However, Doreen simply covered her mouth with her hand, declining the water without a word.
Nicole stood, holding the glass, as minutes stretched into an eternity and her back started to throb with pain.
Just then, one of Doreenâs companions sighed heavily.
âDo you even know the rules here? Doesnât everyone know that Kingbel Club offers kneeling services? Hurry up and kneel down!â
It seemed Doreen had whispered something to her friend, who now appeared determined to make Nicoleâs job difficult in order to appease Doreenâs anger.
Nicole responded calmly, âThe kneeling service is provided by specially trained staff who wear red tags.
I wear a yellow tag, indicating I do not offer that service.
You were aware of this when you called for me.
â
âI donât care about that.
I want you to kneel now!â her friend demanded arrogantly.
Nicoleâs expression remained composed as she firmly replied, âIâm sorry, but I do not provide kneeling service.
â
âYou bitch, reallyâ¦â Doreenâs friend muttered, stepping forward to push Nicole.
Unable to tolerate the provocation, Nicole pushed back.
The woman, caught off guard, stumbled and fell back onto the sofa.
âHow dare you push me!â she screamed, her voice filled with rage, as she looked ready to attack Nicole.
Nicole braced herself to leave, defending against the womanâs aggressive advance.
Offending Doreen wasnât an option, but evading the immediate threat was essential.
She knew she might face a reprimand from Jemma, but that was preferable to escalating the conflict further.
Before Nicole could sidestep the altercation, Doreen intervened unexpectedly, pulling her friend back.
Nicole was taken aback.
Such intervention was uncharacteristic for Doreen.
âDonât create a scene,â Doreen instructed.
âThis is my birthday party, and guests are arriving.
â
Her friend, begrudgingly acknowledging the occasion, nodded.
Despite her anger, she couldnât spoil Doreenâs celebration.
She shot Nicole a menacing look.
âJust you wait,â she warned.
Nicole chose to ignore the threat.
As she was about to tell Doreen she would have someone else serve them, the door swung open again.
A burst of light spilled into the room, accompanied by the distinct sound of leather shoes tapping the floor.
The footsteps were unmistakably familiar.
Nicole turned and was met with the sight of Jarrod, clad in a crisp suit and polished leather shoes.
Nicole hadnât seen Jarrod since their last encounter at the hospital.
Following that meeting, when Nicole had gone to settle the medical bills, Alec had made it clear that Jarrod would sever all ties with her and cease managing any of her affairs.
Regarding their child, Jarrod was adamant about not relenting and forbade her from any visitation.
Given their stark differences in status, if Jarrod chose to vanish from Nicoleâs life, he could indeed make it happen.
Nicoleâs attempts to contact the nanny had failed, likely because Jarrod had restricted her phone access.
Nicole was left in the dark about Austinâs condition, relying solely on snippets of information from Vicki.
She persevered, working tirelessly at the club to gather information and to lower Vickiâs guard.
At that moment, Jarrodâs eyes met Nicoleâs, his look intense and unreadable.
Doreen, visibly thrilled, stood up.
âJarrod, youâre hereâ¦â