Pride and Prejudice: The Embarrassing Life of Miss Jane Bennett

"Mr. De Duran." Henry walked into the study and came to Nicholas.

"What? Did James go this way again?" Nicholas spoke as if he would put on his coat and run away as long as Henry nodded.

"No, sir." The corners of Henry's mouth twisted slightly imperceptibly, but he still said solemnly: "It's a letter from Miss Jane Bennett from the editorial department of the literary section." Henry said, reading a letter The thick letter was placed in front of Nicholas.

Almost in the next second, Nicholas picked up the letter and planned to open it, but when he opened the wax seal, he seemed to think of something and stopped.

Will the story be finished this time?

Nicholas looked at the letter, thinking uncertainly.

After hesitating and hesitating, Nicholas finally opened the letter cruelly, and then he didn't forget to say to Henry who was about to go out: "If James comes over, let me know quickly."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, by the way, mother wants to invite Miss Jane Gardner to the house in a few days, remember to inform Mrs. Faith to tidy up a bedroom."

"I see, sir."

"Dear Mr. Duran, I hope you are well. I arrived in London a week ago and am staying with relatives. I am attaching a new mailing address. Sorry for the delay in getting your critique of the first part of the story I feel very terrified. So I can only send the second part of the story in advance, hoping for your comments.”

"Cunning woman!" Nicholas cursed in a low voice, "If I'm as picky as I was before, would you still be able to send the second part so quickly? The second part...isn't the full story...Damn it!"

Nicholas could almost see a thin, sarcastic woman smiling treacherously in his mind.Maybe she also wears a pair of silly glasses like John's.

But... as John said, can a woman who can describe the sourness and beauty of love in such a delicate way be really a bitter and mean woman?Nicholas closed his eyes and shook his head, throwing out all the imaginations about the woman in his mind, then lowered his head and began to read the story.

……

night.

Moonlight shines through the glass windows on a large wooden desk.A blond man is leaning back in a chair and sitting at a desk with his eyes closed.A cigar was held between his fingers, and a lot of ash had accumulated on the top.The whole room is hazy with light smoke, which is especially unique under the moonlight.The ashes in the ashtray on the table and the smell of tobacco permeating the whole room indicate that the owner here is not at peace at the moment.

How long has it been?How long has it been since you read this story?Three hours, five hours or seven hours?

Nicholas stood up, walked to the window, and looked through the window at the dark streets of London.It will be dawn in two hours. At this time, many workers have already got up to tidy up and prepare to go to work in the factory.

Nicholas felt that the story was actually over, a twisted, tragic and dirty story, he didn't know what else she could write behind this story, what else could she write to make this story even more twisted and miserable?

Nicholas looked at the dim kerosene lamps on the street, and there was some inexplicable light in his eyes.

You are very good indeed, Miss Jane Bennett.

The corner of Nicholas' mouth drew a cold and slightly sinister arc.

You have a knack for making me feel like that slutty French whore you wrote about.

good very good.

Nicholas turned around abruptly, walked back to the table, pulled out a quill and a piece of paper, and quickly wrote:

"Dear Miss Jane Bennett, compared to the last story, this one surprised me even more. Now that you have come to London, do I have the honor to show you around the city of London, and, more importantly, Yes, discuss your current work and future plans face to face..."

After writing this, Nicholas put down the quill, and the corner of his mouth widened into a smile.

It's just that the smile looks malicious no matter how you look at it.

Of course, there is still a little expectation that he himself is not aware of.

"How is it? Elizabeth, have you considered it?" Mrs. Gardner asked.

"But do you want Jane to stay in London alone? Auntie, I'd better stay with Jane." Sitting beside Jian Lan, Elizabeth said.

"It's okay, aunt, Li Qi." Jian Lan said with a smile: "It's good for Li Qi to go with uncle and aunt to relax."

Yesterday, Uncle Gardner said that he had business and needed to go to Manchester, maybe he could take a tour around the area after the business negotiation, so he invited Elizabeth, who was very depressed recently.

The carriage of Uncle Gardner's house is not big, if it is a lady, it can accommodate four people, but if you add Uncle Gardner who is generous and fat, then only three people can be seated.

"Yes, Cousin Elizabeth, you can rest assured to go with Mom and Dad, I will take good care of Cousin Jane!" Charlie vowed beside him.

"Madame, a letter from de Durand's house."

"De Duran?" Uncle Gardner looked at his wife in surprise.

"I told you that I met Madame de Durand and the two young masters when I was walking in Hyde Park that day." Mrs. Gardner opened the letter and said as she read it.Then, Mrs. Gardner raised her head in surprise, glanced at Jian Lan, and said, "Mrs. de Duran said that she knew you were coming to London as a guest, so she invited you to her house for a while." After a pause, she continued : "She said she hoped to show you around London and around, and said that James would also like to see you."

After Mrs. Gardner had finished speaking, it was the others' turn to be amazed.

Invite me to your home as a guest after the first meeting. It's still a short-lived type. Is...is this normal?

On the contrary, Uncle Gardner quickly chuckled and said, "The De Durand family has never been imagined according to common sense. This is also in line with Mrs. De Durand's style."

"Does uncle encourage me to associate with Mrs. De Duran?" Jian Lan asked, tilting her head.

"Of course, people like that generally don't interact with us. You must have closed the eyes of that lady. I'm not asking you to seek wealth and honor, but because of your talent and appearance, if you get along with that lady Well, maybe we can get a better marriage." Uncle Gardner said lovingly.

I knew it... Jian Lan smiled, and her heart broke instantly... Ever since she rejected Mr. Collins, now she is no different from a nail household in Mrs. Bennett's eyes. The reason why she let her so readily this time Also coming to London, probably with the idea that she could find a marriage too.

Marriage, marriage, marriage, your sister...does she also want to be that kind of middle-class lady whose lifelong goal is to marry herself?

Mother Star, why don't you let me wear it in "Eugenie Grandet"?As soon as the old man dies, I can go out and travel around the world without even using code words!Not marrying for the rest of my life is in line with Balzac's setting, so I don't have to worry about him looking at me with blood all over my face in my dreams at night.

"And if you go, I can go to Manchester with my uncle and aunt at ease." Elizabeth also understood the benefits that Jian Lan could get, and sincerely agreed.

"Okay..." One vote against three, Jian Lan surrendered.

"Jane, I know you are a smart girl. Although that Mr. De Duran is an excellent businessman, he is definitely not a good marriage partner. His love affairs are well-known throughout London." Gardner The gentleman thought for a while and said.

"Hehe." Jian Lan couldn't hold back, she smiled brightly at her uncle, and said, "I've known this for a long time!"

It seems that Mr. De Duran is really famous for his flair.

Back in the room, Jian Lan took out the letter delivered this morning.

"... I think, with your knowledge and understanding, Miss Bennett, you will definitely not refuse this request, right? Because of your special status, your family will definitely not want you to come out to meet a man, of course you I certainly don’t want everyone to know that Mr. Edge is an unmarried lady, but if we [encountered] in the park with our servants, it would be a good thing, wouldn’t it?”

Bringing your servants and meeting in the park by chance, do you dare to be more unruly, Mr. Duran? !

Jian Lan put down the letter dumbfounded. She guessed that the editor in charge of her would want to meet her, but she never expected it to be in such a way!Don't people who are related to Duran play their cards according to the routine at all?

The old-fashioned and conservative image in her mind had completely disappeared, and Jian Lan began to wonder who this Mr. Duran, who said that being her editor would be her editor, and that he could also have servants, was a trainee editor.

Anyway, no matter who you are, I am not afraid of you!

"The woods in the Lake District of Hyde Park have many benches for visitors to rest. I think that if I see a woman there at four o'clock in the afternoon next Monday in a goose egg yellow dress with a white silk rose at the neckline, such an ordinary ornament Your elegant lady, it must be you."

Jian Lan looked at the last sentence in the letter, which was similar to provocative words, and smiled arrogantly.

Do you really think that I'm that kind of mediocre looking old lady who can't get married and has been hurt by men?With Jane Bennett's standard [-]th-century clothes rack appearance and figure, goose egg yellow skirt and white rose, do you think I dare not wear it? !

Picking up the quill and dipping some ink, Jian Lan wrote slowly in the handsome handwriting that she inherited from herself:

"As you wish, sir."

"Welcome, Miss Gardner, James has been nagging me to invite you to be our guest." In the living room, Jian Lan sat on the sofa, holding a teacup in one hand, while exchanging greetings with Mrs. Duran.

"Miss Gardner?" Jian Lan was surprised, and then said with a smile: "Ma'am, Mr. Gardner is my mother's brother, our uncle." After a pause, Jian Lan said: "My name is Bennett, Jane ? Bennett."

"So that's the case." Mrs. de Duran nodded, and then said with a soft smile: "It seems that Mrs. Gardner didn't expect that we would have a closer relationship that day, so she didn't make a formal introduction. I'm really sorry, Miss Bennett."

"It wasn't your mistake, ma'am, so you don't need to apologize for it." Jian Lan continued with a tired smile.

"But Jane sounds more friendly. I'll call you Miss Jane from now on, okay?" De Duran asked Jian Lan with her bright smile.

"My honor, madam." Jian Lan said with her slightly shy expression.

I said ma'am, are all Londoners as familiar as you?Moreover, why do I somehow feel that you are looking at me so strangely? !

"Mom~ Mom~ Have you invited Miss Jane?" James rushed down from upstairs like a rocket launcher, and crashed into Mrs. De Duran's arms.

Jian Lan looked at James and Mrs. de Duran, and suddenly felt that maybe this lady was really an outlier in this era where everyone wore a mask.

In the evening, Nicholas came back from the factory, followed by Henry carrying a large briefcase, which contained the documents to be processed tonight.When he walked to the door of the study, Nicholas suddenly heard a conversation coming from his study.

"My brother told me the types of silk! I have memorized them all, and I know which one is the most suitable for making beautiful clothes for ladies! So I can marry you when I grow up?" James' excited voice entered Nicholas' ears .

"As you said, your study room is really great. There are many books I want to read. May I ask your brother, Mr. James, to borrow a book tonight?" A soft, pleasant and gentle voice pressed It was then heard by both Nicholas and John.

"Of course I can, don't ask my brother, this study is mine too!" James patted his chest to assure, saying the words that made Nicholas outside the door grit his teeth.

When did you read those books?James!

Before Jian Lan could speak, James went on to say: "I also know the names of all kinds of jewelry. You said you like jade, but your eyes are bluer than the Aegean Sea. I asked my brother for advice, and he said that someone like you Darling, it would be best to wear sapphire jewelry. So can I marry you when I grow up?"

Nicholas felt that Henry was silently looking at him behind him with the condemnation of teaching bad children, and moved his body unnaturally, Nicholas continued to listen.

"I want to borrow this South American adventure travel book, can I?" That Miss Jian continued to change the subject as if nothing had happened.

"You answer me first, can I marry you when I grow up!" James was anxious.

"We'll talk about this issue when you grow up, okay?" That nice voice was full of helplessness at the moment.

"Then you have to guarantee that you won't get married before I grow up!" James thought for a while, then said angrily.

"Huh? That's strange. Didn't you say to Charlie, 'A beauty like me won't wait until he grows up'?"

"Hey——" Nicholas couldn't hold back, and laughed again.

He could almost imagine his younger brother's tangled and speechless look.

"But I'm different from him! I'm better than him, and I know more things!" James was dissatisfied that Jian Lan compared him with that little fool.

"Then what does James know?" Jian Lan sat on the sofa in the study and asked with great interest.

"Uh..." James' face puffed up, racking his brains.

Nicholas laughed silently outside the door.Mother was right, this time James really had to work hard to become knowledgeable.

The scene he saw in the woods that afternoon suddenly appeared in Nicholas' mind. Miss Jane's eyes were full of fox-like cunning, she asked James such and such questions, and then successfully made James feel embarrassed to say that he wanted to marry her.

This Miss Jane is a bit interesting.

Nicholas' eyes were full of interest.

"...Believe my vision of decades, this Miss Jane is not something you can provoke, Nico..."

My mother's words suddenly appeared in my mind.

Mother has never said that she missed anything, it was like this before, and it is like this now.But……

Nicholas' eyes seemed to pass through the wooden door and landed on the lady inside the door.

But this time my mother was wrong. A prettier and smarter girl didn't have the charm to conquer me.

Nicholas straightened his collar, pushed open the wooden door, and walked in calmly.

The author has something to say: So, Nicholas' tangled life began from this moment...

If you read the article carefully, you will know that Elizabeth is going to Manchester for God's sake~

The complete story of "The Death of Miss Ingram" will probably be written in the next chapter or the next chapter, and there is a purpose for it to appear there~ Only by putting certain plots together can everyone understand Nicole better~

When Nicholas and Mr. Darcy face each other, that is the most tangled moment. Spread your hands~

By the way, call for copywriting~ Everyone says my copywriting is not cute... I want cute copywriting~~

Finally, continue to apologize for the shameful behavior of posting and locking...

Back up for students who can't see

"Mr. De Duran." Henry walked into the study and came to Nicholas.

"What? Did James go this way again?" Nicholas spoke as if he would put on his coat and run away as long as Henry nodded.

"No, sir." The corners of Henry's mouth twisted slightly imperceptibly, but he still said solemnly: "It's a letter from Miss Jane Bennett from the editorial department of the literary section." Henry said, reading a letter The thick letter was placed in front of Nicholas.

Almost in the next second, Nicholas picked up the letter and planned to open it, but when he opened the wax seal, he seemed to think of something and stopped.

Will the story be finished this time?

Nicholas looked at the letter, thinking uncertainly.

After hesitating and hesitating, Nicholas finally opened the letter cruelly, and then he didn't forget to say to Henry who was about to go out: "If James comes over, let me know quickly."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, by the way, mother wants to invite Miss Jane Gardner to the house in a few days, remember to inform Mrs. Faith to tidy up a bedroom."

"I see, sir."

"Dear Mr. Duran, I hope you are well. I arrived in London a week ago and am staying with relatives. I am attaching a new mailing address. Sorry for the delay in getting your critique of the first part of the story I feel very terrified. So I can only send the second part of the story in advance, hoping for your comments.”

"Cunning woman!" Nicholas cursed in a low voice, "If I'm as picky as I was before, would you still be able to send the second part so quickly? The second part...isn't the full story...Damn it!"

Nicholas could almost see a thin, sarcastic woman smiling treacherously in his mind.Maybe she also wears a pair of silly glasses like John's.

But... as John said, can a woman who can describe the sourness and beauty of love in such a delicate way be really a bitter and mean woman?Nicholas closed his eyes and shook his head, throwing out all the imaginations about the woman in his mind, then lowered his head and began to read the story.

……

night.

Moonlight shines through the glass windows on a large wooden desk.A blond man is leaning back in a chair and sitting at a desk with his eyes closed.A cigar was held between his fingers, and a lot of ash had accumulated on the top.The whole room is hazy with light smoke, which is especially unique under the moonlight.The ashes in the ashtray on the table and the smell of tobacco permeating the whole room indicate that the owner here is not at peace at the moment.

How long has it been?How long has it been since you read this story?Three hours, five hours or seven hours?

Nicholas stood up, walked to the window, and looked through the window at the dark streets of London.It will be dawn in two hours. At this time, many workers have already got up to tidy up and prepare to go to work in the factory.

Nicholas felt that the story was actually over, a twisted, tragic and dirty story, he didn't know what else she could write behind this story, what else could she write to make this story even more twisted and miserable?

Nicholas looked at the dim kerosene lamps on the street, and there was some inexplicable light in his eyes.

You are very good indeed, Miss Jane Bennett.

The corner of Nicholas' mouth drew a cold and slightly sinister arc.

You have a knack for making me feel like that slutty French whore you wrote about.

good very good.

Nicholas turned around abruptly, walked back to the table, pulled out a quill and a piece of paper, and quickly wrote:

"Dear Miss Jane Bennett, compared to the last story, this one surprised me even more. Now that you have come to London, do I have the honor to show you around the city of London, and, more importantly, Yes, discuss your current work and future plans face to face..."

After writing this, Nicholas put down the quill, and the corner of his mouth widened into a smile.

It's just that the smile looks malicious no matter how you look at it.

Of course, there is still a little expectation that he himself is not aware of.

"How is it? Elizabeth, have you considered it?" Mrs. Gardner asked.

"But do you want Jane to stay in London alone? Auntie, I'd better stay with Jane." Sitting beside Jian Lan, Elizabeth said.

"It's okay, aunt, Li Qi." Jian Lan said with a smile: "It's good for Li Qi to go with uncle and aunt to relax."

Yesterday, Uncle Gardner said that he had business and needed to go to Manchester, maybe he could take a tour around the area after the business negotiation, so he invited Elizabeth, who was very depressed recently.

The carriage of Uncle Gardner's house is not big, if it is a lady, it can accommodate four people, but if you add Uncle Gardner who is generous and fat, then only three people can be seated.

"Yes, Cousin Elizabeth, you can rest assured to go with Mom and Dad, I will take good care of Cousin Jane!" Charlie vowed beside him.

"Madame, a letter from de Durand's house."

"De Duran?" Uncle Gardner looked at his wife in surprise.

"I told you that I met Madame de Durand and the two young masters when I was walking in Hyde Park that day." Mrs. Gardner opened the letter and said as she read it.Then, Mrs. Gardner raised her head in surprise, glanced at Jian Lan, and said, "Mrs. de Duran said that she knew you were coming to London as a guest, so she invited you to her house for a while." After a pause, she continued : "She said she hoped to show you around London and around, and said that James would also like to see you."

After Mrs. Gardner had finished speaking, it was the others' turn to be amazed.

Invite me to your home as a guest after the first meeting. It's still a short-lived type. Is...is this normal?

On the contrary, Uncle Gardner quickly chuckled and said, "The De Durand family has never been imagined according to common sense. This is also in line with Mrs. De Durand's style."

"Does uncle encourage me to associate with Mrs. De Duran?" Jian Lan asked, tilting her head.

"Of course, people like that generally don't interact with us. You must have closed the eyes of that lady. I'm not asking you to seek wealth and honor, but because of your talent and appearance, if you get along with that lady Well, maybe we can get a better marriage." Uncle Gardner said lovingly.

I knew it... Jian Lan smiled, and her heart broke instantly... Ever since she rejected Mr. Collins, now she is no different from a nail household in Mrs. Bennett's eyes. The reason why she let her so readily this time Also coming to London, probably with the idea that she could find a marriage too.

Marriage, marriage, marriage, your sister...does she also want to be that kind of middle-class lady whose lifelong goal is to marry herself?

Mother Star, why don't you let me wear it in "Eugenie Grandet"?As soon as the old man dies, I can go out and travel around the world without even using code words!Not marrying for the rest of my life is in line with Balzac's setting, so I don't have to worry about him looking at me with blood all over my face in my dreams at night.

"And if you go, I can go to Manchester with my uncle and aunt at ease." Elizabeth also understood the benefits that Jian Lan could get, and sincerely agreed.

"Okay..." One vote against three, Jian Lan surrendered.

"Jane, I know you are a smart girl. Although that Mr. De Duran is an excellent businessman, he is definitely not a good marriage partner. His love affairs are well-known throughout London." Gardner The gentleman thought for a while and said.

"Hehe." Jian Lan couldn't hold back, she smiled brightly at her uncle, and said, "I've known this for a long time!"

It seems that Mr. De Duran is really famous for his flair.

Back in the room, Jian Lan took out the letter delivered this morning.

"... I think, with your knowledge and understanding, Miss Bennett, you will definitely not refuse this request, right? Because of your special status, your family will definitely not want you to come out to meet a man, of course you I certainly don’t want everyone to know that Mr. Edge is an unmarried lady, but if we [encountered] in the park with our servants, it would be a good thing, wouldn’t it?”

Bringing your servants and meeting in the park by chance, do you dare to be more unruly, Mr. Duran? !

Jian Lan put down the letter dumbfounded. She guessed that the editor in charge of her would want to meet her, but she never expected it to be in such a way!Don't people who are related to Duran play their cards according to the routine at all?

The old-fashioned and conservative image in her mind had completely disappeared, and Jian Lan began to wonder who this Mr. Duran, who said that being her editor would be her editor, and that he could also have servants, was a trainee editor.

Anyway, no matter who you are, I am not afraid of you!

"The woods in the Lake District of Hyde Park have many benches for visitors to rest. I think that if I see a woman there at four o'clock in the afternoon next Monday in a goose egg yellow dress with a white silk rose at the neckline, such an ordinary ornament Your elegant lady, it must be you."

Jian Lan looked at the last sentence in the letter, which was similar to provocative words, and smiled arrogantly.

Do you really think that I'm that kind of mediocre looking old lady who can't get married and has been hurt by men?With Jane Bennett's standard [-]th-century clothes rack appearance and figure, goose egg yellow skirt and white rose, do you think I dare not wear it? !

Picking up the quill and dipping some ink, Jian Lan wrote slowly in the handsome handwriting that she inherited from herself:

"As you wish, sir."

"Welcome, Miss Gardner, James has been nagging me to invite you to be our guest." In the living room, Jian Lan sat on the sofa, holding a teacup in one hand, while exchanging greetings with Mrs. Duran.

"Miss Gardner?" Jian Lan was surprised, and then said with a smile: "Ma'am, Mr. Gardner is my mother's brother, our uncle." After a pause, Jian Lan said: "My name is Bennett, Jane ? Bennett."

"So that's the case." Mrs. de Duran nodded, and then said with a soft smile: "It seems that Mrs. Gardner didn't expect that we would have a closer relationship that day, so she didn't make a formal introduction. I'm really sorry, Miss Bennett."

"It wasn't your mistake, ma'am, so you don't need to apologize for it." Jian Lan continued with a tired smile.

"But Jane sounds more friendly. I'll call you Miss Jane from now on, okay?" De Duran asked Jian Lan with her bright smile.

"My honor, madam." Jian Lan said with her slightly shy expression.

I said ma'am, are all Londoners as familiar as you?Moreover, why do I somehow feel that you are looking at me so strangely? !

"Mom~ Mom~ Have you invited Miss Jane?" James rushed down from upstairs like a rocket launcher, and crashed into Mrs. De Duran's arms.

Jian Lan looked at James and Mrs. de Duran, and suddenly felt that maybe this lady was really an outlier in this era where everyone wore a mask.

In the evening, Nicholas came back from the factory, followed by Henry carrying a large briefcase, which contained the documents to be processed tonight.When he walked to the door of the study, Nicholas suddenly heard a conversation coming from his study.

"My brother told me the types of silk! I have memorized them all, and I know which one is the most suitable for making beautiful clothes for ladies! So I can marry you when I grow up?" James' excited voice entered Nicholas' ears .

"As you said, your study room is really great. There are many books I want to read. May I ask your brother, Mr. James, to borrow a book tonight?" A soft, pleasant and gentle voice pressed It was then heard by both Nicholas and John.

"Of course I can, don't ask my brother, this study is mine too!" James patted his chest to assure, saying the words that made Nicholas outside the door grit his teeth.

When did you read those books?James!

Before Jian Lan could speak, James went on to say: "I also know the names of all kinds of jewelry. You said you like jade, but your eyes are bluer than the Aegean Sea. I asked my brother for advice, and he said that someone like you Darling, it would be best to wear sapphire jewelry. So can I marry you when I grow up?"

Nicholas felt that Henry was silently looking at him behind him with the condemnation of teaching bad children, and moved his body unnaturally, Nicholas continued to listen.

"I want to borrow this South American adventure travel book, can I?" That Miss Jian continued to change the subject as if nothing had happened.

"You answer me first, can I marry you when I grow up!" James was anxious.

"We'll talk about this issue when you grow up, okay?" That nice voice was full of helplessness at the moment.

"Then you have to guarantee that you won't get married before I grow up!" James thought for a while, then said angrily.

"Huh? That's strange. Didn't you say to Charlie, 'A beauty like me won't wait until he grows up'?"

"Hey——" Nicholas couldn't hold back, and laughed again.

He could almost imagine his younger brother's tangled and speechless look.

"But I'm different from him! I'm better than him, and I know more things!" James was dissatisfied that Jian Lan compared him with that little fool.

"Then what does James know?" Jian Lan sat on the sofa in the study and asked with great interest.

"Uh..." James' face puffed up, racking his brains.

Nicholas laughed silently outside the door.Mother was right, this time James really had to work hard to become knowledgeable.

The scene he saw in the woods that afternoon suddenly appeared in Nicholas' mind. Miss Jane's eyes were full of fox-like cunning, she asked James such and such questions, and then successfully made James feel embarrassed to say that he wanted to marry her.

This Miss Jane is a bit interesting.

Nicholas' eyes were full of interest.

"...Believe my vision of decades, this Miss Jane is not something you can provoke, Nico..."

My mother's words suddenly appeared in my mind.

Mother has never said that she missed anything, it was like this before, and it is like this now.But……

Nicholas' eyes seemed to pass through the wooden door and landed on the lady inside the door.

But this time my mother was wrong. A prettier and smarter girl didn't have the charm to conquer me.

Nicholas straightened his collar, pushed open the wooden door, and walked in calmly.