Vicki had issued strict instructions to the club's management personnel to not grant Nicole any time off, an order to ensure that Nicole wasn't there to enjoy herself, but to suffer.

Yet, Jemma was on good terms with the management, and after treating them to a hearty meal, they were willing to ignore Nicole's absence.

As long as someone was available to do the work, they weren't concerned about anything else.

This marked the second time this month that Nicole had taken a leave.

Normally, employees were only granted two and a half days off monthly.

Despite her uneasiness about asking for a leave, Nicole felt the need to check on her mother under such circumstances.

Fortunately, Jemma swiftly approved the leave request when she heard Nicole's mother was unwell and wished Nicole a safe journey to and from the way to check on her mother.

Nicole requested the driver for a destination change to the sanatorium.

Upon Nicole's arrival, the nurse appeared astonished. “Miss Lawrence, what brings you here?"

Nicole studied her mother, who was lying quietly on the bed, fast asleep. Her body sagged with relief and she replied, "The hospital notified me that my mother's condition had taken a turn for the worse."

"Don't worry. She had a seizure in the afternoon, but it passed quickly. Her vital signs are completely stable now." The nurse comfortingly told Nicole, “It's nothing to worry about, Miss Lawrence."

"I'm glad to hear that." Nicole accompanied her mother for a while.

Dora woke up for a bit in between, but she still didn't recognize Nicole.

This was nothing new to Nicole. She visited every week, but Dora never reacted to her. Once, Nicole accidentally ran into Jarrod visiting Dora. Dora seemed more delighted at the sight of Jarrod than Nicole.

Nicole had consulted the doctor about it, who replied it was probably because Jarrod was the first person Dora saw when she regained consciousness, so she felt a sense of familiarity and dependence toward him.

With no solution at present, Nicole didn't make a fuss about it.

Plus, having someone Dora didn't reject helped stabilize her condition.

Besides, Jarrod had made all the arrangements for Dora from the very beginning, so Nicole couldn't just tell him to stay away. Her only choice was to avoid confrontations with Jarrod, which was why she only came to visit her mother when Jarrod wasn't around.

But Jarrod's work kept him occupied and he rarely visited Dora.

Nicole's worries were unfounded.