Vicki believed Jarrod had come unaware of Nicoleâs scheme, hoping to settle their differences.
She saw a flicker of hope, an opportunity to unveil Nicoleâs true nature to Jarrod, revealing her manipulative and vile character.
Nicole was merely using Jarrod to further her own ambitions.
Facing Nicole, Vicki accused, âYouâre just using Jarrod, arenât you? You even married him solely to further your agenda.
You know you canât take down the Hampton family alone, and marrying Jarrod ensures he canât overlook your schemesâ¦â
âSo what?â Nicole responded, her voice dripping with indifference.
It wasnât anything unusual.
Vicki couldnât help but laugh bitterly.
âI knew it.
Youâre using him.
You donât actually love him.
Why do this?â
âYou split us apart, yet you donât love him at all.
Do you know that Jarrod chose a vasectomy because of Austin? He told me that if I married him, Iâd never have children.
Thatâs why I had to act quicklyâ¦â Vicki stopped abruptly, realizing she was close to confessing her own plot to kill Austin.
But whether she confessed or not, Nicole was already aware of her involvement.
Vicki intended to discuss the immense sacrifice Jarrod had made, and how he was being exploited by Nicole who didnât love him.
She assumed such a realization must be crushing Jarrod.
Then, Jarrod couldnât possibly let Nicole continue her reckless behavior, could he?
âYouâre right.
â Nicole raised her eyebrows and said, âIâm using him.
So what?â
Vicki hadnât expected Nicole to confess so readily, thinking Nicole hadnât noticed Jarrodâs arrival yet.
Vicki gritted her teeth, âDonât be so smug.
Without him, youâre nothing.
â
âs BunnyBookery If Jarrod chose to side with the Hampton family, Nicole would stand no chance against them.
They would ensure she vanished without a trace.
âWhether heâs here or not, Iâll do what I want.
Iâm here to make sure that people like you donât get to enjoy themselves!â Nicoleâs voice was defiant, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.
Vicki laughed derisively, turning toward where Jarrod stood, and yelled, âJarrod, you hear that, right? Sheâs just using you! She admitted it herself.
Are you blind? You gave her your heart and sheâs trampling all over it.
Iâd lose all respect for you if you let her manipulate you Like thisâ¦â
Vicki expected these words to unsettle Nicole, to see panic or fear flicker across her face.
But there was nothing.
Nicole remained incredibly calm, not even bothering to glance at Jarrod.
This was the stark difference between love and its absence.
When you didnât love someone, their opinions or reactions to certain revelations didnât aff , then leaned in and whispered, âVicki, do you really think Jarrod doesnât know?â
âWhat⦠What do you mean?â Vickiâs voice trembled.
âDo you really think heâs unaware that I have a backup?â Nicoleâs lips curled into a seductive smirk.
âHe chose me over the Hampton family long ago, and heâs stopped caring about the Schultz Group as well.
Donât you see how pathetic you are?â
Nicole looked at Vicki with a clear gaze filled with pity.
Observing the woman who loved yet could never have him, mocked and ridiculed, entangled in her emotions.
Vicki was stunned.
Did Jarrod really know everything? How could this be? So that was why he left no way out for the Hampton family.
He wanted them entirely out of the picture.
Vicki looked at Jarrod with confusion.
This man, whom she had loved deeply, was now someone she realized she did not understand in the slightest.
Not in the slightest!
Vicki had barely left the police station when she was summoned back to assist with the investigation.
In desperation, she clung to her lawyerâs hand, pleading, âAsk my father to save me.
I canât rely on Jarrod.
You must help me.
I donât want to go to jail!â
Nicole was thoroughly pleased.
This was the exact outcome she had hoped for.
She wanted the Hampton family to completely sever ties with the Schultz family.