In a swift motion, Jarrod grabbed it from her hands. "I'll drink it," he declared.

Jarrod downed the soy milk quickly. As he was about to refill his bowl, Nicole intervened.

Nicole placed Jarrod's bowl on the table. "Too much soy milk isn't good for you."

The shift in Jarrod's expression left Nicole puzzled about its meaning. She gestured toward the sandwiches. “Try some of these."

“Okay. Jarrod obediently picked up a sandwich and bit into it, savoring the flavor."

After finishing his meal and medicinal food, Austin stood up to leave.

With little appetite, Nicole stood up as well. “I'm done," she announced.

This left Jarrod alone at the table.

When the housekeeper arrived later to clear the dishes, she noticed that most of the food was gone.

Jarrod typically had a disciplined breakfast, just coffee, a slice of bread, and half a steak. Today, he had eaten much more. The housekeeper credited Nicole's cooking skills for the change. She cleared the table with a smile.

Jarrod went upstairs and found Nicole teaching Austin to read. After watching for a moment, he left.

As soon as Jarrod entered his car, Alec, who was waiting inside, leaned closer. "Sir, you didn't eat anything that woman gave you, did you?"

Alec's tone mixed concern with worry, fearing that Jarrod had fallen for Nicole's charms.

Jarrod remained silent, darkening Alec's expression. "You ate it?" he asked incredulously.

"Mind your own business," Jarrod responded icily.

Exasperated, Alec said, “If you're so determined to risk your life, let me know. I might as well die now if you're going to."

Jarrod shot him a cold glance. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

“Is it nonsense?" Alec challenged. “You know she's poisoning you, yet you still eat her food. If that's not risking your life, what is?"

"There's no evidence she's poisoning me," Jarrod interrupted sharply.

Alec, still furious, insisted, "No evidence? I heard it myself! That woman had agreed to poison you."