Jarrod replied icily, âI hold no interest in your clientâs inquiries.
Inform her that the sole outcome is my victory.
â
Rhett remained undeterred, his smile subtle yet unwavering.
âMr.
Schultz, might I suggest a review of my clientâs requests before reaching a decision? Miss Lawrence seeks minimal visitation rights for the childâs well-being.
As both father and mother, settling this matter out of court would benefit all parties involved, wouldnât you agree?â
Simultaneously, Rhett presented a tablet to Jarrod, expressing regret, âApologies, Mr.
Schultz.
I arrived hastily and forgot the original documents, but theyâre available digitally for your perusal.
â
Initially disinterested, Jarrod skimmed through the documents, adamant about denying Nicole access to Austin.
However, just as he prepared to dismiss them, something on the screen seized his attention.
He scrutinized it intently, zooming in for a closer examination.
In the image, Nicole and Rhettâs meeting place was evident.
What drew Jarrodâs attention was a medication box lying in the corner.
Jarrod knew Nicole faced health problems, but the medicationâs name was unfamiliar to him and unrelated to her known stomach treatments.
Instead, it appeared to beâ¦
Jarrodâs mind began connecting the dots, tuning out Rhettâs conversation.
Rhett continued speaking, but Jarrod suddenly stood up and declared, âYou can Leave now.
â
Rhett was momentarily speechless.
Stunned for a few seconds, he persisted, âMr.
Schultz, please reconsider.
What could be more crucial than a childâs healthy psychological development?â
Paying no heed to Rhettâs words, Jarrod approached his desk, activated the intercom, and instructed, âEscort Mr.
Bates out.
â
The assistant promptly arrived and courteously led Rhett away.
Despite this, Rhett maintained his professionalism, urging Jarrod to reconsider and prevent further escalation.
Jarrod entered the medicationâs name into his computer.
The photograph Rhett had presented to him only centered on the agreement, with the drug barely visible in the corner, displaying only part of its mame.
He typed the remembered letters, and the search results identified it as a drug used for terminating early pregnancies.
Early pregnancy⦠Jarrod was taken aback by those words.
He sat at his computer, unaware of his assistantâs initial efforts to get his attention for a meeting.
âMr.
Schultz, the meeting is awaiting youâ¦â
Before the assistant could finish, Jarrod cut in, âCheck Nicoleâs recent movements, especially at the hospital.
â
The assistant nodded.
âRight away.
And the meeting?â
âCancel it,â Jarrod replied without hesitation.
The assistant found himself momentarily silenced, observing Jarrodâs impulsive actions with surprise.
Upon the assistantâs departure, Jarrod fixed his gaze on the computer screen, lost in contemplation, his brow knit with concentration.
He pondered whether his suspicions were unfounded and overly distrustful.
Later that evening, at the bar.
Seated in a booth, Jarrod awaited the fashionably late Mitchel.
With a snort, Jarrod remarked, âItâs increasingly challenging to catch up with you these days.
â
In a composed tone, Mitchel responded, âBars no longer suit my preferences.
My children object to the odor upon my return.
Letâs rendezvous at a restaurant next time.
â