★★★★★ Jasmine’s eyes traced the words on the faded paper, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she read her father's anguished confession. "Jasmine, I know I was never a good father or a person, so I won’t ask for your forgiveness. I’m writing this letter only because I have a sense that you may come to see me one day." Her heart clenched as she continued, the weight of his words pressing down on her chest. "I used to love your mother deeply until the day she betrayed me. I discovered numerous photographs of her with another man in a private room, and despite her vehement denials, I couldn't bring myself to believe her. I was convinced she had wronged me. Then, after your mother’s death, I learned the truth about that man. To my shock, he was nothing more than a beggar. When I confronted him, he revealed that the photos were fabricated. He had lured your mother to his home under the pretence of illness, knowing her kind nature would compel her to help. He had taken those pictures
★★★★★"Homewrecker!" Jasmine's voice was sharp, her knuckles white as she clenched her fist in her lap. "Do you even hear yourself?"Kesha’s lips parted as if to respond, but Jasmine cut her off, her tone seething with anger. "Oh, wait—I've completely forgotten that you're intimately familiar with the term 'homewrecker,' Kesha. That’s probably why it stings so much for you!""Jasmine, watch your tongue!" Kesha’s voice rose to a harsh cry."No," Jasmine retorted, her voice dropping to a cold edge, "perhaps you should examine your own mind before speaking. It’s not only that you come across as envious, but your words make it painfully clear that you’re one of the most miserable individuals I’ve ever encountered. My life, my business, my relationships—they’re none of your concern. Despite my detachment from your life, you still can’t let go of your bitterness.""Jealousy! Ha!" Kesha’s laughter was bitter and derisive. "How can I be jealous of something as fleeting as your situation? You’
★★★★ Damon entered the room with a purposeful stride, his gaze falling on his grandfather who was seated comfortably on the couch, sipping tea with a serene expression. The scene was one of calm and order, a stark contrast to the tumultuous undercurrents of their lives. "Why are you here?" Damon’s voice cut through the stillness, his tone laced with a mixture of irritation and concern. Dante, full of youthful exuberance, bounded into the room with a bright smile. "I had the best day, great-grandpa! I wish you could have been there to see it!" His enthusiasm was palpable, a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air. Elder Colley’s eyes, however, were cold and distant. He set his cup down with deliberate precision, his movements measured. Standing up from his seat, he fixed Dante with a steely gaze. "Go to your room, Dante," he commanded, his voice carrying an unmistakable edge of finality. Dante’s smile faltered, a flicker of confusion and disappointment crossing his face.
★★★★As evening fell, Jasmine and Ceece made their entrance at the grand anniversary party of Colley Theatre. The opulence of the event was evident in the glistening décor and the air of sophistication that enveloped the venue. Jasmine’s gaze immediately fell upon Cindy, who was the centre of attention, laughing and engaging animatedly with her circle of friends. Flashbulbs from the media cameras popped sporadically, capturing the scene.Ceece leaned closer to Jasmine, her voice a soft murmur meant for Jasmine’s ears alone. "Wow, what a transformation. I would have expected the ‘princess’ to cause a scene after the breakup."Jasmine observed Cindy with a critical eye, her expression thoughtful. "It is surprising," she admitted, her voice laced with equal parts intrigue and caution. "But we shouldn’t provoke her. This might be just an elaborate façade to deceive us into underestimating her."As she spoke, Jasmine’s eyes scanned the room, searching for Damon among the guests. Her heart
★★★★★ Jasmine found a quiet corner of the room, a small refuge from the whirlwind of social interaction and flashing cameras. She slipped her phone from her purse, her finger hovering over the call button for Payne. Just as she was about to dial, Ian appeared at her side, balancing two glasses of wine with practised ease. “Here you are,” he said, offering one of the glasses to her. “Are you hiding out here? Even as the lead actress, you’re supposed to be the centre of attention tonight.” Jasmine accepted the glass, her fingers brushing against his for a brief moment. “It’s not that I’m hiding,” she replied with a hint of a smile. “My heels are killing me, and honestly, as soon as you walked in, it felt like the crowd’s attention shifted from me to you. I figured it was a good time to take a break and let the buzz settle.” Ian chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “I suppose I do have a knack for stealing the spotlight,” he said, leaning against the seat beside her. “B
★★★★★As Jasmine stood beside Cindy, cutting the cake in front of the eager crowd, she smiled for the cameras, her eyes scanning the room with a mixture of anticipation and guardedness. The spotlight was firmly on them, and Jasmine's thoughts were already drifting towards the end of the event and the prospect of going home.Suddenly, a voice crackled through the microphone, cutting through the celebratory atmosphere. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?” The speaker’s tone was urgent and commanding, and soon, the cameras shifted to focus on the new arrival. “I’m Maria Perchor’s manager,” the woman continued, her voice dripping with disdain. “I realize this is a major event and my interruption might seem unwelcome, but I’m compelled to address something that cannot be ignored.”The crowd murmured in confusion and curiosity as the woman took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Jasmine with a look of bitter determination. “I’m tired of watching how people like Miss
★★★★★ “Calm down, everyone,” Ian’s voice cut through the clamor, cold and commanding. He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the restless crowd. “It’s clear to me that you all have an affinity for chaos. This woman, who claims to be a manager, has presented you with a fragment of a video, and you’ve all leaped at it without question. Why are you so quick to follow her? Do you have some personal connection with her, or is it just the allure of scandal?” A murmur of discontent rippled through the crowd. “Is there any way you can prove us wrong, Mr. Ian?” someone demanded. “Maria’s sudden replacement raises serious doubts. How can we ignore the evidence she provided?” Ian’s expression hardened, struggling to find a rebuttal. Jasmine, sensing his frustration, stepped forward and took the microphone with a steely resolve. Her voice, though calm, carried an edge of defiance. “This film is my project, my responsibility. I won’t be intimidated or forced to abandon it because of baseless
★★★★★“Help me, please!” Jasmine scrambled to her feet, her voice desperate as she turned to the figure emerging from the car. But as she caught sight of the hood and mask the person wore, her hope turned to ice. A chill ran down her spine, her heart pounding with a growing dread. The nerves in her legs felt like they were tightening into steel bands.Her gaze snapped back to the man who had been chasing her. He had stopped a short distance away, watching her intently. The realization struck her like a jolt: these people might be working together, and their intention could be to kidnap her.Jasmine’s eyes flitted toward the dark expanse of the jungle beside the road, a possible escape route that beckoned her with its shadowed refuge. Before she could make a move, the man behind her surged forward, closing the distance with alarming speed. His hand clamped down on her arm, his grip so tight that Jasmine felt a sharp, searing pain shoot through her. It was as if his fingers were trying