Yasmin's heart lurched. "How did you find out, Anna?""She called me earlier today to tell me." Annalise's joy was clear for all to see.Yasmin finally knew why she was so happy. So Annalise knew about Giselle's pregnancy now.Yasmin nodded, her emotions not fluctuating much. "Okay."She couldn't rebut anything. Giselle really was pregnant."Is it Blake's child?" Annalise asked."Why don't you ask Giselle, Anna?" Yasmin wasn't sure. Giselle said it was Blake's baby, but Blake never confirmed it."It's probably Blake's," Annalise said. "Giselle said so to me earlier today."One could tell Annalise really wanted Blake to have a baby based on her sentence alone.Yasmin looked out the window glumly.She knew she shouldn't be bothered about this. The entire Ford family had their prejudices against her ever since Stuart messed with Blake two years ago, especially Annalise, who had to raise Blake alone after her husband passed away. Blake became head of the family business after y
Yasmin asked, "What about our families' feud?"She meant when Stuart threatened Blake.Annalise said, "As long as this succeeds, the Ford family will stop holding a grudge against the Starr family. Our families will maintain friendly relations."Yasmin was glad to hear this. If she divorced Blake, her father could walk free from prison, and the Ford family would no longer hate the Starr family.Yasmin smiled after not having done so in several days. Her mood felt lighter. "I'm willing to go through with this divorce as long as you can get my father out, Anna. I'll get divorced right away and never bother Blake ever again."Yasmin was telling the truth. If her father was saved, then the noose around her neck would loosen. From that point on, she'd be a free woman.Annalise smiled warmly when Yasmin agreed to do this. "Alright. Let's do this then.""But I have a question." Yasmin suddenly recalled something.Annalise's brows wrinkled when she thought Yasmin was going back on her
Annalise was happy to see Yasmin do the sensible thing. After dropping her off at the Oak Garden, she'd even given her two bottles of loose-leaf tea. "Yasmin, you get sick easily. Take these herbal teas. They're good for you.""Thank you, Annalise." Yasmin accepted the gifts with a smile.Annalise continued, "I also hope no one else finds out about our agreement.""Okay," Yasmin agreed.Annalise drove off.Yasmin stood in the yard with the gift in her hand. The storm cloud above her heart slowly dissipated.So long as Blake asked for a divorce, her father would be able to come back.She inwardly encouraged herself to make this a reality!When she walked into the villa, Mary asked her, "Mrs. Ford, you're home. Have you had breakfast?""Not yet." Yasmin grinned cheerfully. She was in such a good mood that she got her appetite back.Mary served her a nutritious breakfast.Just as Yasmin was slowly enjoying her food, she heard a housekeeper call out, "Sir, you're home!""Is M
The Oak Garden was located in the mountains. Without a car, it was very inconvenient to go anywhere.Blake gazed at Yasmin. She looked kind, cute, and fresh-faced as she stood before him, just like during those days they had spent together.He contemplated it. Deciding that she was most likely tired of asking him for a divorce and was being sincere, he said, "That car was always yours."Yasmin nodded with a smile. "Then I'll be leaving now. Oh, right. When you see Giselle, remember to get her some flowers. Girls love flowers. It would make her happy."With that, she left the dining hall.Blake's spoon froze in mid-air. He looked up at her, but she was already gone. She seemed genuinely happy, and it didn't seem like she was being cynical at all.Yet, it made him feel uncomfortable. He felt something niggling at his heart, and it wasn't a pleasant feeling.Yasmin went to her studio and spent the entire day drawing.Eunice came upstairs with her phone in her hand. Frowning, she s
When Yasmin saw the text, she was stunned.She didn't expect Annalise to move so quickly. It had just been a day, and she had already arranged a blind date candidate for her. She had even sent the man's number over.Yasmin added him to her contacts.It was good. The earlier she settled this, the sooner she would be free.She replied to Annalise with "Okay." Then, she turned around and picked a new dress that she had designed in her studio. She did some light makeup before going on her blind date.Just as she picked up her purse, her phone rang. She took it out and saw that it was Blake calling."Hello?" she answered as she walked down the stairs. "Do you need me for something, Mr. Ford?"She was going to start calling him Mr. Ford now.Blake frowned on the other end of the line. "Why are you calling me Mr. Ford?""I think it's a good form of address." With that, she fell silent, waiting for him to say something."Do you have time tonight?" he asked."What's the matter?""Le
"Alright." Yasmin was still quite calm. With the two men outside cursing at her, she would be a fool to open the door.Seeing that she refused to open the door, one of the men went insane. He hooked his hands under the car and tried to lift it.Yasmin's face drained of color. "What are you doing?"These drunkards seemed to have lost their minds after drinking so much.The car lifted into the air, and Yasmin's heart clenched. At that critical moment, someone rushed over and pulled the burly man off, then punched him.Upon turning around, the burly man found himself surrounded by numerous bodyguards, and a beating lasting half an hour followed.When the car landed back on the ground, Yasmin's heart went into overdrive from fear. She clutched her chest. At that moment, she saw an elegant man walking over. A pair of frameless glasses were perched on his high nose. He had a quiet air to him.Ivan?Before she could finish processing everything, Ivan was already standing in front of h
Ivan noticed it. He gave her a gentle smile and said, "Sorry, I was too close, wasn't I?"Yasmin replied, "No worries. You don't have to apologize."She believed that it wasn't intentional.Ivan helped her sit down in the consultation room.When the doctor asked her questions, she answered them meekly and obediently.She was a woman who left a great first impression upon first sight. She was pretty, but not threatening. Ivan observed her from the side. Once the doctor was finished with the report, he went over and helped her up. "Ms. Starr, I'll walk you to the X-ray room.""Thanks," Yasmin said. Ivan grabbed her bag and casually looped it around his arm.Yasmin was slightly taken aback but said nothing. She went to the X-ray room with him.There was a queue for the X-ray machine. Ivan sat down next to her. He pierced the box of strawberry milk with a straw and held it to her lips. "Have some milk.""Thank you." Yasmin took the milk and sipped at it quietly. Her long hair ca
"Alright." Ivan bade Giselle goodbye, then left with Yasmin.Yasmin walked for a bit. Suddenly, she turned her head to see Giselle pointing her phone at them, taking a photo of her and Ivan.Their eyes met.Giselle lowered her phone. Then, she cocked her head and smiled.Yasmin knew that Giselle was going to show the photo of her and Ivan to Blake.What a scheming little vixen.Yasmin was confident that Giselle would make things seem more significant than it really was.And she wasn't wrong. After getting back, Giselle texted Blake, "Blake, do you know what Yasmin is up to? I saw her and Ivan together at the hospital earlier."Confused, Blake replied with a question mark. Giselle sent the photo of Yasmin and Ivan. "I saw Ivan taking Yasmin to the hospital. Ivan was holding her purse, and they looked intimate."Blake was in the middle of dinner at home. When he saw the photo, he was shocked."Sir, the chicken soup is ready. Shall I fetch you a bowl now, or would you like to
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