"I don't know how to explain it." Carlos looked gloomy. "I'm not sure why I'm attracted to Yasmin even though I despise her…"Carlos couldn't bring himself to lie to Elise because he felt that that would be unfair to her. And if he had truly fallen for someone else, it was his own fault.So, he decided to end the relationship and stop hurting Elise."You're telling me that you're attracted to her?" Elise struggled to believe Carlos. What was so great about Yasmin? How did Yasmin captivate Carlos when it had only been a few days?Carlos flashed a bitter smile. "At first, I couldn't stand Yasmin. Yet, I found myself drawn to her. And when you told me that she'd tried to seduce me, I surprisingly wasn't upset."Deep down, I knew I had to dislike her to avoid betraying you. But the night before, I couldn't sleep after knowing that she was sick. I'd hesitated for a long while, but I ended up visiting her the following night."Talking it out seemed to clear Carlos' doubts, and when h
That night, Joel arrived at the restaurant entrance and saw Yasmin wearing a striking long dress that showed off her figure. She looked just like a beautiful flower.Joel nudged Blake's elbow and asked, "Isn't that my sister-in-law, Blake?"Blake put his hand inside his pocket and coldly replied, "Yes."Joel furrowed his brows. "What's with that look? Haven't you always been eager to see her?""I can't be with her anymore.""What do you mean? Aren't you more than enough to handle her?"Blake remained quiet.Then, Mortimer asked, "Yasmin's pursuing Carlos now, so what can Blake do? Help her pursue him?"Joel was lost. "Who's Carlos?" he asked."Carlos is Elise's fiancé." Mortimer had heard about the story from Eunice. He whispered into Joel's ear, "Yasmin is trying to pursue Carlos. She's rejected Blake multiple times.""Are you serious?" Joel was surprised. He then turned his head and saw Blake coldly glaring at him. "Did Yasmin really fall for someone else, Blake?"Blake
Mortimer grinned in response as Joel quickly crossed the road. Before he arrived, he shouted, "Don't forget about us."Michelle looked over and saw Joel and Blake heading her way. She exclaimed in surprise, "What a surprise to see you here too, Mr. Ford.""I'm eating out with my friends." Blake then emotionlessly glanced at Yasmin.However, Yasmin simply bowed her head and kept quiet."What a coincidence. We're here to eat too," Michelle said.Then, Joel suggested, "Want to join us for a meal?" Michelle paused for a moment before happily agreeing, "Sure, why not?"Hence, the original two-person meet up became a five-person dinner.Before entering the private room, Michelle whispered to Yasmin, "Blake is an important client that our company is trying to impress, Yasmin. Please bear with this.""I understand," Yasmin responded."Thank you for being so considerate. I really enjoy hanging out with you. You're not like Elise. She just doesn't leave Carlos alone." After saying t
"Do you think that you've won after seducing Carlos? Yasmin Starr, the game has only just begun." Elise dropped her act and coldly glared at Yasmin.Yasmin smiled. "Of course. You haven't fully experienced all the harm that you've done to me yet. So, how could the game be over just like that?" Yasmin didn't want to make her move against Elise just yet. After all, she couldn't do anything to Elise without evidence. So, she had asked someone to investigate Elise. And now, all she had to do was wait.Elise sneered and said, "Do you really think that you can win with your pea-brain?" Yasmin calmly smiled."Try me then. Let's see who'll win in the end." With that, Yasmin swaggered out the door as Elise glared at her.Then, when Yasmin turned the corner, she saw Blake standing there in a black coat. His handsome face was cold. However, Yasmin ignored him and continued walking. But when she passed him by, Blake abruptly grabbed her arm and pulled her into a room.No one was in
But Elise brought it upon herself by trying to seduce another person's boyfriend anyway. Yasmin never expected this to be Elise's true nature. Elise just didn't like seeing others happy. And once she saw someone with a good boyfriend, she would covet the boy and scheme ways to make the boy hers instead.Ivan continued, "Then, Elise met with an accident on the way back from Merania and was in a coma for a few years. But now that Elise is awake, guess what Jessika's doing now.""What?""Jessika was imprisoned six months ago. In prison, she was tortured so badly that she's barely recognizable now. And guess who the tormentor was."Half a year ago… That was when Elise had gone to Merania.So, she had gone to Merania to take revenge on Jessika. It seemed that Elise wasn't kind, innocent nor pure. How would a kind or pure person have gone back to take revenge on someone?Yasmin turned and asked Ivan, "Can we see Jessika?""I saw Jessika in the Meranian prison. She said that she
Ivan frowned. "What are you trying to do? Are you trying to bribe me with a project?""You're free to refuse," Blake nonchalantly said. Ivan was speechless. He had always exerted tremendous effort in order for his father to spare him a second glance. And if he really accepted this file, he could be the other master of the Burke family when he returned.But if he refused, the file would become his brother's military exploit.The offer was certainly enticing, and Ivan had to admit that it was an offer that he couldn't refuse. But of course, if he accepted it, he would have to leave Yasmin again.Ivan understood Blake's intentions. Blake was using the project to entice him away to eliminate Yasmin's only ally. That way, Yasmin would be forced to depend on Blake. And if not, she would never be able to take revenge on Elise.Blake had his means, and he was good at this game. But his means and methods were despicable.Ivan looked at Blake. "Aren't you afraid that you'll push Ya
Ivan had just arrived in Merania and was waiting for his luggage at the airport. When he saw the message the lawyer had left for him, he told Yasmin, "Jessika's lawyer, David Lawson, told me that Jessika has been transferred to a high-security prison in Xerox by Elise."Oh, so Elise was indeed behind the transfer."Elise probably realized that I was investigating her. But don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on this matter. I'll go and look for Jessika again," Ivan said.Yasmin was stunned. "Ivo, why are you so good to me?"Blake had sent him away. So, why was he still helping her?Ivan gently said, "I feel guilty toward you.""You feel guilty toward me?""Mm-hmm. Blake used a project to entice me away," Ivan explained. "Yasmin, I don't want to lie to you. I really need that project. If not, I…""Ivo, I don't blame you."Ivan didn't need to explain himself.In fact, he could have taken the project and left. But since he had still chosen to tell her, Yasmin felt relieved. She
Yasmin went to the kitchen. Then, she took two eggs and some ham out of the fridge. "There's only eggs and ham here. Are you okay with a sandwich?"Blake was stunned. "You're cooking for me?""Mm-hmm. It's late, so I suppose you haven't had dinner, right?" Yasmin knew Blake well. He usually hadn't had dinner at this time.Blake was slightly surprised, but before he could respond, Yasmin had already gone to cook for him.The sounds of the cooking came from the kitchen, and Blake felt like he was in a dream. He walked nearer to the kitchen and saw Yasmin frying the eggs. He hadn't seen this sight for a long time. It had been almost a year now.When Blake saw Yasmin cooking for him again, his cold and lonely heart suddenly felt warm.He walked over to Yasmin and hugged her from behind. His voice was tender as he said, "Why did you suddenly want to cook for me?"Yasmin didn't push him away. Instead, she replied, "Didn't you say that you would destroy me if I kept ignoring yo
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