RISE OF THE EX-CONVICT

CHAPTER 4

     "Who dares to talk like that to my fiancé?" Her voice echoed through the room, halting the chaos for a fleeting moment. Niçholas and Archie were both dumbfounded, their confusion etched on their faces as they tried to comprehend the situation unfolding before them.

    Niçholas 's attention shifted from Archie to the mysterious stranger who had interceded. This woman exuded a captivating allure that left Niçholas struck with admiration. While Niçholas had always considered Candace to be the epitome of beauty, encountering this lady made him realize that there was no comparison. Candace may have possessed alluring curves and flawless skin, but the woman standing before him appeared untouched by earthly elements. Her ethereal appearance exuded an air of celestial elegance.

    Archie, on the other hand, found himself frozen in shock. He had no clue who this lady was or what was happening right in front of him. His mouth hung open wide as he fixated his gaze upon her, unable to tear his eyes away. Who was she, and why did she refer to Niçholas as her fiancé?

    As if Archie didn't even exist, the lady completely ignored him and approached Niçholas with a warm angelic smile, that brightened her face, accentuating her beauty, "Good afternoon,"

    Niçholas looked up at her, trying to hide his bewilderment, and replied politely, "Good... afternoon."

   Archie's laughter erupted uncontrollably, as if a dam had burst. He turned towards Niçholas , wearing a smug expression, his words dripping with venom. "Just tell me what the fucking drama is going on here? Do you think you can deceive me or something? You must have stooped so low as to hire a whore to salvage your honor. This was your plan all along, wasn't it? Well, let me make one thing clear: you have no idea who I am. I will expose your true identity to everyone," he spat. Despite the storm of accusations, Niçholas remained remarkably composed.

    Confusion welled up within Niçholas as he struggled to comprehend the sudden onslaught of hostility. Surely Archie had misunderstood the situation. But to call this elegant lady a whore? It was beyond belief.

   "Calm down, Archie," Niçholas implored gently, attempting to diffuse the escalating scene and minimize the attention drawn towards them. He needed to figure out who this lady who didn't tear her gaze from him since she entered. It was as though she was scrutinizing her with admiration and Niçholas couldn't understand why.

    However, Archie, consumed by his own anger and resentment, shifted his gaze towards the lady, donning a malicious smirk. "Ma'am, I'm unsure if he hired you... Actually, no, he wouldn't even have the means to do so. The truth is, you must have mistaken him for someone else you were seeking, I suggest you look further," he taunted.

    A curl of contempt twisted the lady's lips as she listened to Archie's baseless accusations. Her eyes betrayed a mixture of curiosity and disdain as she responded. "Do go on. I am quite intrigued. What else do you have for me?" Her tone dripped with sarcastic anticipation.

   "This man standing before you is an ex-convict. He was only recently released after serving a three-year prison sentence. And just to shatter your delusions. His wife, yea, don't be surprised, he had a wife but she divorced him not too long ago. So how can he be your fiancé? He only walked out of prison a mere three days ago. You must have indeed mistaken him for someone else," Archie declared, his voice laced with self-righteousness.

    Feigning ignorance about the Niçholas 's true identity, the lady sneered at Archie's words, a glimmer of concealed knowledge flickering in her eyes. "Well, isn't that a bit odd? I would love to hear more. What else can you tell me?" she probed, a mixture of curiosity and superiority coloring her voice.

   Just as Archie prepared to launch another scathing accusation, the lady's hand abruptly met his cheek with a resounding slap. The strike possessed a fierce gracefulness, a display of strength so elegant that it left Archie seething with fury, while Niçholas silently reveled in this unexpected intervention.

   "Shut the fuck up!" The lady yelled.

    Archie's anger reached new heights as he tried to retaliate, only to find his hands caught in Niçholas 's firm grip. The pain shot through him, accentuating the fury that animated his expression. But as he attempted to unleash his rage upon Niçholas , a steely resolve solidified within him.

   "You have crossed every lines, Archie," Niçholas hissed, his voice laced with determination. "I have been trying to tolerate your insolence for a while now, but I will not allow you to harm anyone, especially not this lady. Do not test my patience any further."

     Niçholas 's words hung in the air, carrying an unspoken warning that left Archie momentarily stunned. Sensing an opportunity to bring the confrontation to an end, Niçholas released his hold on Archie and pushed him away, his eyes blazing with an intensity that commanded his attention.

    Archie sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. "Divorcing my sister in a mere hour and already having a fiancée? So, you have been cheating on her, haven't you? I won't let you take a single penny from Candace!"

    A triumphant smile curled upon Niçholas 's lips, his voice calm as he delivered his response. "I didn't take a single penny from your sister, Archie. And as for the million-dollar check you mentioned, you were right there, I tore it into shreds." He locked eyes with him, his resolve unyielding. "You have no evidence."

    Archie's triumphant expression faltered, confusion flickering across his face. He hadn't expected this outcome, his plan now unraveling before his eyes. He was so focused on his own vindictive agenda that he failed to see the glimmer of satisfaction dancing in Niçholas 's eyes.

    "You lie!" Archie spat, desperation seeping into his voice. "How dare you tear up that check? You owe me three million dollars, and I will have it! You do not have the proof of tearing up the check, do you? So, you still took it. If I tell my sister what has happened here, believe me, you'll be back in jail before twenty four hours."

    Niçholas shook his head in disbelief, disappointment etched in his features. "Archie, you haven't grown at all during these three years, have you?" His voice held a tinge of sadness, an underlying sorrow for the man he had become. "I tore it up because I don't need it. But you're right—I have no evidence. And that's where you've made your fatal mistake."

   Before Archie could gather his thoughts and form a response, the lady's patience waned. Flicking her hand dismissively, she summoned several imposing figures dressed in black. The men stepped forward, their movements graceful as they bowed to the lady with a seamless synchronicity.

    Without hesitation, the lady issued her command, her voice unwavering. "Remove this man from this place. His presence is beginning to make me feel sick. And if he refuses to leave, you can beat him up. It's my order."

   Archie's eyes widened, panic flooding his features as he involuntarily stepped backward. A futile attempt to assert his dominance. "Touch me and you'll regret it! I won't hesitate to teach you all a lesson! Do you even know who my sister is in this city?" he threatened, his voice trembling with unsteady confidence.

    But the men were undeterred by Archie's empty threats. With practiced precision, they seized hold of him, their grips unyielding as he was forcefully expelled from the cafeteria. The door swung shut behind them, leaving a lingering silence in their wake.