Deniz believed neither Nicole nor Vicki.
Vicki only appeared generous on the surface.
Deniz had seen her type before, and he knew that when such people lost control, they were more terrifying than lunatics.
It was best not to provoke women like that.
Denizâs hesitation made him lose interest in Nicole.
After all, there were plenty of women in the world.
Although Nicole was captivating, she wasnât enough to make him lose his senses.
He had just returned to Ardlens and couldnât afford any more mistakes.
He had to tread carefully with every decision.
Deniz maintained his suspicion and sneered, âI think youâre just trying to deceive me.
â
Deniz was far from naive.
With years spent navigating the intricate web of the business world, he had grown as cunning as anyone in his network.
His keen observations had sharpened, allowing him to understand the hidden motives of those around him.
âs BunnyBookery âYou and Vicki are both dreadful.
Each of you wishes the other were dead,â Deniz remarked.
He chuckled lightly, a hint of irony in his smile.
âAre you both trying to use me as a scapegoat?â
Nicoleâs expression remained composed, her calmness a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
âIf you doubt my words, I can show you how to verify them.
â
Denizâs gaze intensified.
âWhat method?â
With a strategic tilt of her head, Nicole proposed, âCall Vicki.
Tell her youâve tortured me to death.
Her reaction will reveal the truth.
â
Deniz considered this a brilliant strategy.
He had never pegged Nicole for both beauty and brains.
Deniz retrieved his phone, the cold device feeling suddenly heavy in his hand, and dialed Vickiâs number.
She picked up promptly.
âMr.
Miller, whatâs going on?â
Vickiâs voice usually carried a disinterested tone when speaking to Deniz, but tonight it was tinged with an eager anticipation, possibly hopeful for news of Nicoleâs downfall.
Simulating panic, Deniz blurted out, âVicki, something awful has happenedâ¦â
A surge of joy was palpable in Vickiâs initial silence, as if she relished the thought of Nicole incapacitated or worse.
She asked, her voice laced with feigned concern, âWhat happened?â
Maintaining his act, Denizâs voice trembled.
âSheâs dead.
Nicole was killed by me.
â
A heavy silence fell over the line.
As it stretched on, Denizâs suspicions about Vicki deepened.
âWhat do we do now, Miss Hampton?â
Vicki snapped back to reality and asked, âMr.
Miller, what exactly happened? How did she die?â
Vicki had considered the possibility that Nicole might be disabled but never imagined Deniz would actually kill Nicole.
This outcome was completely unexpected.
She could only ask first.
Deniz replied gruffly, âI donât know.
She was so weak that she died just like that before I could even get started.
Itâs totally unreasonable.
â
His brusque tone made Vicki frown, though she was listening on the other end of the phone.
Still, this rudeness fit Denizâs usual manner, and Vicki believed him without question.
She remained silent for a long stretch, wrestling with how to manage the situation.
After all, it was she who had orchestrated Nicoleâs involvement.
If Jarrod ever discovered this, it would shatter her carefully crafted image of benevolence and generosity.
She didnât want to tarnish her reputation over what seemed a trivial incident.
Vickiâs prolonged silence sent a chill through Denizâs heart.
He began to suspect that Nicoleâs accusations might hold some truth.
âMiss Hampton, what should we do? This situation is really awkward,â