However, Jarrodâs thoughts were far from aligned with Conorâs.
Jarrod idly manipulated the video feed from the neighborhood entrance freezing the footage just as the SUV was about to strike Jamie.
The move was ruthless and calculated, intended to kill without mercy.
Perhaps the risk of Jamieâs death at the neighborhood gate seemed too great, so the plan was revised.
Still, the plan would ultimately be carried out.
The mysterious person had no intention of sparing Jamieâs life.
Conor spotted the SUVâs fake license plates, but he knew that wouldnât hinder tracing it, as long as it remained in Ambrosia, where the surveillance system would inevitably leave a trail.
Meanwhile, in the SUV, Jamieâs expression shifted as she took in her surroundings.
She asked, âMr.
Bates, why have we stopped in the middle of nowhere? Itâs going to be difficult for me to get a taxi back from here.
â
âWant to be discovered?â the man replied, displeased.
Jamie fell silent, her lips pressed together in a tense gesture of restraint.
âCan I⦠Can I leave now?â Jamie asked cautiously.
The man finished his cigarette before turning to Jamie with a deliberate, unhurried gaze.
âYes,â he finally said, his voice low and measured.
Jamieâs face lit up with relief as she quickly opened the car door, which swung open smoothly this time.
She breathed a sigh of gratitude, thinking she had narrowly avoided a dangerous situation.
But the moment she stepped out, a brutal kick struck her in the back, sending her crashing to the ground.
âUgh!â Jamieâs body sailed through the air, her mouth filling with blood as she spat it out, her bones feeling like theyâd been shattered by the force of the kick, leaving her crumpled and broken on the ground.
The man got out of the car and walked over to Jamie, stopping before her.
Jamie looked up at the man, puzzled, and asked, âWhy did you kick me?â
The man unwrapped the bandana from his face and wrapped it around his hand.
âItâs easier to deal with you when youâre down,â he said, his voice cold and menacing.
Jamie felt even weaker after the kick.
She thought he wanted her body, and she was used to that.
She had survived by selling herself for years.
âDo you want to sleep with me? You can do whatever you want, Mr.
Bates.
Just have fun.
â
To her surprise, the man let out a cold, mocking laugh.
âSleep with you?â The man loomed over her, his voice dripping with contempt.
âYou think youâre worthy? I donât degrade myself with filthy women Like you.
â
Jamie was about to ask what he intended to do when her eyes widened as a sudden recognition dawned on her, her mind reeling with the shocking realization.
Her eyes widened in disbelief, she exclaimed, âI know you! Oh my god, itâs you!â
Jamie pointed at the man, her eyes filled with recognition and disgust.
âYouâre that lawyer, arenât you?â
Jamieâs memory flashed back.
This was the lawyer who had represented Nicole before.
She had spotted Rhett on TV and recalled seeing him when she tailed behind Nicole.
Jamie was shocked to discover that the formidable Mr.
Bates had been hiding in plain sight, disguised as a normal person.
She had always perceived Rhett as a refined and intellectual man, not someone capable of violence or physical confrontation.
But now, her eyes wide with shock, she realized how utterly wrong she had been.
Jamie gazed at Rhett, her eyes pleading.
âPlease, Iâll do anything.
Justâ¦â
âShh!â Rhett abruptly silenced her, his finger pressed to his lips in a sharp, menacing gesture.