“Hahaha..." Nicole's maniacal laughter frightened Vicki.

“Don't laugh, you witch. What if you laugh yourself to death..."

“Vicki, don't you see the irony in your words?" Nicole retorted. “You are the perpetrator, and I am the victim. Why should the victim feel ashamed in public? Why should I be ashamed? What reason does my son have to feel ashamed?"

Nicole raised her voice with conviction. "Should I feel ashamed for being assaulted? For being drugged? For being powerless? Because I'm not strong, because I lack influence, because I don't come from a prestigious family like yours, is it my fault? Are these reasons enough for you to bully and humiliate me? Who really should feel ashamed? You're mistaken. Do you realize how many people have seen the video? One hundred million! Let those hundred million viewers decide who should feel ashamed. They will provide the fair judgment. But I'll tell you, even if fortune hasn't smiled upon me this time, I won't feel ashamed, because there's nothing wrong with me. It's the world that's twisted. Regarding my son, even if he sees it, he will see his mother standing up for justice and fighting for what's right, not cowering in fear. That kind of cowardice is not what I want for my son."

Nicole's declaration resounded powerfully in Vicki's ears, her words piercing but not loud. This was also the reason why she did that without considering the consequences. No one could be someone's constant companion through life. Austin would grow up and face reality on his own. Even if not due to her actions, he would inevitably encounter life's challenges.

Nicole could not teach Austin to evade these challenges, but she could show him that no matter the hurdles, there was always hope at the end.

"You are a complete Lunatic!" Vicki screamed in despair. The thought of a hundred million people witnessing her downfall was unbearable.

Her facade would crumble, and she could not fathom how to continue living or facing others.

"Nicole, do you really think you can just walk away from this? You've implicated my brother and me, tarnishing our reputations. Do you think the Hampton family will just let this slide?" Even now, Vicki's primary concern was her and her family's reputation, showing no regret for her actions toward Nicole.

Such was the nature of Vicki, Lowe, and the entire Hampton family.

It was a reflection of their deeply ingrained values.

"What need do I have for your family to let go of me?" Nicole retorted with a sneer. "You're still focused on yourself and your family's images. You're already planning your next move before this is even settled?"

Vicki's anger flared, but then her attention was drawn to a Luxury car pulling up. Inside was the familiar, striking profile of a man.

Her expression shifted instantly. It was Jarrod.

Vicki believed Jarrod had come unaware of Nicole's scheme, hoping to settle their differences. She saw a flicker of hope, an opportunity to unveil Nicole's true nature to Jarrod, revealing her manipulative and vile character. Nicole was merely using Jarrod to further her own ambitions.

Facing Nicole, Vicki accused, "You're just using Jarrod, aren't you? You even married him solely to further your agenda. You know you can't take down the Hampton family alone, and marrying Jarrod ensures he can't overlook your schemes..."

"So what?" Nicole responded, her voice dripping with indifference. It wasn't anything unusual.

Vicki couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "I knew it. You're using him. You don't actually love him. Why do this?"

"You split us apart, yet you don't love him at all. Do you know that Jarrod chose a vasectomy because of Austin? He told me that if I married him, I'd never have children. That's why I had to act quickly..." Vicki stopped abruptly, realizing she was close to confessing her own plot to kill Austin.

But whether she confessed or not, Nicole was already aware of her involvement.