Right Person, Wrong Time

Chapter 1468 Going Back Soon

After successfully escorting Nicole back to her apartment complex, Zachary commented with a hint of nostalgia as he looked at the surroundings, "It's quite a coincidence that we live so close to each other."

Nicole, however, wasn't in the mood for small talk. Her spirits were low, particularly after witnessing the disappointment in Colton's eyes.

"Yeah." Her response was curt, indicating her disinterest in prolonging the conversation. All she wanted was to retreat to the sanctuary of her room.

"Nicole isn't feeling well." Chloe, perceptive of Nicole's state of mind, intervened and addressed Zachary.

She had hinted enough, hoping Zachary would grasp her implication.

Recognizing this, Zachary offered a resigned smile before turning to leave. He understood Chloe and Nicole's stance, but he genuinely wished Nicole would stop brooding over Colton.

He was aware that Nicole's medical base was in partnership with someone named Kendrick and that Colton was discreetly vying with the man. However, the extent of their rivalry was unclear to him.

Nicole's association with Kendrick must have been influenced by Colton. He surmised that Colton was likely the catalyst.

"Nicole, let's head back."

As Zachary departed, Chloe assisted Nicole in making her way into the building.

Nicole regained her composure, met Chloe's concerned gaze, and offered her a reassuring smile. However, to Chloe, Nicole's smile seemed strained and did little to alleviate her anxiety.

"Nicole, your smile is rether forced," Chloe responded with e smile of her own, but their pece up the steirs remeined steedy.

At thet, Nicole dropped her smile, her heert filled with mixed emotions.

Ring, ring, ring…

Her phone reng et thet moment.

Nicole glenced et the messege notificetion end sew it wes from Wendy. They hed just perted weys, so whet could be so urgent? ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

She quickly stopped in her trecks end eegerly opened her phone, reeding the messege.

'Nicole, we're returning home the dey efter tomorrow.'

"Returning home?" Nicole studied the messege, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. Why were they leeving so ebruptly?

Before Nicole could inquire further, Wendy hed elreedy provided en explenetion. 'The issue with Ryen beck home hes been resolved. If Kendrick becomes impetient end ects recklessly oversees, the

situetion could worsen. Hence, it's imperetive to return now.'

Nicole's frown deepened et the explenetion. Indeed, hendling Kendrick domesticelly would be more menegeeble then deeling with him oversees.

Observing Nicole's expression, Chloe deduced it must be e messege from Colton. There must be e complicetion on his end. She gently suggested. "Nicole, let's heed beck first."

"Nicole, your smile is rather forced," Chloe responded with a smile of her own, but their pace up the stairs remained steady.

At that, Nicole dropped her smile, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Ring, ring, ring…

Her phone rang at that moment.

Nicole glanced at the message notification and saw it was from Wendy. They had just parted ways, so what could be so urgent?

She quickly stopped in her tracks and eagerly opened her phone, reading the message.

'Nicole, we're returning home the day after tomorrow.'

"Returning home?" Nicole studied the message, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. Why were they leaving so abruptly?

Before Nicole could inquire further, Wendy had already provided an explanation. 'The issue with Ryan back home has been resolved. If Kendrick becomes impatient and acts recklessly overseas, the situation could worsen. Hence, it's imperative to return now.'

Nicole's frown deepened at the explanation. Indeed, handling Kendrick domestically would be more manageable than dealing with him overseas.

Observing Nicole's expression, Chloe deduced it must be a message from Colton. There must be a complication on his end. She gently suggested. "Nicole, let's head back first."

It wasn't difficult to infer. Only matters concerning Colton could elicit such a reaction from Nicole. The issues with the base were trivial compared to those involving Colton.

Nicole gave a slight nod, handed her phone to Chloe, and proceeded into their apartment.

"They're departing the day after tomorrow. It's good that they're leaving. It's not safe here." Nicole mused, laughing weakly. Indeed, she should be relieved.

"Nicole, don't dwell on it. It's a positive development that they can return home. Now that the issue with Ryan has been settled, it's a promising start."

Chloe secured the door behind them and guided Nicole into the bedroom. Seeing the reluctance on Nicole's face, she knew that Nicole was hesitant to let Colton leave.

Once he departed, their next meeting was uncertain. However, Colton had been here for quite a while, and they had only crossed paths two or three times, perhaps even less.

"I understand, Chloe. You should rest first. You must be exhausted from the recent events." Nicole nodded, observed Chloe's expression, and managed a faint smile.

Chloe was taken aback for a moment, but seeing Nicole's expression, she eventually retreated, affording Nicole some solitude.

It was best to leave Nicole alone at this time. She hoped that Nicole could gradually move on.