Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Her voice was a mix of charm and menace, wrapping around Lowe’s mind and ears.
Lowe backed away until he hit the door, cornered with no escape.
Seeing the glass bottle pressed against Nicole’s neck, Lowe screamed, “Stop! Stop… Please… Don’t stab! Don’t stab… Please!”
He had surrendered. This woman was too crazy for him to handle. He couldn’t deal with her.
If Vicki was a bitch hiding her true nature with a gentle facade, then Nicole was a poisonous scorpion, direct and intense in her threat.
Lowe was on the verge of tears. Why were all these women so terrifying? He couldn’t handle them. He wanted to go home. He really did.
Nicole didn’t push the bottle further, but she didn’t let go either.
She knew she was reaching her limit and might collapse. If Lowe realized she was bluffing, he might do something drastic. She was waiting for the decisive moment. This time, she had to win. She couldn’t afford to lose.
“Bam!” The door flew open with a forceful kick.
Lowe was sent flying onto the sofa, crying out in pain. “What the hell! Which bastard kicked me! Are you blind?”
“Ouch… Ouch…” He groaned in pain. Not only had he failed to have any fun, but now he was also kicked flying. It really hurt. Why was he so unlucky?
A tall, imposing figure walked in. The man had long legs, wore a single-breasted coat, and exuded a sharp, commanding presence.
An hour ago, as Jemma was about to leave, Nicole stopped her. “Jemma…”
She hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” Jemma turned to face Nicole with a serious expression.
“Um, I might run into some trouble later. I need your help with something,” Nicole explained.
Jemma gazed at Nicole intently. “What seems to be the problem?”
Jemma paused, reflecting. Having been in this industry for too long, she felt something amiss with Nicole’s seeming dedication. Nicole hadn’t fully recovered yet. Was any client this important? Plus, this job was not Nicole’s livelihood. Did it demand such commitment?
A sudden realization struck Jemma. “Is it the client in the chamber?”
Nicole’s silence confirmed her suspicion.
Seizing Nicole’s wrist, Jemma’s anxiety was palpable. “You shouldn’t go then. You’re not well. Go home for some rest. I’ll manage this.”
Holding Jemma’s hand, Nicole replied, “I can’t dodge this forever. Austin needs me, and so does his nanny. It’s time I took a stand, or I’ll regret it.”
Her voice steady, Nicole continued, “I need you now. Could you help me?”
The trust Nicole placed in Jemma was profound, a testament to the inherent kindness that Nicole recognized in her, a kindness that could not stay concealed.
Despite not understanding its origin, Nicole knew she needed Jemma’s kindness now more than ever.
“What do you need me to do?” Jemma asked.
Nicole responded, “I’m going to enter that chamber. I’m unsure about how what will unfold. If I break a glass, you must…”
She paused before finishing. “Call Jarrod for me.”
Jemma reacted with surprise. “You mean Mr. Schultz? You want me to call him?”
“Yes,” Nicole affirmed with a deep look. “Call him.”
Jemma was well aware of the complex history between Nicole and Jarrod.
She had heard numerous accounts of their relationship. While these stories varied, some elements consistently rang true.
Using these fragments, Jemma had constructed a comprehensive narrative. From Nicole’s point of view, her disdain for Jarrod was justifiable.
Yet, Jarrod’s insistence on keeping Nicole close spoke to a different kind of affection. Jarrod and Nicole were both too immature to distinguish love from disdain, a difference that Jemma, with her wealth of experience, understood clearly. Fate, it seemed, enjoyed its irony.
Given Jarrod’s influence, aligning with him could only benefit Nicole, bringing her security without apparent risk.
And with Jarrod’s protection, Jemma felt a reduced burden for Nicole’s safety.
Having no children of her own and with Nicole’s father gone, Jemma had resolved to look after Nicole as her own. She intended to entrust her entire estate to Nicole’s management.
“You made a wise decision,” Jemma commented. “Jarrod may be harsh, but his dedication to those he loves is unmatched. He shields his own, regardless of the circumstances.”
Nicole remained mostly silent, her mind made up to take a risk.
Today, she was determined to prevent Vicki from becoming Jarrod’s wife. As long as she lived and lacked custody of Austin, she would not allow another woman to step into the role of Austin’s stepmother.
After all, the wealth of the Schultz family was a dangerously alluring trap. Nicole could not be sure that other women wouldn’t succumb to its allure. Interests often dictated actions. Initial agreements might give way to increasing greed over time. Austin could become a pawn, inadvertently inviting peril.
As Nicole moved to depart, she paused, turning back to caution Jemma, “No matter what noises you hear, don’t come inside.”
Nicole had set up to record the chamber. If Jemma entered, it could jeopardize everything.
“Remember, only call Jarrod if you hear glass shatter. Do not enter, no matter the circumstances,” Nicole instructed Jemma firmly.
“Don’t worry. I’ll follow through,” Jemma assured her.
After Nicole disappeared inside, anxiety gripped Jemma. She could hear the muffled sounds of a struggle emanating from the chamber, heightening her concern.
Several times, the urge to intervene overwhelmed Jemma, but she restrained herself, recalling Nicole’s directive. She reminded herself to stay calm. Nicole was no fool. She must have had strong reasons for her actions.
Jemma knew she needed to trust Nicole implicitly. After all, Nicole was the daughter of Wesson, a wise man.
After what seemed like an eternity, the distinct sound of glass breaking pierced the air.
Jemma wasted no time and made the call. The phone rang persistently, stirring fears that Jarrod might not pick up.
Jemma had called Jarrod’s personal number. Although securing it hadn’t been difficult for Jemma, there was always the chance Jarrod might be away from his phone or dismiss calls from unknown numbers.
Likely, he wouldn’t recognize her number.
As the phone continued to ring, Jemma’s patience thinned, and she considered driving over herself.
At last, the Line connected.
“Hello, who is this?” The voice on the other end was deep and resonant.
A wave of relief washed over Jemma. It wasn’t the irksome Alec on the line. It was Jarrod himself. Thank goodness.
“Mr. Schultz, it’s Jemma Acosta from Kingbel Club,” Jemma introduced herself.
Jarrod responded with a languid tone, clearly relaxed, “Yes?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you at this hour, Mr. Schultz. Here’s the situation…”
Jemma hesitated before continuing, “This evening, Miss Doreen Schultz and Miss Vicki
Hampton visited the club. They were in a chamber, seemed to have quite a few drinks, and it got pretty loud. I thought it best to call you to check on things.”
Jarrod’s response was dismissive, his voice deep and unbothered.
“They’re just having fun. Let them be.”
“But…” Jemma paused again, unsure how to continue.
Impatient, Jarrod urged, “If there’s more, say it now.”
“They had requested Nicole to serve them. It’s been a long time, and she hasn’t come out yet,” Jemma added.
There was a pause on the other end of the line. Jemma couldn’t gauge Jarrod’s thoughts, The silence was total.
Jemma pressed on, “Usually, it wouldn’t worry me, but with the inspections these past few days, I’m concerned. What if Miss Schultz gets too carried away and the inspectors show up? Could that not lead to trouble?”
Still, no response came, not even the sound of breathing. For a moment, Jemma wondered if Jarrod had hung up. She ventured cautiously, “Mr. Schultz, should we…”
Yet, the Line went dead.
Jemma stood there, bewildered. What did this mean? Was Jarrod on his way? She considered calling back but remembered Nicole’s strict instruction that one call only, regardless of the outcome.
Resisting the urge to dial again, Jemma’s anxiety mounted. She decided to wait at the club’s entrance.
Time dragged on, and as Jemma was about to give herself a twenty-minute ultimatum to intervene, a black stretch Limousine sped toward her, arriving in just ten minutes.
Jemma rushed over and politely opened the car door for Jarrod. “Mr. Schultz, you came so quickly…”
A pair of polished leather shoes hit the ground, and a tall, handsome man stepped out swiftly, his eyes not even glancing at Jemma.
He walked straight ahead.