"I will."

After concluding the call, Nicole mulled over Raegan's words. Would Jarrod ensure Austin's proper care? Could she entrust Austin's well-being to Jarrod alone? If it were solely Jarrod, she might entertain the idea of relinquishing custody. Given her health limitations, she couldn't guarantee accompanying Austin for long. Perhaps one day, she would meet her own end, given her condition. Austin still had his biological father to rely on. Perhaps that would be preferable to having no one.

Yet, Nicole harbored no trust for Vicki whose malevolence lurked behind a facade of innocence. If Vicki conceived after the wedding, Austin would undoubtedly become a source of vexation and an obstacle demanding elimination in her eyes.

That was why Nicole couldn't relent. Never in this life would she allow Austin to become a pawn in someone else's game or in harm's way.

Before long, Raegan forwarded Roscoe's personal phone number to Nicole.

Nicole dialed but received no response. She attempted another call, met with silence.

Nicole resorted to a text. "Roscoe, it's Nicole. Urgent matter. Please call back."

After dispatching the message, it plummeted like a stone into the abyss of the oceanic void, met with prolonged silence.

Nicole's unease intensified as the countdown to Roscoe's wedding dwindled to a mere three days. She knew that once the wedding passed, escaping the clutches of the Watts family would become exponentially more challenging for Roscoe.

Furthermore, the Watts family had been exploiting Roscoe for their gains, even leveraging Roscoe's impending marriage. In the event of an accident, the Schultz family would be ensnared and would likely sacrifice Roscoe to shield Doreen from harm.

Nicole gripped her phone and resolved to intervene.

Unbeknownst to her, Roscoe was under Miguel's control at the Watts estate.

Turning to the butler, Roscoe inquired, “Where's Miguel? He mentioned illness, and asked for my presence."

Deceived by the butler, Roscoe unwittingly returned home. Miguel's purported illness was a fabrication. His health remained stable.

The butler calmly reassured, “Sir, please remain patient. Why not have a cup of coffee while they conduct the examination for your father? You may visit him once they conclude."

Roscoe settled into a seat, initially declining the coffee. However, the room's warmth and his growing thirst compelled him to indulge. He raised the cup to his lips, downing its contents in a single gulp.

But with each sip, dizziness enveloped Roscoe, and his thoughts blurred further.

“Another cup, please..." Before Roscoe could finish, the cup slipped from his grasp, shattering on impact.

Unfazed, the butler swiftly arranged for Roscoe's transfer, instructing, "Take good care of him and give him nutrient solution intravenously. Don't let him wake up."

With Roscoe's incessant demands disrupting the peace, they resolved to let him slumber for three days. That way, they could avoid any trouble.