Chapter 44 Nosebleed
Jasmine dashed toward the charred remains of the house, only to be stopped by a firefighter. "Is this your place? It's been burning all night. If it weren't for a neighbor waking up to the smoke, it would all be gone."
"Don't go in there; it's still not safe. These old structures fall apart once they're on fire."
Trembling and kneeling on the ground, Jasmine felt her depression setting in, rendering her mute with shock. She struggled to speak; she tried to lift her arms, but her body wouldn't respond.
Brother... her brother was still inside.
Her greatest fear was always the danger that might reach her brother.
Why... why couldn't they just leave her alone?
Curled up in a trembling ball on the ground, Jasmine wept silently.
How much more would they torment her before they were satisfied?
Would it really take her death for Daniel to stop?
"My uncle... he's still inside," Justin sobbed, clutching his mom and pointing to the room. "Please, can you save my uncle?"
The firefighters exchanged glances. "We've searched inside; there's no one there."
Jasmine's body tensed, and she looked up helplessly at the firefighter. "No one?"
"It's empty. You're lucky you didn't come back last night."
Jasmine's breathing tightened as she reached out to embrace Justin.
Richard was okay.
"Justin!"
From outside the door, Richard, his face ashen with fear, burst in carrying breakfast. It was only after seeing that Jasmine and Justin were unharmed that he allowed himself to breathe easy. He squatted down and wrapped them in his arms. "What happened?"
"I went for that job interview yesterday at the Ryan family heiress's place to be a bodyguard. But she decided to give us a hard time. Had us stand outside all night, listening to lullabies, staying awake without a wink of sleep as some twisted test. I was up all night worried sick about Justin here alone. Couldn't have felt more anxious for daylight."
"Thank goodness... Justin and I—we didn't come home last night," Visibly shaken, Jasmine sobbed as she clung to Justin. "Bro... after what I did to Serena, Daniel and Evan won't let me off easy."
"At least you're sharp enough to recognize that."
Before Jasmine could continue, Evan arrived.
He surveyed the charred remains of the courtyard with disdain before his cold gaze settled on Jasmine. "You know, Serena was so upset yesterday that her condition worsened, and she hasn't woken up from her coma. Jasmine... you really deserve the worst."
Evan spoke indifferently as he lit a cigarette.
Jasmine, frightened, clutched Justin and retreated without daring to look into Evan's eyes.
She was scared, yes, but also disgusted... by these people.
"Evan, if you want someone, come at me!" Richard stood, positioning himself protectively in front of Jasmine and Justin.
"Richard, you seem to overestimate yourself," Evan said with a mocking laugh. "You think I'd let you off?"
A team of about eight or nine bodyguards descended from a vehicle and swiftly surrounded Richard, restraining him. Richard struggled, but it was one man against nine; the odds were overwhelming.
To torture Richard further, Evan deliberately walked up to Jasmine and in front of the child, yanked her hair. "So, this is the filthy slum where Serena endured a living hell?"
Jasmine looked at Evan, terrified and rendered speechless.
Justin, brave as ever, tried to push Evan away but received a slap so callous it sent him tumbling to the ground.
He didn’t cry out, but blood gushed from his nose instantaneously.
No matter how hard he tried to wipe it away, the bleeding wouldn't stop.
Wanting to spare his mom the worry, he turned away, continuously wiping, but what could he do?
There was so much blood.
"Justin!" Jasmine's voice tore through the chaos as she struggled frantically, trying desperately to push Evan away.
But he was too strong. His strong hands yanked at her hair, leaving her no chance to escape.
Tears and screams filled the air as Jasmine knelt, begging for mercy - her hate for Evan battling her helplessness.
"Evan, you bastard!" Richard spat out blood as he staggered to his feet; he was surrounded and outnumbered, yet he stood tall. He wouldn't fall, not in front of his sister and nephew.
Evan took a drag of his cigarette, the smoke curling up as he leaned down to meet Jasmine's fiery glare. "If you hate me so much, then kill me!" She hissed.
Something about her red-rimmed eyes, once bright with life but now shrouded in darkness, unsettled Evan. He raised the glowing cigarette, moving it towards her eye, but then pressed it against her cheek instead.
A searing pain spread across Jasmine's skin, her body trembling, yet she didn't utter a sound. A horrific scar, raw and bleeding, marred her once beautiful face. Evan seemed intent on destroying her - utterly and completely.
"Serena said this filthy, chaotic shithole was where you, the beast, violated her. Molested her!"
"You humiliated my sister, Richard. How do you want to die?" With Richard pinned to the ground, Evan tightened his grip on Jasmine's neck for him to see.
Richard's eyes burned with hatred. "She's lying!"
He and his mother had always adored Serena, never laying a finger on her. But his protest was feeble; how do you clear your name when you're drenched in slander?
With a sharp smack, Evan's hand struck Jasmine's face. "My sister is a liar? Does your sister tell any truth?"
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