Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
The Hampton family had supported the Schultz Group during its toughest times. Consequently, driven by both sentiment and logic, Jarrod was obligated to marry Vicki to honor the Hampton family’s generosity and solidify his reputation in the business community.
After all, nobody respected those who exploited others and failed to keep their promises.
For Jarrod, marrying Vicki was essential to secure the Schultz Group’s standing in Ardlens. Therefore, Jarrod would not punish Vicki for Austin’s sake. The transaction simply did not justify it. Indeed, to Jarrod, everything could be seen as a transaction.
“Miss Lawrence, this is an excellent chance for you. If you agree now, it could spare Austin further distress. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Vicki pressed. Her words left Nicole without a response, her options seemingly evaporated. Austin was Nicole’s vulnerability. Nicole could not and would not overlook this.
“Okay, I’ll go.” Nicole consented almost instantly. What other choice did she have? Submission seemed to be her only option.
Pleased, Vicki commented, “Miss Lawrence, your decision is wise. You will go tonight. I’ve arranged for someone I know to meet you. Please ensure you treat him with respect. Do not upset my guest, understood?”
Nicole felt a foreboding chill, asking, “Who have you set up for me?”
Vicki laughed ominously. “Miss Lawrence, no need to worry about that. You’ll find out soon enough when you arrive.”
Her laughter sounded strange and unsettling. Nicole sensed trouble waiting for her. Yet, she had no other options but to comply with Vicki’s plans.
“I’ll follow your instructions, but stay away from my child, or I’ll make you regret it,” Nicole warned.
Vicki just laughed again. She completely dismissed Nicole’s threat.
What could Nicole really do in such a state? Austin seemed even more delicate. With a mere word, she could order their elimination if she chose to. Just like now, despite her internal resistance, Nicole had to comply.
Vicki savored the control, reveling in the power it gave her. It felt exhilarating. She declared, “As long as you behave, I won’t harm him. Honestly, I’m not interested in your child. My focus is on you, Miss Lawrence. Perform well when you arrive, and if you impress me, I might even show some kindness to your son. How does that sound?”
“Fine, just keep your promise.” Nicole glared at Vicki and warned, “If you dare harm Austin, I’ll make sure the entire Hampton family pays dearly.”
The whole Hampton family was a rotten bunch. Vicki, Lowe, and Wayne…
None of them had any regard for human life.
But Vicki was utterly unmoved by Nicole’s words. She deemed Nicole’s defiant stance ridiculous even already in a pitiful state, With a casual toss of her hair, Vicki remarked, “I won’t disturb you any longer. 6:30 PM, Kingbel Club. Don’t be late.”
Vicki turned and walked away, her high heels tapping audibly with each step.
Once Vicki was gone, Nicole could no longer maintain her composure and crumpled to the floor next to the bed. The floor was cold, yet her heart felt even colder…
Tonight marked the beginning of a new, uncertain chapter. She was certain that more challenges lay ahead. She wasn’t sure if she could withstand this next onslaught. But for Austin’s sake, she had to remain strong.
Nicole ignored the doctor’s advice and insisted on leaving the hospital.
Reluctantly, the doctor agreed to let her go. Once the discharge paperwork was finished, Nicole was surprised to see an unexpected amount of money in her bank account.
It seemed Alec had deposited the money. Nicole quickly transferred the amount equivalent to her hospital bills to the Schultz Group’s company account.
She had no desire to keep the money or to be indebted to Jarrod. Right now, she was keen on cutting all ties with him and focusing solely on getting Austin back in her arms.
This morning, she had looked for medical records of Derek at this hospital and checked with nearby hospitals, but no one had heard of him.
No one knew where Derek was, and there was a good chance he was no longer alive. It was probably impossible to contact Leighton.
Leighton has been exposed, and Alec would definitely take the necessary actions to deal with the situation completely.
Nicole understood that Alec was the kind of person who, once he acted, wouldn’t leave a single clue behind.
After two weeks of following leads, her efforts had come to a disappointing end. Feeling desperate was unavoidable.
However, Nicole couldn’t waste time pitying herself. There were more crucial tasks at hand.
Nicole went back to her room to gather her things.
Meanwhile, Roscoe waited in the corridor upstairs, unsure of what he was waiting for. Then, he caught sight of a slim figure downstairs.
That unmistakable sense of recognition hit him. It was her again…
Nicole seemed utterly defeated, walking aimlessly, almost floating through space.
Roscoe couldn’t shake the sympathy for Nicole, once again his hand rested on his heart. What was happening? Why was his heart always out of control whenever he saw her…
“Roscoe.” a cheerful voice called from behind.
Doreen noticed Roscoe was distracted and asked, “What are you looking at?”
Without mentioning Nicole, Roscoe turned and replied, “Nothing.”
Doreen doubted him. She had just witnessed him lost in deep thought, staring intensely. She glanced downstairs where Roscoe had been looking, but saw nothing there.
Nicole had already disappeared around the corner, so naturally, Doreen saw nothing there.
Relieved that Roscoe wasn’t hiding anything, Doreen happily waved her medical report, exclaiming, “Look, the doctor says I’m in great shape, perfect for having a baby!”
Roscoe barely glanced at the medical report, merely grunting in response.
Doreen gazed at Roscoe’s handsome face, her cheeks flushing as she suggested, “Roscoe, we… You don’t need to wait for the wedding… We could start trying for a baby now.”
Their families had already discussed the engagement and wedding, with both parents eager for the events to happen soon.
Doreen was especially impatient, wishing her wedding day was tomorrow.
She and Roscoe hadn’t been together very long, only about a month.
So far, their intimacy had only progressed to her linking arms with him. They hadn’t even held hands.
No matter how subtly Doreen hinted, Roscoe did not respond, never initiating anything, which left her feeling anxious and frustrated.
After all, being a woman, it wasn’t proper for her to be too forward.
Yet, Roscoe was unresponsive as if he were made of stone.
Doreen had even arranged for people to test Roscoe, sending both seductive and innocent women his way, but Roscoe showed no interest, giving no one any opportunity.
While this reassured Doreen, she couldn’t shake the fear that perhaps Roscoe wasn’t interested in women at all… Maybe he had some unusual preferences…
This thought haunted Doreen, especially since she noticed that Roscoe seemed unusually attentive to Nicole. It was more than just attention.
The usually reserved Roscoe had actually initiated a conversation with Nicole.
Every glance they shared made Doreen uneasy because Roscoe never looked at her that way. In fact, he barely looked at her at all.
Worrying about this, Doreen grew more anxious, pulling on Roscoe’s arm as she continued, “Roscoe if I get pregnant now, it won’t show at the wedding. That would be perfect, right?”
Roscoe furrowed his brows slightly, keeping his hands tucked in his pockets. He was not fond of Doreen’s touch. Even her touching his clothes was uncomfortable for him.
At times, Roscoe doubted the rumors that he and Doreen had ever been a couple. If they truly had been a couple, why would her touch irritate him so much? Even her sleeve brushing against him was unbearable. The idea of having a child with her seemed even more intolerable.
Roscoe answered evasively, “We’ll talk about it later.”
Doreen failed to detect the evasion in his voice. Seeing Roscoe not agreeing to her proposal, she boldly suggested, “How about I come over to your place tonight? We could…”
Roscoe, unable to contain himself any longer, shook her off as he walked, responding coldly, “That’s not very convenient.” This was his kindest way of saying no.
Miguel had been constantly reminding Roscoe that it was crucial he treated Doreen nicely. The alliance of their families was based on merging interests. Roscoe couldn’t speak freely, and he was expected to tolerate Doreen’s tantrums at all times.
Miguel had advised Roscoe that girls were delicate and reserved and that he needed to spoil Doreen.
Indeed, Doreen was the epitome of delicacy. She would complain about her feet and legs hurting after just a short walk, and even dining was fraught with complications. Her delicacy was frustrating.
As for Doreen’s supposedly reservedness, Roscoe couldn’t see it. He understood her overtly flirtatious hints. He simply chose not to respond. They even repulsed him.
“What’s wrong? Are you busy tonight?” Doreen persisted in asking.
“Yes, I have some matters to discuss.”
Doreen was upset by his rejection but didn’t give up. “Okay, then maybe tomorrow night or the night after…”
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“I’m sorry. I’ll be busy for a while, and I don’t believe in premarital relations. I hope you can understand that.”
Roscoe’s response was nearly blunt, leaving Doreen feeling humiliated.
Doreen’s cheeks turned a deep red. After all, she was a wealthy young woman, accustomed to popularity, but Roscoe always treated her coldly.
“Roscoe, how dare you!” Doreen’s anger finally erupted.
Her voice was arrogant as she declared, “You’re nothing but a lowly bastard, yet you act superior in front of me. Marrying me would be your lucky break. You should be thanking me. Yet you dare show such an attitude! Who do you think you are!”
Roscoe appeared to have anticipated her outburst. Doreen had never been one to keep her temper, yet she posed as fragile and weak around him, which he found utterly disgusting.