âMadam, Mr.
Schultz wants you to get dressed and join him for dinner,â the assistant said, handing her a shimmering silver-sequined fishtail dress.
Nicole hesitated, not keen on donning something so flashy, but the assistant continued, âMr.
Schultz said if you donât wear this dress, you wonât be able to go out.
â
Realizing she couldnât afford to miss the opportunity, Nicole agreed and swiftly slipped into the dress.
The dress hugged Nicoleâs curves, accentuating her waist and exuding an undeniable allure that seemed tailor-made for her.
Nicole couldnât fathom why Jarrod suddenly wanted her to dress up.
Unease gnawed at her as she stepped into the dining area.
To her surprise, it wasnât just any dinner.
It was a lavish banquet.
Nicole couldnât help but wonder why Jarrod would risk bringing her to such a public event.
Wasnât he worried she might seize the chance to escape or make contact with someone?
Before she could gather her thoughts, she found herself being ushered to Jarrodâs side.
Clad in a sleek black suit and tie, Jarrod exuded the enigmatic allure of a seasoned gentleman.
Jarrod motioned for Nicole to take a seat beside him on the sofa, and she complied without hesitation.
Just as they settled in, a man approached with an eager smile.
âMr.
Schultz, what a pleasure to see you here.
I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with you today!â he exclaimed, his tone dripping with flattery.
The man introduced himself, but Jarrod remained visibly uninterested, clearly showing no desire to engage with him.
Eager to collaborate with the Schultz Group, the man spared no effort in showering Jarrod with compliments.
Observing Jarrodâs lack of interest, the man shifted his focus to Nicole.
âIs this lovely lady your companion? She is absolutely stunning,â the man complimented Nicole, his words dripping with admiration.
Since Jarrod hadnât made his marriage public, everyone assumed Nicole was his girlfriend.
Given Jarrodâs rare appearances with women in recent years, bringing a woman to the banquet implied Nicoleâs significance, prompting the manâs flattering remarks.
Jarrod remained silent, and Nicole offered no response either.
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense with awkwardness.
Undeterred by the lack of response, the man maintained his enthusiasm.
âThis lady possesses such admirable temperament.
I happen to own a jewelry store, and there is a remarkable set of antique emeralds awaiting a worthy wearer.
Mr.
Schultz, I believe it complements your companionâs demeanor perfectly.
If you are open to it, Iâll arrange for it to be sent over for your inspection.
If you donât like it, just send it back.
â
Clearly, this man was willing to spend money.
An antique emerald set would likely cost a pretty penny, perhaps several million.
He generously offered it to Nicole.
It appeared he had conducted thorough research and recognized that Nicole was not any average companion.
Otherwise, if Jarrod changed companions frequently, it would amount to a waste of both time and money.
Just as Nicole was about to voice her refusal, Jarrod asked Nicole, âDo you like emeralds?â
Sensing an opportunity, the man swiftly interjected with praise, âMiss, the emeralds in our collection are truly exceptional, boasting a vibrant green hue.
They offer a refreshing coolness in summer and a comforting warmth in winter.
Wearing such a set would undoubtedly enhance a womanâs elegance.
â
Nicole couldnât shake the feeling that Jarrod was aware of the manâs intentions and was intentionally paving the way for cooperation.