Damon arrived

★★★★★

Jasmine leaned back in her chair, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Paul. "It doesn’t matter," she said with a hint of impatience, her voice firm. "Since I need something from you, I suppose I have no choice but to wait. But tell me, Paul," she leaned forward, her tone sharp as a knife, "why have you suddenly become so generous, offering it to me now? Or is there some kind of deal you want to strike?"

Paul shifted uncomfortably, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair as he tried to find the right words. "I know I've made mistakes—many of them," he began, but Jasmine swiftly cut him off.

"Ah-ah," she interjected, raising a hand to silence him. "I don't have time to hear a confession. What I want to know is about the jewelry my father gave you. That’s all."

Paul felt a pang of disappointment at her brusque tone, but he forced himself to remain calm. "I told you once that your mother’s belongings were in my possession," he reminded her, his voice measured. "And back