Chapter 322

Jacob had recently learned that if Nicole remained unaware of his efforts, he would be insignificant to her. This realization left him uneasy. He was worried that if Nicole remained oblivious to his feelings, she might shift her focus to someone else. Despite her own denial, it was evident to everyone that Nicole was exceptional. Naturally, she attracted many admirers. Jacob knew that keeping her by his side wouldn't be easy. "Effort always needs to be reciprocated. I can't rely on you all the time; I need to be capable on my own," Nicole said. She didn't pick up on the deeper meaning behind Jacob's words. Her smile was faint, but her expression remained unchanged. The car lapsed into silence once more. Jacob drove quietly, his mind occupied with how to convey his feelings. Uncertain of Nicole's intentions, he was reluctant to push too hard and risk making things awkward. For the time being, he decided to wait and see how things would unfold. When the car finally stopped in fro