Yet, the Line went dead.

Jemma stood there, bewildered. What did this mean? Was Jarrod on his way? She considered calling back but remembered Nicole's strict instruction that one call only, regardless of the outcome.

Resisting the urge to dial again, Jemma's anxiety mounted. She decided to wait at the club's entrance.

Time dragged on, and as Jemma was about to give herself a twenty-minute ultimatum to intervene, a black stretch Limousine sped toward her, arriving in just ten minutes.

Jemma rushed over and politely opened the car door for Jarrod. “Mr. Schultz, you came so quickly..."

A pair of polished leather shoes hit the ground, and a tall, handsome man stepped out swiftly, his eyes not even glancing at Jemma.

He walked straight ahead.

Jemma got no response, but she stayed calm and unbothered. Anyway, Jarrod was here, and that was all that mattered.

But Alec, who followed behind, gave Jemma a knowing look and said, "Jemma, I didn't know you cared so much about your staff. Is Nicole the special one?"

The question was a trap, and Jemma's face tightened. She replied coolly, "Alec, don't be ridiculous. I'm just looking out for Mr. Schultz's family. Socialites can't risk scandals."

She added in a low voice, "With all the inspections lately, if it were anyone else, I'd handle it. But Miss Doreen Schultz and Miss Vicki Hampton are Mr. Schultz's family, so I need his input, right?"

Jemma's explanation was solid, but Alec wasn't buying it. He'd been in the business and entertainment world long enough to know better.

These nightclub managers only cared about money. Money could buy anything, and they wouldn't stick their necks out for a bargirl without a good reason. Moreover, they wouldn't risk upsetting VIPs over a bargirl.

Alec assumed Jemma and Nicole had something going on. The fact that Nicole had worked here so long without trouble said it all.

After all, this place was a playground for the rich. Nicole hadn't survived here by luck. Jemma must have carefully picked her clients.

Some bosses came here just to talk business and didn't mess with the bargirls. But sometimes they'd order a girl to meet a client's needs.

Alec sneered at Jemma, “Jemma, I don't care what you're up to. But watch yourself. If you reach too far, you might get hurt. And then..."

He paused and whispered in her ear, "You might not get back up."

Jemma was stunned, breaking into a cold sweat. Alec had blood on his hands. She could sense it, even through his suit.

That kind of danger came from deep within, and Alec could go from laughing with you to snapping your neck in a heartbeat. It was really scary.