She cut herself off there, her understanding of Jarrod's temperament guiding her silence. He was a man of few questions, content with honesty over details Consistent with Vicki's expectations, Jarrod refrained from probing further after her brief disclosure.

Vicki, her curiosity piqued, pressed him gently, “Jarrod, why this sudden interest?"

"It's nothing," Jarrod responded, his voice casual as he slid his hand deeper into his pocket, the fabric rustling softly. "Try to get some sleep early tonight."

Their conversation tapered off there, each unspoken word hanging in the air.

Respecting his wish, Vicki replied, "Alright, rest well yourself too."

The phone clicked as the call ended. Immediately, Alec turned to Jarrod with urgency in his tone. "Sir, what should we do about Mr. Hampton?"

The dilemma of handling the disheveled Lowe, Jarrod's future brother -in-law, lying bare and vulnerable on the cold ground, was pressing.

Jarrod eyed the disheveled figure of Lowe on the ground, his voice deep and authoritative as he issued the command, “Put him in the car and take him back to the Hampton family."

"Understood," Alec responded, his thoughts in alignment with Jarrod's directive. Despite their frayed ties, they couldn't afford to let Vicki be embarrassed or become the subject of gossip.

Alec hoisted Lowe up and began to haul him outside, but Lowe was uncooperative, his body limp and heavy like a sack of flour. The evening's events had drained Lowe even further.

Upon reaching the door, Alec looked up, intending to call Jemma for assistance, only to see that she had already moved to escort Nicole out.

Jemma was busy attending to Nicole, who seemed to be ignored by everyone else.

As the manager of the bar girls, it was Jemma's duty to oversee Nicole's situation without overthinking the implications.

Jemma supported Nicole to the doorway. Nicole's face was flushed, her appearance tousled yet retaining an inexplicable allure.

As they passed by, Jarrod's gaze lingered on Nicole, his brows knitting together in a frown, his thoughts unreadable.

Without warning, Nicole reached out, grabbed Jarrod's collar, and pressed a fervent kiss to his lips. Her kiss was intense, searing with a heat that lingered on his skin.

Jemma, caught in the middle, blanched at the suddenness. She found herself trapped between the icy demeanor of Jarrod behind her and the fiery onslaught of Nicole in front.

Jemma's mind whirled with confusion. What... What was happening?

Alec halted, staring in disbelief. What on earth was happening?

Having been forced down the doctored drink, Nicole seemed tormented, as if she were on fire. Her mouth was dry, desperately clinging to Jarrod's lips as if they were a lifeline in the desert.