Unperturbed, she believed she was beyond reproach, especially in the absence of any proof.

Nicole scoffed.

"Don't rush. I haven't finished. You boasted about altering Raegan's paternity and pregnancy reports. Mitchel knows, yet he turns a blind eye."

Mitchel's expression remained stoic, yet there was an undeniable iciness in his demeanor.

"Is this true, Lauren?" Mitchel inquired.

"I never said such things," Lauren quickly denied it, tears brimming in her eyes. She turned to Mitchel, her voice soaked in sorrow.

"Mitchel, I swear I didn't. Nicole's slandering me."

Facing Nicole, Lauren continued in a wounded tone, “I bear you no grudge, Nicole. I know you're doing this for Raegan. I could sue you for slander, but since you're her friend, I'll let it pass this time.

Just remember to stay in your lane and avoid framing others."

Nicole felt a surge of revulsion.

Lauren's words, seemingly generous, cleverly painted Nicole as a slanderer acting on Raegan's behalf.

Refusing to entertain Lauren's tactics, Nicole said dismissively, “Lauren, your confidence stems from the lack of cameras in the ward."

Nicole paused, producing a voice recorder from her pocket and brandishing it with a taunt.

"Let's see if this convinces you."

Lauren's face contorted with panic at the sight of it.

The next instant, her voice resonated clearly from the recording.

Clear as day, it broadcast Lauren's voice, echoing Nicole's earlier words, and even more venomous remarks Nicole hadn't mentioned.

Suddenly, Lauren felt a jolt, as if struck by lightning.

Observing Lauren's ashen face, Nicole grinned and remarked, "What a twist of fate! I had just left when you arrived, only to realize my voice recorder was missing. Returning to pick up the recorder, I overheard your delightful remarks in it."

Nicole habitually carried a voice recorder, intending to extract some information from Jarrod.