Chapter 200 The Mastermind Behind the Fake Heiress Case is Released from Prison
Ethan's mood carried a tinge of melancholy as he observed Jasmine. He had brought her to this serene place as a means to alleviate her social anxiety. Though she disliked mingling with others, she found solace in swimming and admiring the sea vistas.
His intention was to help Jasmine unwind, yet here she was, fully engrossed in her work.
"Mr. Ethan, take a look at this - we've received a new energy project proposal from a small company that's gaining traction. They've secured a million dollars in a crowd-funding round and are already advancing into Series B. Do you think you can negotiate a collaboration?" Jasmine's eyes gleamed with excitement, her words flowing smoothly without a hint of hesitation.
Ethan, reclining in the pool, glanced up at Jasmine with a touch of resignation. He admired her dedication to her work - she was truly captivating when she was so focused. However, at that moment, all he yearned for was her company in the water.
"Mr. Ethan, can you make it happen?" impatience tinged Jasmine's voice.
He needed to respond promptly. If he couldn't, she would seek alternative solutions.
"Those crowd-funding enthusiasts tend to hog the spotlight, reluctant to share the benefits, particularly with Stellar Enterprises," Ethan sighed, shaking his head.
Jasmine's enthusiasm deflated like a punctured balloon.
It seemed they would have to wait for Howard to play his hand.
With the crowd-funding option off the table, the decision boiled down to choosing between the Brown family and the Cunningham clan.
However, either choice entailed sacrificing Ethan's own happiness.
He would have to marry Harper, or perhaps a distinguished lady from the Cunningham family, like Fiona.
Observing Ethan, a pang of sympathy washed over Jasmine as she slumped beside the pool, utterly bewildered.
She had once believed that individuals like Ethan were born into privilege, destined for success from the outset.
Yet, it appeared that even his marriage wasn't his to decide, treated more as a transaction than anything else.
Noticing Jasmine's shifting gaze, Ethan emitted a chuckle of amusement.
She seemed sentimental without cause.
It was rather endearing.
"What's on your mind?" Ethan playfully tossed Jasmine's tablet onto a nearby towel and pulled her into the water.
Startled, Jasmine clung to Ethan's neck, holding him tightly.
"What if Mr. Howard tries to force you out of Stellar Enterprises using his shares - what will you do then?" Jasmine fretted.
Her thoughts could only carry her so far.
With limited resources and lacking influential family support, there wasn't much more she could do for Ethan.
That sense of helplessness quickened Jasmine's heartbeat.
"You've already done plenty by arranging Daria and Branson for me," Ethan reassured her, gently lowering Jasmine into the pool. "Leave the rest to me, alright? Trust me."
Jasmine's heart swelled with both confidence in Ethan's abilities and apprehension of Howard, the cunning old fox. And then there were wolves like Clara and Daniel lurking nearby.
In the treacherous landscape of the Douglas Family, Ethan had always seemed like a lone wolf.
"I want to assist you..." Jasmine murmured, her head bowed and her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
She didn't know how much aid she could offer Ethan, but she was willing to attempt anything within her power.
The debt she owed Ethan was one she felt she could never fully repay.
"Just stay by my side, or else... I'm just too weary." Ethan leaned against Jasmine's shoulder.
Over the years, Ethan had confronted numerous challenges, matching wits and strength against Howard and Clara. He was truly exhausted.
It wasn't until Jasmine entered his life that he realized the significance of having a partner on this journey.
Suddenly, there was someone who could dispel all the weariness from his heart, infusing him with passion and determination to forge ahead and grow stronger, all to safeguard her thoroughly.
"Think you can swim a few laps without stopping?" Ethan gestured towards the end of the pool.
Though not regulation-sized, the pool was spacious enough.
Jasmine hadn't swum in a long while and felt a stiffness in her muscles.
Stretching her arms overhead, she glanced at Ethan eagerly. "If I manage it, will there be a reward?"
Ethan was taken aback and slightly amused.
Their time together as a couple had gradually eroded Jasmine's guard around him, which he regarded as a positive sign.
Yet, Jasmine's sudden transformation unsettled him, even as he welcomed it.
It was as if she were gradually shedding her defenses, revealing her vulnerable side.
"What reward would you like?" Ethan inquired, pulling Jasmine close with a generous gesture.
Ethan believed he could fulfill any of his lady's desires.
"Could we, perhaps..." Jasmine hesitated, nibbling on her lip.
"Go ahead," Ethan encouraged, affectionately tousling Jasmine's hair.
"Take me and Justin to the amusement park..." Jasmine glanced at Ethan nervously.
It was Justin's wish.
Initially, Jasmine had intended to ask Ethan to accompany her to Justin's kindergarten parent's day on the 19th since both parents were required to attend.
Justin had never experienced such an event because he lacked a father.
And his mother was incarcerated.
Jasmine felt indebted to Justin for what he had missed and wanted to make it up to him. However, it wasn't Ethan's fault, and he shouldn't have to bear the consequences.
Moreover, the parents of the children in the kindergarten were all affluent or of high social standing, making it inappropriate for Ethan to attend the parent-teacher conference with her and Justin.
Ethan felt a pang in his chest. Lately, all he could think about was how to win Jasmine's heart, and he had completely overlooked the little one. "Alright, I'll arrange it."
Jasmine hugged Ethan excitedly, then, realizing it was improper, attempted to withdraw.
Ethan playfully ensnared Jasmine, teasingly admonishing her. "Don't start a fire."
Flustered, Jasmine turned and dove into the pool, swimming towards the far end.
Upon reaching the wall, Jasmine executed a swift turn, resembling a petite mermaid.
Ethan perched on the pool's edge, glancing at his phone.
Howard had called repeatedly, each time ignored, aggravating Ethan.
"I swam over!" Jasmine emerged from the water, joy lighting up her face.
Ethan reached out, drawing Jasmine to him, and pressed his lips to her forehead.
Jasmine's heart raced, and she sought refuge in Ethan's embrace, her pulse quickening.
"Don't worry. The hotel staff have departed, leaving only the butler and a few servants, whom I've sent away. They won't intrude," Ethan reassured her, his tone seductive.
Jasmine blushed deeply, overcome with embarrassment.
Yet, as if under a spell, her body betrayed her, yearning to remain close to Ethan.
Their moment of intimacy was interrupted by the buzz of Jasmine's phone.
"It's... it's my brother," Jasmine hesitated, wanting to answer, but Ethan shook his head disapprovingly.
Jasmine had assigned a special ringtone to Richard, so she knew it was him.
Hearing it was Richard, Ethan reluctantly released Jasmine.
Jasmine picked up her phone and glanced at it. "Richard, what's wrong?" Jasmine's voice trembled with concern.
"
Jasmine, when are you coming back?" Richard's tone was uneasy.
"Brother, what's happened?" Jasmine inquired anxiously.
"No, I couldn't pick up Justin today. Erin... my boss went instead. I'm at the police station. Mom has been released."
Jasmine's heart skipped a beat - her mother was out of prison.
To be honest, Jasmine harbored some resentment towards her mother, but she also acknowledged that her mother's actions had saved her life.
Yet, she didn't know how to face her.
"Don't rush... I just wanted to inform you," Richard hastily added. "If you don't want to see her, I'll find a place for her."
"No..." Jasmine shook her head, her voice hoarse.
"I've already picked her up, and... Mom expressed a desire to see you," Richard continued, sounding troubled.
"Alright..." Jasmine agreed, curious about meeting this woman whom Richard called their mother.
Meanwhile, Justin was trapped in the warehouse.
Ethan's phone rang again, this time Lisa calling.
With a furrowed brow, Ethan chose to ignore it.
Lisa was merely a pawn manipulated by Howard and Clara for their own gains.
"Do you need to rush back?" Ethan inquired after Jasmine ended the call.
"Richard's mom... she's out of jail. She wants to see me," Jasmine said, sitting off to the side, clearly preoccupied.
She didn't know how she was going to face her, let alone what to call her.
After the Wilson family had cast Jasmine out, she had nowhere to go until Richard took her in, offering her a place in his apartment.
Before Richard's mother had been imprisoned, she had constantly pressured Jasmine to abort the baby, claiming that a child would be a burden and that Jasmine would never find a husband with a child in tow.
She had warned that raising a child as a single woman was too challenging and would wear her down, just as it had her.
Jasmine had seriously contemplated abortion. The child's father was unknown, and the thought of bringing a child into the world without a father filled her with dread.
Richard had accompanied her to the hospital, where they were informed that Jasmine's health wasn't suitable for an abortion. Any complications could lead to the removal of her uterus.
That gave Jasmine pause.
At that time, she still harbored dreams of marriage, a home of her own, children, and a husband to protect and cherish her.
Deciding to keep the baby was a descent into hell.
Daniel despised her, and the Wilson family detested her. Suddenly, Jasmine, like a rat in the street, was despised and bullied by everyone.
Initially, she had considered giving up the baby and starting anew in another city.
However, as she watched her belly swell and felt the child within her grow, she abandoned those thoughts.
Opting to keep the child meant accepting full responsibility for it, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
"If you don't want to see her, then don't," Ethan said, his voice tender, aware of Jasmine's lingering resentment towards her mother.
"It's not that I don't want to see her... Perhaps from her perspective, should I be grateful for her 'lifesaving' act? After all, I've been the true and false heiress case's real beneficiary," Jasmine said with a weary smile.
For twenty-one years, she had unwittingly enjoyed the Wilson family's lifestyle and education.
If not for living Serena's life, perhaps she was meant to have died in her childhood.
"I'll come with you?" Ethan offered, draping a towel over Jasmine's shoulders.
"No... it's unnecessary." Jasmine quickly waved him off.
She feared that her family's turmoil might tarnish Ethan's reputation.
She also feared that Ethan might come to despise her, just like everyone else had.
Ethan's phone rang once more, and this time he appeared visibly irritated.
Originally planning to block Lisa's number, he realized that the incoming call was from Liam.
"You'd better have a good reason," Ethan answered the call.
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