Jarrod raised his hand, deflecting the pillow, which then fell to the floor. His expression remained calm, his gaze steady. “Is this how you repay me for saving you?"

“What did you do to me?" Nicole demanded, her anger palpable.

Jarrod, observing her rage, allowed a small smile to touch his lips.

He picked up a glass of whiskey brought by the housekeeper, swirled it, took a sip, and said casually, "If I had done anything, don't you think you'd have felt it?"

Nicole was momentarily stunned. Instantly, her ears turned red. This man could discuss inappropriate topics with the same poise he brought to business meetings. His expression stayed serious, yet his words were anything but.

Jarrod, unabashed, retorted, "If I had done something to you, you wouldn't have the strength to throw a pillow at me this morning."

"You..." Nicole's skin crawled with indignation.

"And you might want to look in a mirror..." Jarrod continued, his tone feigning helpfulness.

He pointed to the mirrored wall opposite the bed, remarking, "The way you look now, even if you were out on the street, no one would bother you."

His words cut deep. Nicole, seething with fury, glanced at her reflection in the mirrored wall. Her face was swollen, resembling a pig's head. Not only her body but her forehead and jaw were also swollen.

Last night, her wounds were just bruises. Now, her entire face had puffed up, distorting her features into a squashed, comical appearance, hardly unattractive but certainly less appealing.

But she wasn't exactly ugly. Her features were her own, unaltered and authentic. Swollen, she appeared more comical than anything, a larger-than-life version of herself.

“And my clothes..." Nicole gestured to the nightgown she was wearing and asked, "Who changed them?"

"Not me," Jarrod was quick to clarify, wanting to avoid any misunderstanding. "The housekeeper did."

A wave of relief washed over Nicole, but she knew this was not the time for lengthy discussions with Jarrod. More urgent matters demanded her attention.

Last night, Nicole had arranged for Jemma to call Jarrod if she failed to emerge by the agreed time, trusting that only Jarrod could outmaneuver Vicki. This was her strategy to protect Austin. She couldn't afford any errors. Otherwise, she wouldn't have involved Jarrod.

Before the incident, Nicole had instructed Jemma to secure the hidden camera footage from the chamber in due time. With the evidence of Vicki's bullies, unfit for a stepmother for Austin, now likely in Jemma's possession, she needed to retrieve it swiftly to Leverage negotiations with Jarrod.

Nicole was convinced that once Jarrod viewed the footage, he would not risk the Schultz family's reputation by marrying Vicki. Even if he decided to proceed, he would have to concede to her terms.

After a moment of thought, Nicole said, “I need to leave. Get me my clothes." The nightgown was far too loose, and wearing it outside would be humiliating.

Jarrod raised an eyebrow. "Your clothes? Those torn rags?"