Chapter 137 Jasmine, Protect Your Man
"Huh?" Jasmine thought she had misheard, convinced she was mistaken.
"You don't seriously intend to have me marry into the Brown family, do you?" Ethan asked nonchalantly, reclining on the couch.
Jasmine opened her mouth, struggling to find words. "Mr. Douglas... At the moment, a marriage... marrying into the Brown family would be most advantageous for your position at Stellar Enterprises."
"Do I really need to trade my marriage to secure my place?" Ethan questioned.
Jasmine gasped, realizing it might not really be necessary. "But... It could solve a lot of problems."
"Then, what would be the point of our collaboration?" Ethan mused with reluctance, wishing Jasmine would catch on faster.
Panic hit Jasmine like a wave.
Ethan was implying that if he married into the Brown family, she would lose her purpose and value.
Indeed, it seemed to be the case.
The Browns could offer a permanent solution.
It was something she couldn't provide.
Tears brimming, Jasmine lowered her gaze to her hands. "So... When do you plan, to...divorce me?"
What was she to do? Was this the end of her relationship with Ethan?
Jasmine was terrified.
Zelda was emerging, and without Ethan, who would protect her?
"If you don't want to devalue yourself, then take good care of your man," Ethan teased Jasmine, nudging her to be more astute and to 'take care' of Harper whenever she saw him.
Jasmine felt even scarier, leading her closer to tears. Was Ethan blaming her for not protecting him last night?
"Okay... Mr. Douglas, I got it, I got it," she stammered. From now on, before Ethan drank anything, she would make sure to test it for any foul play.
Any drink meant for Ethan that she could intercept, she would. She would drink it herself.
Ethan cast a skeptical glance at Jasmine. Was she really getting it, or was she just putting on an act? Why did she look so distressed?
Had last night frightened her that bad?
"You should get some sleep." Ethan decided to stop teasing Jasmine and encouraged her to rest.
However, sleep was the last thing Jasmine could manage as she shivered, huddling under the covers.
She thought fear would keep her awake, yet exhaustion won over, and Jasmine quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The room and the bed carried Ethan's distinct scent, which comforted Jasmine. Curled up under the covers with even her head ensconced, she slept soundly.
Meanwhile, Ethan was conducting a video conference in complete silence, not wanting to disturb Jasmine by keeping his voice extremely low.
The executives on the other end thought Ethan seemed under the weather. "Mr. Douglas, there are several competitive companies in this afternoon's bidding. Please take a look."
"Mhm," Ethan muttered in acknowledgment.
"Mr. Douglas, for next quarter's departmental---"
"Stop..." Suddenly, Jasmine began to thrash restlessly in her sleep, her voice tinged with a cry.
Ethan looked over anxiously and gestured for silence to the people in the video conference.
At the company headquarters' conference room, all the staff were stunned to see Ethan in what clearly looked like a hotel environment and there was someone else in his room.
Ethan got up and headed to the bed, gently pulling down the covers and offering a resigned smile, whimsically chiding, "You know you won't suffocate under there, right?"
"Don't...don't leave me behind, please... Don't go," she murmured.
Over the years, bad dreams had often tormented Jasmine. Her most desperate moment was when Evan had abandoned her six years earlier, letting strangers violate her.
Ethan's gaze was complex, a strange ache in his chest.
He wondered why he hadn’t met Jasmine sooner, and been there to protect her.
If he, not Daniel, had been the one to meet Jasmine from the start, maybe she wouldn't have had to go through all those ordeals.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Ethan comforted her softly.
...
Back to the video conference, the tension in the conference room was palpable among the executives of Stellar Enterprises; though they couldn't see what was happening on the other side, they could faintly hear Ethan’s soothing voice, which was shockingly tender.
It was a side of Ethan they had never seen in all their years at Stellar Enterprises.
"It's Ms. Harper," one of them shared. "We've seen the news. Reporters last night and this morning have been buzzing about Mr. Douglas and Ms. Harper entering the hotel together and going into the same room."
A female employee chuckled, whispering under her breath, Harper is one lucky lady, to be so doted on by our Mr. Douglas."
"The Browns are quite an influential family, after all. She is recognized by our Chairman as a future daughter-in-law."
It was a while before Ethan returned, his usual aloof demeanor restored. "All departments will submit their reports to their heads for review. Kimberly, the Vice President of Operations, is stepping down. The Operations Department will hand their reports directly to me. As for her successor, think about who you want to recommend—we'll discuss it when I get back."
Ethan spoke with a weighty undertone, signaling his intent to start reorganizing the company.
Howard dared to use the company to threaten him?
Well, he would just have to wait and see.
...
Back in Harper’s room, she was on the phone.
"Harper, I’ve informed Mr. Howard about the situation here and how you cared for Mr. Douglas all night. The Chairman is very pleased," Michael, her secretary, reported over the phone.
"You did well, Michael. Once I marry into the Douglas family and join the company, I’ll make sure to promote you," Harper said with a smile.
"Then, allow me to congratulate the future CEO’s wife in advance," responded the savvy secretary Michael.
"By the way, I've heard from the hotel staff that Ethan is digging into last night's events. It's only a matter of time before he gets to you. Just remember what to say and what not to say," Harper cautioned Michael.
The secretary grew anxious. "Harper, you have to help me. I did all this for you."
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Ethan can't touch you. You’re the Chairman's aide, and Ethan would need his approval to fire you. Plus, once I back you, Ethan's anger will subside eventually," Harper reassured him.
"Your words give me peace of mind. Get some rest, ma'am. I have to prepare for this afternoon’s bidding," he said, drawing the conversation to a close.
"Hmm, keep a close eye on Clara and her daughter's every move. Clara trusts you, but you need to remember who you're really working for," Harper said coolly.
She was set to marry Ethan, so naturally, she needed to help him solidify his position at Stellar Enterprises.
That made Clara and Daniel her enemies.
Michael, the secretary, was playing the role of a double agent.
He was placed by Chairman Howard at Ethan's side under the guise of assistance, but in reality, his job was to keep a close watch.
Clara had already gotten cozy with Michael.
Michael was the type who could charm anyone with his cunning smile, always welcoming of new connections.
He tried to play both sides, but it was neither simple nor easy.
Today's afternoon bid for the Hawaii project, who would win was still up for grabs.
Daniel and Clara were no pushovers either.
...
Daniel had returned to Clara’s room with a sour look.
Ethan had actually sent him to oversee a desert project—it was clearly a set-up to trip him up.
"Pathetic," Clara uttered coldly. "It's a good thing I hit it off with Otis Phelps’s mother, or you wouldn't stand a chance this time!"
Daniel hung his head and said nothing.
"Did Ethan bring Jasmine with him for the bid this afternoon?" Clara inquired.
"Yes..." Daniel nodded. "Jasmine is his assistant now."
"Hmph, perfect. This afternoon, as long as we make Ethan look bad, our chances will improve. A woman like Jasmine, with her questionable reputation, is ideal for stirring up trouble for Ethan." Clara sneered. They couldn't find any dirt on Ethan, so they would have to target Jasmine.
"What are you planning to do..." Daniel asked anxiously.
"I've found some men who will cause a scene with Jasmine at the bid. Jasmine's reputation and background are shady at best. Now that she's Ethan's assistant, it won't reflect well on him. Once the farce unfolds, the partners will naturally question Ethan's judgment in choosing an assistant, and without wanting to offend Stellar Enterprises, they'll have to turn to us instead, get it?" Clara said with a cold laugh.
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