At the Hudson household, the once-buried rumor of Nicole's infertility had resurfaced, casting a dark shadow over the family. It was an issue that had plagued them three years ago but had been successfully quelled, thanks to the efforts of George Hudson, the head of the Hudson family empire.
George sat in his expansive office, his face etched with frustration and anger as he examined the damning headlines. He knew this was no coincidence, and it wasn't the work of a lone troublemaker. This was a targeted attack on his family, and he vowed to get to the bottom of it.
"They will pay for this. People behind this should learn their lesson and must know what I'm capable of," George declared, his hand forming into a fist to solidify his words. People knew that George Hudson meant every word that came out of his mouth. 
Nicole couldn't hide her distress. She had weathered this storm once before, and now, it threatened to engulf her again. She paced back and forth in her Dad's office, her mind racing. She had her suspicions about who was behind this disgusting smear campaign, and the evidence seemed to point to the same culprits.
George's voice was heavy with resolve as he spoke to his daughter. "Nicole, we won't tolerate this. I've ordered a thorough investigation to uncover the source of these rumors. We'll bring them to justice."
Nicole nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know, Dad. But I can't help feeling that I've become a pawn in someone else's game."
"Is that so? Do you think there is more to it than targeting our family?" Curiosity was etched on George's face.
"Yes; there is something more. And I need to confirm my suspicions."
"If you must, do it," George agreed.
"I must go, Dad. I'll see you later," Nicole kissed her Dad goodbye before turning to leave.
Nicole maintained a civil relationship with her Dad despite everything he did to her. George is embarrassed to have an infertile daughter who couldn't provide him an heir. Being the only child, Nicole is the only one who could do it for her parents, but she couldn't.
After a while when George got home, he once again discussed the circulating rumors with his wife. Anna Hudson paced back and forth in their opulent living room, a storm of anger brewing within her. The news of her daughter Nicole's infertility had hit her like a tidal wave. She had always prided herself on being a woman of influence and control, and now, this scandal threatened to tarnish her family's reputation.
"They dare to drag my daughter's name through the mud," Anna seethed, her voice trembling with rage. "How could this happen? Who could be behind this vicious rumor?"
George Hudson, her husband, watched his wife with a furrowed brow. He knew that Nicole's infertility was a closely guarded family secret, one that they had managed to keep under wraps for years. The revelation had come as a shock to him as well.
"We must find out who's responsible for this," George declared in his firm voice. "I won't let anyone ruin our family's standing. I have ordered someone to conduct a thorough investigation."
Anna nodded, her determination matching her husband's. "And when we find out who's behind this, they'll pay dearly for what they've done to our daughter."
Little did they know, the truth behind this scandal was far more intricate and intertwined with their family's affairs than they could have ever imagined.
After a moment of silence, Anna gained the courage to open up a forbidden topic. "George, our daughter has suffered enough, and yet she still bears the pain of you hating her because she was unable to give us a grandchild."
George was always against this subject and would try to divert to another topic, but this time he fell silent. "I know I've been hard on our daughter," he admitted. "All the discipline was for her own good, but sometimes I went overboard. I would make it up to Nicole one of these days."
"Then, do it before it's too late. George, our daughter is not a child anymore and you have to command her. She has her own life to live. After everything she did to Hudson Group, she deserves to live life on her own terms. Don't you think?"
"Why do you think so? She is our only child; she does not belong to anybody else but with us."
"Nicole successfully created a company that adds to our existing companies. She was obedient and a good daughter. Will you stop her if she wants to live on her own?"
George fell silent again, contemplating one of the hardest decisions he could possibly make. He is tough but not a heartless father. He made mistakes, but he thought of making up for his daughter.
Nicole arrived at Marian's mansion unannounced. "I've been expecting you," Marian said, which startled Nicole. She just entered the living room and stood behind Nicole.
Nicole shifted in Marian's direction, her face etched with anger. "I know you would expect my visit after what you did. Marian, you are such a bitch." Nicole wasted no time and went straight to the point.
"Watch your mouth, Nicole. You are at my house," she warned.
"What is that supposed to mean? Do you think you can do whatever you want because this is your house?"
"At least, have some respect for your elders, Nicole," Marian commanded.
"Does it mean you are admitting it was you who did the circulating rumors online about me?"
"Nicole, it's not just rumors. It is true, right? And yes, I did it with Dominic's help."
Nicole's face contorted with fury as Marian made the admission. They were standing in Marian's luxurious living room, but the atmosphere was nothing close to comfortable.
"You did this to me?" Nicole's voice trembled with emotion. "You spread these rumors about my infertility?"
Marian gazed at Nicole without a hint of guilt on her face. "Yes, Nicole, I did," she admitted, her voice low and stern.
Nicole nodded as she was expecting the exact answer from Marian. She doesn't have any other choice but to admit.
"If only you didn't turn your back on us, we wouldn't do this for you. Nicole, you messed up with the wrong people," Marian said with a trace of mocking in her voice. She thought victory was on her side, seeing Nicole in pain.
"How about three years ago? It was you; wasn't it? This has been kept like a family secret; besides Mom and Dad, only you know about it."
"I did it three years ago to ensure that George would fully approve of your engagement to Harris. I thought it was the only way to secure our family's reputation and your future."
Nicole couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had always known Marian was a formidable force, willing to go to great lengths to protect her family's empire, but this revelation was beyond her comprehension. She treated Marian like her second mother, but she was nothing to her.
"So, you ruined my life, my relationships, all for your own gain?" Nicole's voice quivered with a mixture of anger and betrayal.
"Nicole, I did it out of love for you, to ensure you had a secure future with my son."
Nicole's eyes welled up with tears. "How dare you say that to me? Don't make it sound like you're doing me a favor. You disgust me," she thundered. "Love? This isn't love, Marian. This is manipulation and deceit... it's unforgivable."
Their conversation hung heavy in the air, Nicole grappling with the deep wounds that had been inflicted by these revelations. The bonds of trust had been shattered, and the road to forgiveness, if it even existed, would be a long and difficult one.