The Deserted Rich Beauty (Nicole and eric)
Chapter 2252 Price of The Exchange

Although Fischer was calm, his eyes were red and teary.

Nicole touched his shoulder. "Fischer, say goodbye to Daddy and Mommy."

"Goodbye, Daddy and Mommy. I'll be a good boy."

Fischer thoughtfully went over and held their hands.

Camille sniffled and looked at Nicole.

"Ms. Stanton, since you have guests, you don't have to send us off. Thank you for your help."

Nicole smiled and insisted on sending them outside.

Fischer stood there with downcast eyes as he watched his parents' car leave. His head was lowered, and he was quite sad.

Nicole sighed and patted his head.

"Next time when Uncle Grant goes on a business trip, ask him to bring you along so that you can come and see your parents. Uncle Grant comes here often."

Fischer nodded, smiled, and looked up at Nicole.

"Where's Chatty and Uncle K?"

Nicole asked Fischer because he called Kai earlier, so he should know where they were.

Fischer replied with a smile, "They went shopping. Chatty bought me a lot of presents..."

Seeing that his mood improved, Nicole also felt happy.

"Okay. Then go in and wait for them. I still have something to do."

"Okay!"

Fischer skipped inside again.

Nicole looked at the butler, who quickly said, "The guest is waiting in the west hall."

Nicole nodded and walked toward the west hall.

The west hall was exquisite.

When Nicole went in, she was a little shocked to see a woman sitting there.

The woman looked to be about forty years old, with long and slightly curly blonde hair which had been meticulously styled.

From the back, the woman looked elegant, clean, and regal.

When the woman heard Nicole's footsteps, she turned around. She had blue, deep-set eyes and a beautiful figure. Her deep eyes were charming with an undisguised ambition. Nicole was a little stunned when she suddenly realized who the woman in front of her was.

The woman went around the sofa, walked toward Nicole, and looked at her with a smile. She stretched out her hand and spoke in fluent English, "Hello, my name is Linda."

Nicole reached out and shook her hand briefly.

"You're Michael's aunt?"

A look of surprise flashed in Linda's eyes.

"Yes, I am. You're really smart, Ms. Stanton. No wonder Michael always talks about you every time I see him. He said that you're the prettiest, smartest, and best woman he has ever seen and that he's lucky to become a part of your family."

Nicole's eyes moved slightly as a warm current flowed through her heart.

She met Michael when he was just a child. He was so short and clueless back then.

Then, Clayton sent Michael to study abroad, so Michael went back to Mediania very few times.

That was why Nicole did not expect Michael to have such a high evaluation of her since they did not meet frequently.

Nicole smiled and looked at Linda.

"Thanks for telling me this. I feel like I haven't done enough for him.”

Linda raised her eyebrows and said with a smile, "I heard that Clayton died, so I came here to look for you."

Nicole's face darkened slightly. Her smile also faded.

Linda saw Nicole's change in expression and sat down unceremoniously. She took a sip of coffee and praised Nicole.

"The coffee at your home is amazing. I really like it."

"Drink more if you like."

Nicole walked over patiently.

She could vaguely sense the animosity from Linda.

Moreover, Clayton had told Nicole before that Michael's aunt wanted to take Michael away. Michael's aunt's background was also shady.

If Linda took custody of Michael, Michael's future might be ruined.

Then, the road that Clayton spent so much effort to pave for Michael would go to waste.

Nicole took a deep breath, sat down, and looked at the graceful Linda.

Linda put down the coffee. Her eyes were shrewd.

"We were supposed to meet yesterday, but someone bought my ticket to the cruise at a high price, so I had to visit you later. Ms. Stanton, I guess you knew who bought my ticket, right?" The corner of Nicole's mouth twitched as she asked knowingly, "I don't know. Who was it?"

Linda tilted her head and replied, "Eric Ferguson. He found many old acquaintances of mine just to get this ticket, and he was the one who told me the news of Clayton's death. If he hadn't provided such valuable information, how could I have given up the opportunity to join in the fun?"

Nicole was extremely disgusted by Eric and knew that he had no good intentions.

However, she did not show it because she knew the purpose of Linda's visit was not just to tell her this irrelevant news.

Linda's eyes dimmed slightly when she saw Nicole's expression.

It was not the reaction Linda expected, so she was a little disappointed.

"It seems like you're not interested in him. It's different from what he told me. If you won't be with him, will you still give up Michael's custody?"

Nicole finally understood that Linda wanted Michael's custody.

Nicole frowned, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Linda, if you have something to say, just say it straight. I have nothing to do with Mr. Ferguson, so please don't speculate."

Linda chuckled, pondered for a few seconds, and spoke slowly.

"Clayton didn't agree with me taking custody of Michael before, and Michael listened to him, so Michael always ignored me. But he's my nephew after all, so how can I leave him alone? My elder sister died early and left him when he was just a baby. As his aunt, I have the duty to take care of him on behalf of my elder sister. Since Clayton is dead and you have your own child, you probably won't put too much effort into a child who's not your blood. So you should give me his custody, and I'll raise him well."

Nicole laughed and looked at Linda like she was being ridiculous.

"There's no way I'll hand him over to you. Michael is following the best path that Clayton has planned for him, so he'll be much better off than if he's under your care."

Linda sneered.

"The best path? It's nothing more than studying hard in school like everyone else. So what? A student with excellent grades will be just a mediocre corporate slave when he grows up. If he's under my care, it'll be different. I can give him the best of everything, and he can get whatever he wants. In the future, he'll be better than his friends and classmates, and his life will be smooth sailing. Also, wealth is the best asset that anyone can have. It's useless no matter how many books you read. You're a capitalist too, so don't you understand this truth? Or do you deliberately want Michael to stay away from the business world and raise him into an ordinary person who only knows work and study?"

Linda accused Nicole and said what was in her heart bluntly.

Nicole lowered her eyes. The light from the window fell on her fair face, which made her look fragile yet tough.

She just felt heartbroken for Michael.