A shiver ran down Jamie's spine as she nodded vigorously. "Yes, sir. I understand. I'll do my best."

"End the call. From now on, do not contact me unless I initiate."

"Okay, okay," Jamie hastily replied.

After several beeps, the line went dead.

Taking a deep breath, Jamie sat on the bed, clenching her fists.

"Why should I get close to that woman? I wish she were dead!" Jamie muttered to herself in the restroom, her voice tinged with hysteria.

Jamie's mutterings oscillated between wishing death on Nicole and Jarrod and cursing Jarrod's cruelty. Yet, in her vitriol, Nicole detected a trace of lingering affection for Jarrod.

This revelation was unexpected. Nicole had never imagined Jamie still harbored feelings for Jarrod. Jamie was really going mad.

From what Nicole had gathered, the mysterious individual was instructing Jamie to administer some kind of drug to Jarrod. The exact nature and effects of the medicine remained undisclosed, but Nicole surmised it wasn't lethal. It required multiple doses to be effective, suggesting it was intended to exert control.

Yet, the reason behind this desire to control Jarrod eluded Nicole.

Nicole stored the earphone away. Regrettably, the thin film eavesdropping device she'd placed on Jamie had a significant flaw. It would malfunction if exposed to water. If Jamie were to remove her jacket and wash it, the device would be rendered inoperative. She was cut off from further information.

Nevertheless, Nicole now understood that whoever was manipulating Jamie shared her objective to confront Jarrod. An adversary of her adversary might be considered an ally.

With this shared purpose, Nicole decided to keep watch for the time being.

However, the emergence of Jamie added complexity to the situation, revealing another antagonist in the shadows.

Despite everything, Nicole could not dismiss the memories of past grievances she had suffered because of Jamie. Such malevolence could not go unchallenged.

Two days later, Nicole was tending to her usual evening shift.

A familiar, regular customer was there, a reliable individual who seldom caused any disturbances.

Midway through her duties, Jemma interrupted her.

"The VIP in chamber 888 requests your service. Please attend to them,"

Jemma directed.