Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Conor forcibly removed the screaming Hallie and handed her over to the bodyguards.
Hallie seethed with anger, yelling, “How dare you treat me this way? I am Jarrod’s cousin, and that fact is unchangeable. You will regret this disrespect!”
Conor responded icily, “Ma’am, stop referring to yourself as Mr. Schultz’s cousin. Aren’t you just a distant relative of his?”
Conor knew Hallie all too well. Using the title of Jarrod’s “relative,” she deceived many businessmen to obtain benefits. Frequent meetings with Jarrod led outsiders to believe she was indeed his close family.
However, Hallie’s greed eventually caught up with her, and now she was facing the repercussions.
Hallie seethed, “You’re just a petty individual who’s gotten lucky, looking down on others. Once Jarrod calms down, he’ll remember the good I’ve done for him. The first thing he’ll do is fire you!”
“Fine, I’ll be waiting.” Conor smiled.
“You!” Hallie was at a loss for words.
With Jarrod having made his stance clear, Conor refused to entertain Hallie’s nonsense any longer. He instructed the bodyguards, “Take her away and ensure she doesn’t disturb Mr. Schultz again.”
Hallie, incensed, clung to the door, hurling curses, refusing to leave.
Just then, someone appeared, verified Hallie’s identity, and declared they were taking her in.
The officers displayed their badges, prompting Hallie to panic. “Why are you detaining me? I’ve done nothing wrong.”
One officer clarified, “In connection with the recent assault case, the suspect alleged she acted on your orders to throw sulfuric acid, which you allegedly purchased.”
Hallie was stunned. She couldn’t fathom her own daughter implicating her to avoid blame. Worse, she couldn’t defend herself since she had indeed bought the sulfuric acid.
“It wasn’t… You’re mistaken…” Hallie protested vehemently, but they took her in for questioning nonetheless.
Conor informed Jarrod about the incident, finding the situation quite dramatic. This mother and daughter duo were truly contemptible, attacking each other viciously for self-protection. What kind of family produced such individuals?
Jarrod cast his gaze downward as he spoke sternly, “Sever all ties with them.”
Individuals of such caliber were unworthy of any association with the esteemed Schultz family.
In the past, Jarrod’s last shred of compassion compelled him to maintain a facade of familial connection.
However, the stark reality of his solitude now engulfed him. Even those he believed harbored genuine concern for him, such as Hallie and Doreen, revealed themselves to be opportunists.
Conor proceeded to brief Jarrod on the latest developments concerning Vicki, stating, “It appears the Hampton family plans to intervene on Vicki’s behalf. Initially, they seemed resigned, but Vicki’s insistence on seeing Wayne changed their stance.
After relaying a message through her attorney, Wayne has been endeavoring to secure her release.”
With Wayne’s numerous illegitimate offspring, he could have easily relinquished Vicki, who held little significance to him.
However, the fervent public outcry left Lowe beyond redemption. Even the influential connections of the Hampton family couldn’t sway public sentiment.
This ordeal had left Wayne emotionally depleted, as the loss of his two most promising heirs simultaneously would undoubtedly crush anyone’s spirit.
Vicki wielded some influence over Wayne, compelling him to invest both resources and effort into her release.
Conor aired his conjecture, asserting, “Miss Hampton appears quite adept at influencing her father’s decisions.”
Jarrod concurred with Conor’s analysis, harboring similar suspicions.
Contemplating Vicki’s potential release, Jarrod apprehended that Nicole would undoubtedly become Vicki’s prime target.
The rivalry among women could be profoundly unsettling.
Jarrod instructed Conor, “Monitor the Hampton activities closely. If Vicki is liberated, ensure constant surveillance of her. Prevent any proximity to Nicole.”
“Understood.” Conor nodded.
Jarrod then inquired, “Any developments concerning Jamie?”
Jamie had vanished once more. Following her recuperation in the hospital, she slipped away while the nurses weren’t paying attention. She surmised that Jarrod had uncovered her true identity.
Apprehensive that Jarrod might not be lenient, she seized the opportunity to escape.
Given Jamie’s involvement in the incident regarding Nicole’s father, Jarrod needed to locate Jamie for explanations.
Conor replied, “I’m still investigating. Thus far, she hasn’t departed Ardlens. I’ve checked multiple checkpoints, and there’s no trace of her exit.”
Jarrod nodded. “Keep at it. She surely possesses information.”
Conor acknowledged.
Fatigued, Jarrod remarked, “You may leave now.”
Conor noticed the untouched meal near Jarrod’s bedside and inquired, “Mr. Schultz, is the cuisine unsatisfactory? What would you prefer? I can fetch it for you.”
Jarrod glanced at the food but lacked appetite. He inquired, “What did Nicole purchase last evening?”
Conor remarked, “I believe it was congee.” While not entirely certain, he recognized the packaging from a reputable congee establishment.
“Fetch some for me,” Jarrod commanded.
Conor was momentarily rendered speechless. His perception of Jarrod as love-stricken solidified. Sympathy for Jarrod flooded his thoughts. Desiring the same congee Nicole refused to procure for Jarrod, Conor answered, “Very well. Shall I depart immediately?”
Exiting the room, Conor pledged to ensure Jarrod received a steaming hot bowl of congee. He resolved to make the purchase himself.
Upon his return with the congee, Conor encountered Nicole, who had come to visit Rhett once more.
Conor greeted her, “Miss Lawrence, what a fortuitous encounter. Are you revisiting your friend?”
Nicole affirmed with a nod. “Indeed.”
Conor contemplated inviting Nicole to see Jarrod, yet yesterday’s attempt to appeal to her emotions had failed, prompting the need for a fresh strategy.
“Ouch, my stomach!” Conor exclaimed suddenly, doubling over and groaning in seeming discomfort.
Conor showcased his acting skills. He made it quite convincing, even biting his tongue hard enough to make his face pale and sweat drip down excessively.
Nicole was taken aback for a moment and concernedly asked, “How are you feeling? Should I call a doctor for you?”
Conor waved her off and said, “No need. I’ll just head to the bathroom, this…”
He lifted the package of congee, and before Nicole could object, he shoved it into her hand.
“Miss Lawrence, please deliver this to Mr. Schultz. The doctor mentioned he shouldn’t eat anything cold right now, or it might lead to another infection.” With those words, Conor quickly ran away.
Holding the congee, Nicole pondered for a while and then decided to bring it to Jarrod’s VIP floor.
Nicole intended to hand the congee to a bodyguard instead of entering Jarrod’s ward, but she was surprised to find the entrance to his ward unguarded.
Unknown to her, Conor had sent the bodyguards away to create this very opportunity for Jarrod.
Finding herself with no other option, Nicole knocked on the door, ready to hand over the congee.
A deep voice from inside commanded, “Come in.”
Nicole opened the door and entered. Jarrod was engrossed in the report he was holding, unaware of Nicole’s presence. Assuming it was Conor, he said without looking up, “Just leave it there.”
Nicole observed a table loaded with untouched food and then glanced at the congee in her hand. It seemed Jarrod had a sudden craving for congee. The shop seemed familiar to her, reminiscent of one she often visited.
Without overthinking, Nicole placed the congee down, and noticing that Jarrod still hadn’t recognized her, she started to leave. Just then, Jarrod glanced up and uncertainly called out, “Nicole?”
Nicole paused and turned back to him, explaining, “Conor wasn’t feeling well, so he asked me to bring this over.”
Jarrod paused, then said, “I thought you were here to see me.” His voice carried a hint of complaint.
Nicole was at a loss for words. Since she was already there, she felt forced to say something, “Why aren’t you eating? If you don’t eat, your recovery will be even slower. Austin is really concerned about you and keeps asking when you will come home.”
Nicole was being honest; Austin seemed to hold Jarrod in high regard. During her visits, she had heard Austin ask about Jarrod twice. Austin usually kept to himself and rarely showed interest in others.
Jarrod responded, “My wound is painful. I lost my appetite.” He sounded really upset.
Nicole, not convinced, said, “Doreen is your family. You took the hit, saving her from worse punishment.”
Nicole spoke the truth. Without Jarrod’s support, Doreen would never have dared to act so recklessly. Jarrod deserved the punishment.
Jarrod said, “Yes, I spoiled them too much. I won’t interfere in their affairs anymore.”
Nicole wasn’t there to hear his justifications. They really didn’t have much to discuss. She said, “You should eat the congee and get some rest. I’m leaving now.”
Right as she was about to leave, Jarrod began to cough violently, the harsh sounds worsening his back injury and leaving him looking particularly tortured.
Unable to just walk away, Nicole poured him a glass of water and offered, “Drink this.”
Jarrod looked at the glass, realizing Nicole did have a soft side around him.