“You're in such a hurry that you can't even bother to close the door?"

Nicole understood Jarrod well. She knew he was barely containing his fury.

As her heart raced, preparing to explain, she noticed Kieran, whom Jarrod had just kicked away, charging back in front of her protectively.

"Nicole is my woman. I won't let you harm her!"

Jarrod raised an eyebrow, his sneer sharp.

"Your woman?"

Kieran, despite trembling under Jarrod's intimidating presence, stood his ground, driven by the promise of financial gains.

“Yes! She's my woman, and she's carrying my child. You can't touch her!"

“She's carrying your child? I can't touch her?" Jarrod echoed Kieran, disbelief turning into mocking laughter.

Only Nicole knew how ominous that laugh was. She pushed Kieran away, rebuking him, "Stop lying! When did I get pregnant with your child?"

Kieran, looking hurt, insisted, "Nicole, you're just upset. A child needs a complete family. You can't raise it alone! I don't care how many men you've slept with. I'm sure the child is mine!"

His sincerity seemed genuine as if he truly believed his own words.

Nicole instantly saw through Kieran, suspecting someone must've bribed him to slander her.

“Kieran, who paid you to defame me?" Nicole demanded angrily.

“Nicole, did you say that because you're scared?" Kieran gently patted her back, trying to offer comfort.

“Don't worry, honey. I'm here for you."

Honey? The word "honey" made Nicole's skin crawl, fueling her desire to expose his deceit.

Jarrod's patience snapped. He rose swiftly, his fists clenched, and landed a forceful punch on Kieran.

Poof! Kieran spat out two bloody front teeth.

Jarrod, kneeling, gripped Kieran's jaw and struck his face repeatedly, leaving Kieran bloodied and nearly unconscious.