Chapter 174

After Nina spent three days in the detention center, Charlie had already hired a lawyer and filed a lawsuit.

When Isabella and Sebastian went to pick up Nina, they saw Zaire's car at the entrance.

Inside, they found Kelsey and Margaret waiting.

"Isabella, Sebastian, you're here."

"Yeah," Isabella nodded, exchanging a glance with Margaret. "Margaret," she greeted politely.

Margaret's eyes were wet as she responded.

Sebastian said, "You guys got here early."

"We just arrived. My dad and brother are handling the bail and paperwork. My mom and I are waiting for my sister."

Isabella didn't expect the whole Jose family to be there.

Hearing Kelsey call Nina her sister warmed Isabella's heart.

Though Nina never said it, Isabella knew Nina longed for family affection and warmth.

Soon, Zaire and Steven returned after completing the bail procedures.

A minute or two later, the door opened, and Nina came out.

"Nina!"

Isabella and Kelsey called out at the same time, then shared a knowing smile.

Seeing so many people, Nina was stunned for a moment and said, a bit embarrassed, "Why are you all here?"

Kelsey stepped forward, holding her hand. "We're here to pick you up. Mom and Dad got up early and urged me several times!"

Nina was still a bit uncomfortable with Kelsey's affection but didn't push her away like before.

Nina's acceptance seemed to encourage the Jose family.

Margaret secretly wiped her tears, and Steven looked pleased.

Zaire said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's go home. Mom had the housekeeper prepare a lot of dishes this morning."

Everyone looked at Nina, worried she wouldn't want to go.

Especially Margaret, who now had eyes full of unease.

Seeing Nina not answering, Margaret quickly said, "We don't have to go home. We can book a restaurant too."

"Let's go."

Margaret looked at Nina in surprise.

Nina met her gaze for a few seconds, then looked away. "Since all the food is prepared, it would be a waste if I didn't go."

Margaret smiled through her tears. "Alright, let's go home."

"Let's go, Nina. Let's go home," Kelsey said, holding Nina's arm tightly.

Nina held her hand in return, and Kelsey looked at her with surprise and joy.

Nina didn't look at her, took a few steps forward, and extended her other hand to Isabella.

They walked out hand in hand.

Seeing this, Margaret couldn't hold back her tears.

Steven walked over, put his arm around her shoulder, and whispered, "It's okay. Don't let the kids see you crying."

Margaret nodded, wiped away her tears, put on a smile, and followed them out.

As soon as they walked out of the police station, they ran into two officers escorting Charlie.

Charlie was talking as he walked.

His face was red and swollen, his suit tattered, and he was covered in animal feces. The stench was strong enough to smell from a distance.

If it weren't for his voice, Isabella and Nina wouldn't have recognized the disheveled man in front of them as Charlie!

"Officer, listen to me, I didn't steal anything. I was framed," Charlie pleaded.

He turned his head and saw Nina, stunned.

Nina stood in front of a black Maybach, the car door open, with everyone gathered around her.

"Nina?" Charlie started to walk over, but Zaire blocked him. "Get lost!" he said coldly.

Charlie shivered, took a step back, but insisted, "Nina, you set me up, didn't you?"

Nina frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kelsey chimed in, "Sister, don't talk to this scumbag, or you'll end up smelling too!"

Nina nodded, got into the car.

Charlie, still stunned, asked Kelsey, "She's your sister?"

Kelsey ignored him, pinched her nose, and told the officers, "This guy is bad news! Look into him thoroughly; you'll find a lot of dirt!"

She made a vomiting gesture and got into the car.

Charlie fumed as everyone else got into their cars.

Three luxury cars drove away.

Charlie watched, filled with jealousy. "Nina was just someone I tossed aside, but now she's with the Jose family, riding in a car I've never even been in!"

He replayed the scene in his mind.

He had seen Kelsey before and knew she was Zaire's sister, the Jose family's daughter.

She was always arrogant. How could a rich girl like Kelsey recognize Nina as her sister?

Charlie knew a bit about Nina's past. She had told him she was abandoned by her parents.

Could she be the Jose family's daughter?

Charlie shook his head. "That's impossible. How could Nina be the Jose family's daughter?"

He dismissed the thought.

"Who did you say roughed you up?" an officer asked as they took him to the interrogation room.

Charlie scratched his head. "It was Richard Cole, the owner of Casino One!"

In the car, Kelsey asked, "Nina, you haven't divorced that douchebag yet?"

Talking about it gave Nina a headache. "No."

They were in the process of getting a divorce, but Charlie had dragged it out.

"Do you still have feelings for him?"

Nina laughed. "No."

When Isabella first advised her to get a divorce, Nina was reluctant.

But after everything that happened, her marriage to Charlie was long dead.

"Then why not get it over with sooner?"

Margaret didn't ask any questions, but her eyes were always on Nina.

Margaret wanted to ask too but was afraid Nina would reject her.