Blake frowned and approached Yasmin. Her eyes were shut. There was a sort of childlike quality to her face as she slept, but it didn't take away from her beauty. Her naturally pink and moist lips were puckered slightly. They were as tempting as water to a parched man in the desert.Blake's anger dissipated at this sight. He bent down to lift her into his arms. At the warmth, Yasmin subconsciously buried her head against his neck. She wanted more of it.Blake looked down at her. His gaze was too deep for others to tell what he was thinking. Then, he placed her on the bed. He was about to leave when he heard her mumble, "You're a jerk, Mr. B …"Blake paused. He rested a hand on her face and caressed it. She was deeply asleep but subconsciously sucked on his finger.His breathing hitched. "Yasmin?"Was she awake?She didn't respond. Instead, she turned on her side and held his hand to her cheek. She looked wholly dependent on him.Blake lowered his head and kissed her.Yasmin felt
Yasmin was dead at heart, and her eyes were dull. "I'm not throwing a tantrum, Blake. I'm being serious. I've been stuck in a loveless marriage for two years, and I've had enough."Over more than 700 days, she'd gone from hopeful to despondent. She was tired of living like this."Have you forgotten that your father was the one who sent you to my bed?" Blake's eyes darkened. "He went to such lengths to force me to marry you, yet you're now demanding a divorce. Do you even hear yourself?"Go ahead and throw whatever tantrum you want, but don't take things too far. Men hate it when women are too fussy, you know."Indeed, Yasmin's father, Stuart Starr, had sent her to Blake's bed. At the time, something had gone wrong with Stuart's company. He foresaw himself ending up behind bars and had been afraid of his enemies going after Yasmin.So, he'd orchestrated for Yasmin to end up in bed with Blake. Then, he'd informed the paparazzi and the Ford family about this, forcing Blake to marry Y
"Regretting it already? Is your love that cheap? Has it faded into nothingness after just two years?" Blake mocked. He stared at Yasmin.He had her pinned to the bed. Her pale face was devoid of emotion. "Yes, I'm regretting it. I won't love you anymore."She wasn't worthy of him, so she was giving up.Blake's expression darkened. He growled, "Fine, then. Since you don't love me anymore, that's all the more reason for me not to let you off the hook. I want you to stay by my side for the rest of your life to atone for your sins. That'll be the perfect way to torment you until the day you die."Yasmin was stunned. "Are we really unforgivable just because my father tricked you?""Yes. It's the one thing I hate the most, so you have to stay by my side for the rest of your life. You don't have a choice in this." With that, Blake stormed out and slammed the door behind him.Yasmin sat up, looking desolate. She hadn't expected Blake to insist that she dedicate her life to him as a form
Yasmin felt that Giselle was only saying these things to Blake, so she didn't respond. Sure enough, Blake said comfortingly, "It's been hard on you over the years.""It was nothing." Giselle smiled and turned the turntable, bringing the salad bowl to a stop before her. She put some of it on Blake's plate. "You can't keep skipping your greens like this, Blake. There's a vinaigrette on it. I'm sure it tastes great. Here, try some."Blake glanced at Yasmin. She was eating her breakfast calmly. She didn't seem to be bothered by their interactions."Okay." Blake ate some salad.A trace of mockery flitted past Yasmin's eyes. She distinctly remembered him being germaphobic. In the past, to make him eat his greens, she would get up early to make him vegetable rolls. She would say with a bright smile, "Have some vegetable rolls before you leave, Mr. B."I got up early to make these for you, you know! There are vegetables inside, but there's also salmon. It tastes really good. You have to have a
The question took Yasmin aback. She looked at Giselle. "What?""You like Blake, right? I heard about it from some other people." Giselle glanced at Blake, seemingly observing his reaction.He ate calmly while Yasmin smiled self-deprecatingly. Yasmin said, "Nope.""No?" Giselle didn't really believe her. Over the past few days, she'd heard many things about their relationship. She'd heard about how Yasmin had pursued Blake like mad in the past. She would go everywhere he went.Blake's friends had mockingly called her Blake's little lapdog. It bothered Giselle."I was young back then and didn't know any better. I was just messing around." Yasmin smiled faintly.It was as if she'd been under a spell at the time. She wasn't satisfied with just being married to Blake on paper. She would deliberately wander around before calling Blake and telling him she was lost. She would ask him to take her home.Sometimes, Blake would come in person. Sometimes, he wouldn't. But if he didn't come,
In truth, Yasmin had always been a bit of a rebel. She'd only acted obediently because of her love for Blake.Now, however, she wanted to be herself.Blake sneered. "You'll have to find a place to stay before you do that. I'd like to see if anyone would dare rent you anything without my permission."Yasmin faltered. "Are you going to restrict my freedom?""You're not in the right condition to be going anywhere now. Stay at home." Blake's expression softened. "Wait until next week, at least. Shut that stupid studio of yours down and report to Windmere Group's secretariat. You'll be my personal secretary."It was Yasmin's turn to sneer. "You know very well I'm a design student, yet you want me to be a secretary?"He knew she'd always dreamed of being a designer. Yes, it was her fault for setting up the studio without discussing it with him beforehand. But it was only because she could never reach him.Eunice had told her that they only had to fork out two million dollars each for
"Mrs. Ford went to her studio," Malcolm said.Blake pursed his lips. "Was everything okay with her stomach?""She looked fine to me."Blake hummed softly in acknowledgment before looking back down at his work. He didn't say anything else.Malcolm suddenly recalled what Yasmin had asked him to do and handed the divorce agreement to Blake. "Mr. Ford, Mrs. Ford asked me to pass this to you."Blake didn't look up. "Read it aloud.""Yes, sir." Malcolm flipped the document open. He faltered when he saw the words "divorce agreement" on it. He didn't dare to read it."Why aren't you reading it?" Blake asked.Malcolm had no choice but to do as told. "Mrs. Ford wants to get a divorce, sir, the reason being … some impairments with your sexual function. Mrs. Ford claims that you're unable to satisfy her basic needs …"Blake's expression darkened. "What the hell is that?""It's a divorce agreement that Mrs. Ford wants you to sign." Malcolm didn't even dare to breathe loudly. Had he just l
"Whatever it is, I've had enough of you, you bastard!" Yasmin hung up.Blake was positively furious as he looked at the dark screen of his phone. After a moment, he received several messages in succession. They were all records of purchases—Yasmin had bought all sorts of furniture, and more messages were coming in.Blake thought about the contents of the divorce agreement, and his expression turned steely. He said to Malcolm, "Find out whether she went to Newphoria Bay today.""Yes, sir." Malcolm got right on it. A moment later, he returned. "Mrs. Ford did indeed drop by the villa at Newphoria Bay, sir. She also hired a few cleaners to clean the place up."It looked like she was really intending to move in there.Blake's fingers tightened around the divorce agreement, crumpling it. Two years ago, Stuart's company had gotten into a tight spot. He'd had to sell everything he owned, including the villa at Newphoria Bay.Yasmin had begged Blake to buy the villa. He never expected it
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