In the middle of the night, after bidding Mr. Briggs goodbye, Ricardo returned to the hospital room. Nichole was lying on the hospital bed with her eyes tightly closed, herplexion pale. "Stop pretending to sleep in front of me!"


    The next second, Ricardo grabbed Nichole''s arm. She felt a sharp pain in her arm and suddenly opened her eyes, inhaling sharply from the pain. "I''ve... I''ve already done what you asked! Please, spare me!" Nichole pleaded for mercy, but Ricardo''s eyes were still filled with danger. "You dumbass! You''ve ruined such a good move of mine! And you have the audacity to ask for my mercy?"


    Ricardo let go of Nichole''s hand, leaving her looking distressed, "What do you mean by that? My child is gone! Sophie pushed me down the stairs. Everyone saw it!"


    "You''re so stupid and you don''t even know it. Do you think Sophie is as naive as you? She had already prepared a backup n. Now everyone knows you tried to frame Sophie and ended up killing your own child! Mr. Briggs is utterly disappointed in you, and Bea wants you dead more than anything! You framed Sophie publicly, and did you really think she would let you off? You''ve offended so many people. Even if I spare you, others certainly won''t!"


    Nichole felt as if her head was about to explode. She quickly grabbed Ricardo''s arm, pleading, "No... no... please, you have to help me!"


    Ricardo did not hide the disgust in his eyes as he held Nichole''s chin coldly. "Why are you begging me? You might as well beg James. Don''t think I don''t know you''ve secretly contacted him recently."This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    "I..."


    Nichole merely wanted to use the child to gain a bit of James'' sympathy, but she never expected Sophie to have a backup n. Nichole''s attempt to frame her was revealed on the spot.


    What would James do to Nichole if he found out she had personally caused the death of their child?


    Nichole trembled uncontrobly. No... She absolutely couldn''t let that happen!


    "It was you who threatened me. It was you..."


    At that moment, Nichole heard footsteps outside the door. She immediately clung to Ricardo''s arm, crying out, "Please! I''ve already done as you said! Spare me. Don''t kill me!" Ricardo frowned, and when he looked up, he saw James standing outside the hospital room. He quickly realized Nichole was deliberately trying to shift the me onto him.


    Ricardo saw the danger in James'' eyes and did not want to confront James directly. He said coldly, "Since Mr. Burke is here, you two should have a good talk."


    Then, he left the hospital room. Before leaving, he didn''t forget to pause and, pretending to be gentle, said to Nichole on the bed, "Rowena, you should have a good talk with Mr. Burke. After this is settled, let''s go home."


    Nichole bit her lip, as Ricardo was clearly trying to make James misunderstand their rtionship.


    After Ricardo left, Nichole stared at James with teary eyes. "James, I thought you wouldn''te back."


    James kept his distance. Nichole was used to James'' detachment and had anticipated it. She sobbed softly, "James, let me exin what happened today..."


    "I didn''te here to listen to your exnations."


    "James..."


    "If Sophie hadn''t asked me toe and see you, I would never havee."


    At that, Nichole was taken aback.


    Sophie? Why would Sophie kindly ask James to see her?


    Sophie must''ve wanted James to witness Nichole''s humiliation!


    Nichole bit her lip and said, "James, I was forced! What mother would willingly give up her child? It was all Ricardo''s doing! He forced me to frame Sophie, and I could not disobey him!"


    James watched Nichole''s performance. He had indeed been deceived by Nichole''s apparent kindness and weakness before, but since discovering Nichole''s true colors, he could no longer feel anypassion for her.


    "I don''t care what your rtionship with Ricardo is or what he is plotting,


    but I won''t allow anyone to target Sophie. If you do that, I will definitely have you killed."


    James'' demeanor was serious, and Nichole''splexion worsened.


    "James, we were to be husband and wife..."


    Nichole attempted to y the emotional card, but James coldly nced at her, the danger in his eyes unmistakable.


    Nichole quickly changed her plea. "James, it''s my fault before, but please, help me... I fail to frame Sophie this time, and Ricardo will really kill me!"


    Hearing that Ricardo intended to set up Sophie, James'' expression shifted. "I''m here to give you a chance."


    Hearing this, Nichole nodded eagerly, "Okay, I''ll agree to whatever you say!"