Nicole shook her head, “No.”
“Oh, so you’re like me?” the woman asked.
Nicole looked over, puzzled by what the woman meant.
The woman found Nicole attractive, though her pale face gave her a somewhat sorrowful appearance. This evoked sympathy from the woman.
“Like someone Mr. Schultz has helped,” the woman clarified.
At this, Nicole’s smile stiffened, making her face suddenly seem forced.
Unaware, the woman continued, “I run a noodle stall outside the Vijaya Temple. Two years ago, I had an accident and broke my leg. Mr. Schultz learned about that and got me a prosthetic limb. He has taken care of my business ever since. He visits the cemetery beside the temple four times a year and always brings me gifts.”
Nicole’s complexion became even whiter. “Vijaya Temple you said?”
The graves of Nicole’s parents were in the cemetery beside Vijaya Temple.
“Yes, I was widowed young and never had children due to health issues.” The woman joined her hands in a prayer pose and added, “Later, the elders at Vijaya Temple welcomed me, and I’ve been selling noodles at the temple gate to tourists.”
The more Nicole observed the woman, the more familiar the woman appeared.
She realized the woman was exactly the noodle vendor from the entrance of Vijaya Temple.
The woman continued, “I noted Mr. Schultz has come to pay respect four times annually without fail. I heard those gravestones belonged to his girlfriend and her family. Later, rumors surfaced that his girlfriend was actually alive, leading to her gravestone being removed, but he still continues to pay respect to her family.”
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Nicole’s head began to throb. She bit her lip, wishing the woman could stop speaking.
However, the woman, looking at Jarrod with admiration, smiled and said, “You probably have no idea how much good Mr. Schultz has done. Back then, Vijaya Temple lacked funds to operate normally. The situation worsened with those senior monks’ illness, facing the looming fate of the temple leaving deserted. It was Mr. Schultz who paid for their medical care. I heard he also supported many schools and orphanages. Those he helped, knowing he visited the cemetery beside Vijaya Temple often, visited the temple and made it popular since then.”
The woman gestured toward a group of people, explaining to Nicole, “See, all these individuals have been aided by Mr. Schultz. Mr. Schultz is accused of economic crimes, but none of them believes it. Mr. Schultz uses his wealth for charity. How could he be doing anything wrong…”
Nicole’s body started to shake, and she stuttered, “Please… Stop talking.”
The woman noticed Nicole’s distress and worriedly inquired, “Miss, what’s wrong? Do you need me to call an ambulance?”
“It’s nothing… I just need to step outside for a moment,” Nicole replied.
Nicole looked around and observed that everyone in the courtroom was looking at Jarrod with appreciation.
A chilling sensation washed over Nicole instantly. The man she viewed as a great villain was perceived by others as a benevolent figure, which was utterly absurd and laughable!
As Nicole rose to leave, she stumbled, causing a disturbance.
Jarrod’s attention turned toward her, and she instinctively clenched her fists. A buzzing noise filled her ears, drowning out the judge’s words.
Nicole hurried out of the courtroom, reached the hallway, and leaned against a pillar, gradually sliding down to the floor. Her heart hammered wildly as if it were trying to escape her chest. It felt as if her entire world had been flipped on its head.