Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened as night fell. Upon returning home, Blake went upstairs to find Yasmin sketching in the bedroom with her back facing the door. She seemed engrossed in her work.Blake leaned against the doorway and watched her for a while. At that moment, Mary came up with the dinner tray. Noticing her, Blake offered, "Here, I'll bring the tray in."Mary handed the tray to him. He brought it into the room and prompted gently, "Time for dinner, Yaz."Yasmin turned around and eyed him stonily. "Just leave it there."Blake said nothing as he set the tray down. He then walked over to her work table and watched her sketch with a tender look in his eyes.She felt her skin crawl under his gaze, and she couldn't work with him breathing down her neck. She turned her face to the side and snapped, "You can go now."Yasmin's mood had improved over the last few days since Blake started sleeping in his study. She appreciated the peace that came with his absence.
Yasmin sneered. She knew as well as Blake did that the bodyguards would not be protecting her so much as they would be monitoring her every move.Blake added, "You'll be working from home from now on. You're allowed to visit your father once a week, but that's about it. A life like this doesn't seem too bad to me."This was the arrangement he was happiest with. He could watch over her while she worked from home and keep her from harm. He was certain that Annalise would move on after things on Stuart's end had been resolved.Blake had ignored Yasmin's need for autonomy and freedom in favor of his proposition. She scowled and spat, "No.""Why not?" he pressed. "If you stay here, I can protect you at all times.""I already told you that you were the reason I was in any real danger in the first place! I'll be fine once we go our separate ways." She would be free, too.Blake made no reply. After a long beat of silence, he repeated, "This is for the best."Yasmin stared at him incredu
Yasmin asked, "And what way is that?""A way to save both you and your father from Blake, but I'll need your full cooperation, okay?" Ivan paused before adding, "I need you to tell me honestly, Yasmin—do you want to be with Blake?""Not anymore," she answered after a moment of thought. Reality had proven that she and Blake would never work out. They were like two broken puzzle pieces that could not be fixed or glued together by force.She had grown tired of this relationship. They were better off separated instead of being trapped in this constant tug-of-war.Upon hearing this, Ivan said, "Your birthday is in a week. If you want to leave him, that's your best chance."Yasmin figured Ivan was suggesting that she escape again. She shook her head. "Ivo, there's no use in running. Blake has his men watching me and my father like hawks. No matter where we go, he'll hunt us down and drag us back.""Under normal circumstances, your chances of getting away are slim to none," Ivan said sl
Blake wrapped an arm around Yasmin's shoulders, sounding so indulgent that it made her skin crawl. She asked warily, "What is it?""You'll see," he said with a smile as he pushed the door open.The studio he had designed and built for her was large. It was equipped with a sewing machine, a cloth-cutting machine, a work desk, dummies, and work lamps. The studio had everything a designer could ever need, and the natural light that poured through the balcony windows was a designer's dream.Yasmin's jaw dropped. She wasn't so much shocked by the fully functional studio as she was mortified that this was part of Blake's plan to imprison her. Why else would he build her a studio like this if not to trap her in this house forever?She was still dumbfounded when Blake hugged her from behind and murmured close to her ear, "Do you like it? I built this place for you. You can work here every day after this. I won't stop you from taking orders and sketching from home; at least it would kee
Yasmin was already being watched closely. If she were pregnant, she would never be able to escape."Yaz, time to wake up," Blake said as he perched on the bed and gently shook her shoulder.She stayed still, pretending to be asleep."Sleepyhead," he murmured good-naturedly, chuckling as he leaned down to kiss her.She panicked at this and slowly opened her eyes, putting on her best groggy voice as she asked, "What is it? What's with all the noise?""It's time to get up. We're going to the hospital for a check-up," Blake replied. After that, he picked her up from the bed and carried her to the bathroom, leaving no room for negotiation."Why do we have to get a check-up all of a sudden?" Yasmin asked.He answered plainly, "For our annual health examination, of course. Did you forget?"He was lying, which meant he was indeed trying to secretly get her pregnant. The thought of this sent a chill running down Yasmin's spine, but she put on a feeble act as she mumbled, "But I don't wa
That afternoon, Yasmin sat in the garden and wondered what she would do for the rest of her life. When no answer came to her, she grew despondent and decided to take a walk.She invited Eunice to join her for tea outside, and the latter agreed.After getting out of the car, Yasmin frowned at the few bodyguards who trailed her. She turned to Tyler and groused, "I'm just getting tea with my friend, Tyler. I'll take a window seat so you can get a clear view of me, but don't follow me in, okay?"She didn't want Blake's bodyguards overhearing her private conversation with her friend.Thankfully, Tyler was reasonable enough to stop the other bodyguards. "We'll wait outside for Mrs. Ford."Only then did the bodyguards return to the car.Satisfied, Yasmin entered the restaurant alone. She had only just stepped through the door when she heard someone whisper, "That's her! That's Yasmin Starr, the famous designer whose father killed James Ford, the former patriarch of the prestigious Ford
Eunice's response was evasive, but it told Yasmin what she needed to know: Erinnyes' business had indeed taken a hit, and now customers were refusing to do business with them. Eunice must have had her plate full dealing with such matters.Yasmin immediately apologized, "You must be busy these days. I'm sorry I asked you out for tea when you barely have time to sort through the mess at work.""Oh, it's fine. We get a two-hour lunch break anyway. Besides, I could use a breather." Eunice comforted her gently, "Yaz, don't worry about the business. Yes, a few business dealings were called off, but that's about it. Besides, not a lot of customers want to give me trouble seeing as I'm Mortimer's wife.""Thanks for picking up after me, Eunice," Yasmin said with a sigh. These were the only words she could offer Eunice.At that moment, the waiter came by their table with fruit tea and shortcakes. Eunice said, "That's enough moping for now, Yaz. Let's cheer up and indulge in desserts."Rea
The sticky fruit tea and freezing ice cubes splashed all over Lizzie's white fur coat. It was winter, and some ice cubes slipped into her collar, making her gasp from the cold."What are you doing?" Lizzie's white fur coat was now ruined. She turned to glare at Eunice.Eunice replied, "Sorry, my hand slipped. How much was this coat? I'll pay you for it."With that, Eunice pulled out her checkbook, ever ready to write Lizzie a check. This was the confidence that money could buy.Yasmin watched the scene from the side, feeling a surge of satisfaction. She had tolerated Lizzie's sharp tongue for too long. It was time someone put her in her place.Yasmin reached for the glass of lemon tea beside her and dumped it over Lizzie's head, adding some color to her coat and hair.Lizzie was so cold that she staggered back a few steps. A lemon slice hit her in the eye, ruining her meticulously done makeup.She swiped at it with her hand, her long hair dripping with the sweet, cold liquid.