I took a step forward, trying to grab the brooch, but Nicole was quick. She easily dodged me and held the brooch out the window.
In panic, I yelled, "Don’t!"
Nicole extended her hand out the window, her voice calm but firm. “You’d really let him bear this humiliation?”
My eyes reddened as I fought to keep my composure.
"And what about me?" I snapped. "Can I bear it?"
For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
"Sorry, Lawrence. I’ll marry you," she said. "No one will dare to bully my person."
I clenched my fists, still feeling the weight of her words.
"But," Nicole suddenly switched gears, her voice colder. "If you don’t agree, I’ll have no choice but to destroy the brooch."
"Wait!"
I watched in helpless frustration as the brooch dangled loosely from her fingers, swaying in the wind.
My hands trembled. "I’ll go..."
Before I could finish, the curtain was lifted, and I was pushed out onto the stage in Charles’s suit.
The microphone slammed into my forehead with a loud bang!
Angry shouts filled my ears:
"Traitor! How can you live with yourself after your father’s teachings?"
"When your father hears what you played from the afterlife, how can he rest in peace?"