Simulating panic, Deniz blurted out, "Vicki, something awful has happened..."

A surge of joy was palpable in Vicki's initial silence, as if she relished the thought of Nicole incapacitated or worse. She asked, her voice laced with feigned concern, “What happened?”

Maintaining his act, Deniz's voice trembled. "She's dead. Nicole was killed by me."

A heavy silence fell over the line.

As it stretched on, Deniz's suspicions about Vicki deepened. "What do we do now, Miss Hampton?"

Vicki snapped back to reality and asked, "Mr. Miller, what exactly happened? How did she die?"

Vicki had considered the possibility that Nicole might be disabled but never imagined Deniz would actually kill Nicole. This outcome was completely unexpected. She could only ask first.

Deniz replied gruffly, “I don't know. She was so weak that she died just like that before I could even get started. It's totally unreasonable."

His brusque tone made Vicki frown, though she was listening on the other end of the phone. Still, this rudeness fit Deniz's usual manner, and Vicki believed him without question.

She remained silent for a long stretch, wrestling with how to manage the situation. After all, it was she who had orchestrated Nicole's involvement. If Jarrod ever discovered this, it would shatter her carefully crafted image of benevolence and generosity. She didn't want to tarnish her reputation over what seemed a trivial incident.

Vicki's prolonged silence sent a chill through Deniz's heart. He began to suspect that Nicole's accusations might hold some truth.

"Miss Hampton, what should we do? This situation is really awkward,"

Deniz pressed, seeking guidance.

"Deniz." Vicki's tone shifted noticeably. She no longer addressed him as Mr. Miller, instead uttering his first name with a dismissive tone, as if he were a servant in her household.

Deniz bristled but waited for Vicki to continue.

Vicki said, “Why are you telling me this? I'm just a young lady. What help could I offer to you? You need to handle this yourself. I don't have a clue about how to deal with such a situation..."

Deniz countered, "Miss Hampton, are you trying to distance yourself? This arrangement was your doing, wasn't it? I didn't realize she was so fragile. If you had warned me about her condition, I wouldn't have been so harsh!"

Filled with resentment, Deniz exclaimed, "Miss Hampton, you've really put me in a tight spot!"

Vicki responded with displeasure, "Hey, what are you implying? I didn't set you up. I merely mentioned that Kingbel Club would have a surprise for you. How Miss Lawrence ended up working there is beyond me. I didn't specifically arrange for her involvement."

Vicki had created a safe distance for herself. From the outset, she had planned her moves carefully. She hadn't mentioned Nicole to Deniz at all. She simply suggested he visit the club at night for a surprise. This strategy left her ample space to maneuver and now allowed her to shift any blame onto Deniz.