Doretta seemed convinced that Everett''s threat had been effective, forcing Lawrence into a corner.


    Nicole''splexion turned a shade paler. Everett''s brief words were a mere threat, but they clearly


    indicated the gravity of the past events.


    Reflecting on it, Nicole realized how someone had detected her return to San Joto despite her


    concealed identity and even her lost memory, managing to ambush her precisely at the airport.


    Everything started to make sense. Lawrence didn''t want her back, hence the borate setup. To


    protect her children, she had stayed away from San Joto, concealing her whereabouts and living on


    Crescent Ind with Nn and Lana.


    "Is there anything else?" Jared''s voice was deep and somber.


    "That’s all I heard. I thought it was crucial to inform Nicole," Doretta replied.


    "Max, escort her back,” Jared instructed, then looked at Nicole, who remained silent.


    After Max took Doretta away, only Nicole and Jared were left in the spacious living room.


    "With the truth revealed, Lawrence can''t escape," Jared said softly, wrapping his arms around Nicole,


    his voice tinged with a cool edge.


    Jared had been investigating for so long, and now it appeared that Lawrence had orchestrated the


    entire scheme himself. No wonder Max had been unable to find any leads; probably Lawrence had


    been sabotaging their efforts covertly.


    "It''s just unexpected," Nicole murmured, slightly biting her lip.


    She had never suspected Lawrence, the man she once trusted most, who had offered herplete


    protection and support.


    "Perhaps we should have suspected him all along," Jared stated, his voice cold.


    Lawrence held the Fire Crest, and if Nicole hadn''t regained her memory, perhaps no one would have


    ever found out. Moreover, had Nicole helped Lawrence unlock the Fire Crest, it might have ended up in


    his hands.


    Jared thought, ''Lawrence staging his own betrayal to gain Nicole''s trust and keep her close was


    probably his best strategy. But such tactics... Nicole''s skills were unmatched by almost anyone in the


    world, and now...''


    Nicole exhaled deeply, looking up at Jared, "It''s a relief, really. It has unraveled a long-standing mystery


    and allowed me to see Lawrence for who he truly is."


    Standing up, she gazed out the window, "In a way, we have Everett to thank. Let''s see what has


    be of Everett and Lawrence now."


    She was aware that the oue should be clear by now; Everett had no escape, but it was uncertain


    how Lawrence would extricate himself. Surely, he wouldn''t betray Everett at this juncture.


    Leaving the estate, Nicole and Jared returned to Riddle residence.


    "How did it go at the estate?" Lulu asked anxiously as soon as she saw Nicole return.


    "It''s settled," Nicole replied with a smile.


    She hadn''t disclosed the purpose of her earlier departure to anyone, merely mentioning that there were


    matters to attend to at the estate. Even now, she preferred not to share too much, not wanting to cause


    unnecessary worry.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    "There''s news about Everett," Lulu said, pulling Nicole to sit down. "Preston mentioned that we owe a


    lot to your foresight." "What happened?" Nicole asked, turning to Preston.


    "You and Mr. Johnston had me keep an eye on Hexton and Jerry, and it paid off," Preston exined.


    "After Everett fled, he reached out to Hexton and Jerry, who went to rendezvous with him. Our men


    took the opportunity to apprehend them all." "And Lawrence?" Nicole inquired further.


    Preston looked puzzled, "There was no sign of Lawrence. Was he involved too?"