They believed Vicki was doing more than enough, and Nicoleâs demands seemed unreasonable.
Allowing the future hostess to be humbled in front of the bossâs ex was unacceptable.
It was time for them to demonstrate their support.
One of the guards, feeling protective of Vicki, stepped forward, his presence commanding.
âMiss Hampton, this woman is causing a disturbance.
Perhaps we should escort her out to avoid further trouble.
â
âNo need,â Vicki quickly said, her voice still warm and soothing.
âAustinâs mother is understandably worried about her childâs caregiver.
Itâs natural for her to feel anxious.
She didnât mean any harm.
Sheâs just concerned for her loved ones.
Letâs not be too harsh on her.
â
Vickiâs words subtly painted Nicole as unreasonable and overly focused on her own concerns without showing any hint of respect.
Nicole, disliking such indirect manipulations, refused to engage in Vickiâs games.
âVicki, may I see Kamilah?â she asked.
âYou had called Jarrod earlier, right? If he hadnât granted you access, unfortunately, thereâs nothing I can do,â Vicki responded with a show of helplessness.
Vicki had been watching Nicole from the balcony since her arrival, observing her every move, including her desperate phone call.
Despite Nicoleâs pleas, Jarrod had not permitted her entry.
Vicki felt her position was finally solid.
She was glad she hadnât heeded Doreenâs advice to make things more difficult for Nicole.
Instead, she continued to cultivate her image as a devoted wife and mother, which had significantly solidified Jarrodâs trust in her, diminishing any remaining influence Nicole might have held.
âCan I at least talk to Austin?â Nicole asked, her tone more subdued, almost pleading.
Given that Austinâs wellbeing was now ostensibly in Vickiâs control, Nicole knew she had little leverage.
Vickiâs expression turned visibly self-satisfied as she denied the request.
âIâm sorry, Nicole.
Jarrod doesnât want you to have any contact with Austin.
â
Rejected once more, Nicole felt her frustration mounting, leaving her at a loss.
Vicki, seizing on Nicoleâs vulnerability, lowered her voice conspiratorially.
âNicole, donât say I never offered you anything.
Why donât you come back to work tonight? If Iâm in a good mood, I might just let you see Austin.
â
Nicoleâs head snapped up.
âReally?â
âOf course,â Vicki replied with a gleeful smile.
âAfter all, when Jarrodâs away, Iâm in charge of the Schultz household.
â
Nicole was painfully aware that Vicki was right.
Jarrod was too preoccupied with business matters to manage the home, relying instead on a hostess to oversee domestic affairs.
âIâll hold you to that promise, but you must let me see Austin.
If you deceive me, Iâll fight you with everything Iâve got,â Nicole warned Vicki sternly.
However, Vicki barely took Nicoleâs threats seriously.
To fight with everything she had got? With someone she considered frail and nearing their end? It seemed laughable to her.
Vicki waved her hand dismissively.
âIâve said youâll see him, butâ¦â
Vicki paused, her smile turning sly.
âYouâll need to meet my conditions.
â
âOkay.
â Nicole agreed reluctantly.
âIâll do what you ask, as long as I get to see Austin.
â
âMake sure you dress appropriately,â Vicki added, her smile chilling.