Just then, Vicki struck Nicole on the head with a wine bottle.
Blood blossomed across Nicoleâs face like a gruesome flower, lending her an eerie allure.
Vicki slid the bottle across Nicoleâs cheek, jabbing her occasionally with the bottleneck.
The pain was excruciating, and Nicole knew her face was severely damaged.
She had been enduring torment for so long that she lacked the strength to fight back.
Eventually, she collapsed to the ground.
Vickiâs smugness was evident as she taunted, âNicole, you want me to pay the price? With what? You have no power or influence.
Your parents are gone.
What can you use against me? Sure, you have some money, but is it more than what the Hampton and Schultz families possess? You talk of revenge, but with what resources? Iâm really curious.
â
âDo you really want to know?â Nicole asked through gritted teeth.
âIâm not interested,â Vicki sneered dismissively.
âIn my eyes, youâre nothing but an ant.
I can crush you as I please.
You canât possibly do anything to me.
Youâre not even worthy!â
Vicki smirked and continued, âOnce I marry Jarrod, do you think Iâll spare you or your child? Iâll make sure the Lawrence family is reunited under my terms.
Howâs that?â
âVicki, you will definitely regret this!â Nicole snapped, her eyes seething with anger.
She lay in a pool of blood and alcohol, her eyes burning with determination.
âYou think I donât know who your pillar is? Is it Jarrod?â Nicole questioned, smirking.
Vickiâs expression faltered.
She hadnât expected Nicole to bring up Jarrod.
Indeed, Jarrod was her mainstay and the man she deeply loved.
Yet, her love for him was tainted by his refusal to allow her to become a mother, insisting instead that she raise another womanâs child.
She couldnât accept it.
Why did it have to be her?
Back then, Vicki had accepted Jarrodâs stipulation not to have children with her as a temporary compromise.
Without that agreement, she would never have become his fiancée.
Jarrod was adamant about not having other children than Austin.
Vicki had thought she could change his mind after their wedding.
If she were careful, she believed she could hide a pregnancy until it was too late for Jarrod to do anything about it.
But she never got the opportunity.
Now, it seemed Jarrod did not want children at all, except perhaps with Nicole.
Despite knowing this, Vicki felt compelled to maintain her facade and act like everything was fine.
She couldnât just let go of Jarrod.
âNicole, youâre too late.
Jarrod has already moved on from you.
Do you think heâll still want you after you tried to make a scene at another manâs wedding? Can you really expect him to be so shameless?â
Vicki challenged.
Vickiâs confidence was unwavering as she added, âYouâre just the disgrace of Ardlens.
Jarrod wonât want anything to do with you anymore.
â
Nicole was in a miserable state, yet she mustered the strength to sit up.
She leaned against the wall and fixed Vicki with a confident smile.
âIt seems youâre afraid.
In fact, youâre not just afraid.
You know the truth of my words.
Youâre afraid I will shatter all your expectations,â Nicole said, her amusement apparent.
Nicolerâs calm and steady tone caused Vickiâs confidence to waver, her heart sinking with each word.
This couldnât be happening.
It was impossible!
Vicki repeatedly reassured herself that Nicole was just trying to intimidate her.
There was no way Jarrod would want a woman who had feelings for someone else.
His pride was too great to tolerate such a slight.
It was utterly impossible.
âYouâre trying to trick me.
â Vicki laughed as she managed to regain her composure.
âWhat can you possibly achieve alone?â
Nicoleâs laughter mirrored Vickiâs as she retorted, âWhether itâs a trick, you know the answer very well.
You must be well aware whether I have the means to act on it.
â