The enforcer was merciless, yanking on the chain so hard that it tore flesh and sent blood flying.
That blow was enough to mar Roscoeâs features permanently.
âAh! Ah!â At last, Nicole couldnât bear it any longer and let out a scream.
However, she did not collapse.
Rather, she dragged herself toward Jarrod, struggling every inch of the way.
Her tears clouded her sight.
She couldnât make out the path ahead, yet the scent of evil was unmistakable, even with her eyes shut.
In the chaos, Nicole had shattered a bowl and now gripped a fragment of porcelain in her hand.
With a desperate thrust, she tried to strike Jarrod, but her feeble body only managed to graze Jarrodâs shin.
It was a minor wound, merely a scratch.
Nicole realized her current strength was insufficient to harm Jarrod, but her loathing was intense, and she didnât know how else to express it.
She clenched her teeth tightly and yelled, âJarrod, go ahead and kill me! Kill me! Whatâs the point of torturing him? If you dare, just kill me!â
Jarrod seemed unaffected by her challenge.
He stooped, took the piece of porcelain from her hand, and, pulling out a handkerchief, he gently wrapped her injury.
âNicole, how long has it been?â Jarrod sighed, caressed her hair with a semblance of pity, and said, âYou still havenât learned, have you? Well, this time, Iâll make sure you do.
â
With those words, Jarrod got up and moved indifferently toward the door, ready to leave.
But Nicole could not, and would not, let him leave through that door.
If he left, it would spell disaster for Roscoe.
That simply could not happen.
It was out of the question!
Nicole lunged at Jarrod once more, grabbing desperately at his legs, shaking as she pleaded, âJarrod, Iâll do as you say.
From now on, Iâll always obey⦠I wonât even think of defying you again.
Please⦠Just vent your anger on me.
Please donât do this to him⦠I canât bear to owe him any more⦠I really canâtâ¦â
Nicole knelt on the floor, tears streaming down her face, her voice filled with a low, earnest plea.
Seeing Nicole fully yield, Jarrod experienced no pleasure.
He was not a kind man, nor was he compassionate.
His tough experiences overseas had convinced him that those in power must never show weakness.
Showing mercy could eventually lead to his downfall.
Nicole and Roscoe had plotted against him, and they needed to be taught a lesson.
Yet, his intention was not to see Roscoe dead.
After all, the dead linger in memory longer than the living.
He didnât want Nicole to carry the memory of Roscoe for the rest of her life.
âNicole, you should understandâ¦â Jarrod crouched once again, his voice unusually soft.
âI donât really wish to punish you, but you never seem to learn.
If I donât make this memorable, youâll take risks again, and my patience is wearing thin.
â
âIt wonât happen again.
I promise I wonâtâ¦â Nicole gripped his arm, her eyes watery and red as she pleaded with bitterness.
Jarrod was familiar with her assertive, resolute nature.
Her current vulnerable state, paired with her beautiful and appealing face, was truly pitiful.
Nicoleâs eyes, pure and crystal clear, seemed particularly captivating when filled with tears.
Jarrod knew he needed to teach Nicole a lesson strong enough to quench any future rebellious thoughts.
Yet, at that moment, he felt an overwhelming desire just for her.