As the event concluded, a remark from Lowe ignited a lethal intent in Jarrod.

"Mr. Schultz, it's no wonder you were drawn to that woman. So slender, yet unexpectedly tempting and curvy. I couldn't help myself after seeing her." Frustrated by his father's rebuke, Lowe was in a sour mood and inclined to make things difficult for Jarrod by provoking him.

Aware of Jarrod's feelings for Nicole, Lowe intentionally stirred him by adding, “That video of you with that woman, I always play it before I start with others. It's more effective than any drug. Just seeing her exquisite body gets me excited..."

Jarrod's normally calm demeanor instantly shifted, his eyes flashing with a fierce, murderous intent that made Lowe step back in fear.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm not afraid of you..." Despite his bold words, Lowe instinctively hid behind his bodyguard, intimidated by Jarrod's menacing glare, which seemed potent enough to devour him whole.

Jarrod paused briefly and swiftly regained his cool, his demeanor nonchalant once again. He had spent a considerable sum to delete that video when it first surfaced. Though it was no longer available online, he knew the possibility of someone keeping a copy couldn't be dismissed.

Jarrod flashed a dazzling smile and warned, “Lowe, remember not to speak carelessly next time. I'm not into men, and if people heard you were clinging to my video, they might think you have designs on me. Hey, I'm your future brother-in-law. Your father isn't getting any younger, and such rumors could be the death of him. Should anything happen to your father, Lowe, you would be the one to blame."

"You!" Lowe was seething with rage. Jarrod had twisted his comments to insinuate his preference, instead of just a reaction to Nicole.

Onlookers began to view Lowe with suspicion, some even whispering among themselves, speculating whether Lowe harbored feelings for Jarrod who, quick to clarify, categorically denied any interest in men.

Everyone knew of Jarrod's preference for women. The idea of him being interested in men was preposterous.

Lowe's increasingly dubious reputation only worsened as whispers and rumors began to spread among the people around him, suggesting that Jarrod had openly rejected Lowe's advances.

These rumors, however, would only become widespread later on.

The day after these murmurings began, a brutal attack occurred at a rowdy party Lowe hosted.

Intruders overpowered Lowe, subjected him to a severe beating, and nearly castrated him.

Although they didn't complete the castration, the attack inflicted deep psychological wounds on Lowe, plaguing him with nightmares each night.

Furthermore, the assailant completely erased all data from Lowe's computers and phones, permanently deleting every video, including those belonging to others.

Lowe, though not known for his sharp wit, instantly had a suspect who might be behind all this.

The day following the attack, numerous videos depicting Lowe's debauched activities spread throughout Ardlens, reaching nearly every local resident. His unrestrained behavior triggered a dramatic drop in the Hampton Group's stock value, resulting in substantial financial losses.

Claiming Jarrod was behind the leak and the attack, Lowe brought these concerns to his father but found no sympathy.

Wayne was already troubled by the existing rumors surrounding Lowe and found it both ridiculous and humiliating that Lowe had been storing video of Jarrod with Nicole.