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
Blake took slow, deep breaths as he wrapped his arms around Yasmin's frame through the blanket. Resting his chin atop her head, he murmured, "Stop fooling around. You've been sick for two days. I can't promise I won't hurt you if you keep teasing the beast out of me."Yasmin blushed as he cocooned her in his arms. She cupped the sides of his neck as she asked, "So you'll give me the time I need to work things out?""If you betray me, I won't show you any mercy in bed," Blake warned. He wasn't sure what he was thinking or why he agreed to her request. Perhaps he didn't want things to grow tense between them. He would rather they spent their days in love than with hatred for one another.His lips brushed against hers as he added, "Also, you agreed that I get to monitor your movements."Yasmin didn't expect him to demand this, but she could not take back her words. As such, she nodded grimly and said, "Very well."They slept together that night. While he stayed true to his word and
Tristan was quiet for a moment before he said, "I miss you, Mommy."Yasmin's heart cracked open at that. "I miss you too, Trist. How's Cladset? Are you having fun?""I'm having a blast! It's awesome, but it'd be even greater if you were here, Mommy.""I'm so sorry I can't be there because of work. Besides, Grandma had only just gone through surgery, so I'll need to take care of her. Look after yourself while you're in Cladset. Be sure to eat your meals on time, okay?" Yasmin reminded."I know, Mommy. I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself," Tristan said with boyish pride. "The art here is amazing. Pearl and I visited a few art museums. They're all so pretty!"Tristan's appreciation for art was beyond his years. Yasmin couldn't help being impressed by Blake's superior genes. She spoke to Tristan for a bit more before ending the call. She dared not carry on the conversation for too long, lest someone walked into the room and caught her.She called Vanessa next and told
Blake recalled that his study had a lock, and only by scanning his fingerprint could one unlock the door. As such, he never suspected Yasmin to be the one who stole the trade secrets.Yasmin looked somewhat uncomfortable as she admitted, "When I saw the biometric scan on your study door, I told Ivan that the job couldn't be done. But he told me he could help me if I got your fingerprints. "So while you were sleeping, I got your fingerprint on a piece of special tape and handed it to someone else to process for the biometric scan…"After the fingerprint had been processed and replicated, Yasmin used it to unlock the door to Blake's study. There were a ton of bodyguards milling about the estate at the time, but they were outside. Blake had always valued their privacy and did not like anyone interrupting their time alone. Save for the lock on his study door, he did not guard against her at all.Just like that, Yasmin snapped pictures of a few documents and placed them back into the
"Ivan's probably here for you," Blake said, sipping his wine as he cast an assessing gaze on Yasmin as if to see how she would react. He still did not fully trust her.Yasmin caught his inquisitive gaze but pretended as if she didn't. She merely clasped her hands as she nodded in understanding."Once he brings you back, he'll likely ask you what we've been up to the last couple of days. How will you answer him?" Blake pinned her with a questioning stare.After a moment of thought, she answered, "I'll just tell him you didn't hurt me, and that you declared your intention to pursue me because you want us to get back together.""Is that so?" Blake smirked, his eyes flashing with mockery.He seemed to think she was lying through her teeth. After all, she had been the one taking the initiative over the last few days. He wouldn't have lost control and taken her if she hadn't seduced him, yet their roles were switched in the story she planned to tell Ivan.Yasmin ignored the contemptuou
Blake didn't exactly want to meet the police head-on, as a major incident in Merania could lead to him being expelled from the country.He suggested that Yasmin tell the police she had left with Blake voluntarily and that he had not abducted her. This would exonerate Blake from any kidnapping charges and prevent him from facing prosecution.Blake casually took Yasmin to the ground floor via the elevator.As they pushed through the glass doors, Ivan's fiery gaze landed on them. His men simultaneously raised their guns, aiming the barrels at Blake's head.Blake's men also raised their guns at the same time. This created a tense standoff, with both sides poised for a fatal confrontation.Blake moved to wrap his arm around Yasmin's waist. Despite the guns aimed at him, Blake fearlessly strode in Ivan's direction.Meanwhile, Ivan's gunmen stood steady, but no one dared to take the first shot. After all, Blake had a dozen or so armed bodyguards behind him.The tension was palpable.
Ivan's gaze showed his displeasure. However, he ultimately said nothing and decided to just drive Yasmin home.On the way back, Ivan asked again, "Did Blake really not say anything to you this time?"Yasmin knew some things couldn't be hidden, so she answered with half-truths. "Ivo, Blake told me that four years ago, I stole confidential project information from him that caused him a lot of trouble. Back then, you said it was just a minor issue that was easily resolved, didn't you?"She asked this intentionally, of course.Ivan's eyes flickered with guilt. After a moment of silence, he said, "Yasmin, I didn't tell you about this because I didn't want you to get involved in our conflict.""What is this conflict of yours about?"Ivan's dark eyes remained fixed on her as if searching for something beyond. After a long pause, he spoke, "There's something I haven't told you. My mother, Maeve Fowler, was driven to her death by Blake."Yasmin was taken aback by this new piece of inform