Chapter 121 Ethan Claims Jasmine as His Own
In the executive dining area on the second floor, the ambiance matched that of a five-star hotel—it was exclusive to company executives.
Jasmine felt like a country bumpkin entering the big city. The contrast between the bustling common dining area and this serene, upscale setting was striking.
Jasmine pointed at the neatly arranged fruit and meal sections and asked, "Can we just... help ourselves to all this?"
Liam chuckled. "Yeah, help yourself."
It seemed Jasmine's competence had truly earned Liam's respect, gradually changing how he treated her.
Jasmine's face lit up with a smile as she looked at the perfectly sliced fruit in the preservation area delightedly.
She might not have realized it, but she was in a better mood lately. "This fruit is expensive."
Jasmine picked up a piece, murmuring quietly to herself as if she was in a private conversation.
Liam looked at her with a teasing smile. "You need to eat more. Look at how thin you are. That frail, pale thinness is an unhealthy standard of beauty. Men should appreciate a woman with curves. Look at you, you’re all skin and bones, while others have all the right curves. How can you command presence like that?"
Jasmine lowered her gaze to her chest and swallowed hard, remaining silent.
In truth, she had some curves. They just didn't show much...
"Here, have some more of this," Liam insisted, loading her plate like she was family rather than a guest.
Jasmine hurriedly took the food, stuttering. "I can't... I can't eat all this.
"It's too much..." Jasmine nearly lost her grip on the plate as it almost slipped from her hands.
Someone behind her reached out to steady it.
Turning around, Jasmine sucked in a breath in surprise. "Mr. Douglas..."
"The doctor recommended you fast at lunch, Mr. Douglas," Liam remarked, puzzled to see Ethan there.
Ethan's face was stern as he thought about when to transfer Liam to another department. "Have some soup."
Liam nodded. "I'll get it for you!"
Ethan took the plate from Jasmine, leaving her standing awkwardly where she was.
Thankfully, the executive dining area was empty...
Otherwise, Ethan coming to her aid would be the talk of the company the next day.
"Why does Stellar Enterprises' cafeteria food draw you in?" Henry strolled in, grasping Jasmine's wrist with a resigned tone.
Caught off guard, Jasmine pulled her wrist away.
Henry stood by Jasmine, but his gaze was fixed on Ethan. "How about we go out to eat? Should I ask Mr. Douglas if I can take a leave of absence?"
It was clear. Henry was putting on a show for Ethan.
"My people don't get time off," Ethan stated flatly, his voice cold.
"Ethan!" Henry was losing his patience.
Ethan, however, was as serene and unaffected as a noble straight out of a fairytale.
Jasmine didn’t dare look at Ethan. That man shone too brightly.
"Mr. Patrick! Come and taste our chef's skills. We have anything they have outside. Feel free to order anything!" Liam dashed over as if he was sprinting to smooth things over with Henry. "Please, take a seat, Mr. Patrick."
He pulled out a chair for Henry. "Jasmine, aren't you going to pour some water for Mr. Patrick?"
Jasmine nodded quickly and scurried off to fetch a glass of water for Henry.
Alone with Ethan, Henry spoke in a serious tone. "Ethan, what are you trying to pull?"
It was clear Ethan was challenging him.
"It's simple—she's with me now," Ethan stated with an air of nonchalance.
Henry's fists tightened. "How long do you think she'll last at Stellar Enterprises?"
"As long as I'm at Stellar Enterprises, I've got her back."
Ethan's presence was formidable, and sparks seemed to fly just at a glance between the two men.
"Let's just wait and see," Henry said with a smirk.
He didn't believe that Ethan could really protect Jasmine.
'He’s all talk', he thought. When Jasmine became a dead weight Ethan wanted to ditch, Henry was sure Ethan wouldn't dare stand up to Stellar Enterprises, let alone the entire business circle.
Henry knew very well that even if he didn't make a move, the power players within Stellar Enterprises, the Browns, the Wilsons, and even the Douglases—would take action.
All he had to do was sit back and watch Ethan lose.
"Mr. Patrick, your water," Jasmine said softly as she poured Henry a glass. "What would you like to eat?"
Reclining in his chair with a sly grin, Henry responded, "Since Mr. Douglas is picking up the tab, he can order for me."
Ethan kept silent with a dark expression on his face.
Taking a deep breath, Jasmine stuttered, "M-Mr. Douglas..."
"Tell the chef that Mr. Patrick likes to stay fit. He prefers his meals light—no oil or salt. Just poached chicken breast, boiled eggs, and steamed greens," Ethan said with a subtle smile.
Jasmine exclaimed. "Ah!" Did that actually taste good?
Once Jasmine left, Henry spoke up. "I never realized how childish you could be, Ethan."
"The feeling's mutual," Ethan grunted.
Henry gritted his teeth. "We'll just see who ends up winning. She's mine, the mother of my son."
"You've already lost," Ethan retorted, not letting on that he and Jasmine were now legally married.
"This is just the beginning," Henry retorted, confident that Ethan wouldn't last.
...
The Wilson family.
Serena lay in bed, feigning frailty ever since the day she had faked a fainting spell at the entrance of Stellar Enterprises.
"How are you feeling, Serena?" Karen was deeply worried about her daughter, her face clouded with anger. "I've been so preoccupied with taking care of you these past few days that I haven’t had a moment to settle the score with her.”
She couldn’t believe Jasmine would dare to mess with her daughter in broad daylight.
"Mom... Maybe Jasmine didn't do it on purpose," Serena said weakly.
"Are you still defending her? She doesn't deserve it!" Karen retorted with pronounced fury.
"Ma'am, Miss Harper Brown is here to see Serena," the housekeeper whispered from outside the door.
Serena paused. Harper?
She and Harper had never been particularly close. She was reclusive and preferred quiet. Their interactions at social events had been limited to nods of acknowledgment. What did she want?
"Please, bring her in," Karen said with a welcoming smile. "It's good for you to chat with friends, Serena. I'll get you justice today, no matter what."
PAfter Karen left Serena's bedroom, she walked into the living room with a stern face. "Evan, your sister has been bullied, and you just sit here doing nothing? What are you waiting for? Go bring Jasmine back!"
"Mom..." Evan massaged his temples, feeling a headache set in. "This situation really isn't Jasmine's fault."
"Are you starting taking Jasmine's side now, Evan?" Karen questioned angrily.
Evan looked down in silence. "Ethan sent me the surveillance footage from the Stellar Enterprises entrance that day, from three different angles. It was all very clear. He slowed it down so I could see everything."
Evan understood that this was Ethan's way of warning him to keep his hands off Jasmine.
"And... there's also the Marina Bay project. Stellar Enterprises delayed the final installment, and our cash flow is suffering." Evan hadn't expected Ethan to go this far for Jasmine.
Stellar Enterprises was connected to the Wilson family through marriage, so they always prioritized payment to the Wilsons. However, because of the shove he had given Jasmine at the company’s entrance, that very evening, the project team reported a financial block, stating that payments would be made at the last contractual deadline.
The Wilsons had grown accustomed to early payments from Stellar Enterprises. Any delay would clog their cash flow, push back project deadlines, and tarnish their hard-earned reputation—a butterfly effect in motion.
Ethan was a formidable man, indeed. With a simple flick of his wrist, he could bring companies that depended on Stellar Enterprises to their knees.
Fortunately, the Wilsons' foundations were solid, and Ethan hadn't been ruthless with them.
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