Deniz's anger ignited as he recalled the humiliation by the pool. "If it weren't for you, I would've made it in Ardlens!" he spat through gritted teeth.

He lunged forward, ripping at Nicole's clothes. “Now that Jarrod has Vicki, he won't help you anymore. Let's see where you'll run today.”

With a sharp tearing sound, Nicole's freshly worn uniform split open in Deniz's hands.

Nicole quickly covered herself and slapped Deniz hard across the face.

Stunned, Deniz grabbed her hair and slammed her head toward the table.

"Bitch! You dare hit me? You're looking for death! You're here to serve me!"

Nicole picked up an ashtray and sneered, “If you humiliate me tonight, your future will be very miserable!"

Deniz shook his head dismissively. "You're talking nonsense!"

Nicole's eyes narrowed. "Jarrod won't let anyone humiliate the mother of his child. Regardless of our relationship, I'm still the mother of his kid. Do you think he'll just sit back if he finds out it's you?"

Deniz hesitated. The thought that Nicole was the mother of Jarrod's child made him pause. Jarrod cared deeply about his image. If he discovered someone messing with his family, he would certainly act.

Having crossed Jarrod before, Deniz knew he needed to be careful.

Sensing the shift, Nicole posed the question. “Do you really think Vicki arranged for me to come and appease you?"

Deniz's hesitation deepened.

“Why would she?" Nicole continued. "She's always looked down on you. She's offering you a ‘deal,’ but it's a trap. She's pushing you to take the blame, and if anything goes wrong, she'll act like she had no part in it. You'll be the scapegoat, won't you?"

Her rhetorical question left Deniz stunned. When he thought about it, it started to make sense. Vicki had always been arrogant and aloof, never trying to please him. Her arrangement felt suspicious.

Deniz became more convinced that Vicki had set him up. If Jarrod asked Vicki about it, she'd wash her hands clean, leaving him as the culprit. Damn it! Vicki was really scheming!

After silently cursing Vicki, Deniz eyed Nicole suspiciously. "You're saying all this, but how do I know you're not just trying to trick me? Maybe you just want me to let you off."

Nicole remained calm. "Some things don't need an explanation. You can see for yourself whether it's true."

Nicole knew that if she tried to defend herself now, Deniz wouldn't believe her. Rather than argue further, she let him think things over for himself.

Deniz was nearly convinced but still asked, “If you're so sure about everything, why didn't you tell Jarrod that Vicki was behind it? She must have used your child to threaten you, right?"