She marched downstairs and found it immediately.
Two cars.
One sleek black sedan.
One luxury SUV.
Both gleaming like trophies.
Both ridiculous.
Nicole stood there in the underground garage, staring in disbelief while two drivers bowed respectfully like she was royalty.
"My lady," one said.
Nicole pinched the bridge of her nose.
"No," she said firmly. "No. No. No."
She turned around and stormed back upstairs so fast her heels sounded like gunshots.
⸻
Back Upstairs — The Confrontation
Gu Sean was on a call when Nicole walked into his office without knocking.
Xan was there too, standing near the window.
Of course he was.
Nicole slammed the keys on Gu Sean's desk.
Both men immediately went quiet.
"What is this?" Nicole demanded.
Gu Sean's gaze flicked to the keys. "A car."
Xan spoke at the same time. "A gift."
Nicole pointed at them both. "I did not ask for a car. I didn't ask for two cars. I didn't ask for you both to try to outdo each other in front of the entire company."
Gu Sean's expression hardened slightly. "It's not about outdoing—"
"Yes it is!" Nicole snapped. "It's about control!"
Xan took a slow breath. "Nicole, it's about safety."
Nicole scoffed. "Then why are there two?"
Gu Sean opened his mouth—
Nicole cut him off.
"I want neither," she said sharply. "I'll buy my own car."
Both men froze.
Xan frowned. "Nicole—"
"No," she repeated, voice calmer but deadly. "If I accept gifts from both of you, I become a thing you can purchase. I'm not doing it."
Gu Sean's gaze softened slightly, like he was trying to understand instead of fight.
"Fine," he said quietly. "If you want to buy your own car, I'll respect it."
Xan nodded slowly. "Same."
Nicole exhaled, still irritated.
"Good," she said. "Now please stop treating me like a war you're trying to win."
She turned and walked out.
And for once—
Neither man followed.