Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Nations overseas had consistently employed diverse technologies to restrict Ambrosia, compelling Cornell to support his homeland’s endeavors by diligently pursuing expanded foreign markets, thereby bolstering his nation’s influence.
His aspiration was for his nation’s energy sector to become indispensable to other lands. As a result, he had bestowed significant importance upon this project and embarked on numerous journeys overseas.
However, these trips were fleeting, sometimes only 12 hours on foreign soil before returning, driven by his longing for his children and concern for Audrey’s well-being back home.
Truly, it was a pivotal period, and after concluding the call, Cornell capitalized on every available moment to prolong the discussion until it was time to depart for the airport.
While the project held significance, Audrey’s emotional welfare held equal importance to him. On their wedding day, he had vowed never to abandon her to confront fear and sorrow alone…
Jarrod abruptly sprang to his feet to leave, scarcely grazing his meal.
Vicki, brimming with dissatisfaction, believed she caught a mention of Nicole’s name during Jarrod’s earlier phone conversation with Cornell, escalating her mild unease into profound anxiety.
“Jarrod!” Vicki rose suddenly, clutching his arm.
Jarrod remained motionless, regarding her as though awaiting her words.
Their bond had progressively distanced. Despite their engagement, they resembled colleagues from disparate departments who exchanged mere nods upon meeting.
A woman’s intuition could be nuanced, and Vicki sensed that Jarrod appeared to be evading her. He was either away on business trips or toiling through the night, scarcely finding any time to share with her.
Even their dinner tonight had occurred only because Vicki mentioned her visit to his family shrine, prompting Jarrod to reluctantly agree to join her for supper. Yet, he hadn’t even tasted the soup she had labored over for hours.
Vicki’s lips quivered as she stated, “I’ve spent six hours simmering this soup, and you haven’t even taken a sip.”
Vicki yearned to inquire if Jarrod was planning to meet Nicole, but she refrained from voicing this question.
Uttering too much could become bothersome, and as she maintained her silence anything related to Nicole, she felt she retained her position as Jarrod’s fianc?e, still eligible to become his spouse. If matters were to become unsettled, it wouldn’t bode well for her.
Jarrod’s response was devoid of emotion. “I have an urgent matter to attend to. I’ll have it next time.”
He pulled his arm away, his demeanor slightly impatient with Vicki’s grasp.
Vicki wisely released him, maintaining a smile as she remarked, “Then tend to what you must. Remember to eat, and I’ll prepare soup for you once more.”
Dayton glanced at her, her countenance seemingly exuding joy, and furrowed his brow slightly but remained silent.
Seemingly oblivious to Jarrod’s discomfort, Vicki affectionately retrieved his coat and dropped it over his shoulders.
Observing him make his way to the door, Vicki called out once more, “Jarrod…”
Jarrod halted, casting a lingering glance back at Vicki.
With a serene smile, Vicki addressed him thoughtfully, “It’s crucial to try on the wedding attire well in advance. If you’re tied up, I can handle it solo.”
Jarrod’s gaze narrowed slightly as he studied Vicki’s expression intently. She spoke graciously, her face remaining radiant, seemingly devoid of any hint of grievances.
Agreeing with a nod, Jarrod replied, “I’m buried in work. Set it up whenever suits you.”
“Alright, take care then.”
As Jarrod turned to walk away, Vicki watched him silently, her countenance soft and her smile tender, portraying the image of a devoted fianc?e.
Only after he vanished from sight did the warmth in Vicki’s smile gradually fade.
“Crash!” In a sudden outburst, she swept the dishes off the table, sending them crashing to the floor.
Aware that Jarrod had left her for Nicole again, anger simmered within Vicki, yet she compelled herself to suppress her emotions.
Vicki refrained from causing a scene, aware she was still under evaluation. Despite the court’s ruling, Jarrod hadn’t entrusted her with Austin’s care yet. He didn’t have enough faith in her to entrust her with his child.
Jarrod truly cherished Austin. And so did Nicole. Realizing she had identified their Achilles’ heel, Vicki’s smile crept back onto her face.
Instead of succumbing to daily anxieties, fearing she couldn’t marry Jarrod with the fear of another twist of fate, she resolved to leverage their Achilles’ heel, no longer living in fear.
Vicki summoned the servants to clean up the mess. Before retiring for the night, she instructed the butler to procure the freshest, finest ingredients tomorrow for a soup she intended to prepare for Jarrod.
Even if Jarrod never tasted a drop, as long as he acknowledged her thoughtfulness, that was all that mattered.
Jarrod was on his way out while Alec was waiting in the car.
Spotting Jarrod, Alec quickly stowed away his phone and stepped out to open the door for Jarrod.
Jarrod glanced at Alec’s phone, now silenced and resting on the seat, and directed without a backward glance, “You’re driving.”
Alec immediately got behind the wheel.
This type of instruction usually stemmed from an important matter Jarrod needed to attend to without disclosing the details to the driver.
As they pulled away, just as Alec was about to inquire about their destination, Jarrod interrupted Alec with a stern look.
“Hand over your phone,” Jarrod commanded.
Jarrod’s demand left Alec puzzled and uneasy. Why the sudden need for his phone?
But with Jarrod’s unyielding gaze fixed on him, Alec didn’t dare to hesitate. He unlocked his phone and handed it over.
Jarrod found an encrypted number and inquired, “Who is this?”
Alec faltered, “I… It’s…”
“Think carefully before you answer,” Jarrod warned sternly.
Startled, Alec whispered, “Mr. Schultz, I…”
“You have thirty seconds to clear this up, and don’t omit a single detail,” Jarrod demanded, his face stormy and imposing.
Alec, now frantic, confessed, “Derek didn’t leave town after taking the money. He’s been flaunting it in Ardlens. I found out Miss Lawrence was investigating Derek. When Derek called for advice, I…”
Jarrod, his patience wearing thin, pressed on, “And then what?”
With a gulp, Alec admitted, “Then I directed Derek to run her over.”
At Alec’s words, the atmosphere in the car turned icy, as if plunged into a deep freeze.
Alec dared not utter another word. He understood Nicole’s significance to Jarrod. His actions stemmed from frustration with Nicole’s constant schemes against Jarrod.
Especially since Nicole had just lost a legal battle, Alec assumed taking Austin away from her would keep her subdued for a while. But to his dismay, she lost in court in the morning and by the afternoon, she was already snooping around the forensic lab. Finding nothing, yet undeterred, she even secured a job there to unearth clues.
Nicole’s unwavering resilience exasperated Alec, making her seem invincible. Frankly, her tenacity frightened him, always leaving a nagging fear that she would be the ruin of Jarrod. So when Derek called him in a panic, he impulsively issued that fateful order.
Alec wasn’t afraid of Jarrod’s retaliation. He did what he deemed necessary. Even if it failed, he had no regrets. He couldn’t stand idly by and watch Nicole harm Jarrod. Even if it meant paying the price, he was willing to do it.
After hearing this, Jarrod asked emotionlessly, his countenance inscrutable, “Did you act alone, or were you paid?”
Alec’s heart sank, not anticipating Jarrod to hold him in such low regard. Jarrod had once saved his life, and he prided himself on his loyalty. How could he possibly be bribed?
“Mr. Schultz, I would rather die than…” Alec began, but Jarrod had lost interest.
“Where?” Jarrod asked abruptly.
Alec hastily replied, knowing Jarrod inquired about Derek, “I’m not sure. He called me a while ago and then vanished. When I tried calling back, his phone was off…”
“Send me the location he was last seen and the recording,” Jarrod commanded.
Alec’s phone was specially designed to record calls and messages with a single button and could be wiped clean just as swiftly in an emergency, ensuring no evidence fell into the wrong hands.
Alec sent Jarrod the recent recording and the location.
Jarrod’s voice turned cold as ice. “Get out of the car.”
Alec’s heart raced as panic gripped him. “Mr. Schultz, it’s too risky for you to go alone. Please, let me accompany you. I won’t make another mistake…”
“Do I need to repeat myself?” Jarrod’s gaze froze Alec to the core.
With a heavy heart, Alec reluctantly exited the car, but his resolve remained unyielding as he clung to the window. “Mr. Schultz, please, let me come with you. I promise to follow your orders. Let me protect you, please…”
Alec wasn’t concerned about Derek, who stood no chance against Jarrod.
Even outnumbered, Jarrod could undoubtedly prevail.
Alec’s concern over Jarrod’s safety was because of Nicole. From his perspective, she was akin to a lethal weapon. Regardless of Jarrod’s assertions about being cold to her, it hadn’t been a week, and they already rang hollow.
Alec was concerned Nicole likely caused harm to Jarrod.
“Tell me, Alec, how long have you served by my side?” Jarrod’s sudden question caught Alec off guard.
“Sixteen years, Mr. Schultz,” Alec replied.
“Sixteen years…” Jarrod echoed softly.