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
Chapter Twenty Jasmine stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was suffocating, and the weight of her family’s expectations pressed down on her like a ton of bricks. Jasper, her younger brother, stood tall and smug, his arms crossed over his chest, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Over my dead body will you ever become the chairman of this family’s business!” Jasper sneered, stepping forward. “I’m the male heir, Jasmine. The only male. This business is mine by right.” Their mother, standing beside Jasper, nodded in agreement. Her cold gaze fell on Jasmine, and she spoke with a voice that cut like ice. “Jasper is right. You might be older than him by a year, but he is the first male child. That makes him the legal heir to the Woods family empire.” Jasmine felt the world spin around her. Her knees weakened, and for a moment, she thought she might collapse. How could her own mother say something so cruel? Didn’t she see how irresponsible Jasper was? Didn’t
Chapter Twenty One Jasmine stood in front of her mirror, her mind racing with thoughts of the impossible task ahead of her. The pressure was suffocating, but she knew she had no choice. She had to get the president of HEXAGON to attend the signing ceremony, or everything she had worked for would be taken away by her irresponsible brother, Jasper. She couldn’t let that happen. She carefully selected her outfit—a simple, elegant dress that wasn’t too flashy but still looked respectable. Before leaving, she grabbed a bottle of fine wine from the mansion’s wine cellar , a gesture of courtesy and appreciation. She hoped it would show respect to Zara, the vice president of HEXAGON, whom she had met briefly once before. Jasmine knew Zara had influence, and she needed her on her side. As she arrived at the towering glass building of the HEXAGON Consortium, Jasmine took a deep breath. This was her only shot, and failure was not an option. Inside the sleek lobby, a new secretary sat at
Chapter Twenty Two Late that night, long after Jasmine had gone to bed, Jasper and his mother crept silently down the dark hallway toward their grandmother’s room. The house was quiet, the only sound being the faint creak of the wooden floors beneath their feet. Jasper glanced over at his mother, who gave him a firm nod, urging him forward. They had a plan, and they needed to execute it perfectly. When they reached Grandmother Woods’ door, Jasper gently pushed it open. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a bedside lamp, casting long shadows across the walls. Grandmother Woods was sitting up in bed, her silver hair pinned neatly as always. She looked up from the book she was reading, her face calm, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes. “What are you two doing here at this hour?” she asked, her voice low but firm. Jasper exchanged a quick look with his mother before stepping forward. “Grandmother,” he began, his voice smooth, “we know the president of HEXAGON h
Jasmine sat by the window, her legs curled beneath her as the late afternoon sun bathed her in its golden light. She gazed out at the city below, her heart still racing from the memories of the morning. Her fingers absently traced the edge of the glass, the coolness grounding her as her mind swirled with thoughts of Henry.She hadn’t known it could feel like this—so overwhelming, so consuming. Every touch, every kiss, had unraveled her, leaving her bare and vulnerable, but never more alive. Her chest rose and fell with a deep, steadying breath, but the longing that lingered in her heart was undeniable.The soft creak of the bedroom door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned, her eyes meeting Henry’s as he leaned against the frame, his shirt unbuttoned and hanging loosely, revealing the taut muscles of his chest. His dark eyes held a familiar intensity, one that sent a shiver racing through her body.“Penny for your thoughts?” he asked, his voice low and smooth, the kind of voice th
Henry leaned against the kitchen counter, a glass of water in his hand as the cool liquid soothed his parched throat. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden rays across the marble surfaces. The house was silent, save for the faint hum of the city below, but his mind was far from calm. Thoughts of Jasmine—her soft laughter, the way her skin had glowed in the morning light—lingered like a heady fog.Jasmine appeared in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the soft light. She wore nothing but one of his oversized shirts, the fabric brushing just above her knees. Her hair was tousled, her cheeks still flushed from their earlier intimacy. The sight of her sent a wave of desire rushing through Henry’s veins, his breath catching as their eyes met.“You left me alone,” she said softly, her voice teasing but with an edge of vulnerability.Henry set the glass down, his gaze darkening as he took a step toward her. “I thought you were resting.”Her lips curved into a s
Henry stirred awake as the faint golden light of dawn streamed through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. The air was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the city waking below. His body was warm, wrapped in the comfort of the plush sheets and the softness of Jasmine nestled beside him.He turned his head slightly, his eyes landing on her serene face. Her dark lashes rested against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted as she slept peacefully. Her hair cascaded over the pillow like silk, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest made his heart clench with a warmth he hadn’t felt in years.Henry couldn’t resist reaching out. His fingers brushed against her cheek, featherlight, and she stirred at the touch, her eyelids fluttering open. Her sleepy gaze met his, and a soft smile spread across her lips.“Good morning,” she murmured, her voice husky from sleep.“Good morning,” Henry replied, his voice low, filled with affection. His hand moved to tuck a stray strand of hair
The soft glow of the candles followed them as Henry scooped Jasmine into his arms. Her skin was still damp from the bath, warm and soft against his chest. She let out a quiet gasp, wrapping her arms around his neck, her lips brushing lightly against his jaw."Henry," she whispered, her voice a mix of nervousness and anticipation.He paused, his dark eyes meeting hers. "Are you sure, Jasmine?" His voice was low, filled with both tenderness and restraint. "I don’t want to rush this if you’re not ready."Her cheeks flushed, and she gave him a small, reassuring smile. "I’ve never been more ready for anything."The sincerity in her eyes made his chest tighten. With a soft nod, he carried her into the bedroom, the faint scent of lavender still lingering in the air. The golden light from the bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the room, the shadows of the night dancing along the walls.Henry set her down gently on the edge of the bed, his movements careful, reverent. He knelt before her, his
Henry staggered through the door of his penthouse, his body weighed down by exhaustion. The soft glow of the evening lights spilled through the windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors. He loosened his tie, his every muscle aching from the relentless grind of the last few weeks. His mind was fogged with exhaustion, but he couldn’t help the flicker of pride at what he’d accomplished.“Henry?” Jasmine’s soft voice floated from the bedroom. The sound was like a balm to his frayed nerves.“I’m here,” he called back, his voice rough. He dropped his briefcase by the door and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.Jasmine appeared in the doorway, her figure bathed in the warm light of the room. She wore a silk robe that clung to her curves, her eyes filled with concern as she crossed the room toward him.“You look like you’ve been through a war,” she said, brushing her fingers over his jaw. Her touch was featherlight, but it sent a spark of warmth through him.“It feels like
Henry stormed out of the estate, his steps heavy and purposeful as the night air hit him like a slap to the face. The faint hum of the helicopters above was drowned out by the pounding of his heart. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His grandfather’s words echoed in his head, their sharp edges cutting deep.“You’re not family,” Henry muttered to himself, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. “I’m just another asset to him. Another chess piece.”The guards standing outside the gates straightened as Henry approached, their gazes wary. He shot them a glare so fierce that one of them visibly flinched.“Open the damn gate,” Henry snapped, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.The guard hesitated for a fraction of a second before obeying. The gates creaked open, and Henry strode out without sparing them another glance. The crunch of gravel beneath his feet was a harsh reminder of the cold reality he was leaving behind.Anderson caught up to him, his pa
The room seemed to shrink as Henry’s grandfather stood. His every movement was deliberate, exuding a power so commanding it felt like the very air was holding its breath. The sharp lines of his tailored black suit amplified his imposing frame, and the insignia of the Grand Commander gleamed on his chest like a badge of omnipotence. His presence filled the room, an aura so intense it was almost tangible, crackling like an electrical storm.The two guards by the door immediately bowed, their heads lowered so deeply that they nearly touched the floor. Outside the study, Henry could hear the shuffle of footsteps and murmurs as more people fell to their knees, as if in reverence to a god descending from the heavens.Henry stood frozen, his jaw clenched, refusing to bow. His fists tightened at his sides as he watched the scene unfold. The man before him wasn’t just his grandfather—he was a living legend, a shadow that loomed over every story whispered in corridors of power.“Grand Commander
The sun was just beginning to set when Henry stood outside the estate, leaning against the sleek black car. The orange glow of twilight brushed his sharp features as he thought about Evelyn’s words, the lies she had spun, and the deeper trap he might have walked into. The air was heavy, filled with the faint scent of jasmine from the estate’s sprawling gardens, but Henry wasn’t in the mood to appreciate the beauty. His mind was a storm. Suddenly, a rickety old cart clattered down the gravel driveway. A man, hunched over with a woven hat shadowing his face, pushed the cart. It was piled high with potatoes, their earthy smell wafting in the air as the wheels squeaked with every turn. Henry frowned. “Who let him in here?” he muttered to himself. The man approached, his movements deliberate but unassuming. As he neared, Henry noticed his ragged clothes and dirt-stained hands. But there was something oddly off. His stride, though hidden under a limping shuffle, was too calculated. T
The room was frozen in a thick tension, every breath coming slow and heavy. Jasmine looked between Henry and her mother, her face pale and her mind racing. She was about to speak when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the grand hall.The doors burst open, revealing a woman in her mid-sixties, dressed in an oversized floral gown and sturdy slippers that made her presence feel more dominating than any weapon could. Her face was set in a fierce scowl, her sharp features pulled tight as her gaze immediately zeroed in on Henry.“Henry Caine!” she bellowed, storming into the room without a care for the grandeur around her. “You think you can embarrass my daughter and her fiancé in front of the entire congregation and get away with it?”Jasmine flinched, recognizing the fiery presence of her Aunt Patricia, her mother’s older sister, who was infamous for speaking her mind without restraint. Evelyn’s calm façade broke as she stood up quickly, her sharp tone cutting through.“Patric