CHAPTER 4

Jason’s jaw dropped as his gaze landed on his uncle, who hadn’t been in the country for years.

He didn’t miss how possessively he held Jasmine and a twinge of jealousy ignited in his chest.

“U-uncle Asher, it’s been so long,” he masked his jealousy with a strained smile. “When did you come back?”

Asher completely ignored him as his gaze was still fixed on Jasmine. “It’s you,” he mumbled in recognition.

Jasmine’s cheeks tinged red with embarrassment.

Shit. Why did he have to remember her? And why did he also have to be Jason’s uncle?

“Uh…” she stuttered as she tried to come up with a response.

But before she could, Jason’s parents, Richard and Laura Wayne, approached the scene, having been alerted by his outburst.

They shared displeased glances with each other as they saw Asher, but hid it with fake smiles.

“Asher, little brother, you finally decided to return after being away for so long,” Richard acknowledged in a fake cheery voice. “What’s it been…seven years?”

“It’s really good to see you, Asher,” Laura chimed in, her voice just as fake. “Welcome back.”

Asher finally tore his gaze away from Jasmine, but kept his hand around her waist as his gaze swept over them.

“There’s no need to pretend,” his voice came out blank and cold. “I know none of you are happy to see me. I’m only here to wish my mother a happy birthday.”

Jasmine frowned. Why did Asher seem to not care about his family, and how come Jacob never spoke of him?

Richard and Laura shifted on their feet, clearly uncomfortable with Asher’s bluntness.

“Haha,” Richard let out a forced chuckle as he noticed the attention of the guests had started to drift toward them. “What are you saying, brother? Of course we’re all glad to see you.”

“My dad’s right, uncle,” Jason interjected, his gaze still locked onto Asher’s hand that hadn’t left Jasmine’s waist.

Unable to control his intensifying jealousy, he added, gesturing toward Jasmine. “You shouldn’t let her get too close to you. She’s a gold digger!”

“And a freeloader too,” Charlotte inputted, her voice laced with irritation.

The idea of a handsome man like Asher being close to Jasmine irked her beyond measure.

To her, Jasmine only deserved to be with the lowest of the low.

Asher raised a well carved brow at Jason and Charlotte’s remarks, but he made no move to separate himself from Jasmine.

“I don’t remember asking for your opinions,” he bluntly replied, effectively shutting them up.

Then his attention returned to Jasmine and his gaze softened.

“Jasmine,” her name smoothly rolled off his tongue as he lifted her hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. “A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

His compliment made Jasmine’s heart beat faster and she became flustered from his intense gaze.

It took her a moment to regain her composure, and when she did, she quickly withdrew her hand.

“Please,” she whispered to him with pleading eyes. “don’t let anyone find out about last night.”

The last thing she needed was for Charlotte and Jason to get wind of their encounter.

Unfortunately, Charlotte had already read her lips, and her eyes widened as she pieced everything together.

“OMG!” she gasped a little too loudly.

“Jasmine, don’t tell me you slept with your ex-fiance's uncle? That’s what you did last night, isn’t it?”

A collective gasp erupted from the crowd, and Jasmine's heart sank.

Her hands fisted the sides of her dress as panic flared within her. This is what she was trying to avoid.

Jason’s nostrils flared at the revelation, and his hands tightened into fists.

“You cheap whore!” He thrust a finger in Jasmine's direction. “You threw yourself at my uncle after breaking off our engagement? I never knew you were this loose!”

He uttered the words in a voice tinged with hurt, trying to play the victim to further chastise her.

“Don’t worry, Jacey,” Charlotte cooed as she moved to comfort him. “I’m here for you now. I’d never treat you as badly as she did.”

Laura’s eyes flashed with contempt as she turned on Jasmine, completely buying Jason’s act.

“You disgraceful slut!” She bit out. “Out of all the beautiful girls my son could have chosen, he settled for an ordinary one like you. How dare you betray him?”

“It’s clear we made a big mistake by allowing you into our family,” Richard added, his expression distasteful toward Jasmine.

“Please don’t waste your energy on her, Mr and Mrs Wayne,” Charlotte, sensing an opportunity to warm up to them, mustered in a honey-coated voice.

“I promise to take care of Jason so well that he won’t even remember she exists.”

Laura’s anger melted as she smiled warmly at Charlotte. “What a beautiful and well-behaved girl,” she took her hand in hers. “I wish Jason had chosen you instead.”

Charlotte’s heart swelled as she basked in Laura’s praises.

“It’s not too late for that, mother,” she smiled demurely, then quickly covered her mouth in feigned modesty. “Oh, I’m sorry. Can I call you mother?”

“Well of course you can, my dear,” Laura gushed, squeezing her hand lovingly. “From now on, you’re part of our family.”

She turned to Jason. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, mother,” he smoothly agreed, and threw a vengeful smirk at Jasmine. “As a matter of fact, I'd like to make it official right now.”

Retrieving a small velvet box from his pocket, he opened it and brought out a stunning diamond ring.

“This is the same ring I proposed to Jasmine with,” he announced, showing it off. “But she betrayed me. Now, I’ll give it to the woman who actually deserves it.”

The hall was filled with gasps as he went down on one knee before Charlotte and held out the ring to her.

“Charlotte, would you make me the happiest man in the world by marrying me?”

“Oh Jacey!” Charlotte gasped dramatically, covering her mouth as though she had been taken by surprise.

A triumphant smile graced her lips, and for a brief moment, her gaze smugly darted to Jasmine before returning to Jason.

“Of course, I’ll marry you!” she loudly accepted, extending her hand.

The guests cheered as Jason slid the ring down her finger, and a huge lump formed in Jasmine’s throat as she watched them seal the proposal with a kiss.

This was just too much. Hadn’t they tortured her enough?

The tears that she had been struggling to hold back, now fell freely down her face.

Desperate to escape the humiliation, she turned to leave. But Asher gently caught her wrist and shook his head, stopping her.

He came to the conclusion that Jason had dumped Jasmine for Charlotte after observing what unfolded.

And his heartstrings tugged in sympathy for her.

He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t stand to see her being humiliated by anyone, not even if it was his nephew.

His expression hardened as he made a decision there and then.

“I have an announcement to make.” He declared in a voice loud enough to shift all attention to him.

Deliberately drawing out the anticipation building in the room, he slowly entwined his fingers with Jasmine’s.

And a smirk tugged at his lips. “Jasmine and I are also getting married.”