Isaac explained, "Andy just informed me that Blake discovered them while they were trying to get Stuart out of the morgue. He thought on his feet and told Blake it was your idea to drug Stuart into an asystolic state."He said you intended to fake Stuart's death so you could save him from Ivan. Andy also mentioned that you planned to put Stuart up in a nursing home for recovery."Yasmin knew Isaac was telling her all this so that her version of the story would align with what Andy Wuntch told Blake.Andy was the bodyguard with whom Blake had spoken at the morgue earlier. He had been working for Isaac for years and was a loyal confidante to him. She asked, "Does Blake know about your involvement in this?""No, Andy's smart enough to keep me out of it. Unfortunately, things wouldn't have gotten so complicated if I'd been able to go to Merania myself."Blake would never have discovered their covert operation if Isaac had been there to oversee things. But as things were, their missi
Yasmin had borne a grudge against Ivan since she realized he had used her to bring Blake to his downfall four years ago. Wasn't it time that she let him have a taste of his own medicine and make him suffer as Blake had?With that in mind, she stepped forward and twisted the doorknob. The door to the study swung open.Yasmin was admittedly surprised that the door was unlocked. She lowered her gaze and quietly entered the study.The layout was simple; a long work desk took up much of the study space, and a large safe stood on the other side of the room.Yasmin's gaze fell on the safe, and she thoughtlessly walked up to it. Just as her fingers nearly grazed the safe, a sudden thought crossed her mind. She quickly wrapped a cloth around her hand before attempting to open the safe.She considered the possible passwords Ivan would use and keyed in his birthday. The safe remained locked. She then keyed in her birthday, but the safe did not open, either.Disappointed, Yasmin was just abo
Yasmin kept her thoughts to herself. She still looked ashen-faced as she said feebly, "I'm alright."She hadn't forgotten that she was supposed to play the role of a grieving daughter who had just lost her dad. She played up her weak and delicate state as she asked, "I just saw Mr. Burke Senior. When did he… How did he become like that?"Ivan replied flatly, "His paranoia worsened over the last two years, and he was convinced that someone was out to get him. The doctor diagnosed him as a schizophrenic. He's prone to violent outbursts and can hurt someone during an episode.""Why didn't you ever tell me about this?" Yasmin pressed.Ivan's gaze flickered. "Yasmin, I kept this from you because I was afraid of what you might think of me if you ever found out I have a father who's… insane."A nicely spun lie. Yasmin fought the urge to snort but said with compassion, "I wouldn't think differently of you, Ivo. You've been nothing but kind to me. I would never think any less of you.""Th
After a moment of thought, Yasmin bolted upstairs to Imogen's room. She unplugged the security cameras and told Imogen about the day's incident.A strip of gauze bound Imogen across the eyes, but Yasmin could still see the worry etched on her face. "So there's been a hiccup in our plans? Stuart was hijacked and taken away by Blake, is that right?""Yes," Yasmin confirmed, nodding as exhaustion hit her. Her plans could have gone on without a hitch had Blake not interfered and complicated matters.Imogen said, "Don't be anxious, Yasmin. It's important to keep a level head when the situation gets prickly. Right now, your priority is to get Blake to trust you and give us a shot at rescuing Stuart."Yasmin sighed. "What if he insists on transporting Dad back to Stanton City?""In that case, we'll just have to move our rescue operation to Stanton City." Unlike Yasmin, Imogen was far from anxious. She had seen plenty during the 80 or so years of her life. She asked, "Is there a way for y
"If I hadn't come, I would never have learned about this scheming side of you. It seems you're quite the strategist," Blake mused, his tone light and placid.Yasmin's fingers trembled as she forced herself to stay calm. She joined him at the liquor cabinet and grabbed a glass, pouring herself a knuckle's length of wine. She brought the glass to her lips and took a sip.She needed to look at ease, and she could use some liquid courage too.Blake did not tear his gaze away from her fingers as he asked, "Well? Aren't you going to explain what the hell is going on?""You already know," Yasmin pointed out. "My dad was under Ivan's constant monitoring, and faking his death was the only way I could get him out under Ivan's watchful eye.""Why didn't you tell me about it?" Blake pressed. Her secrecy bothered him the most. "When I heard your dad passed away, I called you. You told me over the phone that you lost your father, and you cried like it, too. I was convinced you were grieving."
"You could have told me that the band was too wide," Blake said."I didn't want to spoil your mood. I wanted to wait for the right time to adjust the band size, but I've been so busy that I didn't get around to doing it," Yasmin explained.The anger and bitterness in Blake's heart dissipated as he listened to her soft, sweet voice. He tightened his arm around her waist and asked, "So you saved your dad to transport him back to Stanton City?""Yes," she replied to keep him from second-guessing.He offered, "Let me work out the arrangement. I'll have him transported to Stanton City by tonight."She dared not turn him down. As things were, she had no choice but to let him do as he wished. She could figure out a way to save Stuart and get him out of Stanton City after that. Nodding, she acceded, "Thank you.""Don't mention it. You're my wife, and it's my duty as a son-in-law to make sure that your father is safe," Blake said, gazing down at her.Her red lips were practically calling
Blake let out a low chuckle. He finally opened his eyes as he pulled Yasmin closer.Her pale skin was adorned with marks resembling cherry blossoms, all his handiwork. He was quite pleased with himself. He continued to look at Yasmin for a while longer and smiled. "Are you heading back soon?""Yeah, I told the bodyguard I was going out to buy medicine for my grandma. I'll need to buy some before I return."The phone beside Blake kept ringing, so Yasmin couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you going to answer that?""I don't feel like it." Blake rolled over, pinning her beneath him as he whispered against the corner of her lips, "How about I send my men to get your grandma's medicine? We've still got some time, let's go for another round."Yasmin was startled, trying to push him away. "You've had enough. We've been at it all day—from morning till night, isn't that enough?""I haven't seen you in days.""No way!" Yasmin firmly refused.Blake was just teasing her, of course. When sh
In the end, Blake signaled Malcolm over to support Lizzie's other arm as they helped her into the car and drove her to the hospital.The doctor examined her and found no major physical injuries, just a few minor cuts and bruises. However, the psychological impact on her was severe.She trembled with fear, her anxiety evident in every moment.Seeing her like this, Blake felt a deep sense of guilt. He turned to Malcolm and asked, "Have you confirmed it? Was this Ivan's doing?""Yes. After we burned down Ivan's North District warehouse, he retaliated by targeting Ms. Keating. That day, she had just arrived at the hospital to visit Mrs. Ford when the kidnappers abducted her. "She managed to escape briefly and borrowed a phone from a passerby to call you, but when you didn't pick up, they caught her again."Blake's face darkened at Malcolm's words. Just then, Lizzie called out from inside the ward, "Blake…"Hearing her voice, Blake turned and walked into the ward.As soon as he app