Chapter Fifty-Five The front door creaked open, and Henry stepped into the house, his presence immediately bringing a sense of calm to Jasmine. She stood up, a warm smile spreading across her face as she went to greet her husband. The day had been overwhelming, but seeing Henry walk in gave her the comfort she desperately needed. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, and he gently returned the embrace, his lips brushing the top of her head in a soft, reassuring gesture. Anastasia stood up as well, her radiant smile brightening the room even more. Henry smiled at her and nodded in acknowledgment, offering a warm handshake. He knew how much Jasmine valued her friendship with Anastasia. Jasmine was an introvert, someone who struggled to open up to others, but Anastasia had always been her safe space. She had been the only friend who stood beside Jasmine at their wedding as a witness, never judging, never looking down on Henry. For that, Henry held her in high regard.
Chapter Fifty-SixJasper strutted toward his shiny new red Ferrari with a cocky grin plastered on his face, the engine roaring to life as he revved it up, making sure everyone within earshot heard it. He leaned casually against the door, his fingers tapping the hood as if to show off. The arrogance in his stance was palpable, and it was clear to everyone around that he was dying to be the center of attention.“Why don’t you come and let me give you a ride?” Jasper asked Anastasia, flashing her a smug smile as if he were offering her the world.Her bodyguards exchanged looks, clearly unimpressed by Jasper’s display. They rolled their eyes at him, knowing full well that Anastasia’s luxury was on another level. If only Jasper knew that the Rolex on Anastasia’s wrist was worth more than his entire Ferrari and designer clothes combined. But Anastasia wasn’t one to engage in childish games. She smiled politely and declined.“Oh, thank you, but Jasmine and Henry will ride with me in my car
Chapter Fifty-SevenThe CEO led the group through the grand lobby of The Penthouse to an exclusive, private elevator that opened directly into the most luxurious restaurant in the building. The restaurant itself was a masterpiece, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city’s glittering skyline. Soft, ambient lighting gave the room a golden glow, and in the corner, the world’s finest opera singer performed alongside a renowned violinist, their music weaving an atmosphere of elegance and serenity.Henry and Jasmine admired the ambiance, feeling like they had stepped into a scene from a dream. Anastasia, accustomed to the luxury, still found herself impressed by the level of attention and care the restaurant offered. It was clear that this place catered only to the world’s elite.As they settled in, the CEO’s phone buzzed, and after glancing at the screen, he gave them an apologetic smile. “Please excuse me for a moment. I have a matter to attend to,” he said,
Chapter Fifty-EightThe air in the restaurant grew tense as the two soldiers took a step forward, their presence looming over the table like a dark cloud.The once elegant and serene atmosphere was now filled with an unsettling silence, and all eyes turned toward Jasper, who was still sitting smugly in his seat.One of the soldiers, tall and stoic, spoke first.“Who are you?” His voice was deep, commanding, and left no room for negotiation. “And why did you forge a signature on the reservation? This table is not for you.”Jasper blinked, the smug grin falling from his face as confusion set in.“What? What are you talking about?” he stammered, his voice faltering.Henry, who had just returned from his phone call, paused, looking between Jasper and the soldiers. He furrowed his brow, clearly confused by the sudden confrontation.“I’m sorry, what’s going on here?” Henry asked, trying to get a grasp of the situation.The second soldier, more rigid in his demeanor, turned to Henry and poin
Chapter Fifty-NineHenry stood poised, his gaze steady as one of the soldiers moved toward him, trying to grab his arm. Each time the soldier reached out, Henry simply sidestepped, not even breaking a sweat. The crowd watched, captivated, as he avoided every move with ease and grace, not even lifting a finger to fight back.“Stand still!” the soldier barked, frustration brewing. His face turned red, and the veins on his neck began to pulse. But Henry remained calm, his expression unreadable.“I wouldn’t do this if I were you,” Henry replied coolly, keeping his hands relaxed by his sides. “I’m here to enjoy a meal, not cause a scene.”The soldier’s frustration only grew. Unable to handle being outsmarted, he reached for his electric taser, his fingers trembling. He was about to press the trigger when a loud, authoritative voice echoed across the room.“Stop!” The CEO’s voice sliced through the tension like a blade.The soldiers froze, their heads turning in surprise as the CEO himsel
Chapter SixtyHenry cut into his steak, savoring each bite, the rich flavors settling pleasantly on his tongue. He was hardly paying attention to the murmur of voices around him until he overheard Anastasia’s excited voice just across the table.“HEXAGON Consortium? That’s impressive,” Jasmine said, her voice soft yet intrigued as she leaned closer. “But why leave Switzerland? You must have options there, surely?”Anastasia’s eyes lit up with determination. “Because Hexagon Consortium is the best. They’re the leaders in AI engineering—no other company can compete, not even back home.” She glanced around, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “They’re strict, Jas. No bribes, no favoritism. They don’t care who your family is or how much money you have. It’s all about talent, raw and refined.”Jasmine’s eyebrows rose, impressed. “I wish we had that in the Woods Empire,” she admitted with a sigh, the weight of her own responsibilities momentarily clouding her gaze. “It’s a long ro
Chapter Sixty-OneJasmine’s mother, Mrs. Whitmore, paced the hallway, her expensive heels clicking against the marble floor. Her face showed a mix of eagerness and impatience as she waited for Jasper to arrive. She had given him a simple task, or so she thought—an opportunity to win over Anastasia and bring their family closer to the kind of influence she craved. But Jasper was nowhere in sight.As she spotted Henry and Jasmine approaching, she stepped forward, her eyes narrowing as she scanned for her son.“Where’s Jasper?” she demanded, her voice sharp with irritation.Henry raised a brow, keeping his calm. “I don’t know, Mrs. Whitmore,” he replied evenly. He could feel her anger rising but held his ground.Mrs. Whitmore’s face twisted in frustration. She clenched her jaw, clearly holding back, but her sharp tongue wouldn’t stay quiet.“Useless,” she muttered, loud enough for Henry to hear. Her eyes blazed as she continued, her tone laced with disdain. “You’re nothing but a bastar
Chapter Sixty TwoJasper woke up the next day, his head pounding, his body aching, and his mind buzzing with the sting of humiliation. His jaw clenched as flashes of the previous night surfaced—his drunken, disheveled self, sprawled outside the penthouse, Anastasia’s cold slap, and Henry’s smug, silent judgment. He squeezed his eyes shut, his fists balling under the covers as anger rose inside him.“Mocking me… that bastard’s probably laughing at me right now,” he muttered, his voice low, bitter. His mother’s disappointment was inevitable; he knew she would be waiting, ready to unleash her sharp words and disappointed looks, rubbing salt into his wounds.Unable to face her, he decided to slip out quietly. He tossed on some clothes, threw on a cap to shield his face, and left the house through a side entrance. It was early, the morning chill biting at him as he hurried down the street, but he didn’t care. All he wanted was to escape—to find a place where he didn’t have to face anyone’