He chuckled softly and said, “You're quite familiar with what kind of man I am."

Nicole's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she said, "You... You degenerate!"

With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Behind her, Jarrod's previously amused gaze darkened once more.

As Nicole crossed the villa's front yard, she noticed Alec kneeling on the ground.

Nicole paused, leaned over, and gently tapped Alec's shoulder as though dusting him off. Then, with a twist of irony, she said, “Alec, it Looks like Jarrod doesn't hold you in high regard!"

Alec's expression soured dramatically.

Nicole smirked and walked away. She aimed to worsen Alec's perception of her, intensifying his disdain. Her goal was to highlight and widen the disconnect between Alec's and Jarrod's perspectives, potentially to her advantage. After all, Alec was far from blameless!

Stepping outside, Nicole inhaled the fresh air deeply. She entered the car arranged by Jarrod and set off to the company with his men.

Before departing, Nicole cast a glance back at the austere villa, a smile playing on her lips.

Alec struggled to stand up. Then, a key slipped from his pocket. It was deliberately dropped, a key he'd always kept close.

Alec made his way back to Jarrod's room, finding Jarrod reclined on the bed, with a notebook laid out before him.

Upon Alec's entry, Jarrod asked softly, "Did she take the bait?"

Alec nodded.

Jarrod nodded calmly. "Good."

The room fell into silence.

Jarrod's gaze shifted to the off-white wall. He silently curled his lips downward and prayed deeply within. Nicole, please prove my trust in you wasn't misplaced!

After departing from Jarrod's villa, Raegan felt a bit sad.

Mitchel, driving, broke the silence. “You seem troubled. Anything you want to share?"

Seeing that he took the initiative to speak, Raegan decided to give it a try and see if it would work. She said, “Mitchel, can you convince Jarrod to spare Nicole?"