Chapter Thirty Seven Henry stood in the corner of the hall, his sharp eyes never leaving Jasmine and the Prince of Dubai. His jaw clenched slightly, but he forced himself to remain composed. The prince was being respectful. He wasn’t pushing boundaries or invading Jasmine’s space. Every interaction was polite, almost gentlemanly, which helped ease the burning jealousy gnawing at Henry’s insides. Still, his hands remained tucked firmly into his pockets, his fists balled tightly. He hated this. Hated watching another man, especially one as powerful and wealthy as the prince, showing interest in his wife. But there was no room for rashness here. Henry knew the prince was a major client for the Consortium, and he couldn’t risk doing anything foolish. Jasmine, on the other hand, had no idea how much tension was brewing behind her. She was lost in her thoughts when her mother, a stern expression on her face, suddenly grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the bathroom. “Mother!” Jas
Chapter Thirty Eight The room buzzed with tension. The flashes from cameras still lit up Jasmine’s face, and the murmurs from the crowd grew louder. She stood frozen, her heart racing, unsure of what to do or say. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as Stella, satisfied with the chaos she had caused, watched from the stage, her eyes gleaming with triumph. Just when it seemed like things couldn’t get any worse, the Prince of Dubai slowly rose from his seat. Immediately, the room went silent. Every eye turned toward him, the weight of his presence commanding attention. Even the paparazzi stopped clicking, holding their breath in anticipation. The prince smiled, his gaze sweeping the room with a calm authority. His dark eyes held a quiet amusement, though his tone was sharp. “You are all naive,” he began, his deep voice cutting through the silence. “Clearly, none of you understand real taste and class.” Gasps echoed through the room, whispers bubbling up once again. The prince
Chapter Thirty Nine Jasmine’s breath hitched as the announcement hit her like a freight train. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she couldn’t move. The words repeated in her mind, sinking in deeper with each echo.“Jasper? My useless, drug-addict brother… chairman?” Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with disbelief.She felt the world collapse around her. She had worked tirelessly for this moment, sacrificing her time, energy, and her very soul to ensure everything was perfect. Now, standing there in her finest gown, with everyone watching, it all felt like a cruel joke. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them back, refusing to break down.From across the room, her grandmother’s cold voice pierced through the haze of emotions. “Stop whining, Jasmine,” Grandmother Woods said, her tone sharp and without an ounce of sympathy. “You didn’t hold up your end of the bargain.”Jasmine’s breath caught. “What?” Her voice was shaky, but she tried to hold on to h
Chapter Forty Gasps echoed through the Grand majestic hall as Henry Knight rose to his feet. The sudden movement drew every eye, and whispers cascaded like a waterfall. “That can’t be him,” someone murmured, disbelief coloring their tone. “Not that useless son-in-law,” another hissed, contempt evident. “Why is this nobody trying to pretend to be someone else?” a voice questioned, sharp and accusatory. “He should be escorted out for wasting the time of dignitaries,” an indignant guest proclaimed, their voice rising above the murmurs. Jasmine turned to her husband, tears streaming down her face, her expression a mix of shock and pleading. “What are you doing? Sit down, Henry. I don’t want anyone to insult you,” she begged, her voice trembling. Even the Prince of Dubai regarded Henry with suspicion , his gaze piercing and unyielding. Grandmother Woods struck her cane on the ground, the sharp sound reverberating through the room, her voice escalating in fury. “Why is this n
Chapter Forty-OneGrandmother Woods, her face lined with the wisdom of years and the weight of countless decisions, made her way towards Zara. The grand hall had quieted, but the tension in the air was almost tangible. Zara was busy packing her things, ready to leave. Grandmother Woods, knowing how much was at stake, could not let her go without answers."Zara," she called softly, trying to mask the urgency in her voice. She put on a calm expression, but underneath, the panic was building. "What's going on? Why are the Hexagon Consortium turning against us? Betraying and embarrassing our family like this?"Zara paused for a moment, but when she turned to face Grandmother Woods, her eyes were cold and resolute. “The deal," she said, her voice firm, "was made with Jasmine Knight, not Mr. Jasper Woods. That means everything your grandson has been doing is invalid, completely void."The words struck like a blow. Grandmother Woods stared, momentarily speechless. She had prided herself on
Chapter Forty-TwoHenry woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The empty side of the bed told him Jasmine had already left. He sat up, stretching, when his eyes caught a note left neatly on the nightstand.*Gone to work. Have a great day. Love you.*He smiled, shaking his head in admiration. Even though she had barely slept after yesterday’s chaos, she had still risen early to take on her new responsibilities as chairwoman of Woods Empires. He knew how much this meant to her, but he also knew the toll it would take.Jasmine was determined, no doubt, but the staff at Woods Empires weren’t going to make it easy. He had overheard them yesterday—disrespectful whispers, cold stares, and blatant disregard for her authority. They didn’t see her as the powerful woman she was. But instead of reacting, she had buried herself in her work, focusing on the mountain of documents and laptops that covered her desk.Henry admired that about her. She didn’t let anyone get und
Chapter Forty-ThreeAs the group of wealthy socialites sat in the lavish café, sipping their expensive teas, one of them eyed Henry curiously. She leaned in toward Henry’s mother-in-law, her voice dripping with skepticism."Stop lying," she said, smirking. "Everyone knows your first and only son-in-law is an orphan and a poor nobody. How can he be anything more?"Henry’s mother-in-law’s face flushed with embarrassment. Her mouth opened, and for a second, she was lost for words. The socialite had hit a nerve, and she could feel the weight of the women’s judgmental stares pressing down on her."I am not lying!" she said, her voice rising in defense. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to maintain her composure. "Actually, Henry can be considered my *ex* son-in-law. My beautiful daughter has found a new match, someone much more worthy."The group leaned in closer, their eyes gleaming with curiosity. One of them, a woman with diamond-studded sunglasses perched on her head, laugh
Chapter Forty-FourThe ride back from the mall had been quiet until Henry’s mother-in-law’s phone rang. She picked it up with a quick, irritated motion, glancing at the screen. When she saw the caller ID, her eyes narrowed."What is it now?" she muttered before pressing the phone to her ear. Her face quickly shifted from annoyance to shock as she listened."You’re telling me all of it is gone?" Her voice cracked. "How could this happen?"Henry kept his eyes on the road, pretending not to listen, but it was impossible to ignore. His mother-in-law’s face drained of color as she continued the conversation, her fingers gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.It seemed the elite women’s association had just discovered that their overseas investments, which they had poured their money into, had been part of a scam. This was their prized "get-rich-quick" scheme, a way to fund their lavish lifestyles, designer bags, and shoes. The news hit her like a freight train."Turn the
Jasmine stood in front of the large window of their penthouse, gazing out at the glittering city lights. The night was quiet, but her heart wasn’t. It raced with an unexplainable tension that had built over the evening. Her fingers traced the edge of the silk robe she wore, the fabric light against her skin, yet somehow carrying the weight of her anticipation.Behind her, she felt the faintest shift in the air—a presence. She didn’t need to turn to know it was Henry. She could feel him, his energy wrapping around her like an invisible tether. “I couldn’t find you in bed,” he said, his voice low and husky, sending a ripple down her spine. “Were you thinking about me?”Jasmine smiled, her reflection meeting his in the glass. “Always.”The sound of his bare feet on the hardwood floors was soft, yet every step he took made her pulse quicken. In moments, his arms wrapped around her waist, his chest pressing against her back. She let out a small gasp as his lips brushed against her shoulde
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