Yasmin was stunned. "How did you get here?""Do you know what time it is now?" Blake asked sternly.Yasmin glanced at the time, realizing it was nearly 11:00 pm. She shrugged and took a sip of water. "Oh, it's already 11:00 pm. I got so immersed in my sketch that I didn't notice the time.""I called you, but you didn't answer," he said with some resentment.She glanced at her phone and saw three missed calls. "Sorry, I always have my phone on silent during work hours and don't check it often."After saying that, she continued to focus on her sketch again.Frowning, Blake walked over and pressed down on her sketch. "It's time to rest. If you keep going like this, you'll collapse before you finish designing the wedding dress.""There's not much left," Yasmin replied.Blake shook his head seriously. "You can continue tomorrow." His voice was deep, with an obvious hint of displeasure."Okay, I'll rest for a while."Seeing how unhappy he was, Yasmin didn't dare to disobey. She tid
Frowning, Blake came downstairs, finding no one there.Suddenly, he heard some noises coming from the dining room. He walked over with a cold expression. "I thought you weren't coming back."Yasmin was pouring the oatmeal into a bowl when she heard him. Startled, she looked up. "Why are you so quiet when you walk?""I've always been like this." His expression was still bitter.Yasmin felt speechless at his words. Nevertheless, she brought the bowl of mixed oatmeal to him. "I remember you loved the oatmeal from this place, so I bought it for you."Blake glanced at the bowl of oatmeal. The colorful fruits on top of the oats looked delicious. His expression softened considerably.At that moment, he walked over and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. Under the soft light, his eyes looked deep into hers.Yasmin was taken aback. "What?""I thought you weren't coming back." He lifted her in his strong arms and held her close.Before Yasmin could react, he kissed her passionate
The two of them sat in the water, one naked and the other soaking wet.As Blake stared at Yasmin, his gaze became increasingly intense. Finally, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "It's okay."He carried her onto his lap and said in a husky voice, "I like it like this."Her heart skipped a beat, feeling that Blake must have misunderstood. He couldn't possibly think that the fall just now was an invitation from her, could he?But there was no time to explain, as he tilted her head and kissed her passionately.Yasmin's eyes widened. He took her hands and put them around his neck."I didn't mean to just now." She still tried to explain while on his lap."It's okay." Blake's lips brushed against her ear lightly and teasingly, causing Yasmin's breath to become erratic."Shall we go to sleep?" Yasmin suddenly remembered."Not yet," Blake refused, pulling her back to sit with him. With that, their bodies pressed together once more.Blake couldn't help but groan, and h
Back in the studio, Yasmin worked diligently on her sketches.As the evening approached, she suddenly received a call from Blake. His voice sounded somewhat subdued as he asked, "Yasmin, can you do me a favor?"She felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest. "What is it?""Elise has slipped into a coma again. She's in a critical condition and needs a blood transfusion now. She's already had three transfusions, but the hospital's blood supply is running low."Blake felt uneasy saying this. He had promised not to use Yasmin's blood again, but now the hospital's supply of Rh-negative blood was depleted.Yasmin pressed her lips together, then replied, "I'll go."Even if it wasn't for Elise, she would still go. If a life in a critical situation needed blood, she would surely help without hesitation."Thank you," Blake said softly.Yasmin hung up the phone and immediately packed up her things to rush to the hospital.When she arrived, Blake was standing in the corridor with a tense
Yasmin looked at the dishes in front of her and suddenly whispered, "Mr. B, we won't be separated, will we?"Blake paused for a moment, then looked at her. "Why would you say that?""I just feel a bit unsettled." Yasmin touched her chest. Perhaps Giselle's words had affected her, making her feel a bit restless.Blake pulled her closer and looked at her with tenderness. "We won't be separated," he said seriously.His words softened her.Grabbing his arm, Yasmin looked up at him. He seemed a bit tired, with faint red streaks in his eyes.Yasmin didn't want to exhaust him any further, so she nodded and said, "Okay."After saying that, she wanted to leave.However, Blake held her hand, interlocking their fingers tightly. "Do you really believe me or not?"Yasmin was stunned.He rarely expressed himself so seriously, so she was a bit surprised. She nodded after a moment, smiling. "Yes."Her gaze was gentle.Only then did Blake's expression soften. "We won't be separated, no matt
Inside was Elise, and Blake was walking in at that moment.Yasmin gently turned the doorknob.Elise was lying on the hospital bed. She was very beautiful, with her long hair spread on the white sheet, looking innocent.Her eyes were big and bright. When she saw Blake entering the ward, she weakly called out, "Blakey?"She seemed to want to sit up.Seeing that, Blake stopped her and sat down in front of the bed. "You just had surgery. Don't get up.""Blakey, you finally came to pick me up." Elise's eyes were red, like an injured little white rabbit. "Please don't leave me again," Elise pleaded."I won't leave you again." Blake gently patted her shoulder, calming her down.A smile appeared on Elise's face, and she relaxed completely. "Yay, I can stay with you forever."She looked pale, appearing so weak. She seemed fragile, yet so beautiful at the same time.Yasmin stood outside the door, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.She felt she couldn't continue to consume hers
Brian's words were suggestive. Yasmin frowned at him and warned him coldly, "Brian Ford, I'll lodge a police report if you keep harassing me.""Go ahead." Brian roguishly blew air in her face. "I'll tell the police that I uncontrollably made those remarks to you because I was too in love with you."Feeling irritated, she glared at him. "Love is all about respect and admiration. Your problematic behavior can only be called harassment."However, he didn't seem to care. "It's pretty normal to want to lay claim on someone you love, isn't it?"While they were talking, a car rolled to a stop in front of them. The car window rolled down, revealing Blake. He looked visibly upset. He questioned, "Why are the two of you together?"Yasmin was surprised that Blake would show up. Seeing that, Brian smiled. "Oh, I ran into Yasmin, so I had a little chat with her." After that, Brian left without any fuss, not wanting to stir trouble with Blake.She cast a glance at Brian. In her eyes, Brian m
Yasmin's protesting scoffs only aroused Blake further. He pinched her chin and kissed her aggressively on the lips.Her self-control slipping away, she reached out to unbutton his shirt under his lead. Just as they were entangled in passion, his phone buzzed.She snapped back to reality, reminding him, "Mr. B, your phone is ringing."Blake had wanted to ignore it, but his phone kept going. He was about to decline the call when he saw Joel's name on the screen. Joel must have been calling him with updates from the hospital.Elise's ashen face flashed across his mind. He cooled down and picked up the call with Yasmin still clinging onto him.He heard Joel say, "Blake, Elise removed the needle of the IV drip and escaped. I managed to find her and put her through a mental health assessment. Her mental state is not right…"Frowning, Blake asked, "What's wrong with her?""She might have schizophrenia. She insists that someone is going to kill her, and she wants to escape from the hosp
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