Chapter 412

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Following Jarrod's instructions, Alec immediately contacted Hilpton's manager. To his astonishment, the manager flatly refused to receive him.

So Alec drove all night, trying every method imaginable, short of breaking and entering, to get a meeting.

Alec began by proposing to buy the Hilpton at double its current market value.

However, the manager was not interested, ridiculously claiming that the hotel was a family treasure inherited from the time of his great-grandfather, etc.

Alec was left scratching his head. How could the Hilpton become an ancestral property when it was obviously a hotel chain operating on a global scale? Complete nonsense!

With no other options, Alec raised his offer to triple its value, catching the director's attention, but it was still rejected.

Reflecting on his extensive experience working with Jarrod, Alec sensed something strange about this transaction.

After all, Jarrod was one of the ten most important magnates in Ardlens.

Hilpton's manager was playing out of Jarrod's league.

However, the manager rejected the offer outright, even when the offer was raised to three times the value. Alec thought it was very strange. No normal businessman would pass up the opportunity to make money. It seemed like the manager was keeping secrets.

With no other alternatives, Alec consulted Jarrod again, who responded with only two words after hearing the situation: "Five times!"

Alec was stunned. Offering five times the price would mean operating at a loss for the next fifty years. What kind of agreement was that, practically throwing money away?

However, Alec realized that if he didn't close the deal, Jarrod could offer ten times the price.

Alec resorted to every strategy he knew, from charm to dogged determination.

In the end, the enormous financial offer made the manager give in.

Mentions of family heirlooms were left behind. Although the manager said he reluctantly agreed, his face betrayed his true feelings with a wide smile.

Clinging to the acquisition contract he had fought so hard for, Alec felt the deal was anything but lucrative.

Before dawn, Nicole woke up.

Looking at the peaceful face at her side, Nicole was overcome with a feeling of complete satisfaction.

His thoughts remained a mystery to strangers. When she first came out of Austin's life, people assumed she harbored strong negative feelings toward him.

Little did they know that their decision was based more on remorse. Nicole was weighed down by regrets for not having been the good mother she should have been. Claiming depression as a defense was inadequate.

From the moment she put her hand on Austin's neck, Nicole gave up her right to be a mother.

Furthermore, her notoriety in Ardlens, tarnished by Jarrod's actions, meant that Austin was better off without a mother like her with a tarnished reputation. Austin's future seemed brighter and more promising without his presence. It comforted him to watch him from a distance.

With a heavy heart, Nicole let go of Austin's hand, feeling an emptiness that grew with every inch she withdrew.

Leaving the room, he found Roscoe asleep on the couch outside.

He decided not to retire to his bedroom, moved by the concern he felt for them.

As he slept, Roscoe appeared serene, with dark hair softly outlining his face and long but sparse eyelashes contributing to his refined and elegant appearance. His androgynous beauty was unusual: handsome without being effeminate.

Nicole approached, leaned down, and tenderly brought the blanket to him.

When he withdrew his hand, Roscoe's clean, slender fingers clasped his.

“Nicole, did you wake up so early?” Roscoe's voice carried a slight charm in the early hours.

Nicole responded with a hum and suggested, “It's still very early.

Rest a little more.

Nicole tried to free her hand, but Roscoe maintained his grip, gently pulling her closer.

He opened his eyes, revealing a lucid and somewhat hoarse look, and said: "Nicole, I had a nightmare."

His eyes locked. The intensity of his gaze was almost audible.

Nicole's pulse accelerated, as if captivated by the depth of his gaze.

His lips parted slightly. «What was your dream about?

However, Roscoe didn't divulge it, simply asking, "Nicole, can I hug you?"

Surprised, Nicole's heart skipped a beat, speechless, already wrapped in Roscoe's arms.

The hug radiated warmth and strength.

Shortly after, Roscoe released her, a satisfied expression on his face.

He had dreamed that she was leaving. He had had a melancholic dream, and only a hug from her could calm his discomfort.

Quickly, Roscoe stood up. «Nicole, you should get ready for the day. "I'll go make us breakfast."

Nicole hesitated. «It's not necessary. "I usually skip breakfast."

To her, who couldn't taste flavors, all food was as tasteless as cardboard, so no food was preferable to another.

However, Roscoe saw it differently. I thought she should try some of her favorite dishes again. Even without taste, the act of eating cherished foods carried a different feeling.

Roscoe tenderly took Nicole's hand, his manner gentle but imploring, in a charmingly persuasive way. «Nicole, please stay. The babysitter will be here soon. Could you wait for me in the next suite?

Roscoe often gave Nicole a sense of stability, although his youth sometimes manifested itself in his playful pleas towards her.

His tone was serious and, coupled with his neat and handsome appearance, his playful requests did not seem forced or insincere.

Nicole found it difficult to resist these pleas. It was rare for a woman to resist the allure of a “little brother” figure who oscillated between showing strength and vulnerability.

Roscoe was aware of this and reserved these tactics for the times when they were most necessary. She understood that abusing her could make her tired and ineffective.

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