Love Unbreakable by Bank Brook
Chapter 498

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Nicole, stealing a glance at Roscoe, found her vision slightly obscured by the steam rising from the plate, making Roscoe's expression unreadable.

Without any objection from Roscoe, Doreen took his silence as agreement and happily ordered the shrimp and grits.

Realizing that Nicole hadn't yet dug into the plate, Doreen said with a radiant smile, "Please sink your teeth in. Don't pay attention to us.

Nicole felt a pang of discomfort at the inclusion of “us,” unable to muster even a polite smile in response.

He understood the connections at play. Doreen was Jarrod's cousin's daughter.

Jarrod had always felt deep gratitude towards his cousin for the support she had given him in his time of need.

The partnership between the cousin's company and Jarrod's had proven mutually beneficial, propelling their business ventures toward greater success.

Doreen, being the precious only child of her family, was accustomed to a certain level of indulgence, which explained her confident demeanor.

Nicole harbored reservations about Roscoe's interactions with the Schultz family, unsure of Roscoe's intentions and future plans.

The possibility of Roscoe acting in her best interest worried her greatly.

The meal hadn't even started when Jarrod suddenly took Nicole's hand in his, placing their intertwined fingers on the table.

Nicole's skin heated under the strength of his grip.

Trying to break free, Jarrod tightened his grip on her hand, causing Nicole to feel uncomfortable and a slightly pained expression to appear on her face.

However, Jarrod's attitude remained indifferent as he posed the question.

«Why don't you eat? Do you want me to feed you?

Doreen couldn't contain her excitement and her smile widened. «Jarrod, this side of you is new to me. So dominant..."

Jarrod, without looking up, spoke softly to Nicole, remembering: You used to make food for me. Although this dish is not on par with yours, it is the best I could find. I frequented this place often in your absence.

His words exuded affection and gave the image of a man deeply in love.

Doreen was taken aback, realizing that the depth of Jarrod's silence held more than she had ever known. His surprise was evident when he asked, "Jarrod, have you known her long?"

Jarrod's response was soft but firm. "This is Nicole."

“Nicole!” Doreen gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "Nicole herself..."

The revelation hit Doreen. So the woman before him was precisely the one Jarrod had caressed for a decade.

"I'm finally going to meet the woman that fascinates Jarrod!" Doreen exclaimed, her words leaving those around her stunned.

Nicole realized that Doreen didn't know the full story, suggesting that her comment had been made innocently. However, if Jarrod's actions were motivated by mere obsession, they would paint him in a disturbing light.

The vapor from the Shrimp and Grits clouded his vision, obscuring the tense atmosphere.

Roscoe's hands were clenched, his knuckles white with tension. His normally clear eyes now seemed clouded, the distance across the table amplifying his sense of isolation.

The aroma of shrimp and grits was overwhelming to Nicole, and she felt nauseous. His complexion became increasingly pale as he struggled to free his hand from Jarrod's grasp, his discomfort evident.

Jarrod's expression grew colder at Nicole's obvious rejection, his icy demeanor somehow accentuating his attractiveness.

Paradoxically, that stoicism had a magnetic charm that did not go unnoticed by the women of Ardlens, including the waitresses, who could not help but steal glances at the enigmatic Jarrod.

Doreen, familiar with the attention Jarrod attracted, noticed his perpetual aloofness. Although his handsome features were undeniably attractive, they sometimes bordered on the disturbing. On the contrary, Roscoe was more attractive to her because of his warm, ever-present smile and handsome appearance.

In a less crowded environment, Nicole might have given in to her frustration.

When she tried to pull away, Jarrod's grip grew even tighter and his hand squeezed hers. His smile, though charming, had a disturbing edge to it as he whispered in her ear a veiled threat about the survival of Nicole's supposed relative's company.

Nicole's reaction was surprise. She raised her eyes to look at him.

Jarrod's expression remained impassive, not betraying the ominous suggestion he had just made. It seemed as if his words had been a figment of his imagination.

Nicole stopped struggling, pondering the implications of her statement. Was he aware of something or was it a ruse?

Watching her hesitation, Jarrod's gaze grew more intense. He loosened his grip a little but maintained contact, reaching out to give her a spoonful of shrimp and grits that she found disgusting.

After a brief pause, Nicole agreed and opened her mouth to accept the food.

Doreen watched the interaction, a mixture of amusement and amazement on her face. This display of tenderness on Jarrod's part was unprecedented in his eyes.

Witnessing Jarrod's intense gaze towards Nicole, Doreen was convinced of his deep affection for Nicole.

Then, her cheeks warming to a soft pink, Doreen's gaze shifted to Roscoe. “Roscoe…” he murmured, wanting a similar display of affection.

However, he was aware of the pace at which their relationship was progressing, given that it was only their first meeting.

Despite this, her attraction to Roscoe was undeniable, awakening in her the desire to experience the same affection.

After seeing a man as handsome as Jarrod, Doreen found it difficult to be impressed by just any man. Despite the attention of numerous wealthy suitors, none caught her interest. Instead, she was attracted to a recently recognized illegitimate son of the Watts family, Roscoe.

People said Roscoe wasn't a good match for Doreen.

The Watts family, despite their wealth and influence, considered Roscoe's position complicated due to his illegitimacy.

Roscoe's brother, the current head of the Watts family, was over forty years old. The revelation of a twenty-something stepbrother didn't sit well with him, he was against it but couldn't overrule his father's decision to bring Roscoe into the family.

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