Nicole was utterly stunned. She had never anticipated that a driver could exhibit such a dreadful temperament. This incident highlighted the necessity for her to hire a dedicated driver, especially now.

Given her pregnancy, driving herself wasn't an option, and relying on taxis was proving to be more hassle than it was worth.

Just as Nicole reached for her phone to summon another taxi, a car unexpectedly pulled up beside her.

The window rolled down smoothly, and the driver peered out with a look of surprise. "Miss Lawrence? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

It was Rhett. Nicole was taken aback, never expecting to encounter him, especially in such an awkward predicament.

Nicole quickly recounted her ordeal with the previous driver.

Rhett reacted with indignation. "That driver was completely out of line, abandoning you on the side of the road. It's downright dangerous."

He swiftly exited his vehicle and opened the passenger door for her.

“Miss Lawrence, please, come in. I'll drive you home. It's too late to be waiting here for another cab."

After a moment of consideration, Nicole accepted Rhett's offer and climbed into his car.

"It's quite the coincidence, Miss Lawrence. I had just finished work and here you are," Rhett remarked, a hint of surprise still in his voice.

"Indeed, quite the coincidence. And while we're on the subject, I haven't yet thanked you for the other day, Mr. Bates," Nicole said, recalling how Rhett had intervened when she faced the danger posed by Doreen.

During that critical moment, Rhett had dashed over, heedless of his own safety. Though Jarrod had been the one to ultimately step in closer and save Nicole, Rhett's readiness to help hadn't gone unnoticed. Furthermore, Rhett's continuous assistance with the ongoing lawsuit had been invaluable.

"There's no need for thanks, Miss Lawrence. We've known each other for some time, and we've collaborated extensively. We're sort of friends," Rhett responded, his voice warm with genuine humility.

Rhett's consistently kind and gentle demeanor left Nicole occasionally wondering if there was anything that could truly ruffle his composure.

“still, I feel I owe you a proper thank you," Nicole remarked, determined to acknowledge his efforts.

"Then perhaps you could treat me to a meal sometime?" Rhett suggested with a Light tone.

"Sure," Nicole responded, her smile reflecting her gratitude.

Assuming Nicole was on her way home, Rhett began driving in that direction, familiar with the route from previous visits.

However, as they traveled, he couldn't help but notice Nicole's complexion turning increasingly pale. "Miss Lawrence, are you feeling unwell?" he asked, concern marking his voice.