Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Miguel, an expert at navigating political games even when he was “up to his neck,” didn’t show any shame even when his tactics were exposed. He stroked his beard and replied with a cunning smile, “Mr. Schultz, we’re still very grateful for your tip about Roscoe’s whereabouts. Rest assured, we’re not ungrateful. If you need anything from the Watts family, just say the word, and we’ll be at your service without hesitation.”
His polished words, however, essentially meant a complete betrayal.
He clearly had no further interest in meddling with Roscoe’s personal life.
“Bang!” With a forceful slap, Jarrod sent the glass flying, striking a decorative vase behind Miguel.
The vase, a valuable artifact worth millions, shattered instantly.
Miguel’s face soured, but he contained himself and remained silent.
He understood Jarrod was furious and needed to express his anger.
“Mr. Watts, now that the Watts family has an heir, do you think you can challenge me?” Jarrod questioned.
Miguel couldn’t openly admit it, feeling internal fury, yet he cautiously replied, “Not at all. We’ve never had such thoughts “
“I think that’s exactly what you thought!” Jarrod responded with a chilling laugh. “But remember, just as I was able to secure your family’s future, I can just as easily end it. I clearly have that power.”
Miguel trembled with fear. “Mr. Schultz, please understand, Roscoe’s my only heir now. We will exhaust the Watts family’s resources if necessary to protect him.”
He then added with a diplomatic smile, “Let’s avoid discussions that could damage our connection. We look forward to continued collaboration. I assure you, any dealings with the Schultz family will be especially advantageous to you from now on.”
The state of the Watts family was not much better than that of Jarrod’s Schultz Group.
However, with the family line nearly severed, the company’s strength diminished, and each member had their own interests, all seeking a share of the Watts family wealth.
Miguel was well aware that many were just biding their time until his death to risk their claims on the estate. Despite his advancing age and the pressures, he saw Roscoe, whom he had previously underestimated, as a new hope.
Therefore, he was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure Roscoe’s safety until his mission was complete.
Jarrod smirked. “I doubt your wish to carry on the family legacy will come true.”
Jarrod wasn’t in the mood for a verbal duel with Miguel. Their thoughts were simply too different.
Jarrod could go after the Watts family, but it wasn’t worth the trouble. It would drain his resources and waste precious time.
“Mr. Watts, you weren’t aware that the woman your son loves has fallen gravely ill. Her health is declining rapidly, leaving her unable to bear children,” Jarrod said to Miguel.
Miguel was taken aback. He had noticed that Nicole was older than Roscoe but thought it was manageable. After all, age didn’t matter as long as she could have children.
At just under thirty, it was hard for Miguel to believe that Nicole couldn’t have children. Jarrod’s revelation made him rethink everything.
Jarrod continued, “You know your son well. He’s a devoted man who would never betray the woman he loves by having children with someone else.”
Miguel knew this to be true. Roscoe was so determined and loyal that changing his mind would be nearly impossible. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stood his ground against the Schultz family so stubbornly. But if Nicole really couldn’t have children, he needed to consider other possibilities. There had to be another option.
Miguel’s aged eyes gleamed sharply as he looked at Jarrod. “Mr. Schultz, my efforts alone won’t be enough. We need your cooperation to have Miss Lawrence come back. What do you say?”
Jarrod knew Miguel had decided. Pleased with the outcome, he stood up and declared, “Of course, Mr. Watts. We don’t need to be rivals. If we work together, the future will be better for both of us.”
“Of course.” Miguel nodded respectfully but remained cautious.
Despite Jarrod’s words, he’d already excluded the Watts family from future partnerships. Miguel was simply too sly.
After leaving, Jarrod began pondering ways to force Nicole back to his side. She had turned prickly and now resented him fiercely.
Just as he was deep in thought, his phone rang. It was the maid from the villa. “Mr. Schultz, your son is running a high fever. It seems serious. He’s passed out!” she said, her voice trembling.
Austin’s frail image crossed Jarrod’s mind, making him wonder how Austin could be so delicate that a simple fever could make him faint.
The maid continued urgently, “The nanny caring for him is crying and begging to take him to the hospital. What should I do?”
The maid didn’t dare to make decisions on her own, being just a servant responsible for Austin’s daily needs. The bodyguards outside wouldn’t let Austin leave. If the manny hadn’t knelt down to emphasize the gravity of the situation, the maid wouldn’t have made the call.
Jarrod commanded without hesitation, “Get the family doctor to take a look. Hold on!”
He thought of something and quickly said, “Hand the phone to the nanny and let her make one call. Stay close by and keep track of the time.”
“Understood, sir.” The maid was puzzled by Jarrod’s sudden change of plan, but she had to follow his orders. She hurried upstairs, handed the phone to the nanny who was caring for Austin, and relayed, “Mr. Schultz said you can make a call.”
The nanny, confused, asked nervously, “Why hasn’t Mr. Schultz sent us to the hospital yet? Austin is so ill…”
The maid saw Austin’s flushed face and felt a pang of guilt but couldn’t help. “This is his order. Are you going to make the call or not?” she asked firmly.
“Yes.. Yes, I’ll call,” the nanny replied through gritted teeth. She knew Jarrod was forcing her to call Nicole. She had told Austin before that they needed to behave, avoid causing trouble, and not make Nicole worry about them.
The nanny never expected Austin to bear her words in mind and endure his discomfort in silence until he fainted from a high fever.
Terrified, the manny abandoned her hesitation and called Nicole immediately.
Nicole answered quickly, and hearing her voice, the nanny broke into tears. “Miss, Austin…”
Nicole stood up in shock. “What happened to Austin?”
“Austin’s running a high fever, and he’s passed out. Mr. Jarrod hasn’t taken us to the hospital.” the nanny said between sobs.
Nicole’s chest tightened.
After Nicole hung up, Roscoe noticed her worried expression. “Is something wrong with Austin?” he asked.
Nicole nodded and said, “Austin has a fever.”
Without hesitation, Roscoe tried to remove his IV. “I’ll come with you to check on him.”
“No!” Nicole stopped him from pulling out the needle. “Don’t move. Keep getting the infusion. I’ll handle this myself.”
Nicole was concerned that if Roscoe went with her, Jarrod, unpredictable as ever, could further delay Austin’s treatment.
Nicole, filled with worry, reassured him, “Don’t worry, Roscoe. I won’t let Jarrod intimidate me anymore. I’ll stand up to him.”
She urged Roscoe, “Focus on your recovery. Once you’re better, we’ll hire a lawyer and fight to get Austin back.”
Seeing how determined Nicole was, Roscoe grasped his presence would only worsen the situation. “Go quickly. Take care of Austin. I’ll stay here.”
“Alright. Nicole left immediately, driving the car Roscoe had arranged for her.”
Nicole arrived at the villa to find the guards at the door expecting her. They let her through with little resistance.
As Nicole was about to head upstairs, she noticed Jarrod waiting at the top, seemingly expecting her. Her anger flared up, and she couldn’t help but slap him hard. “Jarrod, are you even human? How could you do this to Austin?”
She raised her hand for another strike, but Jarrod seized her wrist, sneering, “So you’ve decided to come back? Didn’t get too cozy with your lover?”
Nicole rolled her eyes. Jarrod was being entirely unreasonable, blaming her when he was the one who had kept her from seeing Austin.
Nicole was furious, but her worry for Austin outweighed her anger, and she didn’t want to escalate things with Jarrod. “Let go of me, Jarrod. I need to get Austin to the hospital!” she insisted.
Surprisingly, Jarrod didn’t argue with her, loosening his grip and letting her go upstairs.
Pushing the door open, Nicole found Austin lying on the bed, with the nanny by his side.
“How’s Austin “Nicole’s voice caught in her throat at the sight of the frail child.
The nanny turned to Nicole and gently squeezed her hand. “Miss, don’t worry. His temperature is already dropping. The doctor just gave him a shot to bring down the fever.”
Only then did Nicole notice that fever-reducing patches covered Austin’s forehead and underarms. His face looked more relaxed, his expression less troubled as he slept.
“What happened?” Nicole asked, confused. Wasn’t Jarrod against taking Austin to a doctor?
For years, every time Nicole heard about Austin being ill, she couldn’t sleep or eat properly. Although she and Austin hadn’t much time together and the emotional distance often kept her from reaching out, she was always deeply concerned for him. She worried she wouldn’t have enough time to see him grow up.
“It was Mr. Schultz who arranged for the doctor,” the nanny explained.
She had also thought Jarrod wouldn’t allow it, but after she made the call, Jarrod surprisingly agreed and had the doctor visit to treat Austin’s fever.
The nanny, having accompanied Austin through similar episodes over the years, recognized the doctor’s competence.
Within a few moments, the doctor identified Austin’s heart problem, administered an antipyretic injection, and applied fever-reducing patches.
After leaving, the doctor seemed to have shared something with Jarrod, as Jarrod’s expression grew more serious when he came back to check on Austin before leaving again.
Upon hearing the nanny’s account, Nicole realized Jarrod was using Austin’s illness to manipulate her return. That fucking bastard! Just as she suspected, he was willing to exploit his own child for his gain.
That was why Nicole had hidden Austin away for years, fearful he would become a pawn in Jarrod’s game.
She hated Jarrod to the core but remained by Austin’s side, watching over his health.
By evening, Austin briefly woke up.
Upon seeing Nicole, Austin reached out his small hand with a hint of sadness and whispered hoarsely, “Mommy, hug…”