"How could you do this to me? You know that doing so will hurt me… You even said before that you would always treat me well, protect me, and take care of me…""Then, what about the things I told you not to do last time? Did you listen to me? I told you to stay in Merania and not come back. Did you listen?" Blake spoke with a calm expression. "You didn't obey the rules, so you're getting what you deserve today. It's all just a chain reaction.""'Chain reaction'?" Elise repeated. Her eyes were red. "I did it for your sake! I didn't want you to suffer, so I went to look for Stuart! I didn't even meet him. I did all that for you, but why am I the only one suffering the consequences in the end?""Did I ask you to do so?" Blake watched her coldly. "When you returned to the country and told me not to worry about you, I decided then and there not to interfere again. You walk the path you choose. It's your choice, and it has nothing to do with me."Elise stood frozen on the spot for a
Yasmin clutched the pen in her hand and looked at the strawberry cake on the table.She had rejected his afternoon tea set previously, but he still kept having people send it over, a different flavor every day. However, Yasmin had never eaten it.She hung up the phone and threw the cake away.Sarah came in, saying, "Ms. Starr, Ms. Fletcher is downstairs. She said she wants to see you for a tailor-made dress."Yasmin found it funny. Jessika had just been released from prison, and she was already here. It seemed that Elise could find things out fast.Yasmin walked out in her high heels to meet her.Elise was wearing a white dress, looking pale and worried. Upon seeing Yasmin, she squeezed out a few tears and said, "Yasmin, I came here today to apologize to you."With a different attitude as before, she approached Yasmin weakly, crying as she spoke, "I was wrong for what I have done in the past. I'm sorry. I was wrong. I was too scheming. I will never dare to behave like that again
Elise was so enraged that her eyes almost bled.This was the first time she hated someone so deeply, to the bone and marrow.Very well. Since Yasmin wanted to target her, she would put her life on the line and play along. She didn't believe that Yasmin's wits could outtop her....Yasmin was still sitting in her office after work, her slender silhouette outlined against the window, looking desolate.Sarah opened the door. "Ms. Starr, it's already half past seven. Aren't you going home?""I'm about to leave," Yasmin replied as she turned her chair around. "You should get off work, too.""I'll clock out after closing the windows," Sarah answered.Yasmin nodded. "Go ahead."She stayed in the office until almost 8:00 pm before leaving.On her way home, Yasmin stopped at a convenience store. She picked up a few cans of beer and a box of condoms, then walked to the cashier to pay.Although she had promised to take their relationship further that night, she still struggled to calml
"What do you expect? After what you've done to me, you expect me to accept you eagerly?" Yasmin mocked.Her expression pierced his heart, causing his face to twist unpleasantly.Both of them fell silent.Yasmin was pressed onto the bed by him, feeling uneasy. She said, "Do you want to do it or not? If not, get up. I'm going home."Blake stared at her.Just a second ago, he had intended to let her go. But this second, her sarcasm and disdain angered him. He had treated her so thoughtfully, yet she brushed him off and wanted to leave.Blake's hand pressed down on her shoulders, and he said in a deep voice, "Who said I don't want to do it? But you might not be going home tonight. It's been a while for me, and I might not stop until dawn."Yasmin's eyes widened. Then, he sneered coldly, "And one box might not be enough for me."Yasmin was stunned. She admitted that she was afraid. She tried to push him away and escape.Blake's long arm quickly wrapped around her waist, forcefull
Blake frowned in pain, but this pain was nothing compared to the anguish in his heart.His heart felt like it was soaked in bitter water—sharp and astringent. In the end, he held the back of her head, comforting her. "As for our baby, I am very sorry. When I heard that you had a special abnormal placenta previa, I couldn't take the risk. "I remember back in Cirrus Town, Jessica told me that your mother passed away because of this issue. Yasmin, I would rather not have a child than risk your life.""Why didn't you explain anything at the time?"Blake's throat tightened, and he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I regret it now. I shouldn't have treated you that way then.""Then, what about my father? What exactly did he say to Elise? Why did he tell me not to seek revenge and not to be with you?"Blake's muscles tensed up when he heard this.Yasmin continued, "Either you tell me everything, or we will continue to torture each other like this."Blake hesitated. The things he had b
"So, Mrs. Ford, it's not that Mr. Ford wanted to hide it from you, but he had promised Mr. Starr not to tell you about this.""Perhaps Mr. Starr told you not to seek revenge because he felt guilty about Mr. Ford Senior's death," Malcolm speculated."Regarding your baby…"Blake didn't let Malcolm talk about this, but Malcolm felt it necessary to bring it up. This matter was crucial, after all.If this matter wasn't explained clearly, Yasmin would never be able to accept Blake again. Even if Yasmin couldn't like Blake because of what happened with Stuart, Malcolm still had to speak up."Mrs. Ford, the week before you lost your baby, Mr. Ford went to Merania to see Ms. Fletcher, not because he cared about her, but because they found this surveillance footage there. "When Mr. Ford saw the footage, he couldn't accept it and drove out into a snowstorm. Then, he crashed into a guardrail and suffered from a high fever for several days."During those days, he was delirious and kept call
No one answered on the other end.Blake had a bad feeling. He quickly grabbed his coat and rushed out of the house.He jumped into the car and drove at breakneck speed to Bournegin Heights. Upon arriving, he dashed inside and anxiously pressed the elevator button.Why was Yasmin not picking up? Did she not want to, or did something happen?Blake feared that something had happened to her and kept muttering in the elevator, "Come on, hurry up…"The elevator finally arrived at Yasmin's floor. Blake took out his keycard, swiped it at the door, and saw a cleaning lady tidying up inside."Who are you looking for?" the cleaning lady asked him."Where is Ms. Starr?" Blake asked with a straight face."Ms. Starr is still in her room and hasn't gotten up yet."Blake's expression changed as he walked to the bedroom door and knocked a few times. "Yasmin, open the door."There was no response from inside.Blake knocked heavily again. "Yasmin!"There was still silence inside.The cleanin
Blake's brows furrowed."Let go of me first," Yasmin said.Blake released her.Yasmin took her clothes and went to the bathroom.As the door closed, she leaned against it, her dark eyes like a starless night.Before knowing the truth, she hated him.After knowing the truth, she couldn't face him.She needed some time to sort out her emotions.Turning on the shower, she washed herself slowly. Afterward, she walked out with wet, dripping hair.Blake was sitting on the couch in the living room. When he saw her, his gaze flickered slightly."Why are you still here?" Yasmin wondered.Blake glanced at his watch. "I had someone bring dinner over. It'll be ready soon."She raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I say I wasn't hungry?""You've got a weak stomach. You can't always eat outside food. I've asked Mary to cook for you. I'll leave once she brings it over," Blake insisted.Yasmin felt helpless.Yasmin had decided not to be with him even before she learned about the truth.After kno
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