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’
Chapter Sixty-ThreeAnastasia’s voice came through with a rush of excitement as Jasmine answered her call.“Guess what? I got the job!” Anastasia’s voice practically sparkled over the phone, her excitement filling every word.Jasmine let out a loud, happy squeal. “You did?! Anna, that’s amazing! I knew you’d crush it!”Anastasia chuckled, clearly thrilled. “Thank you, Jas. I was so nervous, but I pulled through! I’m thinking… we have to celebrate. Just us. I found this gorgeous place online called the Garden of Eden—supposed to be breathtaking. What do you think?”Jasmine practically bounced on her feet. “I love that place! It’s perfect. Yes, yes, let’s do it! I’ll be there.”Later, Jasmine could hardly contain her excitement as she rushed over to Henry, who was deep in work mode. His brow furrowed as he considered his upcoming meeting, a high-stakes international deal he’d been preparing for. But then Jasmine appeared, her smile lighting up the room.“Henry!” she said, almost dancing
Chapter Sixty FourThe crowd outside the Garden of Eden buzzed with restless energy. Anastasia turned, her eyes narrowed with curiosity and a touch of frustration. She glanced back at Henry and Jasmine.“What’s going on here?” she asked, crossing her arms. “Why are we being blocked?”One of the guards, stone-faced, stepped forward. “The entire place is reserved,” he stated, his voice curt, yet strangely respectful.“Reserved?” Anastasia repeated, raising an eyebrow. “For who?”The guard maintained his impassive expression. “A high-priority guest. Supreme importance. The entire venue will be closed down for the week.”A ripple of discontent spread through the crowd, with some well-dressed patrons murmuring in disbelief. A tall, sharply dressed man scoffed nearby, his eyes flashing with indignation.“This is ridiculous,” he growled, adjusting his gold cufflinks with an air of entitlement. “I’ll throw any amount of money to get in. Name your price.”Others in the crowd nodded, a wave of