Chapter 347 Can I hug you
Chapter 347 Can I Hug You Upon Jarrod's instruction, Alec immediately got in touch with the manager of Hilpton. To his astonishment, the manager outright refused to see him.
So, Alec spent the entire night driving, trying every method imaginable except for breaking in, to secure a meeting. NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
Alec started by proposing to purchase the Hilpton at twice its current market value.
Yet, the manager was not interested, ridiculously stating the hotel was a family treasure handed down since his great-grandfather's time and so forth.
Alec was left scratching his head. How could the Hilpton turn into an
ancestral property when it was obviously a chain hotel operating globally? Completely nonsense! With no other options, Alec raised his offer to three times the value, catching the manager's attention but still getting turned down.
Reflecting on his extensive experience working with Jarrod, Alec sensed something odd about this transaction After all, Jarrod stood as one of the top ten magnates in Ardlens. The manager of Hilpton was playing out of Jarrod's league Yet, the manager dis missed the offer outright, even when the offer was raised to three times the value. It struck Alec as highly unusual. No normal businessmen would pass out the opportunity to make money. It
seemed like the manager was keeping secrets.
Left with no alternatives, Alec consulted Jarrod again, who responded with just two words after hearing the situation, "Five times!" Alec was stunned. Offering five times the price would mean operating at a loss for the next fifty years. What sort of agreement was this, practically throwing money away? Yet, Alec understood if he didn't seal the deal, Jarrod might go as far as to propose ten times the price.
Alec resorted to every strategy he knew, from charm to dogged determination.
In the end, the vast financial offer made the manager cave.
Gone were the mentions of family heirlooms. Although the manager claimed to agree reluctantly, his face betrayed his true feelings with a broad grin.
Clutching the acquisition contract he had fought so hard for, Alec felt the deal was anything but a lucrative one.
Before the break of dawn, Nicole awoke.
As Nicole gazed at the peaceful face next to her, she was overwhelmed by a feeling of complete satisfaction.
Her thoughts remained a mystery to outsiders. When she first exited Austin's life, people assumed she harbored strong negative feelings toward Austin.
They were unaware her choice was rooted more in remorse. Nicole was weighed down by remorse for not being the good mother she should have been. Claiming depression as a defense was inadequate.
From the instant her hand reached for Austin's neck, Nicole relinquished her ~laim to motherhood Additionally, her notoriety in Ardlens, marred by Jarrod's doings, implied Austin was better off without a mother like her bearing a stained reputation.
Austin's future seemed brighter and She found mfort in observing him 11 308 hl 11STAaY e Austin's hand, feeling an emptiness srow with every inch she withdrew.
Upon exiting the room, Roscoe was found asleep on the couch outside. He chose not to retreat to his bedroom, driven by concern for them.
In slumber, Roscoe appeared serene, his dark hair gently outlining his face, his lengthy yet sparse eyelashes contributing to his refined, graceful look. His androgynous beauty was rare: handsome without being effeminate Nicole neared, stooped, and tenderly drew the blanket up to him.
As she retracted her hand, Roscoe's clean. slim fingers clasped hers.
"Nicole, you're awake so soon?” Roscoe's voice carried a slight allure in the early hours.
Nicole responded with a hum and suggested, "It's still quite early. Get some more rest.”
Nicole attempted to free her hand, yet Roscoe maintained his grip, softly drawing her nearer.
He opened his eyes, revealing a lucid, somewhat raspy gaze, and expressed, "Nicole, I experienced a nightmare." Their eyes locked. It felt almost audible, the intensity of their stare.
Nicole's pulse quickened as if captivated by the depth of his gaze.
Her lips parted slightly. "What was your dream about? However, R e didn't divulge, simply requesting, "Nicole, may I embrace you?" Caught off guard, Nicole's heart fluttered wildly, speechless, her form already enveloped in Roscoe's arms.
The hug radiated warmth and strength
Shortly after, Roscoe released her, a look of contentment on his face He had dreamt that she had departed He had a melancholy dream, and only an embrace from her could soothe his unease.
Swiftly, Roscoe got to his feet. "Nicole, you should get ready for the day. I'll head out to get us breakfast." Nicole hesitated. "There's no need. I usually skip breakfast.’ For her, who could not savor flavors, all food was as tasteless as cardboard, making no meal preferable over another Yet. Roscoe saw it differently. He believed she should revisit some of her once-favored dishes. Even without taste, the act of eating cherished meals carried a different sentiment.
Roscoe tenderly took Nicole's hand, his demeanor gentle yet imploring in a charmingly persuasive way. "Nicole, please stay. The nanny will arrive shortly. Could you wait for me in the adjacent suite?" Roscoe often gave Nicole a sense of stability, though his younger age sometimes showed through his playful pleading with her.
His tone was earnest, and paired with his neat, attractive appearance, his playful requests didn’t seem forced or insincere.
Nicole found such appeals hard to resist. It was rare for a woman to withstand the charm of a "younger brother" figure who oscillated between showing strength and vulnerability.
Roscoe was aware of this, reserving
such tactics for moments they were most needed. He understood that overdoing it could render it tiresome and ineffective.
Noticing Nicole's reluctance, he assured her, "Just thirty minutes. I'll be back quickly." The breakfast spot was some distance away. He promised to make haste.
Nicole, reluctant to quash his enthusiasm, conceded with a nod, "Alright, I'll wait for you." with a broad smile, Roscoe happily accepted the keys and departed.
Upon the nanny's arrival, Nicole, wishing to avoid Austin's gaze, slipped into the adjacent room.
Considering it was still quite early, she opted for a shower. Freshly showered
and clothed, she was greeted by the doorbell.
Anticipating Roscoe, Nicole opened the door with a welcoming smile. "That was fast..." To her astonishment, it was Jarrod who stood before her.
Nicole's smile stunned instantly.
Seeing her smile, intended for someone else, made Jarrod's heart constrict. A pang of discomfort surged through him, marring his otherwise handsome expression. His expression hardened, and his eyes grew intense, "Has he left?" Jarrod attempted to enter. Nicole's immediate worry was for Austin in the adjacent suite. She feared Jarrod might discover Austin's existence. Absolutely not!
Jarrod walked forward, his voice carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Nicole, do you have a good night? You.. b Before he could continue, Nicole forcefully closed the door, locking him on the other side. She pressed her back against the door, her heart racing.
On the other side, Jarrod's expression turned stern, his voice dropping to a frosty tone. "Nicole, I'm going to count to three." His ominous tone filled the air. "One...
Two... Three..." Nicole's fingers were shaking as she reached for her phone, planning to instruct the nanny to take Austin somewhere safe.
Just as she clutched her phone, the door emitted a beep. It swung Open.
Ra yspeves Nicole spun around, her expression one of sheer disbelief, as Jarrod appeared with a black access card in hand. "How did you get..." Jarrod, silent, moved closer.
It was then Nicole noticed the recent injuries on his face and hand, his eyes red, suggesting he hadn't slept all night. He appeared quite intimidating.
Secretly attempting to make a call, Nicole kept her cool, saying, "Jarrod, you're breaking into someone's room..
Suddenly, Jarrod closed the distance, lifting Nicole with ease, and confiscated her phone, placing it in his pocket.
Nicole lashed out in anger, "Jarrod, what on earth do you think you're loine?" aome:
Unaffected, Jarrod, with a driven look, pushed her onto the bed.
He positioned one knee, applying pressure on her legs, half-kneeling, his hands securing her shoulders, effectively restraining her.
"You jerk! Release me!" Nicole fought back, her nails scratching across Jarrod's face, adding another wound.
He seemed unfazed, his gaze intense.
"Did last night please you?"