"Yes," Roscoe replied.

The dappled light and shadows played across Roscoe's youthful features, as though enveloped in a gentle glow.

Ever since that fateful night when Nicole failed to appear, Roscoe had tirelessly searched for her. After countless inquiries, he eventually uncovered the truth. Nicole had been held captive by Jarrod in one of his villas.

Upon witnessing Nicole emerge from Jarrod's villa, liberated and unrestrained, Roscoe quietly departed, his heart heavy with sadness.

Aware of Nicole's pressing obligations, he endeavored not to intrude upon her.

During his leisure hours, Roscoe made a habit of checking the vicinity of the villa to ensure her safety. Today's events felt remarkably coincidental as if he had harbored a premonition in his heart, his thoughts persistently drawn to her. Thankfully, his arrival proved timely.

"It's getting chilly. Let's head inside," Roscoe suggested.

Roscoe instinctively reached out to embrace Nicole, eliciting a skipped beat in Nicole's heart. She promptly took a step back, uttering, “Let's proceed."

Roscoe's hand briefly tensed before he slowly withdrew it.

The door boasted an antiquated lock, requiring a key for entry.

Roscoe retrieved the key from beneath the third brick in the corner of the wall and unlocked the door.

Inside, the ambiance resonated with the charm of a_ traditional, vintage home, complete with a courtyard adorned with ginkgo trees and a serene pond.

This was the cherished residence where Nicole's grandparents once resided.

Regrettably, Nicole's grandparents passed away early, and Jarrod remained unaware of the significance of this place.

Later, following a family crisis, Wesson sold this property.

Unbeknownst to them, it was Roscoe who purchased it. At that time, Roscoe, in his early twenties, relied on part-time jobs and scholarships to amass sufficient funds. This was the “old place" to which Roscoe referred.

As Roscoe illuminated the courtyard, everything within appeared well-maintained.

Roscoe initially tended to Nicole's wound, caused by the bottle cap.

As the injury was on her arm, Nicole removed her jacket, exposing the short-sleeved shirt she wore beneath.

Roscoe examined it and, fortunately, found the clothing to be durable, with the wound not too severe. He then applied disinfectant before carefully bandaging it with gauze.