Even after searching all three floors of the warehouse, Giselle was nowhere to be found.Finally, one of the guards stumbled across a manhole and notified Blake, "Mr. Ford, there's a manhole here. I'm not sure if Ms. O'Shea is hidden here."Blake walked over and ordered someone to remove the lid.He signaled for his men to climb in. Giselle was unconscious in the basement, but there was no sight of Bill. "Mr. Ford, Ms. O'Shea is there, but we don't see Bill Hawthorne!" One of the guards called from beneath.Blake glanced at Yasmin and told her, "I'll go take a look. You stay here.""Okay." Yasmin nodded.Blake ordered a few guards to protect her before climbing down to search for Giselle.Giselle was unconscious, and her face was dirty. Worried about her baby, he gently patted her cheek. "Giselle?"Giselle slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Blake, she threw herself into his arms, terrified. "I was so scared, Blake! Bill kidnapped me. I thought I'd never see you again…"S
Yasmin went back to her hospital room and curled up on the bed.She thought discovering that secret would make Blake stop loving Giselle. But when something happened to her, Blake was more worried than anyone.Yasmin was completely disappointed in him.Her phone rang again. Yasmin looked at the caller ID. It was Eunice.Yasmin answered, "Hey, Eunice.""Yaz, why didn't you answer my call earlier? I'm back in Stanton City. Which hospital are you in? I'll come visit you."When Eunice heard about the incident at the studio, she rushed back from out of town immediately.Half an hour later, Eunice arrived at the hospital. Seeing her, Yasmin hugged her tightly."What happened, Yaz?" Eunice asked.Yasmin didn't want to talk about Blake, so she just said, "Eunice, I'm sorry. I've caused trouble for the studio...""Yaz, I know it's not your fault. It was Amy who stole the designs. Don't blame yourself. Let's figure out how to solve this," Eunice comforted her.Eunice was really kind.
The phone on the bedside table rang. Yasmin glanced at it and saw it was Blake calling.She declined his call out of spite. She didn't want to deal with him anymore.But the phone kept ringing.Back at the hospital, Blake couldn't find her and started to worry.Yasmin was annoyed and picked up the phone, "Mr. Ford, what do you want?" Her tone was sharp.Blake paused for a moment. Then, he asked, "You got discharged?""I don't have a fever anymore, so of course I got discharged. Isn't that obvious?" Yasmin snapped back.Blake rubbed his forehead, feeling helpless, "Still mad?""What's it to you? If you've got nothing to say, stop bothering me.""Who did you leave with? Where are you?" Blake asked about her whereabouts."That's none of your business.""Do you want me to find out myself?" Blake's voice turned serious. "It's not hard, might just take ten minutes. But you should know what happens when you make me angry."Yasmin couldn't believe he was threatening her.She col
The next afternoon, Yasmin went back to her studio.The studio was already fixed up.Eunice told her, "Yasmin, I checked the security footage last night. You were right. Amy met with Giselle the day before the product launch."Eunice showed Yasmin the video.In the footage, Giselle handed something to Amy, and then they headed to the restroom together."There are no cameras in the restroom, so this is all we got. But I found this perfume in Amy's desk drawer." Eunice pulled out a small bottle of perfume."Check out this perfume. It has 'Lamborghini Luxury Club' written at the bottom. Membership there costs two million a year. With Amy's salary, there's no way she can afford it. So someone must have invited her. "That night, she probably went there and brought back several of these perfume bottles from the restroom. She forgot to take this one with her."Yasmin looked at the perfume bottle. "It makes sense."Eunice suggested, "If we can get the Lamborghini Luxury Club's securi
"She's so pretty. Why hide her away? Bring her out, and let us meet her." They kept teasing him.Erik laughed and said, "Cut it out, you guys."He stood up, grabbing a bottle of orange juice and a shrimp cocktail platter. He then headed into the small room.Hearing the door open, Yasmin looked up at him. "Are we leaving?"She wanted to go back home after having dinner with him.Erik put down the food and drink. He smiled and said, "Not yet. A friend of mine just got back from abroad. We're throwing him a welcome-back party. Hang on a bit. I'll sit for a while more, then we can go."Yasmin was puzzled. "Your friend has come back from abroad. Why aren't you staying with him?""Those guys are drinking like there's no tomorrow. I just got out of the hospital recently, so my body can't handle the alcohol."As they were talking, the door of the private room was pushed open. In walked Blake and Joel.Joel asked, "Has Riko not arrived yet?"Riko was Erik's nickname.One of the guys
Yasmin was confused.That guy was mistaken. Why did he call her Erik's girlfriend? She wasn't.But she felt there was no need to explain. After all, they were strangers to her. She pretended not to notice Blake's gaze and walked up to Erik. "Can we go now?""Sorry everyone, I had already promised to watch a movie with her. We'll be leaving first," Erik made up an excuse, and they left the room together.Joel was so shocked that he looked like he could swallow an egg whole. He looked at Blake. "Blake, what's going on? Yasmin and Erik?"Blake suddenly crushed the wine glass in his hand. His face was as dark as a storm cloud.Everyone around was startled. All eyes were on Blake, wondering why he suddenly lost his temper.Blake stood up and stormed out. Joel was worried something might happen, so he quickly followed after Blake.In the hallway, Yasmin's high heel suddenly broke, almost causing her to trip.Erik caught her. "Are you okay?""It seems like the heel broke." Yasmin li
"Blake, let me go!" Yasmin yelled.Blake stared at her sternly and then stuffed her into the backseat of his car. Without so much as a glance in Malcolm's direction, Blake instructed, "Put down the partition."The partitions that separated them from the driver and passenger seats were lowered.Yasmin was scared and looked at him with wide eyes."Do you think it's funny?" Blake glared at her like a hawk.Yasmin kept backing away, but this just made him angrier. He grabbed her slender hand tightly and pulled her toward him.Yasmin's head bumped into his chest. Her hand felt like it was being crushed. She winced in pain, "What are you doing? Let me go!""I'm asking you. Do you think it's funny? Answer me." Blake held the back of her head, forcing her to look up at him."Funny? I don't know what you're talking about." Yasmin cried out in pain, staring at his handsome but fierce face.He did it on purpose—to make her hurt, to make her cry. He asked angrily, "You're Erik's girlf
Blake held her waist and kissed her milky white skin, savoring the indescribable sensations....It was late at night, and no one knew exactly what time it was.The Rolls-Royce Cullinan was parked inside Oak Garden, and Malcolm had long left.The car had been shaking for quite some time.After a while, Blake covered Yasmin—who had passed out—with his suit jacket and carried her up to the second floor.He took her into the bathroom and ran a warm bath for her. Her body was covered with lots of kiss marks from him. Seeing them made him feel a lot better.The next day, Yasmin woke up feeling like everything below her waist wasn't hers. She moved a bit, feeling sore and weak all over.The man next to her had his arm around her. His head rested in the crook of her shoulder, sleeping soundly. Yasmin was annoyed and kicked him.He opened his eyes, which looked dark and deep.Yasmin was a little frightened. She turned and pretended to be asleep again."You awake?" Blake asked her.
Pamela thought that Yasmin's voice sounded strange, but since Yasmin was an important client, she didn't dare offend her.Politely, she replied, "It's okay. Please take your time.""Alright, please leave for now. I'll look for you once I'm finished here," Yasmin said in a strained voice."Okay." Pamela left soon after.Once she was gone, Yasmin awkwardly tapped Blake's shoulder. "Alright, stop it. You almost got us caught just now."Blake was now satisfied. A man who had been sated was no longer as surly. He became shockingly gentle, wrapping his arms around her waist and saying, "Join me for dinner later.""Okay," Yasmin weakly agreed. "Please let me go now."Blake finally released his hold on her. Yasmin's legs felt like jelly, and she nearly stumbled as soon as he let go.He steadied her and looked down at the torn train of the wedding dress. The front, however, still looked fine. He smiled and said, "You still look beautiful in the wedding dress."Yasmin glanced at the mir
Blake didn't respond, choosing instead to stare at Yasmin. She had just removed the tiara, letting her long hair cascade over her left shoulder. This brought attention to her fair skin and made her appear as if she was an otherworldly beauty.No wonder Ivan had been mesmerized earlier. A woman in a wedding dress truly possessed a sacred kind of elegance.Blake's gaze traveled down to her chest. She looked exquisite, but something was missing—the ring. His face darkened as he asked, "Where's the ring?""I took it off when I was trying on the wedding dress. I put it in my bag," Yasmin replied. She turned around to retrieve it for him.Maybe it was the way the wedding dress hugged her slender figure, or the graceful way she bent down to pick up the ring, her hips subtly lifting. Either way, the movement exuded an undeniable allure.Blake suddenly felt an overwhelming urge rise from within him. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her waist as if possessed.Yasmin froze
Ivan sneered in response. "Oh? Do you want to come over and have a drink at the wedding?""There's no need for a wedding toast, but I'll send you a nice little gift soon. You've had Lizzie abducted, and I haven't settled that score yet." Blake's tone was cold and menacing.Still, Ivan wasn't afraid. He took a couple of steps forward, smirking as he said, "Feel free to try—but you should think it through. You have more loved ones than I do. "Besides your mother and Lizzie, there's also your grandmother. I could blow up your mother's hospital today, kidnap Lizzie tomorrow, and have your grandmother killed the day after."Blake's cold laughter came through the phone. "Is that so? Well then, I guess I need to send you a big gift today."The two men continued their exchange from a distance. Yasmin, who was unable to hear the conversation clearly, was trembling with fear. She was terrified of what they might be discussing.It was at this moment when Wendy hurried in from outside. She
Yasmin stepped into the fitting room and changed into the wedding dress. When she emerged, her long hair was elegantly pinned up, and her red lips were vibrant. It made her look breathtakingly beautiful.Ivan saw her and was momentarily stunned. His gaze was unwavering as he stared wide-eyed. Then, he caught himself and smiled. "Yasmin, you look stunning."She gave a slight smile in response, adding to her allure.Ivan was almost entranced. He picked up a crystal-encrusted tiara from nearby and placed it on her head. She glanced upward, her eyes sparkling as she stood there in the white wedding dress. She looked absolutely mesmerizing, and Ivan couldn't take his eyes off her.Meanwhile, Blake watched from across the street with a growing sense of jealousy. The sight of them together made him smirk cynically. Unable to contain himself, he pulled out his phone and called Yasmin.He didn't want to see them looking so perfect together. It irritated him to no end.When Yasmin's ph
Yasmin's heart ached as she listened, her eyes reddening. "You're doing great, Trist. If Mom were with you right now, I'd definitely give you a big hug."Tristan mumbled, "Mom, stop acting like it's the end of the world. You sound so sentimental. I'm doing just fine here. I've got friends to play with and plenty of household staff members to look after me. "You just take care of yourself in Merania, and do whatever you need to do. Once you're in Rimmervale, we'll see each other again."Yasmin nodded. "Yes, we'll see each other very soon."Just then, the door swung open, and there Ivan stood in the doorway. Yasmin jumped in surprise and instinctively ended the video call."Why are you crying?" Ivan asked, noticing her red eyes.Yasmin wiped her tears and smiled. "It's nothing. I just miss Trist."Ivan understood that being a mother made Yasmin emotional whenever she thought about her child. He then asked, "By the way, how was Trist's winter camp? When is he coming back?"Feelin
Yasmin huffed in exasperation. "I just stole his proposal a few days ago, and now he's starting to get suspicious. If I tell him I don't want to take wedding photos, he'll be on to me for sure. If he gets suspicious, my plan will be completely ruined."Blake remained silent on the other end of the line.Yasmin sighed and continued, "It's really not a big deal. This is the last thing I need to do with him. The wedding is in seven days—it'll all be over by then.""When are the wedding photos being taken?" Blake asked.Yasmin hesitated before answering, "Didn't I already tell you? The day after tomorrow, in the afternoon."Blake only replied with a simple, "It's late. Go to sleep." Then, he ended the call.Yasmin could tell he was not all too pleased, but she really didn't want to stir up more trouble than necessary. There were just seven more days to go—Yasmin wanted to get through the final spurt safely and smoothly.…On the day of the wedding dress fitting, Yasmin was having b
Yasmin had no idea what Ivan would do to her if he learned the truth. She feared that if she angered him, he might lock her up somewhere no one would ever find her."I did that because my grandma suggested it to me," Yasmin explained."Your grandma knows about all of this?" Blake asked."Of course. Do you think someone as sharp as her wouldn't notice that every time you visited, we disappeared for hours? She figured it out a long time ago and asked me what was going on between us.""So, you told her everything about us?""Yes, she knows we've reconciled. I even planted a listening device on Ivan. We're hoping to acquire evidence of his illegal activities." Yasmin nodded as she spoke."Did your grandma suggest that to you too?"Yasmin replied briefly, "Yes."Blake let out a soft laugh. "Your grandma is quite the master of strategies.""She really is," Yasmin agreed with a smile. But seconds later, her expression grew serious. "Blake, there's something I need to tell you.""Wha
Yasmin's face turned pale as she realized the extent of the surveillance at the Burke residence."Can the surveillance footage from the study be deleted?" Yasmin asked at the time.The housekeeper shook her head. "It can't be deleted. The surveillance is linked to Mr. Burke's computer. His computer is password-protected, and only he has access to it."Yasmin's heart sank at the news. She knew that once Blake made his move to sabotage Ivan's project, Ivan would inevitably discover that she was involved.Hence, she had already discussed a plan with Imogen to handle the situation. Although the process had been nerve-wracking, everything had gone smoothly. Ivan seemed to believe her explanation.With the project now in jeopardy, Ivan would likely need additional funding, which meant it was unlikely that he would call off the engagement. Yasmin assured herself that Ivan wouldn't do anything drastic to her—not when he needed money from Sander International.After seeing Ivan off, Yasmi
Ivan gently touched Yasmin's face and said softly, "Forget it. Four years ago, you did wrong by him. It's understandable that he threatened you. But don't worry, I've already forced him back to Stanton City."Soon, I'll deal with everyone who has wronged you. I'll make him miserable and ensure he has no time to harass you."Yasmin stared at him in surprise. "Ivo, what are you going to do to those people?""I won't let a single person who hurt you get away with it. However they treated you, I'll make sure they experience the same," Ivan said, his eyes dark with resolve.Yasmin took a deep breath, unable to find the right words.Ivan seemed to realize that his current expression was too grim. He softened his demeanor and asked with a forced smile, "Let me see what you bought for me."Yasmin quickly snapped back to attention and began showing him the gifts she had purchased. Since she had never bought him anything before, Ivan looked somewhat dazed as he looked at the gifts.He pic