Deniz's gaze sharpened as he instructed, “Hand me the photo and delete it from your phone."

The driver was puzzled by the request. He often secretly photographed attractive women to admire later. However, he complied with Deniz's orders without question.

Deniz scrutinized the photo, his eyes intense, and then said to the driver, “You're coming back to Ardlens with me. I can offer you a better life."

Deniz was determined to shake things up this time. He vowed to hold on to his assets, and he wasn't about to let anyone else claim what was rightfully his.

Oasis Apartment.

In the huge floor-to-ceiling window, a man with a_ striking, attractive face was mirrored. With a full wine glass in hand, he took a sip, the red liquid leaving a mark on his lips.

The day Nicole disappeared, her name appeared on a flight passenger list, but Jarrod knew it was fake to distract him after the investigation. She must have left by other means, detesting him and Ardlens so much that she was likely hiding out abroad.

From initial panic to a calmer state now, Jarrod had never ceased the covert search. Despite deploying numerous people for a global search, no trace of her had been found.

Gazing at the twinkling neon lights outside, Jarrod reminisced about the times he and Nicole had spent together in this apartment.

His temper flared, and in a huff, he threw the wine glass against the opposite wall, his expression tense. Such a rebellious escapee, but he was resolute in his intent to find her.

Just then, his phone on the cabinet began to vibrate. He answered on speaker, a flirtatious female voice filling the room. "Jarrod, I've had too much to drink. My head is spinning. Come get me..."

“Where are you?" Jarrod asked.

Vicki's words were slightly softened by her drunkenness. "At... At... Cloud Hotel."

"Okay, wait for me." He ended the call and told Alec to ready the car.

Shortly, the car pulled up at the destination.

The car window rolled down to reveal Vicki dressed in a red tweed suit, her eyes twinkling with joy, her arms outstretched, beckoning to Jarrod. "Jarrod, hold me..."

Jarrod exited the car but didn't approach Vicki. Instead, he leaned against the car, a smirk forming on his handsome face as he lit a cigarette and nodded at Vicki.

Vicki initially frowned because he hadn't approached her, but his smile quickly melted her irritation.

Jarrod was undeniably attractive. Since he had tempered his wilder ways, he now exuded a more refined aura, though still retaining a hint of mischief.

Any woman who caught sight of him struggled to remain unfazed.