Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Audrey looked worried. She didn’t want Jarrod near Nicole. “Are you sure?”
“It’s okay,” Nicole reassured, patting Audrey’s arm with a smile. “Go on. I’ll join you soon.”
“Victor, please stay with Nicole.” Audrey was unsure of Victor’s capabilities at first. But she trusted that her brother wouldn’t assign just anyone as her bodyguard.
Audrey was concerned about Nicole dealing with Jarrod alone. However, with Victor by Nicole’s side, she felt Nicole would be safe.
“No need,” Nicole declined firmly. She gave Jarrod a challenging look and said, “I doubt Mr. Schultz would do anything against the law.”
Her comment implied Jarrod was as dangerous as a ruthless criminal.
Yet, Jarrod seemed unfazed. He kept his eyes steadily on Nicole, showing no reac tion to her words. He wasn’t bothered by what others thought.
“Alright. Go ahead.” Nicole gave Audrey a reassuring smile. “It’s good you’ve got Victor with you.”
“Alright. let’s meet up later.”
“Sure thing.”
At this time, Matteo stepped up and informed Cornell, “Mr. Clement, the auction’s about to start.”
Audrey had already pressed the elevator button, catching Cornell’s attention to join her.
Audrey grinned and directed Cornell, “Mr. Clement, the elevator to the auction room is that way.”
Audrey’s previous gratitude for Cornell’s help in locating and comforting Janey was replaced by anger due to the record he had sent the night before. Yet, she would not exploit his kindness. She doubled all the expenses and transferred them to the Clement Group’s bank account. She figured Cornell understood her stance.
The elevator doors shut in front of Cornell, his handsome face showing a hint of concern, his hand slowly clenching at his side.
Matteo felt uneasy, suspecting Cornell was dragging things out on purpose. Clearly, Cornell wanted to spend more time with Audrey.
Luis, flashing a big grin, joked, “Looks like I should keep my distance, or Audrey might start giving me the cold shoulder.”
Cornell glanced at Luis and remarked coldly, “What valuable insights could I expect from you, Mr. Forever Single?”
Luis was rendered speechless. He was single, but so what?
Cornell added, “On that note, I know a young lady from a wealthy family who might be just right for you.”
Luis’s smile widened. “Don’t worry about me. Plenty of women find me attractive. I don’t need any introductions.”
“But it’s Sadie Miller.”
“You’ve got to be joking!” Luis exclaimed in shock. “Sadie Miller, that wild one? Do you hate me or something, bro?”
Sadie Miller was notorious for her unusual actions, stopping at nothing to win over the man she fancied. The last guy who caught Sadie’s attention had to flee to another country to escape her relentless pursuit. That man vowed never to return to Ardlens for as long as he lived.
What made things more complicated was Sadie’s past interest in Luis during their teenage years.
However, Luis moved overseas later, so Sadie never got the chance to act on her feelings.
It had been quite a while since Luis came back to Ardlens, and it seemed Sadie had lost interest in him.
But the mere thought of those days when Sadie chased after him filled Luis with dread.
“I swear, if you try setting me up with Sadie, I’ll have to play matchmaker for Audrey with other young guys! Ardlens is full of wealthy, eager young men these days…” Luis said.
Before Luis could finish his words, Cornell cut him off, “Miss Miller.”
Luis replied with a relaxed tone, “Cut the crap, could you? Don’t even try to use this name to intimidate me. I’m not scared of…”
“Cornell!” A crisp female voice cut off Luis.
Instantly, Luis clutched his head and silently cursed Cornell, “You son of a bitch!”
Cornell, however, just ignored Luis and turned to Sadie, saying casually, “It’s been a while. Luis, why don’t you greet Sadie? You two haven’t met each other for years.”
“Luis? Is he really here?” Sadie exclaimed and turned around abruptly.
“Is it truly you? Luis?”
“Sorry, miss. It seems like you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
Luis covered his face with both hands, ready to step into the elevator with Cornell, but Sadie halted him.
“Luis! I know that’s you!” Sadie threw herself at Luis.
Caught off guard, Luis had no choice but to watch the elevator door shut in front of him.
Luis cursed Cornell silently. He wondered how he could discourage Sadie’s advances.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the hall, Jarrod’s gaze was glued to Nicole’s face. He had to remind himself repeatedly that this wasn’t a dream.
It seemed absurd, yet Jarrod was terrified it wasn’t real just like those odd dreams he’d had over the past few years.
Nicole, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, lifted her eyelids and uttered in a lazy, impatient tone, “Mr. Schultz, just get to the point. I don’t want to waste my time.”
Jarrod’s lips moved slightly, and his voice was rough. “How have you been all these years?”
As those words escaped his lips, he was stunned. He didn’t expect himself to instinctively worry about her. Wasn’t he supposed to confront her? He should ask Nicole why she’d been messing with him, right?
But when he began to speak, he realized he didn’t care about the answer. What really mattered was knowing what she had gone through…
“How have I been?” Nicole was taken aback by Jarrod’s unexpected question.
Jarrod’s question dragged Nicole back to those tough times.
The only peace Nicole had found in the last five years was when she’d fallen into the sea and lost consciousness. The tranquility was free from all worries.
But waking up brought not only the trying recovery but also a deep-seated hatred toward Jarrod. The strong sense of hatred led her to hate the world, lose interest in life, and reject everything.
At this moment, the quiet around Nicole seemed to echo the pain of her past. Jarrod stood in front of Nicole, his presence like a terrifying demon that seemed to choke her every evening. Those haunting dreams ignited a fierce anger in Nicole’s heart. She fantasized about seeking revenge on Jarrod in the most instinctive way.
Unable to contain her rage any longer, Nicole confronted him, “Mr. Schultz, have you come to mock me? Please don’t say you’ve suddenly realized your love for me just because I leaped off a cliff.”
“I…” Jarrod started to reply, but Nicole cut him off with a scornful laugh. “Perhaps I’m still alive because of you. Your actions repulse me. That’s why I’ve returned, to prevent you from tarnishing my name, not in any way.”
Jarrod’s striking face turned to stone, words failing him.
“Is there anything else you wish to say? If not, get out of my face.
This is our final face-to-face conversation. There won’t be another opportunity,” Nicole stated, her voice cold and detached.
Nicole turned to walk away, but in an instant, Jarrod’s strong hand pushed her against the wall.
Jarrod’s piercing gaze locked onto her. He fought to keep himself in check, to prevent any rash actions. In a rough voice, he said, “What if I tell you that the accident made me realize just how much you mean to me?”
He himself found it hard to believe he had uttered those words.
After enduring five long years of living hell without Nicole, Jarrod had changed.
He no longer wanted to return to those dark days filled with confusion and a lack of hope.
Now, all he desired was to hold onto Nicole, the very one he truly wanted in his life.
With eyes reddened, Jarrod pressed on, “Nicole, if I tell you I can’t live without you, what would you do?”
Jarrod watched Nicole’s face intently, not missing a single expression. But all he could see in her eyes was disgust and hatred.
That was the undeniable truth.
Nicole made no effort to conceal her disgust as she looked at Jarrod.
She just wanted him to know the depth of her hatred. To her, he was nothing but a piece of shit!
“Jarrod, you make me sick!” Nicole yelled.
However, Jarrod remained unfazed by her words. “Nicole, you can’t provoke me,” he replied, smiling. He had shed the irritable demeanor he had five years ago.
“I’m willing to do whatever for you.” With a serious expression, Jarrod gazed at her and declared, “Nicole, I want you back in my life.”
Nicole could only scoff at this. Jarrod had always been so full of himself. And now, he seemed not only arrogant but also delusional.
Nicole leaned in, playfully tightening the tie around Jarrod’s neck with her delicate fingers. “You know, Mr. Schultz, I’m the official interpreter for this damn place. If I go missing, my supervisor will probably alert the embassy right away.”
As she talked, Nicole playfully wound Jarrod’s tie around her fingers, pulling it tighter bit by bit. She teased him with a playful tone almost as if she was pretending to choke him.
“Listen, Mr. Schultz, if you don’t want to end up in a messy international legal battle, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself!”
Nicole warned.