Nicole braced her palms on the floor, her vision obscured by the trash bag. She relied on her hands to find leverage and position her head to catch fleeting breaths.

Nicole found it odd that Vicki hadn't yet attacked her. She had braced herself for Vicki's potential attack to unleash the rage just like Doreen. Contract to her expectation, Vicki simply lounged on the sofa instead.

Nicole frowned. If Vicki still chose not to attack her, her ordeal tonight would be pointless. Knowing Vicki all too well, she had taken an extra precaution by secretly installing a camera in this chamber.

Nicole knew this place better than Vicki and Doreen, understanding exactly how to conceal the camera so it would go unnoticed. If Vicki attacked her, the recording would serve as evidence that Vicki was unfit to be a parent.

As disappointment settled in, Nicole heard a cell phone rang.

Vicki stood up, as though she needed to take a phone call outside.

She was back within two minutes.

The sound of Vicki's high heels clacking made Nicole slightly anxious.

Vicki approached Nicole and stomped on her foot. “Why won't you just die, Nicole?"

Hatred seethed in Vicki's voice.

Nicole sensed something off with Vicki. Vicki had been calm, just observing the scene earlier. What had changed her demeanor so drastically after the phone call? What could she have heard?

Vicki was furious because a contact at the hospital had informed her that Jarrod was scheduled for a ligation. A ligation? Damn it!

Vicki's face twisted in rage. What was Jarrod thinking! How could he choose to have a ligation? That would mean she could never have his children. Without a child, she feared Jarrod might eventually leave her.

Vicki had thought Jarrod adored children, given his softened demeanor around Austin. How could he decide against having his own children?

Could it be that Nicole was Austin's biological mother so he showed so much care?

It dawned on Vicki that Jarrod didn't want a child except with Nicole. Why? She was far from reconciled. She felt she was no less than Nicole.

People like Vicki, having stuck with the gentle facade for too long, would react desperately when they felt cornered.

In a huff, Vicki pulled out her phone and quickly dialed a number.

“Where are you? Get to Kingbel Club now. Hurry."

Trapped in the trash bag, Nicole couldn't make out this phone call.