“The young men there treated me like a queen, serving me on their knees. Can you do that, Mr. Schultz?"

Jarrod's mood darkened, but Nicole stood her ground.

Today's gathering was a magnet for the elite of the business world, drawing in the traditional Hampton family among others.

Given the longstanding alliance between the Hampton family and the Schultze family, Nicole found a direct approach to the Hamptons blocked. She chose Jarrod as her point of entry instead. Challenging him, despite the risks, seemed the quickest route.

Nicole aimed to incite a spectacle from Jarrod, hoping to tarnish his reputation to the point of being shunned. Should the time come to choose sides, a temperamental CEO Like Jarrod would surely tip the scales against a partnership.

Amid a heavy silence, Nicole braced for a dramatic reaction from Jarrod. Yet, what she got was his deep voice asking, “How should I kneel?"

Nicole was visibly shocked by Jarrod's declaration, pausing in astonishment.

Jarrod was dead serious, not cracking a smile.

Struggling to express herself, Nicole found humor in the moment. "Mr. Schultz, don't you know that women these days look for someone who's got skills? Given your past with numerous women, even if you were to beg..."

She playfully straightened Jarrod's tie, taunting him, “I wouldn't give you a second glance."

Jarrod couldn't believe he was being mocked by a woman in such a way.

If it were someone else, he would have banished that culprit from Ardlens for good, considering his notorious temperament. Yet, with Nicole, he was at a loss for words, swallowing his fury.

Nicole's eyes, brimming with sarcasm, seemed to remind him of a past embarrassment he had caused her.

"Nicole, I know you don't mean any of that," Jarrod said, his gaze icy, hiding his feelings. "Find another way to get back at me. This isn't going to rile me up."

"Mr. Schultz, what makes you think I'm seeking revenge?" Taking advantage of his momentary speechlessness, Nicole snatched her phone back, her smile dripping with sarcasm.

"If you're so keen on seeing the video, I can send it your way.

You've recorded stuff before, right? Even showed it to your brother, didn't you?" Nicole mocked.

As Jarrod's expression turned frosty, Nicole casually inquired, “Did they all praise how I looked?"

Nicole's every word struck Jarrod like a dagger, reminding him of his past actions. How absurd and despicable he was!

"Ding." The elevator reached the ground floor.