Chapter 11
The Campbell residence was brightly lit, with every window glowing with warmth. An eager Natalie stood at the entrance, eyes fixed on the driveway.
The moment she saw Jasmine step out of the car, she rushed over, only to pale at the sight of her daughter’s bruises and rash. “Jas, what happened to you?”
Jasmine instinctively tugged at her scarf. “Nothing. It was a little accident.”
Before Natalie could press further, Sebastian’s mother, Maureen Hackley, walked over with a warm smile. “Look at you-you’re all grown up, Jas! Last time I saw you, you were still just a little girl.”
She took Jasmine’s hand kindly. “Come on in. It’s freezing out here.”
In the courtyard, Jasmine met the rest of the Campbell family.
Sebastian sat across from her, poised and composed. He didn’t speak much, but every word he said was perfectly timed.
“I say we set the wedding for next month,” Leslie Campbell, Sebastian’s father, said as he looked lovingly at the engaged couple. “Perfect timing with the company’s anniversary celebration!”
Jasmine paused mid-bite. Next month? Wasn’t that too soon?
She turned to Sebastian, who was calmly chewing his food and showed no sign of objection to his
father’s plan.
“Jas,” Natalia whispered, “what do you actually think?”
Just as Jasmine was about to answer, her phone vibrated suddenly. The screen flashed Matthew’s name repeatedly, and she immediately declined the call.
“I’m for it,” she answered, looking up with a smile. “We’ll follow Mr. and Mrs. Campbell’s arrangements.”
Sebastian set his gaze on her, his eyes oozing with meaning.
After dinner, Maureen took Natalie for a walk in the garden, leaving Sebastian and Jasmine alone in the
living room.
“Why did you agree so readily?” he asked straight to the point. “I thought you’d want more time to think it
over.”
She swirled the wine in her glass. “I need your family’s resources.”
“To get back at them?”
Chapter 11
“Not entirely.” She set the glass down and explained, “My seven years in Horinton weren’t for nothing. I want my assets back, but I can’t be sure those two won’t try to sabotage me.
“You know, nothing cuts deeper than being betrayed by your own.”
Sebastian chuckled. “Do you need my help?”
Jasmine was taken aback. “You’d do that for me?”
“You’re going to be my wife soon,” he answered calmly, “so naturally, I must take care of your assets,”
Her heart stirred. The promise behind those words carried far more weight than any sweet nothings.
Sincerely, she said, “Thank you.”
He stood up. “I’ll take you home.”
On the way back to the Lane residence, Jasmine’s phone rang again. This time, it was Timothy.
She simply switched off her phone and looked out the window, where neon lights flickered and cars
streamed by.
“They won’t let this slide so easily,” Sebastian commented with a vague smile. “Especially not after they found out about your identity.”
She sneered coldly. “It’s not up to them.”
The car halted in front of the Lane residence. Sebastian got out and went around to open the car door for her. “Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up to try on the wedding dresses.”
Jasmine nodded.
Before she could say goodbye, a strong hand yanked her suddenly. “Jas, I finally found you!”
Matthew appeared out of nowhere, grabbing her wrist like a madman. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair messy, nothing like the polished actor he once was.
She forcefully struggled out of his grip. “Let go of me!”
Sebastian’s gaze darkened, and he stepped forward to seize Matthew’s wrist. “Sir, please step back.”
Matthew winced in pain and let go, but he still wasn’t ready to give up. “Jas, let’s just talk! Tim and I know
we were wrong. We never really liked Lynette. We only-”
“Enough!” Jasmine snapped. “Don’t make me despise you even more, Matthew.”
His face turned pale. “Jas, listen to me…”
”
“There’s nothing else I need to know from you,” she said coldly. “From the moment you chose her over me, we were done.”
