Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Given the longstanding alliance between the Hampton family and the Schultze family, Nicole found a direct approach to the Hamptons blocked. She chose Jarrod as her point of entry instead. Challenging him, despite the risks, seemed the quickest route.
Nicole aimed to incite a spectacle from Jarrod, hoping to tarnish his reputation to the point of being shunned. Should the time come to choose sides, a temperamental CEO like Jarrod would surely tip the scales against a partnership.
Amid a heavy silence, Nicole braced for a dramatic reaction from Jarrod. Yet, what she got was his deep voice asking, “How should I kneel?”
Nicole was visibly shocked by Jarrod’s declaration, pausing in astonishment.
Jarrod was dead serious, not cracking a smile.
Struggling to express herself, Nicole found humor in the moment. “Mr. Schultz, don’t you know that women these days look for someone who’s got skills? Given your past with numerous women, even if you were to beg…”
She playfully straightened Jarrod’s tie, taunting him, “I wouldn’t give you a second glance.”
Jarrod couldn’t believe he was being mocked by a woman in such a way.
If it were someone else, he would have banished that culprit from Ardlens for good, considering his notorious temperament. Yet, with Nicole, he was at a loss for words, swallowing his fury.
Nicole’s eyes, brimming with sarcasm, seemed to remind him of a past embarrassment he had caused her.
“Nicole, I know you don’t mean any of that,” Jarrod said, his gaze icy, hiding his feelings. “Find another way to get back at me. This isn’t going to rile me up.”
“Mr. Schultz, what makes you think I’m seeking revenge?” Taking advantage of his momentary speechlessness, Nicole snatched her phone back, her smile dripping with sarcasm.
“If you’re so keen on seeing the video, I can send it your way.
You’ve recorded stuff before, right? Even showed it to your brother, didn’t you?” Nicole mocked.
As Jarrod’s expression turned frosty, Nicole casually inquired, “Did they all praise how I looked?”
Nicole’s every word struck Jarrod like a dagger, reminding him of his past actions. How absurd and despicable he was!
“Ding.” The elevator reached the ground floor.
Without saying another word, Nicole brushed his hand off, ready to walk away.
As she moved to leave, Jarrod caught her wrist. He cleared his throat, his voice rough. “I messed up before. I’ll make it up to you.”
Nicole laughed mockingly. “Make it up to me? How, Mr. Schultz? Can you undo death or heal the wounds those events carved into my heart?”
Those were things no one could do.
Jarrod, his voice filled with emotion, said, “Suggest something I can do right now…”
“Just go to hell!” Nicole said sharply. “That’s what you can do.”
Jarrod felt as though he’d been stabbed in the heart, the pain overwhelming. Though known for being unfeeling, he was at a loss for words.
He whispered, “You know that’s not something I can do…”
“Stop talking about making it up to me if you can’t actually do anything!” Nicole scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. “The only way you could make it up to me is if you died a thousand times, leaving not even an intact body behind.”
Nicole’s words cut like a knife. Her gaze was heavy with unhidden disgust.
Even after she left, Jarrod’s face was still ashen.
When Alec approached Jarrod moments later, Jarrod was still standing there alone, staring at the wall, his hand pressed against his chest as if in deep pain. None of the bodyguards dared come close or say anything comforting.
For Jarrod, these moments of solitude and pain had become all too familiar. lost in his thoughts, he’d feel a sharp pain in his body that no doctor could explain. Being the cause of Jarrod’s remorse and pain, only Nicole could have the way to treat him.
After stepping out of the elevator, Nicole raised her eyes to the white ceiling above. A headache pounded at her temples, blurring her vision. She regretted letting her bitterness and anger show so openly.
It had been a rash decision.
At times, her deep-seated hatred felt beyond her control. It was like a ghost was haunting her, slowly tightening its hold on her neck, making her relive her past. This led to countless nights without sleep, filled with excruciating pain. And the source of all her agony was Jarrod.
It was five whole years. From her initial despair and thoughts of ending it all to slowly finding her way back to a somewhat normal life and work.
Five years could change a lot of people and a lot of things. To others, she seemed to have changed.
But Nicole was the only one who knew her heart hadn’t healed. It was decaying. Though she was alive, she felt like a walking dead. She took loads of antidepressants not because she wanted to live, but in the hope that she could die someday without any regrets.
As she turned the corner, the bright lights ahead were overwhelming.
Nicole held back her tears, steeling herself to be unbeatable. The sleepless nights and living in torment weren’t supposed to be hers alone.
After the meeting, Nicole went with some leaders to a buffet dinner.
Nicole’s superior was a powerful woman named Archer, who had always been supportive and kind.
Before Nicole came back to the country, she had already quit her job.
However, Archer, aware of Nicole’s ambition to run a company, invited Nicole to become a partner in a project.
For Nicole, joining the project offered a much better chance than trying to make it on her own. She happily accepted the offer.
Nicole had set up the company in name only, keeping her involvement a secret to avoid raising Jarrod’s suspicions. She even used a fake job title to keep her plans under wraps.
Nicole was thankful for Archer’s support and gladly helped out with various tasks, such as presenting at dinners.
Midway through the dinner, Archer felt sick and had to leave early, leaving Nicole to keep the partners entertained.
The dinner also featured a social dance event for those who wanted to dance or just chat. At these events, it was common for wealthy young women to approach men they were interested in.
The conference attendees were mostly wealthy, making the single men particularly popular.
Nicole, holding a drink and standing off to the side, noticed Jarrod.
He instantly drew the attention of several women. His perfectly fitted suit and the slightly unbuttoned collar that showed off his collarbone made him stand out.
Jarrod was a memorable sight. Many women sneakily looked his way, clearly showing interest. He was undeniably good-looking and well-off, which made him attractive to those who didn’t know him well.
But Nicole knew his darker side, something not everyone was aware of.
Despite the attention he received, few women actually approached him.
His grumpy appearance turned them off, as they feared he wouldn’t be friendly if they tried to start a conversation.
Nicole watched, amused at first, but her mood quickly changed when she saw Jarrod looking her way from across the room. Jarrod walked over, dampening her spirits.
Nicole decided to leave, wanting to avoid any drama with him.
But then, out of nowhere, a poised and attractive girl stepped in front of Jarrod, obviously from a rich family, bravely catching his attention.
With Jarrod distracted, Nicole took the chance to slip outside.
The patio was buzzing, with a barbecue in full swing and big fans spreading cool air around. Guests mingled, holding drinks.
Nicole, her glass almost empty, went to get more of the fruity wine.
It was a plum drink, tangy and sweet, perfectly refreshing without being overpowering.
After getting her refill, Nicole looked for a place to sit. Suddenly, she was jostled by someone, causing her drink to splash all over her skirt and some on the other person’s shoes.
“You bumped into me!” the man exclaimed. He was a bit on the heavier side and looked unkempt. Mistaking Nicole for one of the staff because of her outfit, he loudly blamed her.
Nicole was not pleased. It was clearly his fault for not paying attention, but he was trying to make it seem like hers. She met his gaze with a cold stare. “Actually, you’re the one who ran into me.”
“You worthless idiot, can’t see a thing…” The greasy old man was mid-insult when he caught sight of Nicole’s stunning looks. His eyes, which were dull a moment before, suddenly sparkled.
“Oh, what a beauty…” He looked Nicole over without hiding his interest. “A lady as lovely as you get a pass for anything. But, darling, you’ve done a number on my back with that bump. How do you plan to make it right?”
The mix of his sleazy voice and his balding head was disgusting.
Nicole immediately recognized the greasy old man as Deniz from the Vipo Group. He was a long-standing supplier for the Hampton family and the likely winner of their latest contract.
Nicole’s own company was in the running, just behind the Vipo Group.
Getting Deniz out of the picture could just give her the edge she needed.
They had met years before, but it appeared Deniz didn’t remember her.
A cold look passed through Nicole’s eyes, indicating she was ready to deal with both past and present grievances.
Nicole looked down, pretending to be shy. “What would you like me to do to make up for it?”
Deniz’s excitement was visible, yet he tried to sound serious. “My dear, these shoes of mine are tailor-made, worth a fortune and you can’t find them here.”
Nicole acted surprised, playing the innocent. “Are they really that expensive?”
Deniz laughed. “They are, but I’ll let it slide. Think of it as making friends with a lovely lady like you. Just drink a glass in apology to me. How’s that sound?”