I Chapter 404 I Don't Know Her / Several days had passed since Nicole and Jarrod parted in the hospital.

Nicole had thought Jarrod wouldn't give up that easily, yet he hadn't sought her out until now. Was he so easily irritated? It all seemed so dull.

She still needed him around. His interest in her couldn't fade just yet.

With a subtle smile, Nicole murmured, "I need to head home." Jarrod gave her a look and offered a smile. "Unless you want me to carry you inside the car, you better hop in the car." Jarrod had a small dimple on his left cheek that only showed when he smiled, which Nicole had to look

i closely to notice.

I Lost in thought, Nicole recalled how much she used to enjoy his smile. His I dimples, usually a sign of shyness, I added a touch of charm to his I appearance, making him seem both I shy and attractive.

Yet, Jarrod's dimples, typically associated with charm, now took on a hint of menace. His smile suggested that beneath his handsome exterior lurked a deadly threat.

Seeing her absent-minded look, Jarrod chuckled. "You seem captivated by me.

Have you been missing me?" Nicole felt disgusted. She approached her car with a stern expression, wanting to open the door.

But before her hand reached the handle, she felt a strong pull from behind. Jarrod had stepped out of his

I car, gently grasped her neck, and 1 teased, "Since you don't get in yourself, I'll take that as a sign you prefer me to I carry you." \ Nicole found his audacity I exasperating. Irritated, she inquired, I "Where exactly are we going?" Jarrod, clearly in high spirits, quirked an eyebrow and cheerfully suggested, "Join me for a late-night snack." Just as Nicole was about to rebuke him, her phone rang.

Recognizing the caller ID, her expression turned serious. She brushed off Jarrod's hand, saying, "Hold on. I need to take this call." Her reaction seemed casual yet intimate. Jarrod's eyes darkened as he finally released her.

Nicole advanced a couple of steps and grabbed the phone near the flowerbed.

"Yes, Mr. Steve?" ' "Nicole, 1 need those case documents immediately. Can you send them?" "Apologies, Mr. Steve. I'm not at the office. I'll forward them as soon as I { return," Nicole responded apologetically.

"Understood." After ending the call, Nicole reflected on Jarrod's ruthless handling of Deniz from the Vipo Group. That was a move that had been essential for her success in securing the Hampton family project. Her next target was a close associate of the Hampton Group's chairman. However, to gain this target's trust, she had to neutralize Jarrod.

gaze on her. Without showing any emotion,

leave me 1 after we

I gave a

or

you expect me to be your driver?" Nicole, in a surprisingly compliant manner, moved from

cigarette, decided against it upon

answered a call from his

replied, "OK." Then,

her a sidelong look and commented casually, "It's akin to what your family was involved in previously." With her heart pounding wildly, Nicole pinched her hand hard to calm herself down. Then, with a hint of emotion, she murmured, "Yes, that's my area of expertise." Jarrod, sensing her mood, didn't probe further. With a smile, he suggested, "How about some

sure if it was her imagination. But Jarrod seemed -to I deliberately slow

intermittent smiles throughout their conversation

not to overthink I and closed

mirror and glanced at her. His smile had a hint of

long, they arrived at

Nicole's hand, and led her

her intentions to manipulate Jarrod, being touched by him made her feel sick. She wished she could shed that touched skin. She came to realize that

even

firm, and she stumbled.

threat. "Stop wriggling, or I'll carry you inside." Nicole ceased struggling. Being carried inside by him would be far worse than her

the restaurant, appearing to outsiders like

her true

the main dining area instead

was momentarily taken aback I Shrimp and Grits... It was the first dish she had ever cooked for Jarrod back in I their

would bring him Shrimp and Grits daily. Jarrod always finished the Shrimp and Grits she made. For three

after, when Jarrod left, Nicole found herself making Shrimp and Grits every

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