Financial crimes could lead to more than ten years in prison, but they werenât punishable by death.
Although Nicole believed Jarrod was responsible for her fatherâs death, without direct action, the law couldnât touch him.
She never wished for Jarrodâs quick death.
She wanted him to see his empire crumble around him.
She wanted him to be crushed, to live a life that was worse than death.
That was what she wanted for her revenge.
Alec, not expecting Nicole to be so informed, quickly went from mocking to looking at her with deadly seriousness.
He warned, âIf anything happens to Mr.
Schultz, youâll regret it!â
With that, Alec hurried off.
Nicole moved to the window to see Jarrod being led away, surrounded by flashing cameras.
She breathed out a sigh of relief.
It wasnât a total loss.
If all went well, Jarrod could be looking at more than ten years behind bars.
In ten years, Jarrodâs empire would likely fall apart, and his name would be forgotten among the Ardlens.
No matter what ended up happening to Jarrod, the Schultz Group was on a path to sure decline.
Unless the Hampton family went out of their way to save Jarrod, it was pretty much over for him.
But it seemed unlikely the Hamptons would go to such lengths for Jarrod.
Downstairs, through the clear window of the car, Jarrod looked up, almost as if he knew Nicole was watching his downfall.
Since the officers arrived, Jarrod hadnât let his emotions show, not once looking like he was defeated or embarrassed.
Even now, sitting in the car with his legs crossed and leaning back a bit, anyone who didnât know better might think Jarrod was on his way to an important meeting, not to the police station.
Jarrodâs hospital room was on the fifth floor, so looking up from the ground, a person might seem as small as an ant.
But Jarrod looked up intently, as if Nicole and he were standing right in front of each other.
Nicole stepped away from the window, no longer interested in watching.
Her job was done.
With Jarrod convicted, she and Austin could finally be together without fear.
This was the life she had always wanted but never thought possible.
Now, it seemed like it was within their grasp.
Roscoe noticed Nicoleâs thoughtful look and offered comfort, âNicole, Iâve handed in that document.
With these extra charges, thereâs no way he can get out of it.
â
Nicole felt a twinge of guilt.
She had promised herself she wouldnât drag others into this mess, yet here was Roscoe, caught up in it all.
She turned to face him, taking in his kind, honest face.
He used to be an angel, concerned only with helping others, but now he was caught up in these worldly troubles because of her.
âRoscoe, once Jarrod is out of the picture, stay away from the Watts family.
Theyâre bad guys, and you are not one of them,â Nicole said earnestly.
The Watts familyâs actions had left scars on Roscoe, proof of their harshness.
âOkay,â Roscoe replied, his eyes bright and sincere.
âNicole, itâs going to be alright.
â
But could it be? Despite her plan, Nicole couldnât shake off a lingering sense of unease, especially remembering Jarrodâs final threat.
âI wonât ever release you again!â That phrase haunted her, sounding almost like a curse.
Raegan spent three days in Mitchelâs ward, but Mitchel hadnât woken up yet.
His fever came and went, stubbornly refusing to disappear.
The doctors explained the severity was due to a broken rib piercing an important organ.
Though the surgery was timely, the post-operative infection was concerning.
It was important for him not to get another fever.
If his fever came back at night, he would have to be moved to the ICU.
Raegan looked after Mitchel all night without barely sleeping.