Blake saw Malcolm waiting for him in the corridor the moment he left the room. Malcolm had been here for a while, but he dared not open the door and interrupt when he heard the amorous noises coming from within.Upon spotting Blake coming down the hall, Malcolm glanced at the bite marks on the former's neck. Having confirmed his guess, he informed dutifully, "Mr. Ford, we stalled Ivan and brought Ms. Starr over here last night without him knowing. He has been combing through the town looking for her ever since he discovered she was missing this morning."Blake snorted. "He certainly has a lot of time on his hands. Let's give him a small surprise, then."The surprise Blake had planned for Ivan revealed itself that afternoon when the latter's car exploded. Ivan had detected the scent of smoke when he got into the car and jumped out immediately, but his arm still got caught in the resulting blast.He was later sent to the emergency room. As the doctors peeled off the layer of burnt
Yasmin batted her eyelashes at Blake, blinking her large, doe eyes as she played up her innocence.Blake snorted and asked derisively, "You think I'd believe you?" He had stopped trusting her a long time ago.Yasmin knew very well that he thought she was seducing him out of fear, but even so, she had to stand her ground. She hooked one slender leg around his thigh and purred, "You're welcome to kill me if you don't trust me."She even dared to look wounded by his stoicness.Blake's eyes roved over her body as his lips pressed into a tight line. "How many times will you pull the same cheap trick? You could at least pretend to have some dignity."He was talking about her honey trap."Do you really want to kill me?" Yasmin asked, her voice low and sweet. When he made no reply, she knew he was reluctant. She willed her heart to slow into a steady beat as she caressed his handsome face. "Or would you rather have some fun with me?"To show him what she meant, she rose on her tiptoes a
Yasmin would never agree to Blake's terms, of course. She was born with autonomy, and she would never let him lock her up and cut her off from the rest of the world.She was about to refuse Blake's proposition when he grabbed her jaw, silencing her as he ground out icily, "It's decided. You seduced me first, so you'll have to bear the consequences from now until forever."As if to seal the deal, he nipped at her pale neck, leaving yet another bite mark. Yasmin frowned at the sharp pain. Blake was no better than a maniac right now. When he unleashed himself upon her, he was brutal and merciless. It was as if he wanted to inflict pain on her—like it brought him some kind of twisted joy.Amid his euphoria, he seemed pleased by his own terms. He tightened his arms around Yasmin as he bit her lip, stealing her breath entirely.She was growing lightheaded, barely drawing in air as he kissed her roughly. Feeling helpless, she thumped his shoulder with her fist and begged, "Go softer…"
Yasmin couldn't help the blood that rushed to her face. After Blake was done assessing her, he looked up and said in a softer tone, "I'll have someone deliver medication for you later."]She pouted and groused, "Now do you see what you put me through?"Blake hadn't seen her look so wounded for a while, and her girlish voice sent him into a daze. He remained in a stupor for a while before he teased, "You're the one who provoked me when you don't even have what it takes to bear the consequences. You overestimated yourself."Yasmin did not want to blush, but her face warmed when she heard his playful words. Her hair cascaded past her shoulders, accentuating her delicate silhouette.She looked so enticing that Blake couldn't help kissing her again. He said in a hoarse voice, "Be good next time."True to his word, someone delivered medication to Yasmin later in the morning. Her face was crimson as she took the tub of ointment. When the bodyguard assigned to bring her meals showed up, s
Blake was only going to offer her two more days of recuperation. Yasmin's lips tightened at this as frustration seized her. She dared to ask, "Isn't anyone looking for me? I've been missing for days."She surmised that at least five or six days had passed since Blake brought her here.Blake replied, "Yes, Ivan is going berserk looking for you. But he ran into a few problems, and he has no resources to continue his search for you.""How did you stall him?""I gave him hell, of course. His company is plagued with several crises, and he's risking getting blown up or assassinated just by being out on the street..." There was a dark look in Blake's eyes as he trailed off. These were the things Ivan had ordered be done to him, and he was simply returning the favor."Did you come to Merania to kill him?" Yasmin pressed."What, are you worried that I'm going to end your precious fiancé's life?" Blake grabbed her jaw and grinned at her fiendishly, though the amusement did not reach his ey
Blake was saying this because he did not believe Yasmin, still thinking she was lying. He had been lied to before with devastating outcomes. Once bitten, twice shy; it was only natural that he had his guard up against her.Yasmin took a deep breath and said, "My grandmother has yet to escape Ivan's evil clutches. I was at the hospital the other day to scope things out. He's hired a lot of people to keep an eye on her.""So what are your plans? Are you trying to get me to rescue your grandmother?" Blake asked, staring at her evenly.She took a sip of water and said, "No, I don't want to trouble you. I just want you to give me some time to work out a plan to save my grandmother."In truth, she planned on bringing Stuart and Imogen out of the country with her, along with Sander International's trade secrets. But she had no idea what those trade secrets were, and she needed time to uncover them.She didn't want Blake helping her with such endeavors, either. The last thing she wanted w
Blake froze at the sight of this. He hurried over to the bed and pulled Yasmin into his arms. Her skin was burning to the touch, and she had gone delirious with the fever."Yasmin," he called her name, urging her to respond.Her head lolled to the side and thumped against his chest. She was so out of it that she could not even answer him.Blake's heart sank. He quickly had Malcolm call for help. "Malcolm, get a female doctor over here."A doctor showed up moments later. After examining Yasmin, she informed Blake that the fever was a result of over-exertion. In other words, he had been so rough on her that whatever injuries she sustained took a toll on her system.The doctor prescribed medication and warned Blake to pace himself.Blake scowled as he took the prescription and returned to the room. Yasmin was curled up on the bed, and the chill had her wrapping her arms around herself. "Blake…" she mumbled, her lips trembling.He stiffened when he heard this. He walked over and gin
Blake sat on the edge of the bed and said softly, "I told you I wouldn't kill you and that I'd give you a second chance if you just stayed with me forever.""I don't want that, either!" Yasmin turned to look at him, her body curled into a fetal position. "My grandmother is in mortal danger, and you expect me to go back to Stanton City with you? "I just need a little more time to work things out, but you refuse to give it to me. Why are you in such a hurry to go back anyway?"Her large eyes were filled with tears, and her face was streaked with them too.Blake pursed his lips and explained, "I just don't want any more problems to crop up.""And what problems would I cause by saving my grandmother?" Sensing that he might relent, Yasmin sat up in bed and climbed onto his lap, pouting. "I'm begging you to give me some time, Blake. I'm not asking for your help or anything, just more time."If you're busy, you can go back to Stanton City without me. Once I've sorted things out here in
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