| Chapter 404 I Don't Know Her / Several days had passed since Nicole and Jarrod parted in the hospital.
Nicole had thought Jarrod wouldn't give up that easily, yet he hadn't sought her out until now. Was he so easily irritated? It all seemed so dull.
She still needed him around. His interest in her couldn't fade just yet.
With a subtle smile, Nicole murmured, "I need to head home." Jarrod gave her a look and offered a smile. "Unless you want me to carry you inside the car, you better hop in the car." Jarrod had a small dimple on his left cheek that only showed when he smiled, which Nicole had to look
i closely to notice.
| Lost in thought, Nicole recalled how much she used to enjoy his smile. His | dimples, usually a sign of shyness, | added a touch of charm to his | appearance, making him seem both | shy and attractive.
Yet, Jarrod's dimples, typically associated with charm, now took on a hint of menace. His smile suggested that beneath his handsome exterior lurked a deadly threat.
Seeing her absent-minded look, Jarrod chuckled. "You seem captivated by me.
Have you been missing me?" Nicole felt disgusted. She approached her car with a stern expression, wanting to open the door.
But before her hand reached the handle, she felt a strong pull from behind. Jarrod had stepped out of his
| car, gently grasped her neck, and 1 teased, "Since you don't get in yourself, I'll take that as a sign you prefer me to | carry you." \ Nicole found his audacity | exasperating. Irritated, she inquired, | "Where exactly are we going?" Jarrod, clearly in high spirits, quirked an eyebrow and cheerfully suggested, "Join me for a late-night snack." Just as Nicole was about to rebuke him, her phone rang.
Recognizing the caller ID, her expression turned serious. She brushed off Jarrod's hand, saying, "Hold on. I need to take this call." Her reaction seemed casual yet intimate. Jarrod's eyes darkened as he finally released her.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNicole advanced a couple of steps and grabbed the phone near the flowerbed.
"Yes, Mr. Steve?" ' "Nicole, 1 need those case documents immediately. Can you send them?" "Apologies, Mr. Steve. I'm not at the office. I'll forward them as soon as I { return," Nicole responded apologetically.
"Understood." After ending the call, Nicole reflected on Jarrod's ruthless handling of Deniz from the Vipo Group. That was a move that had been essential for her success in securing the Hampton family project. Her next target was a close associate of the Hampton Group's chairman. However, to gain this target's trust, she had to neutralize Jarrod.
Turning back, Nicole noticed Jarrod's gaze on her. Without showing any emotion, she opened the car door and
CNRPIET SVE § WUT | RITVYY 7s got inside. "Do you plan to leave me 1 after we eat? Let's hurry. I need to get some sleep," she stated.
| Jarrod, not used to her compliance, | gave a smile and leaned on the ; window without driving off.
"Are we going or not?" Nicole asked.
Jarrod fixed a cool stare on her. "Do you expect me to be your driver?" Nicole, in a surprisingly compliant manner, moved from the back seat to the passenger seat.
Jarrod, considering lighting a cigarette, decided against it upon seeing Nicole beside him.
Right then, he answered a call from his assistant.
Jarrod simply replied, "OK." Then, he ignited the engine.
ERTRWIRAWEL ER NER VBTWTE § FWTWYV FTES He inquired nonchalantly, "Not at your I job anymore?" | Nicole was startled yet somewhat I | anticipated his awareness. She | admitted openly, "Yes, the constant travel was exhausting. Now I'm | helping out at a relative's small business." "Is your relative in the energy sector?" Jarrod gave her a sidelong look and commented casually, "It's akin to what your family was involved in previously." With her heart pounding wildly, Nicole pinched her hand hard to calm herself down. Then, with a hint of emotion, she murmured, "Yes, that's my area of expertise." Jarrod, sensing her mood, didn't probe further. With a smile, he suggested, "How about some porridge? I know a
place that serves excellent porridge." ! Nicole wasn't sure if it was her imagination. But Jarrod seemed -to | deliberately slow down his last words.
| His intermittent smiles throughout their conversation left Nicole feeling | uneasy.
Nicole told herself not to overthink | and closed her eyes, avoiding his gaze.
Jarrod adjusted the rearview mirror and glanced at her. His smile had a hint of chilliness.
Before long, they arrived at a posh porridge restaurant.
Jarrod exited the car, grasped Nicole's hand, and led her inside.
Nicole was frustrated. Despite her intentions to manipulate Jarrod, being touched by him made her feel sick. She wished she could shed that touched skin. She came to realize that she
| couldn't even exploit him effectively.
! Nicole tried to pull away, but Jarrod's i grip was firm, and she stumbled. into | his embrace when he pulled her in.
\ | Jarrod's tone was icy, almost like a threat. "Stop wriggling, or I'll carry you inside." Nicole ceased struggling. Being carried inside by him would be far worse than her hand being held by him.
Together, they entered the restaurant, appearing to outsiders like a loving couple.
Yet, Nicole's expression betrayed her true feelings: unwilling and somewhat resentful.
Getting inside, Jarrod chose to sit in the main dining area instead of a chamber and ordered, "Bring us Shrimp and Grits, please."
Nicole was momentarily taken aback I Shrimp and Grits... It was the first dish she had ever cooked for Jarrod back in | their college days.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBack then, they skipped the cafeteria meals, and she would bring him Shrimp and Grits daily. Jarrod always finished the Shrimp and Grits she made. For three whole months, he never missed a meal she prepared.
Not long after, when Jarrod left, Nicole found herself making Shrimp and Grits every single day, missing him terribly.
A week into this routine, she couldn't stand it anymore and felt nauseous.
Nicole marveled at how Jarrod had savored the same dish for three months as if it were a gourmet meal.
Reflecting on their past moments brought a mix of emotions, especially considering their current situation.
Nicole internally cursed Jarrod and her
Chapter 404 1 Don’t Know His complex feelings. She was unsure of i jarrod's intentions of bringing her here tonight.
As the Shrimp Grits arrived, Nicole felt | a wave of nausea and looked around for a bin. Her attention was diverted | when she noticed a couple entering the restaurant.
The man, stylish in a white shirt and black trousers, exuded a cool charm.
It had been ages since Nicole last saw Jarrod, and equally long since she had seen Roscoe.
One question dominated her thoughts at the sight of Roscoe. Was this dapper man really Roscoe? Under the bright lights, Roscoe's clear- eyed gaze confirmed it. He was indeed Roscoe.
Nicole subtly bowed her head, her expression caught by Jarrod's icy gaze.
' The young girl with Roscoe eagerly 1 greeted Jarrod, calling him "Uncle." , Jarrod acknowledged her with a nod.
' Doreen, the girl, glanced at Roscoe, intending to introduce him to Jarrod, / but noticed Roscoe's attention fixed on Nicole.
Curious, Doreen inquired, "Roscoe, do you know her?" Roscoe averted his gaze and responded coolly, "No, I don't know her."