Love Unbreakable by Bank Brook
Chapter 200

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“Nicole!” Jarrod bellowed in sudden fury.

In one swift movement, he grabbed Nicole's arm and lifted her up effortlessly.

«Have you gone crazy? I told you to go! Have you heard me? Go right now."

His grip was so strong. It was unbearable, and Nicole felt like the pressure would crush her bones.

But the pain in his heart was more unbearable.

Remorse gnawed at Nicole. He blamed himself for having met Jarrod when he was young.

This mistake had brought catastrophe to his family and the entire Lawrence line.

Tears were streaming down Nicole's face. He cried silently, and his body shook with each sob.

To Jarrod, her silent tears were like daggers piercing his heart.

Meanwhile, Jamie watched them out of the corner of his eye and felt a wave of jealousy.

He understood Jarrod better than anyone. Jarrod's anger was a mask for his worry. The angrier he was, the deeper his feelings went.

And even now, she saw his hesitation.

Both agreed to take over the Lawrence Group.

Furthermore, Jarrod had assured him that once he took control of the Lawrence family, he would sever ties with Nicole and marry her.

Jarrod had never intended to honor that three-year agreement between him and Nicole.

It was a ploy to lull Nicole into a false sense of security and make her believe she had plenty of time to confront Jarrod.

This was ALL Jamie's idea. Crushing Nicole's hopes at the summit and turning her dreams to dust was the most satisfying thing she had ever done.

But now, Jarrod seemed to hesitate.

Jamie realized Nicole's profound impact on Jarrod. I had to do something.

Realizing this, Jamie hid his resentment and gently placed his hand on Jarrod's.

«Jarrod, please, let's not ruin the evening. Remember it's my birthday."

Her words seemed to calm Jarrod instantly.

Finally, he let go of Nicole, who stumbled against the railing for support.

The wind from the deck whipped around them, snatching away the coat Jamie had just put on, now marked with a trail of blood.

Delicate as ever, Jamie refused to put it back on. He looked at Jarrod and asked, "Could you get me another coat, Jarrod?" "It's very cold."

With a stormy expression, Jarrod turned to look at Nicole.

"I don't want to see you again when I get back!"

When Jarrod turned around, two bodyguards came forward, lifted Nicole by her arms, and prepared to escort her out.

That's when Nicole came back to reality. He realized that Jarrod was determined to ruin the Lawrence family. Begging for mercy would be futile.

Better to try another method.

With new determination, Nicole stood up, held her head high, and said firmly, “I will walk alone.”

“Miss Lawrence!” Jamie shouted suddenly.

When Nicole turned around, Jamie stepped forward and smiled a sweet but sly smile.

«Why such a hurry?

“Miss Powell, please step aside,” Nicole responded, her voice cold and guarded.

Nicole had been outsmarted by Jamie more than once and knew very well how treacherous this woman could be.

A new conflict with Jamie was the last thing on his mind.

He had more urgent matters to attend to.

“Miss Lawrence, why are you so nervous?” Jamie covered her mouth and giggled lightly.

"Have you ever thought about why all of the Lawrence Group's deals suddenly went wrong?"

"What do you mean?" Nicole asked with narrowed eyes.

«Come closer. I'll tell you."

Nicole sensed that Jamie's words carried a hidden intention, but they piqued her curiosity. Without wasting a second, he approached.

"Speak clearly!" Nicole demanded.

"Oh, I will." Jamie suddenly grabbed Nicole's wrist and continued, "Since you're here, how about I give you another surprise?"

Nicole's eyes narrowed in suspicion. But before he could react, he felt a sudden strong tug on his arm.

Jamie squeezed Nicole's hand tightly. Suddenly, Jamie leaned back, lost his balance, and fell over the railing.

As he fell, Jamie shouted, “Jarrod, help! Nicole is…”

Splash! Huge ripples spread across the surface of the river. Jamie had fallen into the water.

Everything happened in an instant. Nicole managed to grab the railing, saving herself from being dragged into the river.

“Jamie!” Jarrod hurried to the scene. He pushed Nicole away and gave her a piercing look. Without saying a word, he dove into the water in search of Jamie.

Shortly after, he came out of the river with Jamie in his arms.

Members of the cruise ship's crew quickly lowered a rope ladder and helped them back to the deck.

The icy river water had taken its toll on Jamie more than it had on Jarrod. She was shaking violently. His lips turned purple and his face was pale and trembling.

Luckily, Jamie was rescued in time and did not swallow water.

She clung to Jarrod, her face stained with tears. His anguished state provoked compassion from the spectators.

A passerby hurriedly brought a quilt and wrapped it around the shivering Jamie.

“Take her inside to rest,” Jarrod ordered.

Jamie clung to Jarrod's arm and looked at him with teary eyes.

"Jarrod..."

Jarrod gently took her hand and comforted her. "No problem. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Hearing this, Jamie lowered her head and a mischievous smile played on her lips.

He thought that was enough to send Nicole to the depths of hell.

Then, Jarrod turned around, his gaze icy and his expression stern. His polished leather shoes shone with every step, a symbol of the threat he represented and that struck fear into Nicole's heart.

He stopped a few steps from Nicole and his eyes narrowed with a dangerous gleam.

«Explain yourself. Why did you push Jamie?

His voice was eerily calm, in stark contrast to the storm Nicole sensed.

Nicole was all too familiar with that feeling, having faced it more than once. A shiver ran through her.

His entire being feared the calm before the storm.

"I haven't pushed her." Nicole stammered with trembling lips, while Jarrod brushed back his wet hair nonchalantly. Despite being soaked, he remained unperturbed and composed.

He took a lit cigar from a passerby and leaned on the railing. Then he took a drag and asked casually, "Did Jamie fall alone?"

«Well... He grabbed my hand...». Nicole tried to explain.

Before he could finish, Jarrod shook the cigar and it fell dangerously close to his fingertips.

The ember almost burned his skin.

Jarrod pressed the toe of his shoe under Nicole's chin, tilting her face toward him. When he spoke again, his voice was slow and deliberate.

“So, you're suggesting that Jamie tried to set you up, but instead she fell over herself?”

The hard leather of Jarrod's shoes pressed uncomfortably against his chin.

Nicole could only look at him with a mixture of bitterness and fear.

"I didn't push her, I swear..."

Jarrod's grin was cold and disdainful. At almost 1.70 meters tall, he towered over Nicole, making her feel as insignificant as an ant.

"You refuse to admit it, don't you?" he mocked.

He pointed to a nearby bodyguard and ordered, "Tell me what you saw."

The bodyguard, fully aware of her loyalty, bowed his head and replied without hesitation, "I saw you push Miss Powell!"

His loyalty was clear. Regardless of what he saw, the truth was secondary to serving his master.

Another bodyguard was quick to reply: "I saw it too."

Jarrod fixed his cold gaze on Nicole and enunciated each word: Do you need to hear it again?

His tone was chilling, reminiscent of a judge asking a condemned man about his last request for food.

Nicole felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing her throat, rendering her speechless.

He realized with a heavy heart that no one on this ship would take his side.

No one would come to his aid. There was no point in defending himself. They were not looking for the truth, but for punishment.

It was the last act of their cruel carnival.

Jarrod looked into Nicolle's dark eyes and scoffed, “What? Have you given up defending yourself?

«Even if I said it wasn't me, would you believe me? In the background.

Nicole smiled bitterly and added, "You've already made up your mind, right?"

Jarrod looked at Nicole with burning eyes: “What if you explained it to me? How do you know I wouldn't believe you?

At the time, his desire to hear her side of the story seemed more like a personal challenge. Even he wasn't sure what he wanted to hear, but he was driven by the need to hear her reasoning.

To him, this conflict seemed to stem from mere jealousy.

Thinking that Nicole was jealous of Jamie gave him a twisted sense of satisfaction.

What do you expect 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, unusual expression crossed Jarrod's stoic face, but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

However, Nicole caught a glimpse of her.

Now, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. But it wasn't really a smile, but rather a grimace.

Did she really believe that, after all the humiliation she had suffered because of him, she could still love him? Was he acting too convincing?

Her plan had failed and the fall of her family's empire loomed large. What else could he hold on to?

Nicole faced Jarrod and laughed contemptuously.

«You and Jamie are the perfect couple. One heartless and deranged, the other deceitful and vicious. The only thing I wish is for you to be together and leave me alone. Let me be clear, Jarrod. I despise you, I hate you and you disgust me! I will never love you.

His smile was filled with bitterness.

In response, Jarrod's face contorted with rage, and he raised his hand...

A slap! The sound of his hand hitting Nicole's face echoed through the air.

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