sighed but it was followed by a light chuckle. "How your brain works always amaze me but think of it. A single piece cost you millions and if you were to give me a collection, you will have to spend so much."

"I don\'t really care about that." Nicole simply replied while staring at the watch on his wrist.

Yang Group was one of the largest global corporations in the country and its influence spread worldwide. Aston was well aware of this. He also knew that unlike a mere actor like him, Nicole would have billions but... he didn\'t like it when she spends too much on him. However, her brain never understood this.

"Then let\'s do like this. I will wear this watch every day just like you wanted. I have to try on several brands due to my career but outside work when I am just Aston Kang, I will only wear this. Are you satisfied with that?" He calmly said to her.

"Do you mean that you will stick to just this while you really love a watch?" She asked with a slight frown.

Aston laughed and lifted his wrist where he wears the watch. "What I\'m saying is that I don\'t think I can wear other watches anymore. I like this so much. That\'s why."

Nicole finally nodded in satisfaction. "Alright. Let\'s do that." She paused and asked, "Then what about buying a house nearby?"

"I told you that I will take care of that. I will work on it." Aston promptly said. He didn\'t want her to say that she will take care of it. It will need a lot of explanation to naturally turn her down again!

* * *

The Next Day 

Nicole was eating breakfast with Garcia Han in the main mansion. Both of them were fully dressed for work, all set to leave right after breakfast.

"Yang Apparel will be launched today, right?" Garcia Han asked Nicole.

"Yes, Mother. The event will start at 1 in the afternoon." Nicole promptly replied.

"That\'s great. I can\'t be present there, so I will send some flowers." Garcia Han said as she put down the knife and fork and turned to Nicole.

Nicole did the same and said, "I get it." In fact, she was quite happy that Garcia Han won\'t be present. Her present would only make her uncomfortable.

"Do you think about it? I told you that I will grant you whatever you want."

Nicole narrowed her eyes when she heard her step-mother. She indeed thinks about it but she couldn\'t come up with a good one. Besides, she needs to be very cautious in this matter.

"I think you don\'t decide yet." Garcia Han said when she fell silent. "I heard that Leon visits you the day you move to your new house and also yesterday. His so-called wife is also with him."

Nicole already saw this coming so she remained calm. "That\'s true. They help me in arranging the new furniture and cleaning."

"Nicole, you should steer clear of Leon Jung. Who knows what he has on mind? It\'s best for you to stay away from him." Garcia Han promptly said in a stern voice.

"I don\'t know why you are so wary of him, Mother. Leon is just an average man. We only want to be on good terms." Nicole argued though she kept her voice calm all the time.

"You don\'t know him at all. Trust me, he is just hiding his claws. Why don\'t you just listen to me like you always did? Or... " Garcia Han paused and her face darkened. "Don\'t tell me that you like him."

"Mother," Nicole uttered and shut her eyes. She was too tired of this pointless argument. When she opened her eyes, she said, "I do everything you said and to follow your plan to regain your reputation, I even gave in to Aston Kang. But you keep on doubting me and confronting me. You don\'t trust me at all and this is too suffocating!"

For the third time in her life, she raised her voice at Garcia Han! The first time was when the latter threatened her with Alex Jo\'s life. The second was that night a few days ago when her stepmother tried to harm that woman who humiliated her in front of the company building. Now, it\'s the third time!

When she suddenly realized her behaviour just now, she raised a brow and quickly lowered her head. "I apologize, Mother. I was out of line. Please forgive me."

Maybe she apologized out of habit but she knew one thing. Right now, she can\'t afford to trigger her stepmother\'s rage. It would bring her no good.

Turning away from Nicole, Garcia Han fell silent for a while. What was she thinking? Nicole was curious but she had no idea. Her stepmother was never easy to read.

After what seemed to be forever, the stepmother rose from her seat, trying to walk out of the dining room and when Nicole saw this, she abruptly rose from her seat. Was she that offended? Why didn\'t she say anything?! This was too unlike her!

"Mother. You can punish me if that will make you feel better. Please forgive me. It won\'t happen again." She promptly said when Garcia Han was about to leave the dining room.

Garcia Han halted when she heard her and after a few seconds, she turned around, glancing at Nicole. "I will order my men to leave you alone. They won\'t be watching your move anymore. Will that make you feel less suffocated? You can also think of it as the wish that I owe you. You always longed for freedom."