Nicole felt as though a multitude of arrows pierced her heart, each causing unbearable anguish. Her father hadn't taken his own life. He had been taken from her.

Brett recounted the events of that fateful year, his voice heavy with regret. "Before the company's layoff meeting, a woman approached me with an offer. She promised a substantial reward in exchange for my cooperation. She presented me with a tape, insisting I show it to your father. The content was distressing, a video of you being harassed by several men. I refused outright. No sum of money could justify such cruelty, especially given your father's fragile health.”

Nicole Listened in silence, piecing together the puzzle. The video in question must have originated from her time with Jarrod, likely recorded by Jamie. It seemed Jamie was the sole individual capable of acquiring it. Jamie must have captured the video, arranged for its editing, and intended to present it to her father to emotionally impact him.

Brett continued, "Shortly thereafter, Callie succumbed to a severe illness, collapsing unconscious. Once again, that woman appeared at the hospital, asserting that a compatible kidney donor had been found for Callie. Not only did she pledge financial assistance, but she also coordinated the necessary surgical procedure for Callie. I hesitated initially, grappling with the weight of Callie's coma and my own rising panic. When the woman returned, temptation clouded my judgment, and I succumbed, agreeing to her terms. However, upon hearing my agreement, her demands had shifted."

Brett paused before proceeding, his voice weighed down by the gravity of his revelation. "Her request shook me to the core. She demanded that I coerce Mr. Lawrence into taking his own life, being the sacrificial pawn in her twisted scheme. I couldn't entertain such a notion. Mr. Lawrence had shown kindness to me and supported my family. To carry out such a deed would strip me of my humanity. Yet, that evening, as Callie teetered on the brink of death, a somber prognosis was delivered, plunging me into a state of profound disorientation..."

Brett still bore the pain as he recounted the memories. His daughter's critical state rendered him senseless. Looking back, Callie's deterioration seemed unnaturally swift, particularly after the woman's intervention. It had to be the woman's doing.

But at that moment, Brett's desperation to save his daughter eclipsed all else. "I yielded to the woman's demand. During the layoff meeting, while everyone congregated downstairs, I slipped into Mr. Lawrence's office. Familiar with dodging surveillance cameras, I remained undetected. Yet, Mrs. Lawrence was present, aware that I was the last to see her husband."

Nicole remained unaware of her mother's knowledge. The shock proved too much for her mother, plunging her mother into a coma since then.

That was why the truth remained buried for so long.

Brett went on. "As requested, I played the video for Mr. Lawrence and then told him that burdening his child with parents like him could be overwhelming. I said those words to persuade him to take his own life. For a long while, Mr. Lawrence remained silent. Eventually, he expressed his reluctance to burden his daughter. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving her to face the world alone or instill in her the belief that his demise was her responsibility. Miss Lawrence, your father feared his own demise would cast a shadow upon you, leading you to believe it was your fault. He was a truly exceptional father, with an intimate understanding of you..."

Nicole's eyes welled with tears, cascading down her cheeks. The anguish was suffocating, every breath a labor.

Brett sighed. "Mr. Lawrence's words moved me deeply. I realized the enormity of my wrongdoing. How could I endanger another loving father for the sake of my daughter? I confessed everything, and he forgave me. His words still lingered in my mind. He had said, ‘Brett, I forgive you as a fellow father. Never repeat this mistake. Seek help if needed.'"

Brett's eyes mirrored Nicole's tears. Indeed, he and Wesson were both fathers, guardians in need. He had nearly forfeited his right to fatherhood.

Brett replayed the events. "Shame weighed heavily as I departed, leaving Mr. Lawrence behind. Ashamed to face anyone, I sought solace. But as I retreated, I noticed my daughter's gifted keychain was missing. Retracing my steps, I glimpsed a fleeting shadow down another corridor, assuming it was a former colleague and dismissing it. Upon my return to Mr. Lawrence's office, the door stood ajar, silence reigning within. Assuming Mr. Lawrence had departed, I retrieved my keychain. Just as I prepared to exit, I spied an open window. The gusts atop the building prompted me to close it, only to witness a gathering crowd below."

Even now, Brett's heart raced when he recalled the scene from that day. "I heard the commotion downstairs and realized something had befallen Mr. Lawrence. But moments before, he had assured me of his support, inviting me to seek his aid if ever necessary. Why then would he suddenly meet his demise by leaping to his death?"

Brett's initial suspicion centered on the unfamiliar figure he had encountered, whose hurried demeanor seemed incongruous for a staff member.

However, it wasn't solely this observation that led Brett to suspect foul play in Nicole's father's demise. Brett also noted Mr. Lawrence's computer was still powered on, revealing a distressing video of Nicole being harassed.

Knowing Wesson's unwavering devotion to Nicole, Brett reasoned that Wesson would never leave such a video accessible if he intended to end his own life. Instead, Wesson would have taken steps to erase or conceal it, shielding Nicole from further disgrace.

However, at the time, Brett's mind raced with worries. His foremost concern was avoiding implications should anyone discover his presence.

With his daughter awaiting his return, he couldn't afford to be ensnared in a scandal. In a frantic rush, he extracted the USB drive from Wesson's computer and hastily departed.