allie was at a loss for words.
âJarrod, how can you take this lightly? Marriage is serious business! Even if itâs not Vicki, you should choose your partner carefullyâ¦â
âAnd that was what I did,â Jarrod stated firmly.
âI didnât just get married to her impulsively.
â
Jarrod chose Nicole after thorough consideration.
But he didnât elaborate on these details to Hallie and chose instead to return to the main issue.
âIâve looked into Doreenâs issue.
She was involved in the assault, but she didnât administer the drug.
Her charges wonât be serious.
Sheâll probably face a maximum of fifteen days of detention.
â
âDetention?â Hallie sounded like she couldnât believe what she was hearing.
âFor a whole of fifteen days?â Hearing Jarrod casually talk about a fifteen-day detention for her beloved daughter was too much for her to handle.
âJarrod, I had spoiled Doreen her whole life.
How can she cope with something like this? Keeping her in detention for fifteen days is like a death sentence for me!â Hallie said between choked sobs, âJarrod, you have to do something for Doreen.
How could your wife target Doreen like this?â
Hallie was livid.
âConsidering our family connections, how could your wife simply report Doreen to the police? How could she treat Doreen this way? You need to make her justify her actions to me!â
Jarrod let out a cold laugh.
âSo, Doreen canât handle hardship.
Did she ever care about the pain she caused to the person she attacked?â
Hallie was stunned by his words.
She had never thought about anyone elseâs suffering.
Her mind was only on her daughter.
Jarrodâs face was cold as he said, âHallie, the person Doreen attacked is my wife, her aunt.
You want me to help Doreen.
Then who is going to make things right for my wife?â
Hallie was taken aback by Jarrodâs response.
Was his wife really so important to him? âJarrod, Doreen was wrong to hit your wife.
Iâll make sure she apologizes, but remember, Doreen is part of your family.
You canât just push her aside because you got married.
You canât abandon Doreen.
.
Doreen must be terrified right nowâ¦â Her voice broke, making her sound pitiful.
Jarrod felt a stab of guilt.
When the Schultz family went through tough times, Hallieâs family was the only one that didnât turn their backs and even offered some help.
Noticing Jarrodâs hesitance, Hallieâs tears became more pitiful.
She sensed his resolve weakening and thus took the chance.
âJarrod, you must help Doreen!â Hallie pleaded, her voice laden with desperation.
In Hallieâs mind, persuading Nicole to drop the charges was a straightforward task for Jarrod.
As his wife, Nicole should heed his advice.
To do otherwise would be defiant.
Hallie regarded Nicole as an average person, lacking any significant influence.
She suspected Nicole had maneuvered her way in o Jarrodâs life using charm and the birth of their child.
Hallie didnât respect Nicole, considering her unworthy of Jarrod.
Surely, Jarrod would prioritize blood relations over a woman with no power or status, right? Could he really disregard his own family for someone so insignificant? She doubted it.
After a brief silence, Jarrod responded thoughtfully, âHallie, didnât Doreen take an interest in piano recently? Iâve arranged for her to learn from an international piano master abroad.
This should also help mature her character.
â
Hallie assumed the issue was settled.
Jarrodâs words seemed to indicate he would assist Doreen.
Relieved, she smiled.
âJarrod, I knew you would support Doreen.
She admires you greatly.
We can talk about her piano lessons once sheâs free.
â
To Hallie, Jarrod was ready to intervene on Doreenâs behalf, much to her delight.
But then Jarrod added, âDoreen is not a child anymore.
Her irresponsible actions must be confronted.
This will be a good Lesson for her, to curb her impulsive nature.
â
âWhat?â Hallie was taken aback.
Hadnât Jarrod just hinted at securing Doreenâs release? âWhat do you mean? You just promised to get Doreen out!â She raised her voice.
âI never said that,â Jarrod retorted, his tone icy.
âWhat?â Hallie exclaimed, baffled.
âYou mentioned sending her to study piano.
Isnât that the same as getting her out?â