After a prolonged silence, any hope Jarrod harbored was completely gone.
He suddenly chuckled and said, âDisgust is better than never seeing you again for the rest of my life.
â
Nicole did not grasp what he meant.
Jarrod explained, âIf you leave this car today, I will take every measure to confront the Watts family.
Are you ready to abandon that man?â
His eyes brimmed with contempt as he coldly stated, âIâm going to torture him to death!â
âHow dare you!â Nicole swiftly turned her head, her hand turning white from tension.
âIâm sure you know thatâs within my capabilities,â Jarrod said calmly.
âAnd you should also be aware that the Hampton family has already discovered your actions yesterday.
Without my protection, do you think Vicki and Lowe will spare you?â
Jarrod seemed to have a knack for pinpointing exactly what would manipulate Nicole.
âIf you terminate our arrangement now, you must understand that it wonât just be you at risk.
The people close to you, including Jemma, will also suffer the consequences,â he continued.
Jarrod was correct.
Once Nicole stepped out of this car, Vicki would definitely make her pay after catching wind of her actions.
Jemma would surely be the first one they targeted.
Nicole wasnât alone.
Jemma was with her and had been a great help.
She couldnât just disregard Jemmaâs safety and walk away without concern.
Jarrod cast his gaze downward and looked at Nicole firmly.
âNicole, the choice is yours.
You know the right decision.
â
Once their true intentions had been exposed to one another, what remained was a battle to see whose tactics were more ruthless.
Clearly, Jarrod had resolved not to let Nicole leave his side so easily anymore.
He was determined to exert control and ensure that she remained by his side, regardless of the consequences or ethical considerations.
Ultimately, Nicole faced a decision.
She couldnât risk Roscoeâs well-being, especially after noticing his condition had deteriorated significantly that day.
If Jarrod could offer Roscoe protection, then at least the Watts family wouldnât be able to do anything to Roscoe.
With a heavy heart, Nicole closed the car door and sat back down, her complexion ghostly pale.
âJarrod, you must keep your promise,â she stated firmly.
Jarrodâs expression softened slightly, and he leaned in, gently cupping her face and planting a ki*s on her cheek.
âAbsolutely,â he replied.
Nicole was unaccustomed to such closeness.
Her initial instinct was to pull away, but Jarrod held her face firmly, preventing her from escaping.
He ki*sed her lips forcefully and said, âYouâll need to grow accustomed to this.
Discomfort is no excuse.
I didnât marry a statue.
â
Hearing this, Nicole stopped struggling and her body became passive, resembling that of a doll.
At this point, arguing with him seemed meaningless.
She had no desire to maintain a facade of decorum and play the role of a victim.
Having decided to make this trade, she had to accept all the indignities that came with it.
As Jarrod had pointed out, she needed to not only endure but also adjust.
Soon, the car reached the city hall.
Upon exiting the car, Jarrod grasped Nicoleâs hand tightly, interlacing his fingers with hers as though they were a devoted couple.
Unable to break free, Nicole let him guide her.
Her expression was vacant as she said, âJarrod, I donât have any identification documents with me.
â
âIâve handled everything,â Jarrod declared.