Moreover, Vicki's phone was secure against recording, and her messages self-destructed, leaving no trace behind.

Furthermore, Vicki had loyally cared for Jarrod for years without a hint of scandal.

Uncovering dirt on Vicki was tough, and even if they managed, Vicki had ways to slip through the net.

Vicki's handling of degrading Nicole while making Deniz the scapegoat showed her ruthless efficiency. Targeting Vicki was tricky, and any impact seemed minimal.

Thus, the strategy was to focus on Lowe. Rumors had it that the Hampton family was involved in shady dealings underground. If Lowe were to slip up, get arrested, and the media got wind of it, the Hampton family would crumble.

If the Hampton family fell apart, Vicki marrying Jarrod would become increasingly unlikely. Jarrod, keen on maintaining a clean reputation, would choose to protect his image over standing by Vicki if scandals surfaced.

Indeed, Nicole was determined to keep Vicki from becoming Austin's stepmother. She could not bear the thought of such a malevolent woman influencing Austin.

When the moment arrived, Jarrod's assertions about the stable emotions between him and Vicki were destined to be refuted. Vicki was hardly the right person to care for a child, yet Jarrod was blind to this. Wasn't that a mistake as well?

Nicole's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Turning to Deniz, she declared, “As long as you assist me in securing what I need, I promise you a clean getaway from this chaos, and we'll both profit immensely."

Deniz scoffed. “Are you kidding me? Do you really think you have the means to pull that off?"

His skepticism was palpable. He found it hard to believe that Nicole, seemingly so frail and insignificant, could be his ticket out of this mess and into wealth.

Undeterred, Nicole asserted, "I assure you, the suburban project will be yours."

"The suburban project?" Deniz repeated, taken aback. That was a lucrative venture. Securing it meant a secure future. But...

"That's the Schultz Group's undertaking. How on earth can you secure it?" Deniz doubted Jarrod would willingly part with it, especially for Nicole, a woman Deniz deemed beyond her prime. Besides, Jarrod's primary focus was always on maximizing his profits.

Nicole challenged, “Deniz, are you willing to bet with me and see for yourself?"

Deniz examined Nicole's face. Despite her ragged outfit, her eyes sparkled with unwavering confidence. Maybe there was more to her than met the eye.

On impulse, Deniz nodded and said, “Alright, let's have that bet."

Winning could potentially transform his life. Even if Nicole was deceiving him, he had nothing to lose.

Deniz gave Nicole a frosty look and warned, “Keep your word. I'll trust you for now, but if I catch even a hint of deception, you're dead meat!"

Unshaken, Nicole simply responded, "I'll be here."