Mary served the food.Yasmin asked her, "Mary, why are there so many bodyguards at Oak Garden today?"Mary shook her head. "I don't know. They were just transferred here today. There aren't normally so many bodyguards here."Yasmin pondered for a while. She felt like Blake was guarding against her.But she wasn't planning on stealing anything. She just wanted to stall for time.Yasmin left Oak Garden and took an Uber to Erinnyes.She needed to find a safe place—somewhere no one could monitor her.Upon reaching the studio, she immediately borrowed Eunice's phone. Puzzled, Eunice asked her, "Yaz, what's wrong? Why do you look so anxious?""Nothing much. Just lend me your phone first.” Yasmin was afraid that her phone had been bugged, so she had no choice but to use Eunice's.Eunice readily handed her phone to Yasmin and asked, "Yaz, have you been busy with your family's company lately? Are those creditors looking for you every day?"Eunice knew about Yasmin's situation, but she
"I understand." Yasmin nodded. "Eunice bought me a new phone and SIM card last time. I'll be using that one for now.""Okay. Wait to hear back from me," were Ivan's last words before ending the call.Yasmin's heart started to race. Luckily, Ivan was willing to help her. If not, she really didn't know who else to turn to.Yasmin felt relieved. She looked for her spare phone in one of her drawers and charged it at the office.Unexpectedly, as she was charging the phone, Brian called her. Yasmin was so shocked that her hand shook. She put down the other phone and took a few deep breaths before answering the call."What are you doing now?" Brian asked.Yasmin stiffened as she replied stiffly, "I'm at work.""What's the update on the thing I asked you to do?"Yasmin tried to calm her palpitating heart and said offhandedly, "There are a bunch of bodyguards at Oak Garden now. I can't enter the study."Yasmin was suddenly thankful that there were a bunch of bodyguards at Oak Garden.
"I know." Brian's lips curled into a smile as he added, "So I'm waiting. I'll wait until he detests you, then I'll have you for myself." He fixed his eyes on Yasmin's chest after saying this. With an unapologetic laugh, he blurted, "Then you'll be mine."Yasmin broke out in a cold sweat.So that was Brian's plan. He wanted to use Yasmin to hurt Blake. And when Blake became disappointed in Yasmin, Brian would make her his woman. With that, he'd get both the project and the woman. Yasmin felt that Brian was very insidious. Still, she didn't say anything in front of Brian. As Ivan was looking for her father, she didn't want to act rashly and make Brian suspicious of her.…Brian dropped her in front of a Michelin-star restaurant. He ordered in a low voice, "Tonight's your best chance. You'd better do this right. If not, your dad's a dead man."Yasmin's heart sank. She put on a blank face and numbly entered the restaurant.Upon entering, she encountered a new problem. Brian h
Tanya's eyes were as clear as crystals. She sat there, as pretty as a fairy. Her husband would occasionally check in on her and ask for her thoughts. He doted on her, and his devotion spilled out of his eyes. They obviously loved each other very much."Are you feeling a little bored?" Tanya asked her.Yasmin nodded.Tanya smiled and added, "Can't understand what they're saying, right?"Yasmin agreed honestly.Tanya chatted with her for a bit.Upon conversing with Tanya, Yasmin discovered that Lemuel and Tanya were from a city down south called Sutton City. The couple had purposefully made the trip here to discuss the big project with Blake.Once the project was successful, the two companies could take their businesses to the next level.When she learned from Tanya that the Morgan family was the richest in Sutton City, Yasmin realized that this project was extremely important.So that's why Brian wanted to get his hands on the file. This way, he would be able to overthrow
Upon reaching home, Yasmin helped Blake into the master bedroom upstairs. She placed him on the bed and went to get his pajamas.Just as her fingers touched the pajamas, Blake hugged her from behind. His big, burning body enveloped her, and he put his lips to her ear. He laughed softly and said, "Did you get jealous tonight?"Yasmin stiffened, and she almost dropped the pajamas."Why are you still awake?" Blake's arms encircled her, and he squeezed her tight. He smiled and said, "I wasn't really drunk."Before Yasmin could react, Blake bent over and kissed her.Yasmin was shocked but closed her eyes.Seeing that she didn't resist him, Blake deepened the kiss. She could taste the alcohol on his tongue.Yasmin secretly opened her eyes and glanced at Blake.He wasn't completely sober, appearing a little drunk. He lifted Yasmin's arms and hung them around his neck.Yasmin couldn't be intimate with Blake anymore. After Yasmin had given up on him, this type of intimacy only dis
While she was deep in thought, Brian ordered, "Sleep with him tonight. When he's asleep, look for an opportunity to copy the contents of his laptop for me."Yasmin clutched her phone. Her heart felt heavy and weary."Who are you on the phone with?" Amid the haze in her mind, she heard Blake's distinct voice.Yasmin was stunned and quickly turned off her phone.Blake walked out and he looked at her phone in question. "Who are you calling in the middle of the night?""No one." Yasmin gripped her phone tightly. She stared at the ground, afraid to look into his eyes in case he suspected something.Blake gazed at her stiff figure for a long time.The silence made Yasmin so nervous that her heart was going crazy. To lighten the mood, she abruptly looked up at Blake and asked, "Do you have a hangover after drinking so much wine? Do you want some tea to help you sober up?"She didn't wait for his answer. "I'll make some tea for you," she said before running downstairs to the kitchen.
Yasmin gulped a breath of cold air. Her eyes were filled with tears because she was so frightened, and she cried, "I said I don't want to."Her plea was filled with fear and grief.Blake could sense this. He surprisingly managed to control himself just as he was losing to his desire. He asked in a husky voice next to her ear, "Why?"Yasmin didn't dare to say that he disgusted her. She cried, "I still can't bear to do this with you…"He looked at her questioningly. "You still can't bear me?" Yasmin nodded fearfully. "We've gone through so much. Our love has already shattered. How could we make up just like that?"Blake was silent for a while. Then, he took his hands off her face.In the dark, Yasmin's face was streaked with tears. Blake felt a little sorry for her. He bent down and tenderly kissed her. "BLAKE FORD!" Yasmin shrieked at the top of her lungs, thinking that Blake had lost control. Blake gave a muffled snort and groaned, "Stop shouting. If not, I won't be able to
Blake opened the door and entered the room.Inside, Yasmin lay on the bed with her back to him.Blake couldn't see her face, so he asked, "Still sleeping? It's already 8:00 am. Are you not getting up to get ready for work?"Yasmin stayed under the blanket, her mind still on the telephone call. She said wearily, "I'm a little tired. I want to lie down a little longer.""Are you sick?" Blake asked, sitting at her bedside.Before Yasmin could shake her head, Blake touched her forehead to check if she was running a temperature. He was assured when he discovered that her temperature was normal."Are you feeling discomfort anywhere?" He asked while looking into her eyes, deeply concerned.Yasmin suddenly felt slightly guilty under Blake's gaze and shook her head. She knew that Brian wanted to hurt Blake, but she couldn't tell Blake about it because she was afraid she would be unable to leave after telling him. Technically speaking, she had a selfish reason for concealing the mat
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