Upon entering the room, Conor commenced his customary recitation of the company's updates to Jarrod.

Unexpectedly, Jarrod queried, “Whom were you expecting?"

Conor hesitated and then decided it was best to be honest. "I encountered Miss Lawrence at the hospital yesterday."

"What did you convey to her?" Jarrod inquired.

"I suggested she visit you if she could spare the time," Conor replied.

Jarrod fell silent, acknowledging Nicole's awareness of his condition and her absence despite it. He emitted a bitter chuckle. Indeed, if she possessed any compassion for him, she wouldn't be Nicole.

“What brought her to the hospital?" Jarrod inquired, a hint of concern creeping into his tone.

Conor responded, "Miss Lawrence mentioned she was there accompanying a friend receiving an IV."

"A friend?" Jarrod's brow furrowed. "Who might that be?"

Conor, having already gathered information, promptly answered, “It was Mr. Bates. He appeared unwell, and Miss Lawrence visited him."

This revelation further unsettled and troubled Jarrod deeply. What sort of bond did Rhett share with Nicole? Despite their limited encounters, Rhett seemed remarkably significant.

Observing Jarrod's perturbed countenance, Conor hastened to reassure him, "Miss Lawrence's visit was brief. She departed in the evening, as confirmed by the hospital staff."

Jarrod maintained his stoic facade, offering no response.

Conor, sensing the tension, refrained from broaching the subject further and redirected the conversation to business matters. However, their discussion was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected visitor.

It was Jarrod's cousin, Hallie.

"Jarrod, I need your help with Doreen!" Hallie exclaimed upon entering, seemingly disregarding their prior altercation.

Jarrod's expression soured, but Hallie pressed on without pause, lamenting, "I encountered Doreen earlier today. She's visibly emaciated and utterly fatigued. The torment she endures and the bruises she bears... It's unbearable. After all she's endured, how can she endure this?"

Hallie wiped away her tears, genuinely distraught for her daughter's plight. This time, she approached the situation with more tact, avoiding any mention of Doreen's transgressions and instead emphasizing Doreen's suffering, hoping to evoke Jarrod's sympathy.

With Jarrod nursing his wounds from the incident, Hallie had chastised Doreen for the latter's perceived failure, which ultimately ended with the failure to hurt Nicole, inadvertently reducing Jarrod to hospitalization instead.

Now, with Jarrod injured and Doreen facing serious charges, the situation had worsened considerably.