Chapter 132 Ethan Drunk and Taken by Harper
Standing worriedly in place, Jasmine hurriedly called Liam. "Liam, Mr. Douglas has had a bit too much to drink. Miss Harper and the secretary drove him back, and I've bought some pills for him. I'm taking a cab back now; could you meet me?"
"Jasmine, I'm not at the hotel; Mr. Douglas sent me to handle some business in Lynnwood. I won't be back until tomorrow morning," Liam said, sounding concerned. "Take a cab back quickly."
Jasmine tried to hail a cab, but it was hard to find one by the roadside.
Growing anxious, she started running toward the hotel.
After about a five-minute dash, Jasmine finally managed to hail a cab.
"Driver, to the Bellagio Hotel, please. Could you hurry?"
The driver was responsive and took off as soon as he hit the accelerator
After paying the fare, Jasmine rushed into the hotel and toward the elevator.
"Good evening, ma'am, are you a guest of ours? We need to verify your identity. Could you please bring your ID to the Receptionist for a check?"
Jasmine froze momentarily. Despite not having stayed in a hotel for six years and being practically cut off from society during her time in prison, she knew well that a hotel would not ask guests to re-verify their identities.
Clearly, someone was deliberately trying to delay her.
"I have my room key," Jasmine said, showing the card briefly to the person.
"Sorry, but we need to check your ID."
"My ID is in my room," Jasmine replied, her anxiety growing as she tried to leave.
"Sorry, but if you can't provide an ID, we can't let you leave. We're strictly monitoring for solicitation, and you don't exactly look respectable," the hotel Receptionist said with a sneer.
Jasmine was furious, but she was in no mood to argue. "Go ahead and call the police, then."
With that, she turned to enter the elevator.
But the receptionist, visibly angry, grabbed Jasmine's arm. "Our manager has given instructions—you're not allowed in. Have you no shame? Everyone knows what you're here for. If you have any dignity left, leave now."
"And what am I here for?" Jasmine asked, looking at them.
"Aren't you just an escort? Why the pretense?" The receptionist rolled her eyes dismissively.
"Which manager told you that?" Jasmine glanced at the time, frustration welling in her eyes.
"The hotel manager sent your picture himself, ordered us not to let you in until you're checked. Everyone knows what you're up to. Stop pretending and just leave," the receptionist was adamant about not letting Jasmine pass.
Jasmine stood there, momentarily uncertain about how to quickly get upstairs.
"I'm the CEO’s assistant for Stellar Enterprises, and here is my employee badge," Jasmine suddenly remembered she had her employee badge on her and showed it briefly.
The receptionist paused, looking back at their department manager. "Sis, she says she's the CEO’s assistant, but what about what Kate said... could there be a mistake?"
"Kate told us to stop her, but we..."
Before they could finish, Jasmine had already dashed into the elevator, swiftly swiped her room key, and pressed her floor number.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
As the elevator began its ascent, Jasmine let out a sigh of relief.
She knew this was definitely Harper making things difficult for her, and yet... she was powerless to do anything about it.
On her way back, even the cab driver was aware of the Browns and the Silverlight City Douglas Family joining forces in marriage—a marriage of the century.
Judging from Howard's attitude toward Ethan, Ethan's position at Stellar Enterprises was hanging by a thread, and a strategic marriage was what he needed to secure his footing.
Clara and Daniel were probably the last people to want Ethan hitched to Harper.
The elevator doors slid open, and Jasmine hurried down the hallway to Ethan's room with a rapid clip-clop of her heels.
She anxiously knocked on the door, but there was no response from the room.
Jasmine's breathing tightened as she fumbled for the room card.
When leaving the hotel, Liam had given her both cards and told her the room number.
But upon unlocking the door, the suite was eerily vacant without a soul in sight.
Jasmine's anxiety spiked as she dialed Ethan's number, but he didn't pick up.
Harper must have checked into a different room.
"Liam, I can't find Mr. Douglas. He's not in his room. Harper could have booked another one... What should I do..." Jasmine squatted on the floor, her voice quivering with the onset of tears.
"I've located her, Harper's in 80269. Hurry over," Liam responded with urgency, having anticipated this scenario.
The way Harper looked at Mr. Douglas, she seemed like she could devour him alive.
If Jasmine arrived any later, Mr. Douglas would surely suffer.
Jasmine scrambled to her feet and dashed off.
Clip-clop-clip-clop.
Jasmine stood outside, pounding on the new door with urgency.
But Harper didn't bother opening the door.
Jasmine was on the verge of tears, but she knew now wasn't the time to cry.
Clip-clop-clip-clop.
Perhaps annoyed by Jasmine's persistent knocking, Harper finally opened the door.
Wrapped in a bath towel, her hair damp, she only cracked the door slightly. "Jasmine, what's up?" she asked with an edge.
"Where's Mr. Douglas?" Jasmine's breath came in short gasps.
"We're going to rest now," Harper said with a smile to Jasmine. "You don't have to be so nervous, Jasmine. You know the deal between Ethan and me; we're bound to marry eventually."
Jasmine clenched her fists. "I need to see Mr. Douglas."
"Jasmine, you're just an assistant," Harper said with a smirk. "Meddling in the boss's personal life isn't really appropriate, is it? Now go get some rest, and I'll take good care of Ethan."
"But right now... you two aren't married yet. I need to see Mr. Douglas." Jasmine didn't know where she found the courage, but she was determined to bring Ethan back.
Harper's expression was concerning. "Jasmine, Ethan's situation at the firm is more precarious than you might think. Marrying me is his only shot at securing his current status. Do I need to spell it out for you?"
Jasmine took a deep breath, looked down, a numbing ache spreading through her chest.
"I need to see Mr. Douglas. There's something important I have to hand off." Jasmine was adamant about seeing Ethan; his word was the only one she would adhere to.
She would only leave if Ethan wanted her to.
"Ethan, Jasmine says she needs to talk to you," Harper called out, turning her head.
There was no response from the room.
Jasmine stood by trembling and waiting.
"You see, he won't see you. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow," Harper said while she was about to close the door.
"I have some pills to help Mr. Douglas sober up..."
"Give it to me," Harper reached out for the medication.
Jasmine kept her head down, hesitating before handing over the pills.
"Jasmine, you like Ethan, don't you?" Harper smirked at her. "Let’s be real—you need to be more prudent in life. You get me? Keep your feelings hidden."
Women understand women best. Harper could see right through Jasmine's feelings for Ethan.
Jasmine panicked and denied it. "I... No, I don't..."
She dared not harbor feelings for Ethan.
She wasn't worthy.
"Six years ago, you became the biggest joke in Silverlight City. Don’t become a laughingstock again," Harper mocked with a deeper meaning and closed the door.
Jasmine stood outside; her legs stiff.
She didn't know if she should leave, or just stand guard outside.
She also wasn't sure if she should... let Ethan and Harper stay in the same room.
An alliance with the Brown family was indeed the most beneficial option for Ethan.
After all, she and Ethan were merely collaborators...
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