Chapter Twelve Jasmine walked back to her room to change her stained outfits and print new documents, the weight of Stella’s words pressing down on her. But as she wiped away a stray tear, she told herself she wouldn’t give up. Not today. Not ever. She would find a way, even if it meant starting over from scratch. She came out of her room to meet her mom and the arrogant Damon looking at her as if she is a slut, he was basically undressing her with his eyes. “Mom, he should leave “ “Look at you, with your stupid mouth! When was the last time this broke fool got you anything? You don’t even have any designer items like your sister, who always has the latest collection besides he is here to help you with your project. He is rich and influential unlike that piece of trash” Jasmine’s anger flared even more. “Mom, I don’t need his help or money.He needs to leave. Now.” Damon, who had been watching the exchange with a smug smile, finally stood up, his movements deliberate a
Chapter Thirteen Knight sat back in the plush leather seat of the Rolls-Royce, his mind racing. The world outside the tinted windows seemed to blur, but inside, his thoughts were sharp and electrifying. He had just been told that he was one of the most powerful men on the continent—him. Even the president needed him. It was surreal. “Are you serious?” Knight finally broke the silence, his voice low and disbelieving. He turned to Mr. Anderson, his trusted right-hand man. Anderson nodded calmly, his face barely betraying any emotion. “Dead serious, Young Master. You hold more power than you can imagine.” Knight leaned back, shaking his head in disbelief. The weight of it all pressed down on him, yet there was a thrill to it. “Who was in charge before me?” Anderson’s eyes flickered with something Knight couldn’t quite read. “Your grandfather. He built everything from the ground up. The empire you’re now running.” Knight frowned, a strange knot forming in his stomach. “Why didn
Chapter Fourteen “Whoa…never seen any office building this magnificent, purely a work of art“ Jasmine whispered , even though she was born from a rich home , she has never seen anything architectural structure that is breathtaking like this before. Jasmine arrived to the HEXAGON CONSORTIUM on time, the guards were polite to her because she is so beautiful despite her thrift old clothes. “She looks like an angel” the whispered among themselves when she left them to go and meet the board of directors. Jasmine stood at the front of the luxurious and pristine looking board room which was chilling cold because of the air conditioner her heart pounding. She could feel all the eyes on her, waiting. Her hands gripped the edge of the table as she glanced at Zara, the vice president of the Hexagon Consortium. Zara gave her a small, encouraging nod. “You can go on with the presentation, Jasmine,” Zara said calmly. Jasmine swallowed hard, her nerves taking over for a moment.
Chapter Fifteen Jasmine stepped out of the car after paying him her last 43 $ dollars and stood in front of her family’s house, the familiar walls towering over her like they always had. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, but one stood out: she had done it. She had won the contract. As she approached the front door, she saw Stella, her sister, leaning against the doorframe with a smug grin plastered on her face. Her arms were crossed, and Jasmine could already sense the mockery brewing in her eyes. “Well, well, well,” Stella started, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Look who’s back from her little failed adventure. You really think you're ahead of yourself now, don’t you?” Stella snorted, her laugh cruel. “To think you had the guts to pitch your dirty little proposal to the Hexagon Consortium. Who do you think you are, Jasmine?” Jasmine sighed, refusing to let her sister’s sharp words penetrate the wall of confidence she had built today. Without responding to Ste
Chapter Sixteen Jasmine met Stella's taunting gaze with a steady look, her lips curling into a smile. “You will be a pig, Stella, because I did get the contract.” Stella paused for a moment, and then she burst into laughter, the sound echoing harshly through the room. “Oh, Jasmine, you’re really going to stick with this ridiculous story, aren't you?” Stella sneered. “ “You must think we’re all fools. I don’t believe you. You’re lying.” Jasmine, unfazed, reached into her bag and pulled out a thick, official-looking document. The room watched, stunned, as she handed it to their grandmother. “Here, Grandma,” Jasmine said calmly, her voice unwavering, “read it for yourself.” Grandma took the contract in her trembling hands, her eyes squinting as she tried to make sense of the bold lettering and official stamps. The room fell silent as everyone waited. Stella's laughter had died down, replaced by an impatient scowl as she watched the old woman. Then, a gasp escaped thei
Chapter Seventeen Suddenly, the TV blared in the corner of the living room. The news anchor’s voice filled the air. “Breaking news: Hexagon Consortium has announced a $150 million contract awarded to a secret and private contractor. Speculation is rampant, but the identity remains unknown.” Everyone’s heads turned to the large flat screen television that cost about 230,000 dollars. For a second, Stella’s face twisted in confusion, but then she burst into laughter. “Oh, this is rich!” she sneered. “You think that’s you, Jasmine? You’re not a private contractor; you’re a joke! You hear that, Stefan ?” Stella turned, her laughter almost hysterical. “She really thinks she’s the big winner.” Stefan chuckled from the corner. “You? Fifty million? Don’t make me laugh, Jasmine. You’re nobody.” Jasmine clenched her fists, stepping forward, her face flushed with rage. “Shut up, Stella. You tore my contract—” Before she could finish, Henry stepped between them, grabbing Jasmine’s
Chapter Eighteen Damon stumbled into the house, his presence reeking of alcohol, holding a bottle of wine loosely in one hand. His shirt was wrinkled, and his hair disheveled. He looked around with bleary eyes, a lazy grin plastered on his face. “Well, well, well,” he slurred, swaggering toward them. “I’ve come to claim my wife. I hear there’s been a little bet, huh? Henry said he’d divorce you, Jasmine, if you didn’t get that contract.” He chuckled darkly. “Guess what? I’m here to pick you up. Let’s not waste any more time, darling.” Stella, sitting on the couch, burst into laughter. Her cruel, sharp laughter echoed through the room, adding fuel to the already tense atmosphere. “Oh, Damon, this is just too good!” she said, wiping away fake tears. “Imagine, Jasmine, thinking she could ever win a contract like that. How pathetic.” Jasmine stood up, her eyes blazing with fury. Her hands clenched into tight fists by her side. She stared at Damon with disgust. “Get
Chapter Nineteen Damon’s face twisted in anger as he straightened himself, refusing to back down. “Bow down? Over my dead body!” he snarled, glaring at Henry. “I’ll never bow down to a commoner like you, Knight!” Grandmother Woods, who had been watching in silence, suddenly struck the floor with her walking stick. The loud crack echoed through the room, making everyone jump. Her face was red with fury, her eyes narrowing at Damon. “You fool!” she shouted, her voice filled with authority. “I don’t care how rich or powerful you think you are. You swore on my ancestor’s name, in front of my late husband’s ashes, that you would honor this bet. You think you can walk away from that without consequence? You’ll bring a curse upon yourself and this family!” Damon’s eyes widened, but he quickly masked his fear with a sneer. “I’ll never bow to anyone. Not Henry. Not you. No one!” Grandmother Woods’ grip tightened on her stick. “As much as I hate that man,” she spat, pointin