“Nicole!” Doreen gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment.


    “The very Nicole…”


    The revtion hit Doreen.


    So, the woman before her was precisely the one Jarrod had cherished for a decade.


    “I finally get to meet the woman who fascinates Jarrod!” Doreen eximed, her words stunning those around her.


    Nicole understood Doreen was oblivious to the full story, suggesting her remark was made in innocence.


    Yet, if Jarrod’s doings were driven by mere obsession, it would paint him in a disturbing light.


    The steam from Shrimp and Grits clouded their vision, obscuring the tense atmosphere.


    Unseen by others, Roscoe’s hands were clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening under the strain.


    His eyes, usually clear, now appeared misty, the distance across the table amplifying his sense of istion.


    The aroma of Shrimp and Grits was overwhelming for Nicole, giving her a sense of nausea.


    Herplexion turned increasingly pale as she struggled to free her hand from Jarrod’s grasp, her difort evident.


    Jarrod’s expression grew colder with Nicole’s evident rejection, his icy demeanor somehow entuating his allure.


    Such stoicism, paradoxically, held a maic charm that wasn’t Lost on the women of Ardlens, including the waitresses who couldn’t help but steal nces at the enigmatic Jarrod.


    Doreen, familiar with the attention Jarrodmanded, noted his perpetual aloofness.


    While his handsome features were undeniably attractive, they sometimes bordered on unsettling.


    In contrast, she found Roscoe’s warm, ever-present smile and handsome appearance more appealing.


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


    As she attempted to pull away, Jarrod’s grip tightened even more, his hand pressing into hers.


    His smile, though charming, carried an unsettling edge as he whispered a veiled threat about Nicole’s so-called rtive’spany’s survival into her ear.


    Nicole’s reaction was one of shock.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    She raised her eyes to meet his.


    Jarrod’s expression remained impassive, betraying no sign of the ominous suggestion he had just made.


    It seemed as if his words might have been a figment of her imagination.


    Nicole ceased her struggle, pondering the implications of his statement.


    Was he aware of something, or was it merely a ploy?


    Observing her hesitation, Jarrod’s gaze grew more intense.


    He rxed his hold slightly but maintained contact, extending his hand to feed her a spoonful of Shrimp and Grits she found repulsive.


    After a brief pause, Nicole acquiesced, opening her mouth to ept the food.


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    Doreen watched the interaction, a mix of amusement and awe on her face.


    This disy of tenderness from Jarrod was unprecedented in her eyes.


    Witnessing Jarrod’s intense look toward Nicole, Doreen was convinced of his deep affection for Nicole.


    Then, with cheeks warming to a soft pink, Doreen’s gaze shifted toward Roscoe.


    “Roscoe…” she murmured, longing for a simr disy of care.


    Yet, she was mindful of the pace at which their rtionship was progressing, given that it was only their first meeting.


    Despite this, her attraction to Roscoe was undeniable, stirring a wish within her to experience the same affection.


    Having seen a handsome man like Jarrod, Doreen found it hard to be impressed by just any man.


    Despite the attention of numerous wealthy suitors, none caught her interest.


    Instead, she was drawn to a recently acknowledged illegitimate son of the Watts family, Roscoe.


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