Trapped in the boss's embrace (by Katrina A) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124 She's Really Vicious

"Yes, I am," Nico Sloan nodded.

"I'm Noah Sinclair's cousin," Violet said quietly.

At these words, Nico's face changed dramatically.

Her eyes darted wildly and her thin body shook violently, as if she might collapse at any moment.

A mix of panic, fear, sorrow and pain flashed through her eyes, threatening to overwhelm her completely.

"I... I told the police everything... I really don't know anything... I didn't see anything... Please don't ask me again... Stop..."

She hunched over, wrapping her arms tightly around herself and burying her face in her knees.

Her following whispers were barely audible, just soft murmurs to herself.

Beatrice shook her head at Violet, signaling her to stop questioning.

Just hearing Noah's name had sent Nico into emotional turmoil. In this fragile state, she couldn't handle any more questions.

"Nico, you don't need to be nervous. We just came to check on you." Violet crouched down and spoke gently, softly patting Nico's trembling back.

She could feel how bony the girl was.

Slowly, Nico began to calm down.

"Can we come in and sit for a while?" Violet asked gently.

Nico nodded. She tried to stand but lacked the strength.

Violet helped her up and supported her into the apartment. Beatrice followed closely while Ethan and Theodore entered behind them, closing the door.

Inside, Violet guided Nico to the living room sofa. Beatrice sat down and looked around.

As soon as she entered, she noticed a strange smell—like rotting meat. Perhaps because the windows had been shut tight for so long without ventilation.

Ethan sniffed the air.

Theodore smelled it too and immediately put on a mask.

"Nico, do you live alone? Where's your family?" Violet tried to make conversation.

"I used to live with my grandma... but she's gone now," Nico replied weakly.

Violet immediately grew suspicious.

Gone?

She was trying to figure out what Nico meant.

With that strange odor permeating the apartment... her scalp tingled.

Beatrice shared the same apprehension.

Theodore quickly moved closer to Ethan.

Ethan remained still, crossing his arms and chewing gum.

Beatrice and Violet exchanged glances.

This can't be...

"Where did your grandmother... go?" Beatrice managed a kind smile despite her unease.

"My grandma..."

Nico raised her head listlessly. With that frightening scar on her face, the effect was chilling.

Beatrice and Violet's hearts raced, yet they maintained their smiles.

"She went to live with my uncle," Nico said sorrowfully before bowing her head again.

Both women placed their hands on their chests, speechless.

They were thoroughly unnerved—that peculiar smell was unbearable.

They couldn't fathom how Nico tolerated it.

A bitter laugh escaped her. "He refused. He couldn't stand her—she'd been harassing him for months. They started shouting... and when he snapped at her, she lost it. Took everything out on me."

Her fingers brushed the scar on her cheek. "She slapped me, cut my face, then ordered those boys to drag me into another room.

"By the time I blacked out, it was already dark. They dumped me at some intersection—couldn't even walk. A stranger brought me to the hospital.

"And Noah... he just vanished after that."

Her voice cracked. "I wanted to report it, but the next day, someone threatened me. Said if I didn't drop out and keep my mouth shut, my family would pay for it."

A sob wrenched free. "Noah died because of me. If he'd just walked away—"

Violet and Beatrice exchanged glances.

The pieces clicked—Madeline had lured Noah using Nico as bait.

When she couldn't possess him, she'd destroyed them both.

Nico survived, but the scars—physical and mental—never faded.

That kind of cruelty from a teenager?

Chilling.

Beatrice leaned forward, eyes blazing. "Nico. If you had a chance now—to make Madeline pay, to get justice for Noah—would you take it?"

Nico's tearful stare held for an eternity before she shrank back. "Her family's untouchable. We'd lose."

"Would you rather spend the rest of your life like this?" Beatrice pressed. "What's left to lose?"

Violet squeezed her hand. "If we fail, that's on us. But if we win? You get your life back."

Nico's fingers twisted violently in her lap. Then—a sharp inhale.

Resolve hardened her voice. "Tell me what to do."

Behind the sofa, Ethan quietly sent the recording to Damian.