Nicole finished speaking and turned to leave, but behind her came Stuart Floyd's voice, tight with nerves. "Nicole, when the truth comes out, could you say a few good words for us in front of Jose? After all, in his heart you're different. And I know it'll be hard for him to accept—could you talk him round more... All these years we didn't come back to see him because we were afraid the Seal Family would catch on to who he really is..."
Nicole's steps halted. She looked back at Stuart, her voice cool. "You made me your goddaughter just so you could get close to Jose Floyd. Back in Italy, you deliberately left him in the Floyd Family because you wanted a chance to approach him. So you acknowledged me, actually, only because I'm entangled with him, right?"
Celine Sutton hurriedly shook her head. "Of course not!"
Nicole's gaze stayed fixed on Stuart, quiet yet filled with questioning.
