Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Nicole squared her shoulders, a steely resolve settling over her. “I can handle it. I’ll follow your lead, I promise. I won’t get in your way.”
Ethel studied Nicole for a moment, weighing the risks. She thought it over and finally nodded. “Alright, but you must do exactly as I say. I know you’re older, but experience counts here.”
Nicole nodded earnestly. “I understand. I’ll do as you say.”
“Good,” Ethel replied, glancing at her watch. “We don’t have much time. Your father’s case was closed as a suicide, and the economic fraud case linked to it is almost out of its records retention period. If we don’t find what we need by year’s end, the evidence will be destroyed.”
The fraud case had kept surveillance footage on file, but with the case closed, those records were on borrowed time. Without them, convicting anyone would be nearly impossible.
Nicole understood the urgency. “I get it.”
Ethel then shifted topics. “Did you come today because of the issue with the Hampton family’s young lady?”
Nicole nodded. “Yes.”
Ethel shook her head, the weight of yesterday’s events still fresh. A look of disgust crossed her face. Vicki was ruthless, even targeting a child. She became serious. “You might not be able to see her though. The Hamptons’ lawyer is already processing her bail as we speak.”
Nicole wasn’t surprised. She had anticipated this. Wealthy families like the Hamptons always had top-tier lawyers on retainer, and since no one had died, bail was almost guaranteed. If they didn’t have such power, Vicki wouldn’t be so audacious.
“And they’re pinning it all on the nanny, aren’t they?” Nicole asked.
“The Hampton family’s attorney supports this assertion. I wish I could share more, but that’s all for now,” Ethel remarked.
Nicole nodded. She could uncover the details of the Hampton family’s attorney’s assertion on her own. What Ethel revealed hardly qualified as an information leakage. Plus, her presence here wasn’t to see Vicki.
“I’m here to see the nanny,” Nicole declared.
Ethel’s eyebrow arched in surprise. “The nanny?”
“Yes, I need to speak with her.”
“Did you submit a request? Only attorneys have unrestricted access to suspects,” Ethel responded.
“I’ve brought an attorney with me, although I’m unsure if she’ll consent to meet with us.”
Nicole had indeed enlisted an attorney to interact with the nanny, anticipating that the Hampton family had promised ample compensation for the nanny’s silence. Yet, she remained determined to proceed.
“I’ll check if she’s open to a meeting,” Ethel offered.
“Could you pass along a message for me?”
“What’s the message?” Ethel inquired, her tone tinged with apprehension. Concerns about legality loomed. Certain messages were precarious, especially when directed at a suspect. At times, messages might carry unintended implications.
“Rest assured, I won’t complicate your job. Simply tell her that her son had hired the attorney for her,” Nicole said.
That appeared harmless enough. Upon confirming the applicant was indeed the nanny’s son accompanying Nicole, Ethel realized he, too, sought the truth from the nanny.
Ethel disapproved of those affluent individuals who believed wealth could manipulate outcomes.
The nanny, accused of harming Austin and Kamilah, lacked any clear motive. Her salary was substantial, and whether or not Kamilah was present to care for Austin had no bearing on her employment status.
Even without Kamilah present, it wasn’t like she would suddenly get a promotion or anything. Why would the nanny, a woman in her fifties, jeopardize her life for such a heinous act?
Ethel consented, saying, “Very well, I’ll send someone to inquire.”
Soon, Ethel returned and permitted the lawyer entry. The nanny consented to the meeting upon learning that the lawyer was employed by her son.
The lawyer spent considerable time discussing matters before exiting at the end of the allotted period.
Nicole immediately inquired about the outcome.
“She still refuses to talk,” the lawyer disclosed. “She insists she acted independently. I warned her about the repercussions on her grandson’s future due to a criminal record, but she remained steadfast.”
With a sigh, the lawyer shook his head. “To her, it seems money outweighs the future.”
Nicole had enlisted the help of the nanny’s son. Unlike his mother, he was more amenable.
“I apologize, Miss,” the son said. “My mother purchased a house in my name. I genuinely believed she had saved the money herself. I never thought she would harm your child. Perhaps we were too destitute, and for her, money outweighs everything else.”
“It’s not your fault, but I still hope you can persuade her to come clean,” Nicole responded.
Flushing with embarrassment, the nanny’s son assured her, “Don’t worry. I’m deeply ashamed and regretful. I will write to her and urge her to choose the right course.”
Nicole cherished integrity. Given that the nanny’s son was cooperative, she refrained from holding the family accountable for the nanny’s actions.
However, the nanny might have been too fearful of destitution. She accepted the money and kept silent.
While Nicole might consider using money to squeeze the truth out, once money was exchanged, Vicki’s lawyer could use that against her. They might argue that Nicole was attempting to bribe the defendant, which could potentially backfire.
The Hampton family, with their extensive resources, was formidable. While Vicki might not be the sole heiress, the affair tarnished the family’s reputation.
Wayne would go to great lengths to obscure the truth, compelling Nicole to navigate cautiously and avoid providing any leverage to the Hampton family’s attorney. For now, pursuing the nanny appeared to be a futile strategy. She would need to explore alternative avenues.
As Ethel was still on duty, Nicole decided to leave.
Outside, Nicole observed Vicki boarding a luxurious vehicle.
Vicki halted when she noticed Nicole, her expression smug. “Nicole, did you feel victorious yesterday, believing you could topple me? Are you disillusioned today?” Vicki sneered.
Nicole shook her head. “Not at all.”
Vicki’s sneer deepened. “Quit the act, Nicole. Let me remind you, what’s mine will stay mine. You could marry Jarrod, but what does it matter? I’m merely being gracious by letting you borrow him for now. Since you dare to lay claim to what belongs to me, I assure you, you’ll regret it.”
Vicki’s expression was rife with malice and a thirst for vengeance.
Despite this, Nicole maintained her composure. “I’m eager to see that.” Her response was sincere, yet Vicki was skeptical.
Nicole had predicted Vicki would evade any immediate consequences and that direct evidence against her would be elusive. Vicki was too cunning to be caught red-handed.
Proving her involvement was a daunting task. Even with a confession from the nanny, it was unlikely the funds could be traced back to Vicki directly. The Hamptons would simply scapegoat someone else.
Nicole had prepared for this. Vicki was the focal point. She knew very well that her marriage to Jarrod was a provocation for Vicki.
Nicole wasn’t fearful of Vicki’s retribution. She was more concerned that Vicki might not react at all. If Vicki slipped up enough, she would ultimately face the consequences. At that point, the Hampton family would surely disown Vicki, exposing all her prior misdeeds.
Nicole was resolute in seeking justice for Austin and Kamilah. It was crucial to incite Vicki into making a move.
Leaning in, Nicole whispered provocatively to Vicki, “Guess how many rounds Jarrod and I had made out last night?”
Vicki’s face flushed with anger. Her fury nearly drove her to violence. “Nicole, have you no dignity? How disgusting can you be?”
Nicole endured her insults calmly, retorting, “We’re newlyweds, Vicki. What we do is within our rights, and he adores me. Why shouldn’t we enjoy ourselves?”
Continuing her taunt, Nicole added, “And just so you know, he really enjoys it. He’s quite skilled. I had a wonderful time.”
“You must have lured him in! Why else would he choose you? He’s not into all that lovey-dovey stuff!” Vicki retorted hysterically.
Catching Vicki’s jealous, contorted expression, Nicole feigned astonishment. “Miss Hampton, you’ve been with Jarrod for years. He’s never…”
Nicole feigned shock. “Has he really never been intimate with you?”
Vicki’s face turned ashen as she realized she had inadvertently revealed too much in the heat of the argument.
She had tried every possible way to grow closer to Jarrod, but each attempt left her feeling colder, for he remained aloof and distant. Any effort to deepen their relationship was met with immediate withdrawal.
Caught off guard by Nicole’s sharp words, Vicki couldn’t confess that Jarrod had never shown any genuine affection toward her.
She responded with a hollow laugh, “Jarrod respects me. He’s waiting for marriage, unlike you. You’re just someone anyone can have, a mere toy to him. Why do you act so proud?”
“Is that so?” Nicole countered calmly. “If he respects you so much, why aren’t you married yet?”
Her remark cut deep, making Vicki feel as though she had been slapped repeatedly, her self-respect in tatters.
With bitterness lacing her tone, Vicki snapped, “That’s because you shamelessly ensnared Jarrod! But do you actually think he’s yours? He doesn’t love you. He only puts up with you because of the child you share. That’s your angle, isn’t it? Using your kid to trap him. You’re despicable!”
Nicole stepped forward, causing Vicki to step back instinctively. Vicki threatened, “What are you doing? We’re at a police station. Lay a finger on me, and I’ll have you arrested!”
The memory of Nicole’s slap the day before still haunted Vicki. Though Nicole was slight, her strength was formidable. That strike had left Vicki’s lip split, a reminder that lingered painfully for days.
“Go on and hit me. I’d love to see you arrested!” Vicki taunted, confident that Nicole lacked the guts.
Nicole moved closer, prompting Vicki to flinch back once more. Just as Vicki braced herself for an attack, Nicole deftly stepped on Vicki’s foot with her stiletto heel.
“My apologies, miss, I didn’t see your foot there,” Nicole said, her tone dripping with mock apology.
Vicki’s face turned pale as the searing pain overwhelmed her foot.
“You little bitch! You’re a fucking slut!” Vicki spat, outraged that Nicole would resort to such sly tactics.
Even so, Nicole remained cool and composed. “Why so upset? Isn’t this your specialty?”