Right Person, Wrong Time

Chapter 877

Zachary was taken aback. It had been an offhanded comment; he didn't expect Nicole to accept the invitation. Her unbothered attitude made him smile, and he thought for a moment before continuing,

"Hmm. You can be my date then. Let's go together."

She agreed. "Alright. You mentioned asking me for a dance, but it was delayed because of unexpected circumstances. This time, you might have a chance to do so."

He didn't think she would still remember that. Warmth lingered in his eyes.

In the afternoon, Nicole received a call from the research center, which reported that Ms. Betty was awake. Nicole felt overwhelmed. Ms. Betty had been nearly comatose, yet the personnel had been dedicated enough to make her regain consciousness in just a few days.

"Alright, I appreciate it. I'm on my way." As soon as she finished speaking, she informed Zachary about it and left straight afterward.

She had driven her car to the research center and was about to visit Ms. Betty when she spotted a tall man at the entrance. His back was facing her, but she immediately knew it was Colton Gardner. She should have expected him here since he had recommended the center to her.

Stopping in her tracks, she greeted him awkwardly and politely. "Mr. Gardner."

He turned around after hearing her voice to see her standing behind him. He smiled, his gaze turning warmer as it landed on her. "I knew you would come."

Nicole was speechless and deliberately maintained a distance between them as she answered respectfully, "Yeah. I have to thank you for your help with Ms. Betty. I was told she is awake, so I came here to see her."

He seemed annoyed by how she was purposefully distancing herself from him and frowned. "Why are you avoiding me?"

She informed him, "Mr. Gardner, your fiancée is hard to deal with. We should maintain a distance between us, or I would be in trouble when she sees us."

Her meaningful words did not anger him; instead, he laughed softly. "Are you jealous, Nicky?"

Nicole frowned, realizing that his overactive imagination made him read too much into things.

"Mr. Gardner, that's not what I mean," she replied without inflection.

Colton did not press the issue, asking instead, "My engagement will be in another week. Will you attend, Nicky?"

She smiled, seemingly unbothered. "Of course. I will go with Zach. Don't worry, Mr. Gardner."

Her mention of Zachary made Colton's smile drop. His expression was dark as he gritted out, "Are you deliberately making me angry?"

Nicole looked calm as she asked in return, "Why would I? Mr. Gardner, we are like two parallel lines that will never meet before everything. We have merely returned to our original trajectories."

Colton looked dissatisfied at her analogy. Not wanting further contact with him, Nicole went on coldly. "Mr. Gardner, you are getting married soon. Please respect your fiancée."

His eyes narrowed, while his sharp gaze swept upwards and downwards as he studied her. Nicole wasn't afraid and allowed him to do so. Suddenly, Colton laughed lightly as he remembered something. Without saying anything else, he turned to one side and left.