He knew her request for him to kneel was nothing but a way of her punishment. Yet, he still knelt until everything went dark...

Even when he was seriously ill, on the brink of death, Alec couldn't convince Nicole to visit.

It was all too clear to him. Even in death, she wouldn't give him a second look.

"Drive you to madness?" Nicole couldn't help but chuckle. "Mr. Schultz, don't flatter yourself. You've read too much into my words."

Nicole didn't wait for his reply, continuing in a mocking tone, “I couldn't care less if you're angry. I'm not idle enough to act just to irritate you. My actions are for my own reasons, for my happiness. Got that?"

Hearing this, Jarrod felt a sharp pain in his chest. He clenched his fist and hit his chest, his voice growing colder, "I can make you happy, too. Don't go looking for anyone else. I know how to make you happy."

Nicole understood exactly what he meant. She felt her face heat up with anger. "Mr. Schultz, calling you shameless doesn't even begin to cover it. To me, you're just a horny animal. Make other women as happy as you wish! Don't have your eyes set on me!"

Nicole's words were like a gentle rain to Jarrod, hardly affecting him. He seemed to find a way to get her to talk more, replying, “Even if I'm a horny animal, I did once make you happy.”

Nicole was seething with rage. How had she not seen before just how shameless Jarrod could be? He even seemed to take pride in his shamelessness.

Nicole bit her lip, trying to regain her composure, and said, “Don't interrupt my night hours with others anymore!"

Jarrod's eyes narrowed, his voice filled with urgency. “Nicole, you wouldn't dare!"

"Do you really have to ask if I would?" Nicole retorted. "Mr. Schultz, do you need me to remind you? It was you who drove the Lawrence family to ruin. My father died by suicide and my mother died of sorrow. Who else is there to blame but you?"

As she spoke of the tragic past, Nicole's hands trembled, struggling to hold onto her phone.

Her first task upon returning was to visit her mother's nursing home, only to discover her mother had passed away long ago.

Her mother's ashes had been placed with her father's, just as Nicole had requested before she left.

Even though Nicole had braced herself for this, the actual words still made her tremble violently. She never thought the terms “ruined and destitute" would ever describe her situation. Why was fate so harsh, leaving her alive only to refuse her the solace of eternal rest in the depths of the ocean? Why did she have to continue living, burdened by guilt?

Tears of anger filled Nicole's eyes as she said, “Jarrod Schultz, now that I have nothing left in this world, what else can you possibly take from me? My life? It's insignificant. If you're bold enough, try to take it, but know that you'll pay dearly!"

Nicole's only purpose in life now was to make Jarrod pay. Perhaps, only then could she finally let go of her burdens...

At that moment, Jarrod felt as though his heart had been scooped out with bare hands. He was just an empty vessel filled with bitter sorrow. He said desperately, “It won't come to that, Nicole. Why would I want your life? I want you to return to my side. I promise to treat you well. You must believe me. Your mother..."

Jarrod was cut off by a sharp, male voice from Nicole's end. “The bath is ready."