Damn it, I was kidnapped so the kidnapper can find out whether Iâm really an idiot or just putting up an act?
Who is this lame, huh?
Is it too late to pretend to be an idiot now?
Oh, whatever. Here goes nothing.
Her lips curved up in a silly grin as she turned back. However, the silly grin on her face froze in shock when she saw who it was.
Iâve seen him before.
Heâs Sir Musgrave, whom I accused of being the intruder.
âAm I wrong?â Stephen asked, as she remained silent.
His sharp gaze was fixated on her.
Nicole felt guilty under his stare. She knew it was useless to continue her act.
Sir Musgrave is a petty man. I framed him once, but he kept an eye on me ever since. He even caught me acting like an idiot!
âYes, youâre right. I was pretending to be an idiot. But I have a reason for doing so.â
Stephen looked at her thoughtfully. He was certain Nicole was simply playing along because Daphne wanted her to be an idiot. Sheâs just trying to protect herself.
As she came here with Levant, and he adores her, perhaps they are really in love.
Butâ¦
âDid you put up an act so could stay here with Levant?â
âHuh?â Nicole uttered in confusion. I didnât put up an act to be with Levant. I want to find out who my birth father is.
âI mean, are you in love with Levant?â Stephen demanded sternly.
Nicole pondered about his question.
If I say no, Sir Musgrave will ask why.
If I tell him about finding my birth father, will he think having a scum in his family will affect his reputation and stop me from investigating? He might also throw me out!
Yes, heâs petty enough. I framed him for being an intruder once and he had kept an eye on me ever since. He even abducted me and brought me here.
He wonât allow someone to ruin his familyâs reputation.
At that thought, Nicole nodded in response to his question.
Stephen studied her closely. The first time he saw her, he noticed she resembled someone he knew a lot.
Right now, the resemblance was uncanny.
After a brief pause, Stephen asked cautiously, âWhat do you see in Levant?â
Nicole thought, I need to stay here. I canât answer âhis status and powerâ, can I?
She answered, âHis character.â
âNot his status and wealth?â Stephen pressed on.
Nicole furrowed her brows. Canât a woman fall for a man because of who he is?
Must it be because of his material possessions?
Nicole didnât like Levant, but she was curious nonetheless.
âIf youâre here because of his title, Iâm afraid youâre going to be disappointed.â
âI donât care about that title of his.â
âLevant wonât be the next duke. I can assure you of that. You can decide if you want to stay. Of course, it also depends on whether youâre capable of defending yourself against my wife and Daphne.â
Nicole was surprised at Stephenâs words.
Levant is Sir Musgraveâs only son. Why doesnât he pass his title to his son?
Is he saying that because he thinks I donât love Levant and came here for the duchessâ title?
But he seems serious. I donât think heâs joking.
Well, who the next duke is isnât my problem. For now, I need to stay here.
âSir Musgrave, you mean as long as I can handle Daphne and Lady Musgrave, I can stay?â
âYes!â
âIâm curious. Why are you willing to help me?â
âI want to see if you and Levant can go through all the obstacles and end up together.â
Errâ¦
What is he talking about?
Itâs not like that! I have my own reasons!