Charlie had wanted to say something, but he stayed silent. He watched as Jared walked away and


    disappeared from view.


    "What''s Mr. Johnston up to?" Doretta asked, puzzled.


    "I''m not sure," Charlie replied with a shake of his head. Deep down, he felt like it had to do with Nicole.


    It made sense since Jared was really worried about her. Inside, he thought, ì hope this ends soon.


    Then we won''t have to worry all the time.''


    Doretta sighed. "Okay, I''ll report the updates to Zane too. He''s really worried about Nicole." "Did you


    set everything up for the deployment?" Charlie asked without thinking.


    "It''s all set, just waiting for Nicole''s signal," Doretta replied.


    "That''s good," Charlie seemed somewhat relieved. However, he knew they couldn''t rx and had to


    stay alert for any changes in the situation.


    ****


    Jared quietly left the hotel and headed to where Nicole was staying. He managed to bypass the guards


    and entered the room where Nicole was confined.


    "How did you get here!" Nicole was surprised to see Jared, instinctively ncing outside.


    "No one saw me," Jared said, pulling Nicole into an embrace the next second. Holding her like this


    gave him some reassurance.


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    Nicole hugged him back and whispered, "Sorry for worrying you."


    Taking a deep breath, Jared reluctantly let go of Nicole and looked at her with concern. "You shouldn''t


    have taken the risk." "I felt it was a risk worth taking,” Nicole said with a heavy tone. "Though I''m in


    Lawrence''s hands, he''s not going to hurt me-at least not yet. But if it were someone else, things might


    turn out differently.''


    Moreover, since Lawrence had made the first move, she felt no need to hold back.


    She then asked through clenched teeth, "How are Nn and Lana?" "They''re safe," Jared reassured


    her. "I''ve made sure they''re protected." "That''s a relief," Nicole replied, feeling somewhat reassured.


    Knowing


    Nn and Lana were safe allowed her to focus on the situation at hand.


    "What''s your n?" Jared asked softly, holding Nicole''s hand.


    "Lawrence has no way out. Hispany in San Joto can only dere bankruptcy, and this base is his


    last refuge. And if he loses this base..." Nicole''s voice trailed off, a cold determination crossing her


    eyes.


    She believed Lawrence''s main force was here. Destroying his base would strip him of everything,


    leaving him no escape.


    Understanding Nicole''s intention, Jared frowned. "We could think of other ways. Since he failed to


    kidnap Nn and Lana, his attitude toward you might change." "No, it''s precisely because he doesn''t


    have Nn and Lana that I''m his only leverage against you. He won''t easily harm me," Nicole


    confidently stated.


    She knew Lawrence used Nn and Lana to coerce her into surrendering the two Crests. Even without


    the Crests, she still held value to Lawrence.


    Smiling at Jared, Nicole added, "So, as long as you''re here, he won''t touch me."


    She knew Lawrence would constantly monitor Jared''s every move, and she was the leverage


    Lawrence had over Jared.


    Realizing her point, Jared frowned. "Your n sounds good, but if he sees through your intentions, you


    could be in real danger."


    Nicole soothed the furrow in Jared''s brow. "Don''t worry. If it really gets dangerous, I''ll contact Doretta to


    rescue me."


    She believed that even if Lawrence suspected her motives, he wouldn''t act against her until the very


    end, as she remained a valuable asset to him.