Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Having experienced life’s ups and downs, Wayne knew Jarrod must care deeply for Nicole. When a man became overly fixated on a woman, it could introduce tons of potential dangers.
Wayne was okay with Jarrod’s flings with other women, but not with emotional entanglements. Otherwise, Vicki wouldn’t lead a cheerful life, should she marry Jarrod.
Having seen through this, Wayne strongly disapproved of Vicki’s relationship with Jarrod, but he was helpless against Vicki’s self- destructive threats. She was seriously harming herself, cutting her wrists deeply. The fear was so great that he finally agreed to assist Jarrod.
Despite everything, Wayne appreciated Jarrod’s capabilities, knowing his potential. Even given the smallest opportunity, Jarrod could emerge triumphant from the most challenging situations. And Nicole remained missing, as though she had fled.
Reassured by this, Wayne gradually began to warm up to Jarrod.
At today’s birthday celebration, under Wayne’s arrangement, he was flanked by Lowe, his son, and Jarrod, his soon-to-be son-in-law, signifying that Jarrod would soon join the Hampton family and become a pillar among the family, thriving together.
However, Lowe was quite displeased with this. He surmised had it not been for Nicole, the woman trapped by Jarrod’s side before, he wouldn’t have faced this downfall. For the deal he had struck with Nicole, with the threats of exposing his compromising photos, he had stolen documents from his father, resulting in his demotion and a forced period of reflection at home.
Seeing Jarrod highly regarded at the family banquet raised questions and added to Lowe’s unease. Was Wayne thinking of passing on the Hampton legacy to Jarrod?
Lowe silently pledged to keep a watchful eye on Jarrod, his expression darkening. He was bitter, and he intended to spread that bitterness.
Lowe said to Jarrod, “Mr. Schultz, have you located the woman involved in your scandal?”
As Lowe spoke, a sudden coldness descended upon the table. The atmosphere grew tense.
Luckily, Wayne had stepped out momentarily, avoiding the uncomfortable moment.
However, being asked this question by Lowe while his fianc?e was beside him was humiliating for Jarrod.
Vicki glared at Lowe with intense displeasure, her look silently warning him to shut up. Although they were half-siblings, their relationship was strained and affection was scarce.
Despite Vicki being a woman, Lowe remained cautious around her.
Emboldened by alcohol, he slurred his words. “Sis, don’t get mad, I’m just curious. Your fianc? seemed the type who has been sowing his wild oats. Didn’t he make out with that woman against the tinted glass? I wonder if he’d be up for a threesome or something…”
“Lowe, shut your mouth!” Vicki could no longer contain her frustration and lashed out at him.
But Lowe refused to stop, his long-held grievances pushing him to continue. Normally, his father overlooked his escapades.
While he was told not to set his eyes on the company employees, the allure of his cousin-in-law, a married woman, was too tempting to resist.
Driven by desire, Lowe had engaged in several secret encounters with her. She was adept, ensuring his comfort, but their liaisons were cut short when Nicole exposed their compromising photos online, resulting in her suddenly being transferred away by his father.
“Damn it!” Lowe cursed under his breath.
The incident caused a huge uproar, with his cousin splitting a substantial amount of money due to it.
Lowe felt he could have maintained their discreet meetings and had more fun if it hadn’t been for Nicole’s meddling. Ultimately, Jarrod was also to blame for his own involvement with Nicole.
Observing Jarrod’s virtuous appearance, which belied his true libertine nature, Lowe could not restrain himself, disregarding the presence of other guests. “Mr. Schultz, I heard you’re still pining for that woman. Was she so memorable that you can’t let her go?”
Vicki’s face lost all color at his words. Nicole was a sore spot for her. Despite her numerous hints that Jarrod need not wait until their wedding night, he remained distant.
Vicki, well-traveled and experienced with past boyfriends, was no stranger to relationships. Jarrod was her rightful fianc?, and intimacy between them seemed only natural.
Yet, Jarrod resisted her advances, avoiding even a simple ki*s. There had been a moment when she had stolen a quick ki*s, only for him to pull away immediately.
As Lowe continued, Vicki’s unease grew, leaving her to wonder if Jarrod still harbored feelings for Nicole.
“Mr. Lowe Hampton, who told you that?” Jarrod questioned, his eyebrow arched. He was cornered by Lowe’s persistent probing, but more so by Vicki’s presence, determined not to let her harbor any insecurities.
After all, women could be quite hard to deal with when distressed.
However, Jarrod’s opinion of Lowe was low. To him, Lowe was nothing more than a decadent pleasure-seeker, who wouldn’t hesitate to betray him for his own gains. Yet, it wasn’t the time for confrontation.
Lowe sneered, revealing his true intentions, “Of course, I have solid proof. Are you worried about upsetting my sister? I think she’s quite resilient. After watching that video, she seemed unfazed and is still deeply in love with you, which is quite admirable…”
While his words seemed to praise Vicki, they were in fact a mockery, suggesting she was ineffectual in holding a man’s affection and allowing Jarrod to pursue other liaisons.
Vicki caught the underlying mockery and her face turned deathly pale.
How could she not be affected by the resurfacing of that topic? She knew the woman in the video was Jarrod’s first love, Nicole. Their relationship had begun in college and ended bitterly after a dramatic fallout.
What she hadn’t expected was that after all these years, they were still entangled. And Jarrod even managed to be so cruel to Nicole by forcing her to make out with him.
Vicki had watched that video intently. Call her twisted or sick, she simply wanted to see what Jarrod was like amid sexual intercourse.
In Vicki’s book, Jarrod captivated her no matter what he did, even in moments that bordered on sadistic. Paired with his strikingly handsome face, it sparked an involuntary desire in her.
Particularly at the end, when Jarrod showed a look of complete satisfaction, it was unlike anything Vicki had ever seen. It terrified her. Jarrod seemed truly, deeply in love with Nicole.
Hearing that Nicole had fled, Vicki prayed she would never return.
Otherwise, she wasn’t sure how she might react.
“Lowe, rather than worrying about my relationship with Vicki, perhaps you should pay more attention to your own health.” Jarrod retorted coolly.
Lowe’s eyebrows knotted in irritation. “What do you mean by that?”
Jarrod gave Lowe a cold look, his voice steady. “Your father is eager for grandchildren, and you have been with quite a few women. Yet, none has borne you a child. Could it be there’s an issue with your health?”
Lowe felt a flash of panic. His carefree younger years, spent indiscriminately in liaisons, had led to a diagnosis of oligospermia, indeed making it difficult for him to father children.
Despite his reckless behavior, he had yet to father a child. He wondered how on earth Jarrod knew about that. His father was already displeased with him. If his infertility came to light, whatever favor he retained would vanish.
“Bullshit! Jarrod, stop spouting nonsense. You think you’re capable, huh? Are you planning to father a child to inherit the Hampton estate?”
Lowe, inebriated and angry, disregarded the decorum required for the solemnity of the birthday banquet.
“Thank you for your concern, Lowe. I will have my own children,” Jarrod replied evenly.
His words eased the tension evident on Vicki’s face. She and Jarrod were set to marry in three months, and Jarrod’s reference to having children suggested he envisioned a future with her as the mother of his children.
Vicki’s worries dissolved in an instant, convinced that bearing Jarrod’s children would cement their relationship and guarantee a blissful future together.
Lowe, seething with anger, was now convinced that Jarrod was aware of his oligospermia. Damn it! Jarrod always knew how to hit where it hurt most.
“You’re quite confident, Jarrod,” Lowe sneered, turning to Vicki to stir more trouble. “Sis, you’d better watch out. He said ‘have children’, but he didn’t specify with whom. Don’t flatter yourself. This man doesn’t love you…”
Before Lowe could continue, Wayne delivered a sharp strike to his head. “Can’t you say anything decent?”
Observing Lowe’s haggard appearance, Wayne scornfully added, “He’s your future brother-in-law. Keep your mouth clean!”
Lowe bit back his retort. Brother-in-law? He scoffed, knowing all too well that Vicki was the result of Wayne’s affair. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any brother-in-law.
However, Lowe restrained himself, knowing Wayne’s affection for Vicki was largely because she reminded him of her mother, the woman Wayne had never stopped loving.
Lowe did not share Wayne’s enduring romantic sentiments. He was quick to love and leave, forgetting each woman as soon as she disappeared from his life.
“Jarrod, don’t take it to heart. This kid has been spoiled by me. Please guide him in business since he’s not as skilled as you,”
Wayne explained, justifying his indulgence in Lowe due to his age and the absence of other male heirs.
Despite Wayne’s less favorable view of Jarrod’s personal affairs, he appreciated Jarrod’s business savvy and truly felt Jarrod was indeed far more competent than Lowe.
In these elevated circles of society, fidelity among men was rare.
Minor scandals were often overlooked if one possessed the requisite clout.
Jarrod, tied to the Hampton family with the upcoming marriage with Vicki, was expected to help deal with the mess and trouble Lowe had caused, but Wayne’s view of Jarrod’s character was overly optimistic.
Known for his vindictive streak, Jarrod was unlikely to overlook Lowe’s continued provocations.
As the event concluded, a remark from Lowe ignited a lethal intent in Jarrod.
“Mr. Schultz, it’s no wonder you were drawn to that woman. So slender, yet unexpectedly tempting and curvy. I couldn’t help myself after seeing her.” Frustrated by his father’s rebuke, Lowe was in a sour mood and inclined to make things difficult for Jarrod by provoking him.
Aware of Jarrod’s feelings for Nicole, Lowe intentionally stirred him by adding, “That video of you with that woman, I always play it before I start with others. It’s more effective than any drug. Just seeing her exquisite body gets me excited…”
Jarrod’s normally calm demeanor instantly shifted, his eyes flashing with a fierce, murderous intent that made Lowe step back in fear.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not afraid of you…” Despite his bold words, Lowe instinctively hid behind his bodyguard, intimidated by Jarrod’s menacing glare, which seemed potent enough to devour him whole.
Jarrod paused briefly and swiftly regained his cool, his demeanor nonchalant once again. He had spent a considerable sum to delete that video when it first surfaced. Though it was no longer available online, he knew the possibility of someone keeping a copy couldn’t be dismissed.
Jarrod flashed a dazzling smile and warned, “Lowe, remember not to speak carelessly next time. I’m not into men, and if people heard you were clinging to my video, they might think you have designs on me. Hey, I’m your future brother-in-law. Your father isn’t getting any younger, and such rumors could be the death of him. Should anything happen to your father, Lowe, you would be the one to blame.”
“You!” Lowe was seething with rage. Jarrod had twisted his comments to insinuate his preference, instead of just a reaction to Nicole.
Onlookers began to view Lowe with suspicion, some even whispering among themselves, speculating whether Lowe harbored feelings for Jarrod who, quick to clarify, categorically denied any interest in men.
Everyone knew of Jarrod’s preference for women. The idea of him being interested in men was preposterous.
Lowe’s increasingly dubious reputation only worsened as whispers and rumors began to spread among the people around him, suggesting that Jarrod had openly rejected Lowe’s advances.