Chapter 430

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For an important meeting, Nicole had chosen a pencil skirt with a high slit.

Jarrod, with his hands in his pockets, looked at his reflection, taking in his attire. Nicole was as striking as ever. The same white shirt that seemed ordinary to others became a tool of seduction for her. Although the shirt was his size, it was tight on his chest.

Her fine heels and long, light legs were enough to awaken the desire of any man.

Jarrod was no exception, his lustful gaze was undisguised and shameless.

Then, he turned to face the front, casually asking, “Didn't you see the message?”

Jarrod had messaged Nicole earlier, asking about her plans.

Nicole replied with a smile: "I haven't seen it." Even if I had seen it, I would have ignored it, treating it as a spam email.

Jarrod casually pulled at his lip, but said nothing more.

The next moment, his hand was on her hip, sliding smoothly to take out his phone from his pocket. He did it as easily as if his hip were no different from an inanimate object.

"You!" Nicole bit her lip, holding back the urge to lash out, especially with the others around.

Jarrod, unfazed, laughed. "I just want to see if it still works."

"Give it back to me." Nicole tried to grab her phone again, her voice full of anger, visibly upset.

But Jarrod raised his hand out of her reach, capturing her wrist with ease and pulling her close. With a hint of challenge in his eyes, he asked, "Are you hiding something from me?"

Forced against him, Nicole felt her heart pounding and her palms sweating.

This morning, the babysitter had sent him a photo of Austin playing and he hadn't deleted it yet. He was still on his phone.

However, Nicole's face showed no signs of panic as she calmly said, "The contents of my phone are my business, not yours."

Jarrod's questions arose because Nicole seemed distant. He felt upset and wanted an excuse to talk to her.

Noticing Nicole's fleeting concern, he became suspicious. He asked with a curious look, “What has you so worried?”

Nicole's attempts to move away were useless, highlighting the clear difference in strength between them. He realized that it would be better to outsmart Jarrod than try to dominate him. So Nicole said with a forced smile: "There is a quite personal video, not exactly for everyone's eyes."

The atmosphere cooled instantly. The tension was so thick that even the bodyguards were nervous, trying to remain as quiet as possible.

Jarrod, holding Nicole close, asked sarcastically, "Who is this man you're so interested in?" More than me?

Their exchange intensified with each sentence. The bodyguards, however, wished they had not heard their exchange.

Nicole responded with a hint of mockery: “A professional masseuse. His skills are unmatched. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from him.

The elevator remained deathly silent. They all acted as if they were invisible, fearing that one sigh could cost them their jobs.

“Ding!” The elevator stopped.

A bodyguard dared to ask: “Mr. Schultz, shall we get off?

"Out!" Jarrod's shout was filled with anger.

The bodyguards left quickly.

Nicole and Jarrod were left alone in the elevator, with Nicole still without her phone.

When the doors closed again, Jarrod pressed Nicole against the mirror, his breath cold and his voice low. «You don't seem happy. Maybe we should 'practice' now.

«I would prefer not. My experiences with you have left a bitter taste in me.

Now, however, I look for joy. Nicole laughed, her beauty glowing.

«The young people there treated me like a queen, serving me on their knees. Can you do that, Mr. Schultz?

Jarrod's mood darkened, but Nicole stood her ground.

Today's meeting was a magnet for the business world's elite, attracting, among others, the traditional Hampton family.

Given the long alliance between the Hampton family and the Schultze family, Nicole found a direct approach to the Hamptons blocked. Instead, he chose Jarrod as his entry point. Defying him, despite the risks, seemed the quickest route.

Nicole intended to cause a spectacle on Jarrod's part, hoping to tarnish his reputation to the point of being rejected. If it came time to choose sides, a temperamental CEO like Jarrod would surely tip the balance against a partnership.

In the midst of a heavy silence, Nicole prepared herself for a dramatic reaction from Jarrod. However, what he got was his deep voice asking, “How should I kneel?”

Jarrod's statement visibly surprised Nicole, and she paused in astonishment.

Jarrod was very serious, without cracking a smile.

Struggling to express herself, Nicole found humor in the moment. "Mr. Schultz, don't you know that women today are looking for someone who has skills? Given his past with numerous women, even though it took a lot of asking...

She playfully straightened Jarrod's tie, taunting him: "I wouldn't give him a second glance."

Jarrod couldn't believe a woman would make fun of him like that.

If it had been anyone else, I would have banished that culprit from Ardlens forever, considering his notorious temper. However, with Nicole, he was left speechless, swallowing his fury.

Nicole's eyes, brimming with sarcasm, seemed to remind him of a past embarrassment he had caused her.

“Nicole, I know you don't mean any of that,” Jarrod said, his eyes frozen, hiding his feelings. «Find another way to get back at me. This is not going to irritate me.

"Mr. Schultz, what makes you think I'm looking for revenge?" Taking advantage of the fact that he had remained silent, Nicole snatched the phone from him with a smile full of sarcasm.

«If you are so interested in seeing the video, I can send it to you.

You've recorded things before, right? You even showed it to your brother, didn't you? Nicole scoffed.

As Jarrod's expression turned icy, Nicole nonchalantly inquired, "Did everyone praise my looks?"

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