Chapter 387

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As Nicole rolled down the window, she gave Alec a chilling look and said, “You wouldn't understand pain unless the knife was in your own flesh. You chose silence before, so be silent now. But if you cross the line again, I won't hold back.

Suddenly, Nicole remembered that she had a message for Jarrod. "Alec, tell Jarrod I'll do the funeral for him if he doesn't survive this ordeal."

With that, Nicole accelerated her red sports car away.

Alec didn't dare block the car's path. He stood aside, watching the red car speed away. Then he headed to the square.

Despite the rain, Jarrod remained kneeling with a posture more rigid than that of any statue.

As Alec approached, he noticed Jarrod pressing his thumb to the wound on his leg.

The rain had washed the wound, turning it pale. Without the blood, it looked like a lifeless, drowned piece of skin.

It was clear that Jarrod was not thinking clearly. His lips moved slightly, trying to form words, but no sound came out.

Trying to read Jarrod's lips, Alec realized that Jarrod was still saying Nicole's name.

Unable to contain his emotions, Alec fell to his knees, bursting into tears. "Mr. Schultz, I'm so sorry… I couldn't find Miss Lawrence…”

Alec lied. He had been hesitant to share the truth, unsure if Jarrod could handle it.

“I know you found her…” Jarrod managed to say, despite the struggle.

After all, it was Jarrod who had trained Alec himself. Since Nicole had appeared, Alec couldn't ignore her presence.

It was the first time Alec had lied to Jarrod, and Jarrod didn't want to confront him about it.

Jarrod's smile seemed more painful than tears. "You didn't want to see me, did you?"

Alec hung his head guiltily and replied in a strained voice, “Mr. Schultz, I'm sorry. I couldn't convince Miss Lawrence..."

"What...what did he say?" The moment Jarrod asked, his lips began to bleed.

Ignoring the pain, he insisted in a weak voice: “Don't hide the truth from me. I can handle it. Just tell me what he told you..."

Alec only dared to lie to Jarrod once. When Jarrod realized the lie, Alec had no choice but to confess. He conveyed Nicole's words exactly as she had said them.

Hearing Nicole's words from Alec, Jarrod felt his deep resentment.

Although Jamie was the one who had stolen the contract and given it to Wesson, causing him to commit suicide under the weight of guilt, it was Jarrod who deliberately decided to keep the original copy, wanting to bind Nicole to his side with it.

If Jarrod had destroyed the contract as he had promised Nicole, perhaps Wesson would not have been driven to intense despair.

But then, Jarrod felt trapped with no other options. He couldn't think of any other way to get Nicole to voluntarily stay by his side other than by threatening her...

After years away from home, Jarrod had lost touch with how to truly love someone. He didn't know how to show his affection. He couldn't stand Nicole leaving him.

Jarrod only came up with the solution of forcing her to stay by his side, believing it was the best. But he realized too late that he had been wrong about everything...

The rain soaked Jarrod's face, soaking him to the bone. If his actions were wrong, what would have been the right thing to do? After the death of his parents, marked by resentment, no one had guided him about the distinctions between good and evil.

The rain stuck to Jarrod's eyelashes. In a harsh tone, he asked, "Is that all?"

Alec shifted and hesitated, avoiding Jarrod's gaze. Finally, under the intensity of Jarrod's gaze, Alec said quietly, "Miss Lawrence mentioned that she will hold the funeral for you if you don't survive this ordeal."

The bitterness in the air was palpable, even in the midst of the downpour.

Poof! Jarrod coughed up blood once more. Blood ran down his lip, staining his shirt. His body began to convulse.

Jarrod had been kneeling firmly for hours. Under the influence of Nicole's words, he finally fell to the ground.

"Mr. Schultz! Mr. Schultz! Panicking, Alec reached out, catching Jarrod just in time.

Jarrod, nearly six feet tall and heavyset, had fainted.

With all his strength, Alec rushed to get Jarrod into the car.

Shortly after they arrived at the hospital.

Seeing Jarrod's pale complexion, the doctor said urgently, "Quickly, take him to the emergency room now!"

Inside the operating room, Jarrod was on the operating table, writhing uncontrollably, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, a harrowing sight.

After examining him, the doctor announced: "He coughs up blood, has strong muscle spasms, his legs are swollen, and he has difficulty breathing...

It is heart failure, a consequence of his previous chronic lung disease.

Where is your family? They have to sign the critical condition form immediately.

Suddenly, the nursing assistant shouted, "Doctor, you have no pulse!"

And then, a piercing sound cut through the silence.

Beside the operating table, the medical monitor recording Jarrod's vital signs let out a long, chilling beep.

Alec, standing outside, was shocked by what the nurse said.

Jarrod hadn't taken good care of himself, but he was generally healthy, aside from the previous pneumonia infection.

Alec never imagined that Nicole's few words could put Jarrod's life in danger.

Stunned, Alec asked the nurse: "I'm your assistant. Is it possible for you to sign the form for him?

The nurse replied seriously, "It's a matter of life and death, so you'd better inform your family to sign it."

"But Mr. Schultz has no family."

The nurse asked in confusion, "Aren't you married?"

Alec just shook his head.

"And his parents?" the nurse continued to ask.

"They've been gone a long time." Alec replied.

The nurse, with a worried look on her face, was surprised that Jarrod had no relatives.

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