It was clear why men found her irresistible, and even the stoic Jarrod couldnât help but be drawn to her.
Vicki clenched her jaw and snapped, âYouâre just letting me walk away, Miss Lawrence? I thought youâd want an update about your son.
â
Nicoleâs eyes snapped open, and she bolted upright.
âWhat about Austin?â
âDidnât you say you wanted to be left alone?â Vicki retorted, standing up and feigning a departure.
âI wonât bother you anymore.
It seems youâre not that concerned about your son.
â
âStop!â Nicoleâs voice cracked as she reached out, grabbing Vickiâs wrist to stop her.
âExplain yourself.
Whatâs going on with Austin?â
Vicki grimaced, surprised by Nicoleâs strength.
âYouâre hurting me,â she complained.
Nicole released her grip immediately and persisted, âTell me.
Whatâs happened to Austin?â
Rubbing her wrist, Vicki muttered, âHeâs just got a minor fever, nothing serious.
â
âWhat?â Nicoleâs voice rose in alarm.
âA fever? Austinâs health is fragile.
Are you telling me heâs not being taken care of?â
Nicoleâs anger simmered beneath the surface.
Jarrod had taken Austin away from her care, and this was the care Austin was receiving?
Every bout of illness for Austin was perilous.
âThis manâs negligence is appalling.
He canât even look after his own son properly!â Nicole fumed internally.
âWhy are you blaming me? His getting sick is your fault!â Vicki shot back, her tone accusatory.
âExcuse me?â Nicole was confused by Vickiâs words.
Vickiâs voice held a hint of accusation.
âIf Jarrod hadnât been here with you, neglecting Austin, Austin wouldnât be sick right now.
â
Nicole fell silent, realizing the implications.
It seemed Vicki had engineered this situation.
Vickiâs mask slipped further, her voice cold as she continued, âI hear Austin has a serious heart condition.
Even a mild cold could be dangerous for himâ¦â
âNonsense!â Nicole snapped, anger flaring within her.
Though Austin was delicate, the nanny usually kept him well.
Yet, under Jarrodâs watch and Vickiâs care, Austin had fallen ill.
How could Jarrod entrust his son to a woman so clearly infatuated with him? Was he out of his mind?
The thought of Vicki harming Austin wasnât far-fetched in Nicoleâs overwhelmed mind.
These troubling thoughts swirled in Nicoleâs head, her anxiety mounting.
She struggled to regain her composure and demanded, âVicki, just tell me what you want.
â
Emboldened, Vicki veiled her smirk with her hand, her voice soft but cutting.
âI heard you were quite the hostess, helping Jarrod entertain his guests by drinking with them.
You were quite good at it, werenât you?â
Nicole, bewildered by the change in topic, shook her head in denial.