Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
The person upstairs spotted a white cat and said, “Never mind. It’s just a cat.”
The one who had descended halted and then retreated, saying, “I knew it. No one would be here at this time.”
“Alright, let’s head back inside. It’s freezing out here…”
The two people talked, their voices getting quieter as they moved away.
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Nicole breathed a sigh of relief.
The little cat returned to Nicole and snuggled against her leg.
This cat belonged to Jemma and was known for its soft behavior.
Nicole frequently brought snacks for it. She stroked the cat, offered it a treat, and said, “Thank you.”
The cat ate happily, and Nicole watched until it was done before getting up and leaving.
Soon after, a figure stepped out from the shadows. It was Jemma. She stooped to lift the cat, which was still licking its whiskers, and complimented it, “Well done.”
It was obvious that Jemma had noticed Nicole was in trouble and had let the cat out to divert those two
people’s attention. She caressed the cat’s head and playfully said, “You’re too friendly with others. I might get jealous. Don’t you love me anymore? Why do you prefer her?”
The cat responded with a purr and a “Meow.”
Jemma chuckled and carried the cat back inside.
Nicole made her way back to her place, but the more she pondered, the more restless she became. She took out her phone and dialed a number. Then, she asked the person on the line, “Joy, can you help me with something?”
The colleague Nicole contacted had previously served in the Diplomatic Corps as a foreign national with extensive contacts, facilitating his assistance in checking up on the Watts family.
Confirmation regarding the establishment of a company by the Watts family overseas and the pregnancy status of Miguel’s eldest daughter-in-law was crucial for Nicole to ascertain the truthfulness of the claims she had overheard.
Initially, Nicole perceived Roscoe’s amnesia as a stroke of luck, assuming it would safeguard him from any harm by the Watts family, who even tended to his injured leg. However, recent events cast doubt on this belief.
If the allegations proved accurate, the Watts family would epitomize malevolence. Roscoe’s departure from the Watts family was imperative.
Nicole endured several anxious days without communication from her colleague. Just as she began to entertain the notion that the claims she had overheard were unfounded, her colleague reached out to her.
“Nell, I have investigated into it. The Watts family has indeed founded a new company, and a woman identifying herself as the daughter-in-law is involved in management. She recently gave birth to twins.”
All suspicions were now validated.
Nicole’s mind went blank. She had envisioned Roscoe carving out his independence, free from her influence, only to find unforeseen peril awaiting him. Given the Watts family’s exploitation of him, Roscoe had to extricate himself from the situation.
Nicole took a leave of absence from Jemma and then hailed a taxi to Roscoe’s workplace.
Without Roscoe’s current contact information, panic consumed Nicole during the journey. Finally, the cab halted in front of the Watts Group headquarters.
Nicole headed directly to the company’s reception and inquired, “Excuse me, may I have a word with Mr. Roscoe Watts?”
“Have you scheduled an appointment with Mr. Watts?” the receptionist inquired.
“No,” Nicole replied with a shake of her head.
The receptionist then said, “I’m afraid you can’t meet him without an appointment.”
“I’m a friend of Mr. Watts. Could you please contact him and inform him that Nicole Lawrence is here? It’s urgent. Please ask him to meet me.”
“I’m sorry, miss. We strictly adhere to appointments for visitors. Unfortunately, I can’t assist you.” The receptionist declined firmly.
Though some smaller companies sought opportunities and numerous individuals wished to meet Roscoe, Miguel’s manager maintained a strict policy against unscheduled visits. The receptionist hesitated to inquire informally.
Growing increasingly anxious, Nicole asserted, “I assure you, I’m genuinely acquainted with Mr. Watts. Please, just give him a call. If he declines, I’ll depart immediately. Is that acceptable?”
The receptionist scrutinized Nicole’s appearance, noting her attractiveness and impeccable attire, which didn’t suggest deceit.
Despite her initial uncertainty, the receptionist couldn’t make up her mind right away.
In a moment of recollection, Nicole found a photo of her and Roscoe together in her phone, feeling a surge of urgency as she presented it to the receptionist.
“Here, you can see I do know Mr. Watts. Could you please make a call to confirm it, please?”
Examining the photo, the receptionist observed their distant acquaintance, affirming Roscoe’s familiarity with Nicole.
After some hesitation, the receptionist nodded. “I’ll contact his secretary for verification.”
“Thank you,” Nicole replied gratefully.
Dialing the number, the receptionist relayed Nicole’s request. Though Nicole couldn’t overhear the conversation, the receptionist responded affirmatively several times.
Upon ending the call, the receptionist addressed Nicole politely, “Miss, kindly wait here momentarily. Someone will come down soon.”
Upon hearing this, Nicole exhaled a sigh of relief. Stationed in the hall, she pondered the best approach to convey the news to Roscoe.
With his memory of their shared past and anything related to her now void, would he believe her?
Yet, Nicole remained steadfast in her belief that Roscoe had simply lost part of his memory, not his faculties. If he harbored doubts and pursued inquiries, he would inevitably uncover Miguel’s treachery.
Armed with awareness, he could thwart Miguel’s schemes, or at least brace himself against them.
Abruptly, a woman’s voice echoed from behind. “Nicole!”
Nicole turned around. She failed to discern the assailant’s identity before a forceful slap struck her cheek.
The slap left Nicole in a state of shock, rendering her momentarily deaf to her surroundings.
In the ensuing moment, the woman attempted another slap.
Nicole swiftly blocked the attack, startled by the woman’s commanding tone when ordering the receptionist, “Subdue her immediately, and deal with her firmly!”
The receptionist stood frozen, taken aback by the unexpected demand.
Unaware that Roscoe’s fianc?e was present, she had only contacted the secretary’s office.
Upon learning of the situation, the secretary advised the receptionist to accommodate the visitor, leading to the receptionist’s assumption that Nicole’s acquaintance with Roscoe was innocuous.
However, it became evident that the situation was more complex.
The receptionist assumed Nicole might be Roscoe’s ex-girlfriend or a past indiscretion.
Only then did Nicole see that it was Doreen who came down and ordered the attack.
The receptionist had just stepped forward to assist in capturing Nicole when Doreen swiftly delivered two firm slaps across the receptionist’s face.
“You idiot! Do you not understand who should be granted entry and who should not?” Doreen snapped.
The receptionist, her face concealed by her hands, appeared distressed. Nicole was denied entry. It was her superior’s directive to permit Nicole’s presence.
Doreen intended to stun onlookers with her slap to the receptionist, signaling her imminent role as the wife of Roscoe, the heir of the Watts Group. She seized the moment to assert her authority. She felt it was time to reveal Roscoe’s future wife’s demeanor and the consequences for any who dared to entice her husband.
With arms crossed, Doreen asserted sharply, “What’s the meaning of this, Nicole? I warned you against seducing Roscoe that day. I never anticipated you showing up at the company. You insolent woman!”
Nicole winced from the fiery sting of the slap, biting her lip as she retorted, “I have an urgent matter to discuss with him.”
“Urgent?” Doreen scoffed. “What could possibly be urgent for you? My fianc? doesn’t even know you. Are you delusional? Claiming to be my fianc?’s friend. Really? You are not even qualified to be a mistress!”
Upon listening to their exchange, the bystanders comprehended the situation. It transpired to be a spectacle of a wife confronting a mistress. They hadn’t anticipated the audacity of this woman to show up at the Watts Group.
Doreen cautioned, “Cease your schemes, Nicole. Should you attempt to ensnare my fianc?, I will orchestrate your torment. And should you dare provoke me, you’ll not only incur the wrath of the Watts and Schultz families but also face dire repercussions. Can you withstand such consequences?”
Doreen deliberately raised her voice for the gathering crowd to catch on clearly.
Murmurs rippled among the employees on the sidelines. Some of them resorted to echoing Doreen’s statement to curry favor with her.
“This woman’s audacity knows no bounds! Initially attempting to allure Mr. Watts, she now stands exposed by the future Mrs. Watts.”
“She’s just so-so. Her attire and accessories betrayed a modest origin. Mr. Watts isn’t naive. How could he be ensnared by her charms?”
“Let’s not entertain such absurdity. We mustn’t emulate such behavior. She remains impervious even to his wife’s admonishment. Truly disgraceful!”
An agitator suggested, “Capture her on video and upload it on the Internet to expose her to more judging words.”
Another individual promptly applauded and concurred, “Good idea! Allow her to face the reprimand of all and gain prominence on the Internet!”
The crowd swiftly brandished their phones, directing them at Nicole’s visage, capturing images and footage while hurling invective at her.
Doreen found immense satisfaction in this scenario. In her book, Nicole reveled in flirtation. Exposing Nicole’s audacity for all to witness seemed a wise choice.