The price of betrayal (Jack and Ashley) novel Chapter 330

"Audrey, do you really not know if I'm still the same Nolan?" he asked. "Or perhaps, in your eyes, what should the 'real' Nolan be like?"

Nolan's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "A people-pleaser? The kind you can slap around, insult, humiliate—and still smile and say thank you? If that's what you expect, then I'm afraid you're right. I'm not that Nolan anymore."

He paused, eyes narrowing slightly. "Anything else? If not, take your sister and leave. If she keeps causing a scene in front of me, I can't promise it will end with just one slap next time."

Audrey stared at him. The man she once knew so well now was a cold, unfamiliar shadow. But she knew better than to protest. This was her doing—she had pushed him away.

Taking a deep breath, Audrey met his gaze. "Nolan, I know you're angry that I didn't believe in you. But I swear I had my reasons. Everything I did was to keep you safe. I had no choice."

Her words were sincere. But Nolan merely chuckled, his expression unchanged. "Then thank you. So, we're still friends, right? It's just a matter of you not trusting me. No big deal. Let's leave it at that."

Audrey wanted to say more, but his icy expression stopped her. She sighed. "Nolan, whatever you say or do, please be careful. Mr. Baxter might be back, but Mr. Lynch is still out there—and now you've crossed the Myth Group too. Watch yourself."

With that, Audrey pulled Kara along and left. Nolan watched her retreating figure, his gaze cold and distant, before turning back to Leonard.

"Does it hurt? Want more? There's someone who just pleaded on your behalf, but as you can see, I don't care. So, if you plan on using the Myth Group to scare me again, go ahead and try," Nolan taunted.