Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Though confused, Jemma knew she must proceed. Delaying could prompt Jarrod to suspect her motives, and that was a risk she couldn’t afford with someone as calculating and unpredictable as him.
To Jemma, compared to Jarrod’s complexity, Alec seemed straightforward and readable.
However, Alec was not fooled by Jemma’s maneuvers. He sneered, “Jemma, what’s the delay? Seems like you’re hesitant to leave Miss Lawrence to them.”
Jemma managed a strained smile. “What are you implying, Alec? That’s not the case.”
Alec scoffed dismissively. “Just make sure you’re not harboring inappropriate thoughts. Attempting to sway hearts? Don’t you know the human heart is the most unpredictable of all?”
Jemma was well aware that Alec was mocking her. She mustered a forced smile and responded, “Alec, rest assured, I’m not overthinking things. We always serve our distinguished guests dutifully without any inappropriate thoughts.”
Alec pressed his lips together, gave a slight nod, and stepped aside.
Jemma attempted to help Nicole out of the elevator, but quickly realized the space was too narrow for both of them to exit side by side. Yet, without her support, Nicole was unable to walk out alone.
It was a tricky predicament.
Not daring to request Jarrod to move aside, Jemma turned to Alec.
“Alec, could you please step out for a moment? We need a bit more space to get out.”
Understanding the practicality of her request, Alec stepped out without further objection.
As Jemma tried to maneuver Nicole past Jarrod, she found themselves stuck once again. She strained to pull Nicole through without success.
Supporting Nicole, Jemma couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
The usually spacious elevator now seemed oppressively small.
Jemma didn’t want to point out it was Jarrod’s fault, but it was clear his broad stance was part of the problem, especially since he was standing sideways, taking up more space.
People like Jarrod had a distinct way of standing that was unmistakable.
Finally, Jemma propped Nicole up against the elevator wall and, after another unsuccessful attempt, she made a request. “Mr. Schultz, could you please hold Cherry for a moment? I’ll turn around and guide her out.”
Jarrod remained silent, and just as Jemma feared her request would be denied, he surprisingly extended a hand and supported Nicole.
Grateful, Jemma turned around and stepped out, saying while pivoting to pull Nicole out, “Mr. Schultz, could you please hand Cherry to me.”
Before Jemma could finish her request, the elevator doors began to close.
Caught off guard, Jemma barely managed to react before the doors shut.
Alec, witnessing the scene, briefly panicked. “Hey.”
Alec reached to press the elevator button, but the elevator was already descending. They would have to wait for the next one.
Alec, visibly agitated, started pacing back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.
Jemma wasn’t entirely sure, but she thought she saw Jarrod subtly press the close button. Did he intentionally close the doors?
The more Jemma pondered, the more convinced she became. Why else would a man of Jarrod’s stature share the elevator with them if not for Nicole?
Watching Alec’s frantic behavior, Jemma turned to those male escorts.
“This is Alec, a distinguished guest tonight. Please ensure he is well taken care of.”
In this club, male escorts catered not only to female clients but also to male patrons who, for discretion or to avoid the eyes of their wives, sometimes requested male companions.
Upon hearing Jemma’s introduction, those male escorts enthusiastically approached Alec.
“Alec, let’s have a drink.”
“Alec, let’s play some dice.”
Alec found himself at a loss for words. Surrounded by several eager, robust men, he had no opportunity to escape. His face turned a shade of green.
Internally, Alec seethed at Jemma, but she had already stepped back into the elevator, waving at him cheerfully. “Alec, enjoy yourself!”
“Enjoy myself, my ass!” Alec muttered under his breath.
Alec tried to push away those male escorts, but two more quickly stepped in to fill the gap.
“Alec, if you don’t like dice, how about rock-paper-scissors..”
“Yeah, Alec, let’s play. Don’t just stand there..”
Alec was rendered speechless. Once he was free, he vowed to get back at Jemma for this setup. How infuriating!
Meanwhile, by the car, the moonlight illuminated Nicole, casting Jarrod’s brooding face in an eerie light.
This triggered a visceral reaction in Nicole. She began to resist vehemently, pushing against Jarrod. “Get away from me. Get away.. Leave me alone. You jerk.”
Nicole struggled fiercely, trying to free herself. “Let go of me. Jerk..”
Jarrod’s grip on her chin was firm, effectively silencing her. “You want me to leave?” His voice was icy and threatening. “Then what?”
“Then..” Her head pounding, Nicole mumbled, “Just.. I don’t want you.. Leave.. Get lost!”
“Whom do you want to get lost?” Jarrod’s eyes were cold and piercing.
Despite her disoriented state, Nicole seemed surprisingly lucid.
“You, Jarrod Schultz… You bastard.. Go away!”
If not for Nicole’s slurred speech, Jarrod might have believed she was entirely sober. She pronounced his name with startling clarity.
“Only you…” Jarrod’s grip on her chin tightened, his voice cold and firm. “Only you dare to speak to me like this.”
Every woman who approached Jarrod typically did so with either flattery or fear. Nicole, however, always seemed to challenge him.
Despite moments of clarity, Nicole was evidently not fully sober. She stammered, “Go away.. Go.. Go..””
Jarrod’s expression darkened with irritation. “You want me to leave? Then you go find one of those male escorts to resolve your condition?”
Nicole nodded and shook her head erratically, her words and actions beyond her control.
“Just not you.. Devil.. Bad man!”
Jarrod’s tone grew icy. “If I were truly the bad man you claim, do you think you’d still be here?”
Those who crossed Jarrod tended to vanish, yet here Nicole was, boldly provoking him. He had no patience for a futile argument with an incoherent woman outside the club.
“Get in the car!” Jarrod ordered sharply.
Nicole resisted, struggling against his hold.
Losing his patience, Jarrod hoisted her over his shoulder.
“Ah. Let go of me… You bastard.” Nicole’s attempts to fight off his grip were feeble, barely registering.
Silently, Jarrod placed her in the back seat of the car, following her in and securing her hands behind her back with his tie.
“Mmm..” Nicole’s protests resisted.
Jarrod instructed the driver with authority, “Drive.”
“Mr. Schultz, where to?” the driver inquired.
While it was common for men to take women to hotels, Jarrod had a different destination in mind.
Looking at Nicole, who continued to struggle, Jarrod pinched the bridge of his nose and commanded, “To the villa.”
As the car started, Nicole kept shifting, her head knocking against the window. Jarrod, catching her by the face, warned sharply, “Do you want to jump out? Think about what that would do to your face.”
Realizing the implications, Nicole settled down somewhat.
Seeing her calm slightly, Jarrod disdainfully pushed her into the corner.
The mix of blood, alcohol, and vomit emanating from Nicole was repulsive. Jarrod had intervened out of necessity alone.
As the car drove on, Nicole muttered a single word, barely audible, “Roscoe.”
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Jarrod’s face set into a mask of icy severity, his expression darkening instantly. The veins on the back of his hand stood out, signaling his intense effort to maintain control.
Jarrod half-turned, intent on ejecting Nicole from the car, but paused when he saw her curled up like a distressed cat in the corner, her demeanor unusually subdued.
It was a rare sight, her docility, especially since she wasn’t fully conscious. Jarrod grasped arguing with someone in such a state was futile.