# Chapter 17: The Unraveling Truth
Eric Ferguson stood frozen on the sidewalk, his eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he watched Grant Stanton's luxury car disappear into the evening traffic. The taillights grew smaller and smaller, yet he remained rooted to the spot, a dark cloud settling over his features.
The divorced Nicole had become like a derailed train, he thought bitterly. He simply could not predict which direction she would head anymore. Gone was the timid, cautious woman who used to watch every step she took around him. Now, she dared to say ungracious words without a flicker of fear in her eyes. It unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
"Brother, how can you just let her go like that?" Ingrid's shrill voice cut through his thoughts as she tried to lunge toward the retreating car. Eric's hand shot out, yanking her back with more force than necessary.
"That's enough!"
Ingrid's eyes blazed with indignation. "Brother, how can you side with an outsider? Nicole bullying me is the same as disrespecting our family! That ungrateful bitch forgot who fed her, clothed her, and gave her a roof over her head these past three years. She needs to be taught a lesson!"
Eric turned to face his sister, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm. "Ingrid Ferguson, the jewelry in the safe at Imperial Gardens were all meant for Nicole. Why did you take them without permission?"
Even though he had never taken the initiative to give them to Nicole, everything in that house belonged to both of them. It was a matter of principle.
Ingrid's face contorted with disbelief. "Brother, I'm your sister! It's just a piece of jewelry—why are you being so calculative? Besides, Nicole doesn't have any occasion to wear such expensive jewelry. Why can't I take it?" Her voice dripped with contempt, especially when she thought of the "Daydream" necklace. That woman was not worthy of such beauty.
Eric opened his mouth to reprimand her further, but Ingrid's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. She began to cry with such aggrieved intensity that the words died in his throat. He stood there, momentarily speechless, caught between frustration and the lingering affection he still held for his younger sister.
"I'll watch the surveillance footage first," he finally said.
Ingrid froze mid-sob. The tears stopped as if a faucet had been turned off. She gritted her teeth, her voice rising with renewed anger. "Brother, do you not believe me? Nicole clearly framed me!"
"We'll know once we see it." Eric cast a sidelong glance at his sister, something unreadable flickering in his eyes before he strode into the restaurant.
A trace of panic crossed Ingrid's face, but she bit her lip and followed him, her heels clicking against the marble floor in a frantic rhythm.
"Brother, I told you she's not a good woman!" Ingrid's voice followed him like a persistent fly. "Look at the man next to her—he's so protective and fond of her. Maybe she's already cheated on you long ago and took your money to support that pretty boy!"
Ingrid slandered Nicole with venom in every syllable, hoping to redirect her brother's anger. Who did that woman think she was to walk all over her?
Eric's eyes darkened, his face turning an alarming shade of red. "Shut up!"
He walked away, completely ignoring his sister's continued protests.
The restaurant manager had clearly received orders beforehand. As soon as Eric arrived and explained his intentions, a copy of the surveillance footage was produced without hesitation. The manager handed it over with practiced efficiency.
One minute passed. Then two.
Eric's face grew gloomier with each passing second. Ingrid stood anxiously at his side, shifting her weight from foot to foot. On the screen, she watched herself and Quinn hurling insults and curses so harsh that they seemed to stain the air. But what struck Eric most was Nicole's expression throughout it all—she looked like she was accustomed to this treatment. There was no shock, no surprise, only a tired resignation that cut deeper than any wound.
*Is this customary?* Eric's mind raced. *Has this happened before? Is this how my family treated Nicole all throughout our marriage?*
Nicole's calmness, her calculated retaliation, shocked both of them. Was this truly the first time she had ever fought back?
A storm of complicated emotions surged through Eric's chest. Blood rushed to his head, and his expression kept shifting between disbelief, anger, and something that looked dangerously close to shame. Suddenly, he stopped the video and walked out with long, determined strides.
"Brother, wait for me—"
Eric whirled around, pinning his sister with a glare that made her stumble backward. "Ingrid Ferguson, this is not the first time you've attacked her, is it?"
Ingrid's face drained of all color, turning an ugly shade of pale. "What? I was just angry that she found another man so soon after your divorce. Why would I berate her otherwise?"
Eric sneered. The mask had fallen, and for the first time, he saw his sister for what she truly was—arrogant, capricious, and entitled. He no longer believed a single word that came out of her mouth.
"Go and apologize to Nicole."
Ingrid's eyes widened in horror. "I don't want to! I'd rather die than apologize to that bitch!" Her voice rose to a screech that echoed through the empty corridor. "Nicole was the one who poured wine all over me—why should I apologize to her?"
But Eric had already turned away, leaving his sister standing alone in the dim light, her angry shouts falling on ears that no longer wanted to hear them.
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## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
This chapter was a masterclass in emotional unraveling. Watching Eric Ferguson slowly come face-to-face with the truth—that his family had been systematically abusing Nicole throughout their marriage—was both satisfying and heartbreaking. The surveillance footage revelation was a pivotal moment, shattering his illusions and forcing him to confront his own complicity through inaction. Ingrid's desperation and panic were palpable, and her refusal to take responsibility only highlighted how deeply broken the Ferguson family dynamics truly are. The scene where Eric walks away from his sister, leaving her alone in the corridor, felt like the first real step toward redemption for his character.
**⭐ Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars**
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## Next Chapter Prediction
With the truth now laid bare before Eric's eyes, the next chapter will likely force him into action. He may confront his family head-on or, more intriguingly, seek out Nicole to offer a genuine apology. However, given Grant Stanton's protective presence and Nicole's newfound strength, any attempt at reconciliation will be met with resistance. Expect Ingrid to double down on her lies, perhaps even involving their parents to turn the tide against Nicole. Meanwhile, the mysterious connection between Nicole and Grant Stanton will deepen, and Eric may find himself on the outside looking in—a position he never imagined he would occupy.