Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
After all, Lowe had offended so many people. Anyone with a hidden agenda could easily find those Lowe had tormented, and manipulate them into eliminating him. All it would take was the promise of some perks, and they’d willingly take Lowe out.
Once Lowe was out of the picture, Wayne would have no other option but to hand over the company reins to Vicki.
“So, have you ever considered that Miss Hampton might already pe aware that with and she’s a countermove… you’re aligned Lowe, plotting”
Nicole mimed a throat-slashing gesture and then articulated each word deliberately, “By having others do the dirty work!”
A shiver ran down Deniz’s spine. The motion Nicole had made with her hand was so vivid. It felt as though a blade had actually grazed his neck.
For the first time, Deniz had realized the depth of Nicole’s capabilities. Her insights were sharp, and she excelled at pinpointing the essentials.
“So, what do you want me to do?” Deniz inquired. His voice carried a hint of respect as he said to Nicole without him even realizing it.
He was utterly impressed by her intelligence and couldn’t help but admire her.
“Let’s collaborate,” Nicole proposed.
“You should realize that aligning with the Hampton family isn’t a sustainable strategy. If trouble arises, Lowe won’t have your back. In fact, he’ll be the first to cast you aside.”
Deniz nodded in agreement. Both Lowe and Vicki, the half-siblings, were known for their cunning and lack of reliability.
Lowe wanted to bring down Vicki, but Vicki had Jarrod as her backing.
Left with no choice, Lowe had to weaken Vicki through other means, like exploiting Deniz.
Lowe had instructed Deniz to inform Jarrod and Vicki about Nicole’s whereabouts on separate occasions. His aim was to sow discord between the engaged pair.
Given Vicki’s wary attitude toward Nicole, it was clear that Lowe’s tactics were working. Nicole proved to be an effective weapon against both Vicki and Jarrod.
Reflecting on this, Deniz lost his reservations and asked, “What do you suggest for our collaboration?”
Nicole replied, “Keep working with Lowe and gather some incriminating information about him for me.”
Upon hearing this, Deniz felt bewildered. He inquired with a hint of suspicion, “If you’re after Vicki, why are you gathering dirt on Lowe?”
Nicole’s true target was indeed Vicki. Yet, Vicki proved overly cautious. Even during their chat in the hospital, Vicki used a device to jam smart devices, blocking any attempt to record her.
Moreover, Vicki’s phone was secure against recording, and her messages self-destructed, leaving no trace behind.
Furthermore, Vicki had loyally cared for Jarrod for years without a hint of scandal.
Uncovering dirt on Vicki was tough, and even if they managed, Vicki had ways to slip through the net.
Vicki’s handling of degrading Nicole while making Deniz the scapegoat showed her ruthless efficiency. Targeting Vicki was tricky, and any impact seemed minimal.
Thus, the strategy was to focus on Lowe. Rumors had it that the Hampton family was involved in shady dealings underground. If Lowe were to slip up, get arrested, and the media got wind of it, the Hampton family would crumble.
If the Hampton family fell apart, Vicki marrying Jarrod would become increasingly unlikely. Jarrod, keen on maintaining a clean reputation, would choose to protect his image over standing by Vicki if scandals surfaced.
Indeed, Nicole was determined to keep Vicki from becoming Austin’s stepmother. She could not bear the thought of such a malevolent woman influencing Austin.
When the moment arrived, Jarrod’s assertions about the stable emotions between him and Vicki were destined to be refuted. Vicki was hardly the right person to care for a child, yet Jarrod was blind to this. Wasn’t that a mistake as well?
Nicole’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. Turning to Deniz, she declared, “As long as you assist me in securing what I need, I promise you a clean getaway from this chaos, and we’ll both profit immensely.”
Deniz scoffed. “Are you kidding me? Do you really think you have the means to pull that off?”
His skepticism was palpable. He found it hard to believe that Nicole, seemingly so frail and insignificant, could be his ticket out of this mess and into wealth.
Undeterred, Nicole asserted, “I assure you, the suburban project will be yours.”
“The suburban project?” Deniz repeated, taken aback. That was a lucrative venture. Securing it meant a secure future. But…
“That’s the Schultz Group’s undertaking. How on earth can you secure it?” Deniz doubted Jarrod would willingly part with it, especially for Nicole, a woman Deniz deemed beyond her prime. Besides, Jarrod’s primary focus was always on maximizing his profits.
Nicole challenged, “Deniz, are you willing to bet with me and see for yourself?”
Deniz examined Nicole’s face. Despite her ragged outfit, her eyes sparkled with unwavering confidence. Maybe there was more to her than met the eye.
On impulse, Deniz nodded and said, “Alright, let’s have that bet.”
Winning could potentially transform his life. Even if Nicole was deceiving him, he had nothing to lose.
Deniz gave Nicole a frosty look and warned, “Keep your word. I’ll trust you for now, but if I catch even a hint of deception, you’re dead meat!”
Unshaken, Nicole simply responded, “I’ll be here.”
“You’ve got guts, Miss Lawrence,” Deniz remarked sarcastically.
“By the way, I recall that Mr. Schultz took your child away,” he added casually.
Deniz chuckled darkly, his face creased with sinister lines. “I hope your wish to be reunited with your child comes true soon.”
His words served as a stark reminder to Nicole that her life, while negligible to her, still held value as leverage through her child.
That child was her weak spot.
Nicole’s fingers clenched tightly, pain throbbed through her heart, threatening to spill blood. Everyone knew a child was a mother’s weakness, and exploiting that vulnerability was unfailingly effective.
Livid, Nicole felt that these despicable people, engaging in such vile acts, surely deserved punishment under the law!
With a subtle Lift of her mouth’s corner, careful not to let Deniz see her strain, Nicole said, “Deniz, don’t worry. The person plotting against you is also on my blacklist. We’re in this together.”
Deniz grunted in response and muttered, “I certainly hope so.” Then, he slammed the door as he left.
Nicole’s body rocked slightly before she collapsed onto the sofa.
Such a narrow victory amid the dealing with Deniz. At last, she had succeeded in aligning this menacing figure as her ally.
Nicole’s father had once advised her that before she was strong enough to tackle a problem alone, it was wise to turn potential threats into temporary allies. This alliance might yet yield some unforeseen benefits.
Just then, Jemma’s voice pierced the air from outside the door. “Mr. Miller, have you had enough fun?”
Nicole’s heart pounded wildly. It seemed Jemma had positioned outside the chamber for a while just to catch Deniz when he walked out.
Nicole was uncertain whether Jemma worked for Vicki. Something in Jemma’s demeanor felt off, elusive like a shadow at dusk.
She observed that Jemma portrayed two distinct personas. The one visible to the world was merely a mask. It was difficult to determine if the concealed side harbored good intentions.
Fortunately, Deniz navigated the situation with finesse. His voice was steady and calm as he addressed the issue, “These girls you’ve introduced are inadequate. They lack the basic skills in hospitality! Jemma, it’s essential that you train them more effectively.”
Jemma replied with a smile, her tone light yet laced with an undertone of seriousness, “I hear your discontent, Mr. Miller. Tonight, dinner is on me. I admit my failure in their training. Please, your anger would only sadden me deeply.”
Jemma endeavored to mollify Deniz.
Deniz found solace in her assurances.
Though it seemed Jemma was disadvantaged, she was actually quite shrewd. All the business here turned a neat profit.
She skillfully offered clients small favors with each transaction, a tactic that ensured the longevity and prosperity of the business.
In reality, they sacrificed nothing. The money one wealthy patron spent was cleverly used to satisfy another. This strategy was marketing genius.
A smile spread across Deniz’s plump cheeks as he praised her, “Jemma, your efficiency keeps our operations smooth. Without your efforts, Kingbel Club wouldn’t enjoy its current success.”
In a humble tone, Jemma responded, “You give me too much credit, Mr. Miller. I’m merely a small part of this vast enterprise.”
Her voice brimmed with gratitude as Jemma added, “Without Kingbel Club, I wouldn’t have the comfortable life I cherish today…”
As Jemma’s voice faded into a whisper, Nicole caressed her chest, feeling the steady beat of her heart as it calmed.
Having lost Austin’s custody, Nicole understood that without power, everything was at risk. The only way to secure a normal, safe existence for her child was to dismantle the power of these influential figures.
She was determined not to give up, no matter the circumstances. Now, her sole purpose was to see these arrogant tyrants toppled from their pedestals.
Before Nicole could rise, the door to the chamber swung open.
Jemma entered the room. She glanced at Nicole and noticed her torn clothes but showed no reaction.
“You can’t expect me to pay for today’s expenses. They’re on you,”
Jemma declared. Her voice carried a sharp, slightly sarcastic edge.
Nicole got to her feet and responded compliantly, “That’s fine, Jemma.”
Observing her compliance, Jemma felt a wave of relief and couldn’t help but sneer, “The key to handling matters is knowing your limits. Venturing beyond them is not only self-destructive but also ridiculous and harmful to others.”
It felt both like a caution and a reminder. Nicole turned her gaze toward Jemma.
Jemma’s gaze was intense and inscrutable, making it difficult to discern her thoughts.