Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
However, there was not much they could do. Jarrod held the paternity test, along with Nicole’s previous medical records and details of Wesson’s financial troubles, including Nicole’s imprisonment after being wronged. Any of these factors could cost Nicole her custody rights.
Nicole’s last hope lay in Jarrod’s mental health issues. If it went to court, his condition could prevent him from being a sole caregiver.
“I get it. You need a lawyer, correct?” Audrey asked.
“Exactly. I need someone who won’t be intimidated by Jarrod and is experienced in custody cases.”
“I know just the person.” Audrey produced a contact, quickly explaining the situation. The lawyer agreed without hesitation.
Nicole remained concerned, recalling how even the well-known, affluent lawyer she initially hired had eventually backed out.
Audrey reassured her, “I’ve forwarded your details to him. He’ll be ready to assist with the legal process by next week. Don’t worry about his qualifications. He was formerly a legal advisor for the Clement Group but left to study abroad for various reasons. His expertise is beyond doubt.”
Knowing that the lawyer was from the Clement Group’s undefeated legal team gave Nicole some comfort. And with Audrey’s endorsement, it seemed unlikely he would be swayed by Jarrod.
Nicole gripped Audrey’s hand, expressing her gratitude, “”Audrey, I really appreciate your help with this.”
Though Cornell and Jarrod were once close friends, their professional paths had split years ago as they pursued different career paths.
However, in their personal lives, there were still some common threads between them.
When Cornell’s previous legal counsel faced off against Jarrod in court, it was bound to affect their relationship in some way.
“Don’t worry about it. Austin’s my godson,” Audrey said earnestly, smiling at Nicole. “Cornell values justice over personal relationships. He probably won’t mind. He might even try to talk some sense into Jarrod.”
Nicole let out a breath of relief. “Thank you, Audrey.”
Audrey gave Nicole’s hand a comforting squeeze. “Don’t stress. I sort of know Jarrod. I definitely wouldn’t want Austin in his care.”
Soon after, the lawyer Audrey recommended get in touch with Nicole.
“Miss Lawrence, hello, I’m Rhett Bates. Please, just call me Rhett.”
Rhett was straightforward and professional, avoiding the usual flattery like other lawyers. He quickly got to the point. “Miss Lawrence, I’ve reviewed your case thoroughly. Right now, your only advantage is the child’s father’s mental health issue. Without that, winning this case would be nearly impossible.”
Nicole was aware of this. If not, she would have reclaimed her child by now.
“Miss Lawrence, are you certain that Mr. Schultz has been medicated in recent years?” Rhett asked.
“I’m sure of it,” Nicole confirmed with a nod.
She remembered seeing Jarrod consistently take medication to manage his manic episodes back when they were together, a condition that had worsened after his parent’s deaths.
“Excellent. As long as we can verify Mr. Schultz’s mental health condition, I’m confident we can win this case,” Rhett assured her.
His impressive record at the Clement Group was testimony to his capabilities. His decision to resign and study abroad was driven by a desire to enhance his skills and contribute more effectively to his country.
Nicole felt a surge of reassurance at Rhett’s words, boosting her confidence.
The legal proceedings were slow to progress. By the time everything was set in motion, more than a month had elapsed.
During this time, Nicole’s thoughts often drifted to Roscoe, wondering about his ongoing treatment.
One evening, after leaving a restaurant with Rhett, Nicole stood by the roadside waiting for her ride.
Suddenly, she noticed a familiar face. It was Doreen.
Nicole initially intended to ignore Doreen, but Doreen had already seen her.
“You’re…” Doreen paused, trying to remember.
Nicole kept her eyes on her phone, waiting for her ride.
“You’re the woman who used to follow around my uncle…” Doreen exclaimed loudly.
Her tone was sharp, especially with many people around at the restaurant’s entrance. It seemed like she was hinting that Nicole was kept as a mistress.
As expected, the bystanders’ glances at Nicole were filled with curiosity and scorn.
Doreen’s intent was obvious. She despised Nicole and seized this moment to humiliate her.
Nicole responded firmly, “I have no relationship with Mr. Schultz, not now, not ever.” If there was ever any relationship, it was only because they were Austin’s biological parents.
“The official partner of Jarrod has always been from the Hampton family,” Doreen sneered. “I’m just being polite by saying you followed after him. In reality, you were nothing more than his mistress.”
Nicole’s expression chilled instantly.
Doreen, seemingly oblivious, stared at Nicole’s striking appearance and refused to ease her attack. “Don’t parade as virtuous. You were nothing but my uncle’s mistress, using your allure to gain the Lawrence family’s favors. Unfortunately, they’re too weak to be of any use…”
These words deeply wounded Nicole. She muttered in her heart, “If Doreen only knew the truth, she wouldn’t dare speak such foolishness. It was Jarrod’s unyielding demands that had truly undermined the Lawrence family.”
Doreen misinterpreted Nicole’s darken face as a sign of defeat, which only fueled her satisfaction.
She crossed her arms and sneered, “Like father, like daughter. It seems your parents taught you Little about morality, which explains why you meddle in others’ relationships.”
Her accusations had no foundation.
Nicole, unable to tolerate the slander any longer, raised her hand to strike Doreen.
But suddenly, a firm, cold hand clasped her wrist tightly, causing her face to blanch.
Seeing this, Doreen’s demeanor shifted dramatically as she clung to the man who had intervened, simpering. “Darling, I’m relieved you’re here. I feared this irrational woman was going to assault me…”
Doreen’s fawning tone starkly contrasted with her prior vitriol, making Nicole frown.
Then, a familiar yet cool voice rang out. “Miss, what prompted you to raise a hand to my girlfriend?”
Nicole looked up, her eyes narrowing to shield against the harsh overhead lighting. As her vision adjusted, she discerned a sharp jawline and a familiar, handsome face. It was Roscoe.
Nicole’s eyes widened in shock, and her heart began pounding rapidly.
He had returned? When did he return? She had no idea.
Lately, Nicole had been immersed in the lawsuit, keeping herself secluded at home to avoid accidental encounters with Jarrod. She occasionally checked the financial news and visited her mother at the sanatorium when Jarrod was occupied with work. Sadly, her mother no longer recognized her, only Jarrod.
Now, as Nicole stared at Roscoe, mixed emotions surged through her.
Joy intermingled with a touch of pain from past struggles. Roscoe had always been caring to her, which made the sense of hurt nearly instinctual, her eyes welling with tears that refused to fall.
“Roscoe, is your hand better now?” Nicole asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.
Nicole barely acknowledged Doreen standing next to him, focusing solely on Roscoe’s wellbeing. His recent grip suggested his hand had mended. His posture, steady and firm, indicated his leg was likely healed as well. This observation brought her a sigh of relief.
However, oddly, Roscoe’s gaze at Nicole was cool and distant, his expression inscrutable, offering her no emotional comfort.
Before Nicole could utter another word, Doreen struck her across the face with a sharp slap.
“You wretch! It was bad enough you ensnared my uncle, but now you dare try to charm my man right in front of me? Are you so shameless that you chase after every man you see?” Doreen’s voice dripped with disdain for Nicole.
To Doreen, Nicole had a complicated connection with Jarrod in the past, and now audaciously, Nicole seemed to vie for her partner’s attention. The nerve of her!
The slap snapped Nicole back to reality. She belatedly realized an unsettling truth. Roscoe’s gaze was vacant, as if he no longer recognized her. Her heart plummeted. Perhaps the Watts family had manipulated Roscoe’s memory during his recovery.
Nicole’s inner turmoil was cut short as Doreen clung to Roscoe, urging, “Roscoe, let’s leave this madwoman. She’s nothing but a lewd woman, incapable of going a day without luring a man.”
Roscoe looked at Nicole, noticing the tears brimming in her eyes, which sparked an inexplicable unease within him, yet his memories of her remained elusive.
Doreen pulled at Roscoe’s arm, urging him to get into the car.
Roscoe followed without further comment, heading toward the vehicle.
Impulsively, Nicole reached out and clutched Roscoe’s arm, her face streaked with tears. “Roscoe, it’s me, Nicole. Have you forgotten me?”
Her tearful appeal was poignant. She appeared fragile and ethereal, her lips a vivid red, her hair like silk, her complexion delicate as a glass orb.
Roscoe’s mind flickered with a trace of recognition, but it vanished as quickly as it came, shattered by Doreen’s piercing scream.
“You’re crazy!” Doreen pushed Nicole forcefully.
Caught unprepared, Nicole stumbled and fell, her knees scraping against the ground, blood soon staining her khaki pants.
Doreen, observing Nicole’s frail form, grew concerned she might have caused Nicole serious harm. Aware that Jarrod still harbored feelings for Nicole, she knew any severe injury to Nicole could lead to a reprimand or more.
Doreen hastily tugged at Roscoe, who seemed rooted to the spot.
“Roscoe, we need to leave now. This woman is unhinged and could be dangerous…”
Roscoe looked down at Nicole. For some reason, he found it hard to bring himself to leave with Doreen, his feet rooted to the spot “Roscoe!” Doreen called out again, irritation clear in her voice. She noticed Roscoe’s attention was fixed intently on Nicole, which irked her.
Doreen scoffed, wondering what made Nicole so captivating to men. Was it Nicole’s slightly fuller figure, her plump lips, or her mesmerizing face? Men seemed ensnared by merely her presence.