"What?" Nicole's voice rose in alarm. "A fever? Austin's health is fragile. Are you telling me he's not being taken care of?"

Nicole's anger simmered beneath the surface. Jarrod had taken Austin away from her care, and this was the care Austin was receiving?

Every bout of illness for Austin was perilous.

“This man's negligence is appalling. He can't even look after his own son properly!" Nicole fumed internally.

"Why are you blaming me? His getting sick is your fault!" Vicki shot back, her tone accusatory.

"Excuse me?" Nicole was confused by Vicki's words.

Vicki's voice held a hint of accusation. "If Jarrod hadn't been here with you, neglecting Austin, Austin wouldn't be sick right now."

Nicole fell silent, realizing the implications. It seemed Vicki had engineered this situation.

Vicki's mask slipped further, her voice cold as she continued, "I hear Austin has a serious heart condition. Even a mild cold could be dangerous for him..."

"Nonsense!" Nicole snapped, anger flaring within her. Though Austin was delicate, the nanny usually kept him well.

Yet, under Jarrod's watch and Vicki's care, Austin had fallen ill.

How could Jarrod entrust his son to a woman so clearly infatuated with him? Was he out of his mind?

The thought of Vicki harming Austin wasn't far-fetched in Nicole's overwhelmed mind.

These troubling thoughts swirled in Nicole's head, her anxiety mounting. She struggled to regain her composure and demanded, “Vicki, just tell me what you want."

Emboldened, Vicki veiled her smirk with her hand, her voice soft but cutting. "I heard you were quite the hostess, helping Jarrod entertain his guests by drinking with them. You were quite good at it, weren't you?"

Nicole, bewildered by the change in topic, shook her head in denial.

"No, that wasn't me."

“Humph, that's a pity. Since you're not willing to talk, I suppose I'll leave then," Vicki announced, her tone dismissive as she prepared to exit.

Nicole quickly reached out and grasped Vicki's arm, her voice urgent.

"Wait, don't leave. Just give me a moment to think..."