Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
A wave of paleness washed over Nicole’s face. She was overwhelmed by Roscoe’s thoughtfulness and his attention to detail. She quickly left Roscoe’s company and hailed a taxi to his apartment.
Upon speaking with the building’s security guard, Nicole found out that Roscoe hadn’t come home yet.
Nicole’s complexion turned ashen. Roscoe had vanished after Leaving his office. But at that time, Jarrod was still incarcerated. Who could be acting on his behalf?
Suddenly, a name popped into Nicole’s head ??Alec. It had to be him.
Nicole then took a taxi to Jarrod’s company, but as expected, she didn’t find him there. Jarrod was having a meal with Vicki somewhere else.
Nicole requested to see Alec specifically, but the receptionist told her Alec was tied up. Nicole decided to wait in the lobby.
Eventually, Nicole noticed Alec descending the stairs, apparently about to leave for an errand.
Nicole felt an urge to confront him but stopped herself. After Alec departed, she followed him in a taxi. She watched as he parked at a tea house and casually sat down for tea.
Nicole instructed the taxi to drive past and continued surveilling Alec.
A short while later, Alec returned to his car, and Nicole, now disguised in a baseball cap, slipped into a black car. It was too conspicuous to follow in a taxi, so she had asked her assistant to find a less noticeable car.
Soon after, Alec parked his car at an entertainment club. Once he entered, Nicole slipped inside and booked a chamber. She methodically searched each chamber, tracing the path Alec had taken.
Nicole’s search continued until she opened the final door. There sat Alec, casually drinking with two women by his side.
As the door opened, Alec, seemingly anticipating her arrival, called out loudly, “Miss Lawrence, come in and join us for a drink!”
Nicole’s hand shook slightly. Since Alec had spotted her, there was no point in hiding. She realized Alec had been misleading her on purpose.
Nicole walked in, stood by the table facing Alec, and got straight to the point. “You kidnapped Roscoe, didn’t you?”
“You mean your lover? What makes you think I did so?” Alec lifted his wine glass, sipped slowly, and smirked. “I haven’t seen him.
Alec’s expression seemed to taunt Nicole, “I know something you don’t.”
Alec chuckled, adding, “Miss Lawrence, you’re such a lousy detective. I must say you’ve really gone all out for your little lover.”
“He’s not my Lover,” Nicole stated sharply, correcting Alec. “You don’t need me to remind you that kidnapping is a crime, right? Mr. Schultz just got out of jail. Do you want to end up there?”
Alec smirked. “Who said I kidnapped him? Didn’t I already tell you…”
He paused, adding teasingly, “I haven’t seen him?”
It was clear Alec was toying with Nicole. He never liked Nicole, deeming the latter unworthy of Jarrod’s affection. Despite all the tenderness Jarrod gave Nicole upon her return, she didn’t hesitate to harm Jarrod if granted by chance. Furthermore, Nicole even had the mood to date Roscoe on Valentine’s Day while Jarrod was still behind the bars!
Alec doubted Nicole would ever be bothered by the suffering Jarrod had experienced in the prison. She was simply a heartless woman!
With a smug look, Alec assumed Nicole would be in for a tough time now that Jarrod was released, untouched by those charges. The idea of Nicole and Roscoe trying to topple Jarrod was utterly ludicrous.
Alec, draping an arm around a woman beside him, casually remarked, “Your little lover worked late last night. He must be exhausted. Do you ever wonder why he puts in such long hours? Is it to provide a better life for you?”
Nicole’s lips pressed tightly together, her silence unyielding.
Alec gave a theatrical sigh and murmured, “What a pity…”
Nicole clenched her fists and asked icily, “Pity?”
“Well. . .” Alec began, only to leave his sentence unfinished. “Never mind.
“What do you want from me?” Nicole demanded.
Alec shifted slightly and chuckled. “Miss Lawrence, your questions are so stiff, completely lacking any sincerity.”
Watching Alec eye the bottle of imported wine on the table, Nicole grabbed it and took a large swig, draining more than half.
“Is this enough?” The strong alcohol scorched Nicole’s throat, making her wince and cough slightly. She slammed the bottle down and stared at Alec, her eyes steely, “Alec, are you satisfied now?”
Alec couldn’t help but think Nicole might be unhinged. The drink was indeed strong. He had intended to make things difficult for her, but he didn’t expect her to down two-thirds of the bottle so quickly.
Seeing Alec silent, Nicole grabbed the remaining half of the bottle and emptied it in one gulp.
“Stop drinking!” Alec’s expression twisted in frustration. He cursed internally. Jarrod hadn’t yet decided what to do with Nicole. Nicole had a stomach condition. If she drank herself to death, he would be held responsible.
Nicole swayed and clumsily bumped into the table before collapsing on the floor in front of Alec.
Alec was dumbstruck and blurted out, “Damn it! Don’t you dare die here…”
“Shut up!” Nicole abruptly stood up, thrusting a fruit fork close to Alec’s neck as if ready to strike.
The two women beside Alec screamed and covered their mouths, while Nicole shot them a fierce look. “Drop your phones, go to the bathroom, and lock yourselves in.”
The two women, accustomed to avoiding trouble, knew better than to get involved in situations that didn’t concern them. They quickly dropped their phones and dashed into the bathroom, locking the door behind them.
Alec, overwhelmed with anger, shouted, “Are you out of your mind? How dare you!”
“Where is he?” Nicole intensified her pressure, drawing a small line of blood from Alec’s neck. “Tell me, where’s Roscoe? Did you take him?”
Alec suppressed his urge to curse, realizing that the enraged Nicole might actually go through with her threat. “I didn’t take him,” he snapped back.
“Then how did you know he worked Late?” Nicole demanded.
“I’ve been tracking you for days. I know about his Late nights, and I’m aware of your Valentine’s Day date. I’ve even taken numerous photos and videos, which I’ve shown to Jarrod,” Alec revealed everything, silently anticipating how Jarrod would handle her.
Nicole was focused solely on locating Roscoe. How could he just vanish like that?
Alec claimed he hadn’t captured Roscoe, but Nicole suspected Alec knew more. Otherwise, Alec wouldn’t have tricked her like this, and his expressions and tone suggested he knew something.
Losing patience, Nicole demanded, “So where did Roscoe go after you followed him last night?”
“He was taken away in a black MPV,” Alec answered.
“Who?” Nicole narrowed her eyes and pressed, “Who took him away?”
Alec’s mood soured. “Do I look like your detective? Why should it matter to me who took him? I have no reason to follow him.”
Alec scoffed. “I wish he was dead.”
In Alec’s mind, Roscoe’s constant battles with Jarrod were unforgivable. He wouldn’t even blink if Roscoe died.
“Who are you trying to intimidate with this tiny fork?” Alec brushed Nicole’s hand aside disdainfully. “I don’t believe you have the guts to stab me.”
As Nicole released her grip, the small fork clattered to the floor.
Nicole couldn’t imagine anyone but Jarrod having a reason to abduct Roscoe.
“Move, you’re in my way,” Alec muttered, wiping his neck. “Don’t worry. I won’t lay a finger on you unless Mr. Schultz says so.”
Nicole unlocked the restroom, and the two women dashed out, screaming.
Leaning heavily against the wall, Nicole felt a wave of nausea. With a harsh cough, she expelled the alcohol she’d just downed. She sank down, feeling utterly spent.
Just then, Alec’s phone buzzed to life. He took the call, answering with a few curt “yes” nods, and then ended the call.
Approaching Nicole, whose face was washed out with fatigue, Alec said icily, “Miss Lawrence, Mr. Schultz wants a word with you.”
Nicole’s gaze was unfocused, indifferent to his statement.
Alec went on, “He’s aware you’re worried about Roscoe and has offered to take you to him.”
Nicole jerked upright suddenly, a stabbing pain surging through her stomach as though a knife had twisted inside her, her body convulsing with the intensity of the pain.
Alec laughed lightly. “No need to hurry. You’ll be reunited with him soon enough.”
Nicole followed Alec to a stately private club, its facade exuding grandeur.
Inside, Jarrod was the picture of composure, leisurely drinking tea.
His once unkempt stubble was now neatly shaven, Lending him a slimmer appearance and a more chiseled look.
Adorned with gold-rimmed glasses and perusing financial reports, Jarrod exuded an air of sophistication. Upon noticing Nicole, he offered a smooth smile. “You’ve arrived?”
Nicole had no time for pleasantries. “Jarrod, where is he?”
“Have you eaten?” Jarrod posed a question that seemed off-topic.
Nicole’s mouth fell open, astounded by his indifference. Her eyes filled with desperation. “Jarrod, answer me. Where’s Roscoe?”
Jarrod glanced at Alec, inquiring, “Has she eaten?”
Alec shook his head, recounting how Nicole had downed a significant amount of liquor and retched it all back up.
Jarrod set aside his financial reports, commanding, “Get her some porridge.”