Nicole understood that her insistence on staying might only escalate the situation and put Roscoe at greater risk.
With the current turmoil surrounding her fatherâs case and the Watts family, she knew now was not the time to provoke Jarrod.
Turning to the three bodyguards, Nicole did not immediately meet Roscoeâs gaze but instead issued a firm directive.
âEnsure Mr.
Watts is well looked after.
Should anything happen to him, you will be held personally accountable.
â Her voice was stern, imbued with commanding authority.
Nicoleâs concern for Roscoeâs safety in these bodyguardsâ care wasnât unfounded.
Just now, in her and Jarrodâs presence, one of the bodyguards dared to release Roscoe at the critical moment.
She wasnât sure if they would overstep in her and Jarrodâs absence.
Recognizing Nicole as Jarrodâs wife, the bodyguards did not slacken their diligence.
âYes, maâam,â they replied.
Nicole nodded in acknowledgment, certain that her status as Jarrodâs wife reinforced their obedience.
Roscoeâs expression briefly betrayed sadness, which he quickly concealed.
Turning to Roscoe, Nicole remarked, âSee you in Ardlens.
â Her voice was clear and firm, ensuring the bodyguards grasped the gravity of her directive.
Roscoe gave a subtle nod in acknowledgment.
He watched silently as Nicole boarded the helicopter, concealing his emotions.
Inside the helicopter, the air was tense and cold.
Jarrodâs presence was icy and silent, adding to the chill.
Nicole, sitting in silence, clearly felt uneasy.
Jarrodâs coldness was unlike anything she had previously witnessed.
She was familiar with his many facets, be it his violence, his warmth with others and his casual demeanor with her.
But this frosty aloofness was new.
Nicoleâs thoughts also lingered on Alec, whose importance to Jarrod had deepened significantly since both Jarrod and Alec had lost their parents.
Alec, family-like to Jarrod, was central in Jarrodâs life.
Nicole couldnât help but feel a profound sense of responsibility considering Alecâs grave injury risk.
She could have warned Jarrod sooner to avoid the falling tree.
Yet, at that crucial moment, her attention was entirely focused on Roscoe, left defenseless by the deserting bodyguard.
This left Nicole wrestling with guilt, regardless of the decisions she had made.
The relief that Alec was still alive was a small comfort.
His death would have been too much to bear.
The weight of silence hung between Jarrod and Nicole all the way to the hospital.
There, the doctor delivered a grave prognosis after examining Alec.
âMr.
Schultz, this gentleman is severely injured, but fortunately, his arm was amputated in time.
Otherwise, he might never have regained consciousness.
â
âEnsure his survival at all costs,â Jarrod commanded with an icy tone.
The doors to the surgery room shut firmly, sealing off any view for several hours.
When the doctor finally announced the surgeryâs completion, a fog lifted from Nicoleâs mind.
Learning that Alec was no longer in immediate danger brought her a profound sense of relief.
Alec was subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit for further monitoring.
Shortly after, Jarrod left abruptly, delegating the task of communicating with Nicole to another assistant.
The assistant conveyed that Jarrod had decided it was best for her to return home.
Alec wouldnât want her there upon awakening.
Feeling somewhat displaced, Nicole returned to the villa.
There, she washed off the dayâs stress with a shower before deciding to see Austin.
That evening, after reciting a bedtime story to Austin, Nicole found herself staring at his pale lips, deep in thought.