Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Conscious of the cameras and informants scattered throughout the property, Vicki knew she had to tread carefully.
Attempting to maintain her composure, Vicki retorted, “What are you insinuating? I care for Austin as if he were my own son. Don’t try to falsely accuse me.”
Nicole scoffed at Vicki’s feeble attempt to deflect blame and proceeded to enter Jarrod’s house without dignifying her response with further acknowledgment.
“Hey, stop!” Vicki persisted, unwilling to let Nicole pass without further confrontation.
Ignoring Vicki’s protests, Nicole continued walking until she reached the access control panel. With a decisive press, the electric door slid open smoothly.
Stunned by this unexpected turn of events, Vicki stammered, “How… How did you manage to get in?”
Turning back to face Vicki, Nicole replied calmly, “Times have changed, Miss Hampton.”
“What… What do you mean?” Confounded by Nicole’s cryptic response, Vicki’s mind raced with a myriad of unsettling possibilities, but she pushed them aside.
How could this be happening? She prided herself on her meticulous cover-ups and flawless facade.
“Listen up, Vicki.” Nicole’s voice cut through the tension like a sharpened blade.
“If so much as a hair on Austin or his nanny is harmed, you’ll wish you never crossed paths with me.”
Observing Nicole’s resolute demeanor, Vicki couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease.
Vicki’s malice knew no bounds. She possessed a determination that bordered on ferocity for her own objectives.
Nicole understood all too well that individuals like Vicki would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even if it meant resorting to unspeakable acts of cruelty.
Vicki’s astonishment morphed into disbelief, wondering what Nicole had up her sleeve. The nerve of Nicole being so cocky in front of Jarrod’s mansion, her future husband’s home baffled her.
Vicki’s disdain for Nicole swelled. “Who do you think you are, making such claims? You can’t even fend for yourself.”
Vicki’s derisive snort punctuated the air. “Quit your boasting. Aren’t you afraid of choking on your own words?”
Nicole’s enigmatic response only added to Vicki’s bewilderment.
“We’ll see,” she commented cryptically.
“What are you trying to say?” Vicki demanded, her confusion deepening.
Nicole’s words were shrouded in mystery, leaving Vicki utterly perplexed.
Nicole’s smile widened, exuding quiet confidence. “Vicki, mark my words. You’ll come to regret this.”
“Regret?” Vicki scoffed, her tone laced with scorn. “I think you’re the one who’ll be doing the regretting. You’re missing out on the chance to see your son.”
Deciding it was futile to engage in further argument at the doorstep, Vicki swiftly pressed the panic button on the door, summoning the security guards.
“Where are the security guards? Hurry up and remove this woman from the premises,” she commanded, arms crossed in anticipation of the unfolding drama.
The security guards arrived promptly, but their demeanor toward Nicole was markedly different.
“Miss Lawrence, how may we assist you?” they inquired respectfully.
Word had spread among the villa’s staff that Nicole was to be the new lady of the house, and they treated her with the deference befitting her new role.
Vicki had been permitted to visit the villa to see Austin previously, but staying overnight was never an option. Even on rainy days, Jarrod insisted on Vicki’s departure, instructing the driver to escort her back.
Vicki’s frustration simmered as she confronted the unfamiliar security guards. They had addressed Nicole with due respect, leaving her wondering whether they had mistaken Nicole for her.
“Hey, I’m here. Are you blind or what?” Vicki snapped, her discontent palpable.
She felt these guards were incompetent, failing even to fix the broken access control and mistaking Nicole for her.
With this thought, Vicki pondered the inexplicable hiring decision of the Schultz family, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of indignation.
Why was the Schultz family employing such incompetent individuals?
Vicki asserted firmly, “You can escort her out. We don’t need Mr. Schultz returning to find a disturbance.”
The security guard remained stoic, refusing to acknowledge Vicki’s presence.
Frustration boiled within Vicki, prompting a sharp retort, “Are you deaf? Do you even want to keep your job?”
“Who doesn’t want to keep their job?” A new voice intervened, breaking the tension.
Vicki turned to find Jarrod, a sight that brought her a wave of relief.
“Jarrod, Miss Lawrence wanted to see Austin. However, Austin isn’t feeling well today, so I declined her visit. Then, Miss Lawrence caused a scene and even threatened me. I’ve asked the security to escort Miss Lawrence off the premises,” she explained, her voice tinged with indignation.
Seeking solace, Vicki reached out to hold Jarrod’s arm, but he withdrew it, leaving her feeling rejected.
Vicki was stunned, a mix of hurt and anger flashing in her eyes.
Determination set in. She vowed to teach Nicole a lesson.
“What? She threatened you?” Jarrod’s tone turned frosty.
Unaware of the unfolding tension, Vicki persisted in charade, “Yes, she not only threatened me, but also insisted on seeing Austin whenever she pleased. She even claimed you couldn’t stop her, let alone me.”
Jarrod’s attention shifted to the security guard, bypassing Nicole.
“Did you witness Nicole attempting to strike her?” he inquired.
Vicki was taken aback and then subtly signaled to the security guard.
She trusted that she was the future mistress of the household, and the guards wouldn’t be foolish enough to contradict her, especially with Jarrod present.
After all, she had already ensured their loyalty by greasing palms.
“No, we observed no such behavior. It was Miss Hampton who prevented your wife from entering,” the guard responded, dispelling Vicki’s hopes of leveraging the situation.
Vicki’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of the situation.
She thought the security guard had misspoken. Surely, she should be addressed as Jarrod’s wife, not Miss Hampton.
Oblivious to Jarrod’s marriage with Nicole, Vicki reveled in her imagination. The title of Jarrod’s wife delighted her nonetheless.
Deciding to overlook the guard’s error, Vicki coughed lightly and offered a gentle reminder, “Please address Nicole correctly. Her surname is Lawrence, not Hampton. Perhaps the security captain forgot to brief you two.”
The guards exchanged perplexed glances, treating Vicki as if she were speaking nonsense. They had been dispatched here from the Schultz Group for just one day, with instructions to address Nicole as Jarrod’s wife.
Confused by Vicki’s insistence on a different name, they chose to ignore her and remained focused on their duty.
“Jarrod…” Vicki approached again, feigning generosity. “Miss Lawrence probably just wants to see her child. Don’t blame her…”
“Liar!” A child’s voice interrupted them.
Swiftly, Austin bolted out in his slippers, the nanny in futile pursuit.
“Austin, don’t run…”
But Austin didn’t slow down. His face flushed with exertion and determination as he sprinted toward Nicole, clearly distressed.
At Austin’s words, both the nanny’s and Vicki’s expressions changed dramatically. This kid was sharper than they’d expected.
He had noticed them giving the medicine to Kamilah, something they had done with utmost secrecy. And most shocking of all, he had discreetly spat out the medicine.
Given Austin’s fragile health, Vicki had calculated that it wouldn’t take more than three meals for him to die. She never thought this little guy could be so smart…
In a rush to salvage the situation, Vicki attempted to dismiss his claims. “Austin, you’re just scared and imagining things. Come over here to me.”
Vicki glared at Austin, silently urging him to fall in line.
Normally, Austin would heed Vicki, but not this time. Instead, he burst into tears and yelled, “Vicki, please stop glaring at me… I’m really scared…”
His crying caught everyone off guard.
Austin had been here for a long time and had never shed tears. He was usually reserved and seldom cried or laughed.
His crying now tugged unexpectedly at Jarrod’s heart, even though he generally disapproved of boys showing such emotion.
However, Austin was still a child. He was fragile and undeniably charming. His tearful eyes were bound to stir sympathy.
Nicole wrapped her arms around Austin and soothed his sobs with gentle pats on his back. “Austin, it’s okay. Don’t be scared. Mommy’s here now. I won’t leave you again.”
Caught off guard, with an uncomfortable edge to her voice, she tried to deflect. “Austin… What do you mean? I wasn’t glaring at you. Maybe you saw it wrong?”
Vicki tried to persuade him, “Austin, you remember our deal, don’t you? You need to behave yourself and keep from lying.”
Actually, Vicki was just reinforcing their earlier agreement. If Austin didn’t heed her, he would be kept from seeing Nicole.