This was not the way she wanted it to happen. Otherwise, how would she distinguish herself from him, so devoid of empathy? Engaging in such a destructive act, how could she look her deceased parents in the eye if she were to meet her demise...

And then there was Austin. Nicole couldn't abandon Austin. She needed to remain resilient until Austin's health was fully recovered.

Resilient enough to outmaneuver Jarrod!

The car stopped at a secluded villa.

Immediately, attendants approached with a stretcher to transport Jarrod inside.

Medical professionals were already on site tending to Jarrod. Alec stayed outside, turned to Nicole, and said with a stern tone, "Miss Lawrence, please exit the vehicle."

Gazing at the isolated villa, Nicole felt a sense of foreboding and instinctively recoiled. "What are your intentions? I want to return home!"

Alec sneered, "Miss Lawrence wishes to return home?"

"Indeed, or I might surrender myself. It was not deliberate. He was trying to rape me!"

"You seem quite assured, Miss Lawrence. Perhaps you'd like to hear the audio from the car's dashboard camera?"

Alec had reviewed the recording. Though Jarrod had lost control momentarily, ultimately he desisted, promising not to coerce Nicole.

Yet, Nicole had still inflicted a wound on Jarrod with the seat's headrest's metal edge.

The interplay between Nicole's statement and her actions was intricately timed, almost too perfectly aligned. With Alec's intervention, Nicole's argument would stand no ground to win if it went to the court.

Knowing Alec's capability, Nicole's gaze hardened, and she inquired, "What do you desire?"

"I desire nothing, except..." Alec halted and then stated coldly, "Miss Lawrence, you've gravely injured Mr. Schultz and expect to walk away? Isn't that too much?"

Nicole reiterated, "It was not deliberate."

Alec was uninterested in her defenses, seizing Nicole's arm and urging her out of the vehicle.

Then, he stated bluntly, "Step out. Remain here until Mr. Schultz regains consciousness!"

Nicole understood Alec would not permit her departure. With that realization, she chose to await Jarrod's recovery. Moreover, this location seemed to be Jarrod's sanctuary. It could hold vital secrets.

With that in mind, she entered the villa with composure.