# Chapter 44 Blind: The Reckoning
The champagne glass in Nicole's hand caught the light as she set it down with deliberate precision, the crystal meeting the table with a sharp clink that cut through the tension like a blade. Her eyes, cold and unforgiving, locked onto Ingrid Ferguson with the intensity of a winter storm.
"Ms. Ferguson," Nicole's voice dripped with icy disdain, "are you truly so desperate to humiliate me that you must drag up this ugly past time and time again? Let me be clear—I feel no shame. But your family? You should be embarrassed for treating your daughter-in-law like a common maid. I wonder who in their right mind would ever dare marry into your family after witnessing such behavior."
Ingrid's face twisted with fury. "You're not worthy of being a Ferguson! You were clearly trying to seduce my brother earlier. Don't you dare deny it!"
The accusation hung in the air like smoke. Nicole let out a soft, mocking laugh. *Seduce Eric Ferguson?* The very thought was laughable.
She swept her gaze across the room, her eyes finally landing on Eric, who stood motionless, his face unreadable. The corners of her lips curled into a bitter smile.
"Three years ago, I was blind—blind enough to marry Mr. Ferguson. But I am certainly not so blind as to fall for him again. Let me make this perfectly clear: even if I were to seduce every man on this earth, I would never, ever look at Eric Ferguson again."
The words struck like thunder. Ingrid shuddered under Nicole's cold gaze, realizing with a jolt that the woman standing before her was not the same submissive creature she had once bullied. This Nicole was a stranger—strong, unyielding, and utterly untouchable.
Without waiting for a response, Nicole turned on her heel and descended the stairs, her presence commanding even as she walked away. Ian cast a venomous glare at Ingrid and Eric before quickly following Nicole.
The crowd watched in stunned silence. Eric's dark eyes followed Nicole's retreating figure, his expression unreadable—but Keith, standing nearby, could sense the turmoil beneath that calm surface. *So the truth finally comes out. And it seems Eric's heart isn't as cold as everyone thought.*
Keith quickly pulled Gerard Lichman aside, attempting to divert the attention of the guests. "Mr. Lichman, I was wondering if we could expand this three-way cooperation into a four-way partnership?"
Gerard adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, a faint smile playing on his lips. "No."
"Can't you be a little more diplomatic?" Keith sighed in exasperation.
Gerard hesitated. "Sorry. It's not possible."
Keith turned to find Eric, but the man had already vanished into the crowd.
---
Downstairs, the lounge was quiet—a welcome reprieve from the chaos above. Ian immediately bombarded Nicole with questions. "Did Eric Ferguson take advantage of you? Why did Ingrid say you seduced him?"
Nicole rolled her eyes. "It was an accident. Nothing more."
*An accident.* That was the only explanation she would accept, because no one would ever believe that Eric Ferguson had kissed her on purpose.
"If he dares to bully you, I'll beat him to a pulp!" Ian waved his fist threateningly.
Nicole scanned the room. "Where's my brother?"
"He went to discuss business with Chairman Lichman. Do you want to find him?"
"No, let's not disturb him."
But as she turned, she saw him—Eric Ferguson, walking directly toward her.
*Why does this man keep haunting me like a ghost?*
Nicole grabbed Ian's arm, pretending not to see him, and began walking away.
"Nicole, let's talk." Eric's voice was low, urgent.
"There's nothing to talk about." She didn't stop, didn't look back. She had no desire for his apologies—apologies were worthless, empty gestures that could never undo the past.
Ian cast a smug, reckless grin over his shoulder at Eric, as if mocking his helplessness. *Even Eric Ferguson has his day.*
Keith finally caught up, following Eric's gaze. "Tsk tsk... Ferg, since you're already divorced, don't start regretting it now. It's just that woman's cheap tricks."
Eric shot him a cold look. "Do I need you to teach me how to handle my affairs?"
Keith fell silent. Even he knew better than to push Eric's temper.
---
Later, after more mingling and networking, Nicole felt the warmth of wine creeping into her cheeks, despite Ian's help in drinking on her behalf. She excused herself and slipped into the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face.
As she reached for a paper towel, she heard Ingrid's voice approaching.
"That bitch Nicole won't get away so easily! She humiliated my family! Does she think she can sleep her way to the top and become a strong, independent woman? She should take a look in the mirror and see what a wretched thing she is!"
Ingrid pushed open the bathroom door and froze. Nicole was leaning against the sink, a cold smile playing on her lips.
For a moment, Ingrid was stunned. Then her sneer returned. "Ugh, what bad luck—running into this bitch everywhere I go."
"I feel the same way," Nicole replied, her voice light with dark amusement.
"Who do you think you are? Others might not know your true nature, but you can't erase the past. You're nothing but an uncouth lowlife who reeks of poverty no matter where you go."
Nicole's fingers moved smoothly, turning on the tap behind her without even looking. The sound of running water filled the space, muffling their words.
"Ms. Ferguson, you should be thanking God that I haven't brought up everything you did to me in the past. Don't come looking for trouble you can't handle."
"How dare you threaten me? I am the Young Lady of the Ferguson family! What are you? Kicked out of your family, you're nothing!"
Without Eric present, Ingrid's arrogance knew no bounds. She had always looked down on her "sister-in-law," believing Nicole was unworthy of equal footing. For three years, Ingrid had made Nicole hand-wash her clothes, scolded her for every tiny mistake, ordered her around like a servant. Nicole's silence and forbearance had only fueled Ingrid's addiction to power.
*Even after the divorce, Nicole should still grovel at my feet.*
"Only you think the Fergusons are unbeatable," Nicole scoffed. "I truly wonder where you get your superiority complex."
"Oh, really? Why didn't you say that when you were desperate to marry my brother? Have you forgotten how shameless you were? You became a mobile blood bank for Wendy just to marry him! That's your glorious past!"
Nicole's smile vanished, replaced by a cold, hard mask. "If you bring up the past again, I'll get really calculative with you."
Ingrid laughed mockingly. "Calculative? What could a broke woman like you possibly calculate?"
"Do you think I'm afraid of you? Come at me, then—AHH!"
A scream tore through the bathroom.
---
## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
This chapter is an absolutely satisfying catharsis. Nicole's transformation from a silent, suffering wife to a fierce, unbreakable woman is nothing short of breathtaking. Her speech—declaring she would never look at Eric again—was a declaration of independence that echoes like a battle cry. The raw confrontation with Ingrid in the bathroom was the highlight: watching Nicole stand her ground, refusing to be intimidated by her former tormentor, was deeply empowering. The cliffhanger—Ingrid's scream paired with Nicole's ominous "calculative" promise—has me absolutely hooked. The pacing is perfect, blending emotional intensity with sharp dialogue.
⭐ **Star Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars**
---
## Next Chapter Prediction
Something tells me Nicole is about to unleash a long-buried arsenal of secrets. That scream from Ingrid suggests Nicole has finally stopped holding back. Will she expose Ingrid's past cruelties to the world? Or is she about to reveal something even darker about the Ferguson family's treatment of her? With Eric now suspicious and possibly remorseful, and Nicole showing no mercy, the next chapter promises explosive confrontation and long-overdue justice. Whatever happens, Nicole will no longer be the silent victim—she's taking control.