GoodReadBut I Won't Love You "Nicole!" Jarrod bellowed with sudden fury.
In a swift motion, he grabbed Nicole's arm and lifted her effortlessly.
"Are you out of your mind? I told you to leave! Did you hear me? Leave this instant!” His grip was so strong.
It was excruciating, and Nicole felt the pressure would crush her bones.
But the pain in her heart was more unbearable.
Regret gnawed at Nicole.
She blamed herself for meeting Jarrod when she was young.
This mistake brought catastrophe upon her family and the entire Lawrence lineage.
Tears streamed down Nicole's face.
She wept silently, and her body shivered with each sob.
To Jarrod, her silent tears were like daggers piercing his heart.
Meanwhile, as Jamie observed them from the side, a surge of jealousy welled up within her.
She understood Jarrod more than anyone.
Jarrod's anger was a mask for his care.
The angrier he was, the more profound his feelings were.
And even now, she saw his hesitation.
They both agreed to take over the Lawrence Group.
Moreover, Jarrod had assured her that once he took control of the Lawrence family, he would sever ties with Nicole and marry
her instead.
Jarrod had never intended to comply with that three- year agreement between Nicole and him.
It was a ploy to lull Nicole into a false sense of security and made her think she had plenty of time to deal with Jarrod.
All of these was Jamie's idea.
Crushing Nicole’s hopes at the peak and turning her dreams to dust was the most satisfying thing ever.
But now, Jarrod seemed to waver.
Jamie realized Nicole's profound impact on Jarrod.
She had to do something.
With this realization, Jamie concealed her resentment and gently placed her hand on Jarrod's.
"Jarrod, please, let's notruin the evening.
Remember, it's my birthday.” Her words seemed to calm Jarrod instantly.
At last, he released Nicole, who stumbled back against the railing for support.
The wind on the deck whipped around them and snatched away the coat Jamie had just donned, now marked with a trace of
blood.
Delicate as ever, Jamie refused to wear it again.
She looked at Jarrod and asked, "Could you get me another coat, Jarrod? It's so cold.” With a stormy expression, Jarrod turned
to face Nicole.
"I don't want to see you again when I return!” As Jarrod turned away, two bodyguards stepped forward, lifted Nicole by her arms,
and poised to escort her out.
It was then that Nicole snapped back to reality.
She realized that Jarrod was determined to ruin the Lawrence family.
Begging for mercy would be futile.
She might as well try another method.
With newfound resolve, Nicole stood up, held her head high, and firmly said, "I'll walk by myself.” "Miss Lawrence!" Jamie
suddenly called out.
"Why the rush?" "Miss Powell, please step aside," Nicole replied, her voice cold and guarded.
Nicole had been outwitted by Jamie more than once and knew all too well how treacherous this woman could be.
Having a further conflict with Jamie was the last thing on her mind.
She had more pressing matters to attend to.
"Miss Lawrence, why are you so nervous?” Jamie covered her mouth and lightly chuckled.
"Did you ever think about why all the Lawrence Group's deals went wrong all of a sudden?" "What do you mean?” Nicole asked
with narrowed eyes.
"Come closer.
I'll tell you." Nicole sensed Jamie's words carried a hidden agenda, but they piqued her curlosity.
Without wasting any second, she stepped closer.
"Speak clearly!” Nicole demanded.
"Oh, I will." Jamie suddenly seized Nicole's wrist and continued, "Since you're already here, how about I present you with
another surprise?" Nicole's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
But before she could react, she felt a sudden, strong tug on her arm.
Jamie's grip on Nicole's hand tightened.
In a shocking turn, Jamie leaned back, lost her balance, and tumbled over the railing! As Jamie fell, she cried out, "Jarrod, help!
Nicole is..." Splash! Huge ripples spread across the river's surface.
Jamie had fallen into the water! Everything happened in an instant.
Nicole managed to cling to the railing, saving herself from being dragged into the river.Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
"Jamie!" Jarrod hurried to the scene.
He pushed Nicole away and shot her a piercing look.
Without another word, he dove into the water for Jamie.
Shortly after, he emerged from the river, cradling Jamie in his arms.
Crew members from the cruise quickly lowered a rope ladder and helped them back onto the deck.
The chilling river water had taken its toll on Jamie more than on Jarrod.
She trembled violently.
Her lips turned a shade of purple, and her face was pale and shaken.
Thankfully, Jamie was rescued in time and did not swallow any water.
She clung to Jarrod, her face stained with tears.
Her distressed state evoked pity from onlookers.
A bystander hurried over with a quilt and wrapped it around Jamie's shivering form.
“Take her inside to rest," Jarrod ordered.
Jamie held onto Jarrod's arm and looked up at him with tearful eyes.
"Jarrod..." Jarrod gently held her hand and comforted her, "It's alright.
I won't let anyone harm you.” Upon hearing this, Jamie lowered her head, and a malicious smile played in her lips.
She mused that this was enough to send Nicole to the depths of hell.
Jarrod then turned around, his gaze icy and his expression stern.
His polished leather shoes glistened with each step, a symbol of the looming threat he posed, striking fear into Nicole's heart.
He stopped a few steps from Nicole, and his eyes narrowed with a dangerous glint..
"Explain yourself.
Why did you push Jamie?" His voice was eerily calm, a stark contrast to the brewing storm Nicole sensed.
This feeling was all too familiar to Nicole, having faced it before more than once.
It sent a shiver through her.
Her entire being dreaded the calm before the storm.
I didn’t push her.” Jarrod nonchalantly brushed back his wet hair.
Despite being soaked, he remained unruffled and composed.
He accepted a lit cigar from a bystander and leaned back against the railing.
Then, he drew a light puff and casually asked, "Did Jamie just fall on her own?" "Well...
She grabbed my hand...” Nicole tried to explain.
Before she could finish, Jarrod flicked his cigar, and it fell dangerously close to her fingertips.
The glowing ember nearly scorched her skin.
Jarrod pressed the tip of his shoe under Nicole's chin, tilting her face up toward him.
When he spoke again, his voice was slow and deliberate.
"So, you're suggesting Jamie tried to set you up, but instead, she fell herself?” The hard leather of Jarrod’s shoes _ pressed
uncomfortably against her chin.
Nicole could only look up at him with a mix of bitterness and fear.
"I didn't push her, I swear...” Jarrod's sneer was cold and dismissive.
Standing at almost 5 feet and 11 inches, he loomed over Nicole, making her feel as insignificant as an ant.
"You refuse to admit it, don't you?" he taunted.
He gestured to a nearby bodyguard and ordered, "Tell me what you saw.” The bodyguard, fully aware of his allegiance, bowed
his head and replied without hesitation, "I saw her push Miss Powell!" His loyalty was clear.
Regardless of what he saw, the truth was secondary to serving his master.
Another bodyguard chimed in hastily, "I saw it too." Jarrod fixed his cold gaze at Nicole and enunciated each word, "Do you need
to hear it again?" His tone was chilling, reminiscent of a judge asking a condemned prisoner for their last meal request.
Nicole felt as though an invisible hand was squeezing her throat, rendering her speechless.
She realized with a sinking heart that no one on this ship would take her side.
Nobody would come to her aid.
There was no point in defending herself.
They were not seeking the truth but rather a punishment.
This was the final act in their cruel carnival.
Jarrod looked into Nicolle's dim eyes and sneered, "What? Have you given up defending yourself?” "Even if I said it wasn't me,
would you believe me? In your heart..." Nicole smiled bitterly and added, "You've already made up your mind, haven't you?"
Jarrod stared at Nicole with burning eyes, "And what if you were to explain? How do you know I wouldn't believe you?" At that
moment, his desire to hear her side of the story seemed more like a personal challenge.
Even he was unsure of what he wanted to hear, but he was driven by a need to hear her reasoning.
To him, this conflict appeared to stem from mere jealousy.
The thought that Nicole was jealous of Jamie brought him a twisted sense of satisfaction.
“What are you expecting to hear, Jarrod? That I pushed Jamie into the water out of jealousy?" Nicole asked, her sharp words
cutting through the tension.
Suddenly, a fleeting, uncharacteristic expression crossed Jarrod's stoic face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Nicole caught a glimpse of it, though.
Now, a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
But it was not really a smile but more of a sneer.
Did he really think, after all the humiliation she endured because of him, she could still love him? Did she act too convincingly?
Her plan had failed, and the downfall of her family's empire loomed over her.
What more was there for her to cling to? Nicole faced Jarrod and laughed with scorn.
"You and Jamie are indeed the perfect pair.
One heartless and deranged, the other deceitful and vicious.
| wish for nothing more than for the two of you to be together and leave me in peace.
Let me be clear, Jarrod.
I despise you, I abhor you, and you repulse me! I will never love you!" Her smile was laced with bitterness.
In response, Jarrod's face contorted with rage, and he raised his hand...
Slap! The sound of his hand striking Nicole's face echoed in the air.
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