Chapter 135

The Reed family wasted no time giving ther response the very next morning.

Norwood didn't hesitate before dialing Nolan's number. "There's a project that needs your attention. Meet me at the Highland Brew House in thirty minutes."

Nolan barely paused before agreeing, then hung up and told Erick to get the car ready.

Right on schedule, he walked into the Highland Brew House.

His eyes swept the place, searching for Norwood, but instead, Arya Reed, clad in a sparkling champagne dress, started waving at him with enthusiasm.

The truth hit Nolan instantly.

Norwood had set him up, using the excuse of work to lure him into a blind date.

Catching on, he immediately turned on his heel to leave.

Arya, eager and determined not to let the opportunity slip away, hurried after him. She threw her arms wvide,trying to catch him from behind. "Nolan, we finally get to see each other again. Please stay. I'm not here to force you into anything. I've had feelings for you since we were little. I'd settle for being your lover if that's what it takes. I even got a hotel room. No one needs to know."

Once she got Nolan into bed, she knew exactly how to lock him in.

He would come back for more.

Winning him over wouldn't be a problem.

But her hopes crumbled in an instant.

When she closed the gap, Nolan stepped aside effortlessly, avoiding her entirely.

He fixed her with a look of utter contempt and spoke in a chilling tone. "If you don't stop pestering me, I'll make sure your family pays for it."

Despite bracing herself, Arya felt a chill of fear run through her.

All she could do was watch Nolan disappear out the door, powerless to stop him.

Giving up never crossed her mind.

With Norwood's support behind her, Arya was convinced that she belonged by Nolan's side.

If seduction had failed today, then another approach would be needed.

Hiding her disappointment, Arya left the café.

Not long after Arya walked out, Lainey, who had been sitting quietly nearby, glanced down at her phone and studied the photo she had just snapped.

In the image, it looked as if Arya was wrapping her arms around Nolan from behind. Arya was all smiles,while Nolan's face gave nothing away.

That would be enough to make Eleanor loses her temper if she saw it.

However, just as Lainey was about to send it, a different plan occurred to her.

Sharing this picture with Eleanor would only spark a fight, but sending it to Nolan might open up a chance for blackmail.

Since he was so protective of Eleanor, he would do anything to keep her from seeing it.

All Lainey needed was a reason for him to meet her, and that would be enough for now.

Whatever happened after,she could handle.

Even if Nolan wanted to retaliate, she wasn't the least bit worried.

Lainey's excitement grew with each passing second as her plan took shape.

Wasting no time, she attached the photo to a message. "Meet me at the café across from Stewart Group in an hour. If you don't show up, this picture goes straight to Eleanor." Meanwhile, Nolan had just settled into the backseat when his phone lit up.

His gaze narrowed at the image, a shot taken at just the right angle to cause trouble.

Of course, it was Lainey stirring things up again.

She never seemed to quit.

There was no fear that Eleanor would be fooled. Their trust ran deep.

What bothered him was Lainey's never-ending interference and her determination to drag Eleanor into the drama.

He glanced up, expression icy cold. "Take me back to Stewart Group."