With that, Vicki spun around and strode off, leaving Nicole to ponder the ominous implications of her words.

Clutching the cash tightly, Nicole's thoughts raced with the possibilities. She was certain Vicki was referring to harming Austin.

Nicole gazed after Vicki, her eyes locked on Vicki's receding figure, emotions swirling within her.

At that moment, Jamie approached, her face etched with feigned concern. “Cherry, what's happening here? Did the customer today give you a hard time?"

Jamie had intentionally approached after witnessing the exchange between Nicole, Jarrod, and Vicki. She couldn't grasp why Jarrod would behave so harshly toward Nicole, concluding that Nicole had fallen out of favor with him.

In Jamie's observation, Vicki was loved by Jarrod and the only one deserving of Jarrod.

Jamie felt a secret thrill, relieved that Jarrod's affection for Nicole might not be as deep as she had feared. Jarrod was fickle, always chasing new women and quickly tiring of the old. In that case, her past wrongs by inflicting pain on Nicole would be less significant if his love for Nicole faded. She assumed Jarrod's disdain for her stemmed from his feelings for Nicole. If his love for Nicole had waned, might he forgive her?

Nicole chose not to respond to Jamie. She didn't want to confront Jamie directly, nor did she wish to expose Jamie just yet. She aimed to uncover Jamie's real motives, as well as the mastermind behind the scene.

Nicole was cautious about aligning herself with someone she didn't fully understand.

Many seemed to offer help, but in truth, they were merely using others to carry out their unsavory tasks. Eventually, these so-called helpers would turn on their accomplices, making them scapegoats. No one was willing to be left holding the bag for someone else's misdeeds.

Jamie sensed Nicole's reluctance and felt frustrated by her inaccessibility. Initially, she feared retaliation from Nicole if her true intentions were discovered.

Relieved by Nicole's inaction, Jamie mistakenly believed that Nicole was merely suspicious without any concrete evidence of her machinations. She decided to look for another chance to fulfill her assigned task later.

Returning to the restroom, Nicole encountered Jemma smoking nonchalantly by the door, seemingly indifferent to Nicole's presence and allowing the secondhand smoke to waft over.

Jemma eyed Nicole's disheveled state and sneered, "You really are something, managing to upset three tough characters simultaneously."

Jemma was referring to Doreen, Vicki, and Jarrod. Doreen was rude with malicious intentions. Vicki feigned kindness but was sly with vicious agendas, and Jarrod was particularly merciless. Any mistake by the barmaid would result in severe repercussions.

“I'm sorry for causing you trouble," Nicole murmured quietly. She hadn't yet discerned Jemma's true intentions. However, her observations suggested a kind-hearted nature beneath Jemma's abrasive demeanor and sharp tongue.

Jemma had a history of stepping in to defend the barmaids from unruly patrons. While her reprimands might sound harsh, they often shielded the barmaids from potentially offensive situations with VIPs.

Without Jemma's intervention, many would have struggled to continue in their roles.

Within the barmaids, there was a clear divide. Some were for money, while others bore silent burdens, driven by familial obligations.

Those who were after money had mastered the art of manipulation and displayed scant regard for others. Jemma consistently refrained from assisting them, regardless of the circumstances. In contrast, she extended her support to those who found themselves in the industry out of sheer necessity and desperation.