Chapter 59 He Framed Jasmine and Sent Her to Prison
In the private room.
Ethan pushed open the door, his face a thundercloud as he stepped in.
The executives were partying hard, with beauties in their arms and companions by their sides— the atmosphere was one of decadent luxury.
Ethan's brow creased subtly as his cold gaze swept the room, but he did not spot Jasmine.
Somehow, he felt relieved.
"Which one of you is Emily?" Liam inquired.
The inebriated bigwigs didn't hear Liam's question.
Without hesitation, Liam turned on the lights and silenced the music, his voice firm. "Who's Emily?"
Being Ethan's assistant, Liam carried an air of superiority that went beyond that of a typical assistant. He had the right to be proud.
The bosses looked up at Liam with dissatisfaction. "Who are you..."
Someone's eyes finally focused clearly on Ethan, and they abruptly stood up, their head spinning, mistaking him for a hallucination. "Mr.... Mr. Douglas?"
Emily was equally taken aback as she rose to her feet. "Mr. Douglas?"
Ethan was a man all too familiar to the women of the night scene.
These bigwigs of the business district all recognized him on sight.
"Mr. Douglas! What brings you to Boston on such short notice? We could've made arrangements," the manager burst in from outside. "Mr. Douglas, what brings you..."
Emily, nervous, couldn't help but gaze at Ethan—he was simply too handsome.
Wealthy and influential, the kind of man no woman could refuse.
With a flirtatious smile, Emily softly inquired, “Mr. Douglas... Are you looking for me?"
"Where’s Jasmine?" Ethan didn't have time for small talk. He frowned, stepping away from the approaching manager.
He despised women getting too close.
Liam quickly stepped between them, warding off any eager women. "Jasmine lives with you, right? Where is she?"
Emily paused, the realization slowly dawning on her.
Ethan belonged to the Douglas family.
He was Daniel's brother.
Given Ethan's demeanor, and knowing Jasmine had fled Silverlight City...
"Mr. Douglas... What Jasmine? I'm not sure what you're talking about," Emily instinctively tried to protect her.
A frown creased Liam’s brow. "Do you think we'd be here if we hadn't confirmed it?"
"The Jasmine Avery you’re referring to?" The manager didn't dare cross Ethan, intuitively grasping who Ethan meant. "She’s already off shift."
"Call her," Ethan instructed Emily to contact Jasmine.
"She doesn't have a phone," Emily admitted without further lies. "She might be at my place."
"I just came from there; she's not," Ethan replied, visibly irritated.
Stunned, Emily stammered, "Well... then I honestly don't know. She’s definitely going to be at work tomorrow, so why don't you come back then?"
She needed to warn Jasmine... fast.
There was no telling where the poor girl had run off to.
...
Serene Haven.
Jasmine woke up, sitting nervously in the car, reluctant to get out.
Henry leaned casually against the car door, an amused smile playing on his lips. "You think I'm gonna eat you up?"
Jasmine remained silent, her fingers almost bruising with how tight she was gripping her own hands.
Taking this step meant no turning back.
But Justin was waiting, his illness couldn't be dragged on any longer; they needed to diagnose him and set a treatment plan promptly.
She needed the money, so Justin could continue his education.
"Just...three years, right?" Jasmine got out of the car, her voice barely above a whisper.
Henry nodded. "Yeah."
"I'll have my check-up tomorrow," Jasmine said quietly, clutching at her clothes.
Everyone at the club knew Henry didn't just bed any of the women there; he was picky. To be with him, passing a medical exam was just the first hurdle.
Henry paused for a moment, then turned and walked into the living room.
Jasmine was still so naïve.
Once, her eyes had shone with a clear, innocent stupidity; now, it seemed all that remained was the stupidity.
"Come on in, I won't lay a finger on you tonight," Henry said, noticing her hesitation still lingering at the threshold.
Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief and slowly entered the living room.
Henry's place was large and felt empty, a clear sign he lived alone. Things were a bit messy; it seemed he wasn't used to having a nanny around.
While Henry took a shower, Jasmine, unable to stand the boredom, took it upon herself to tidy up a bit.
By the time Henry returned, the living room was transformed.
Jasmine stood awkwardly to the side. "I just did some cleaning..."
Henry said nothing but led her to the front door, where he programmed her face and fingerprints into the smart lock. "I'm not home often. You can stay here."
Jasmine blinked, her mouth opening but no words coming out.
Was Henry always this generous with every woman?
"Go get some sleep," Henry said, dismissing her to bed.
Jasmine retreated to the guest room, while thoughts kept Henry wide awake.
Five years ago, Jasmine was accused of extortion by Daniel and Evan, and it was his idea.
He had tipped off Daniel to force Jasmine into submission, thinking she'd agree to any terms he offered if backed into a corner.
But Jasmine had refused.
In court, she'd admitted her guilt outright.
Henry had been there that day, ready to have Daniel withdraw the charges, but it was too late.
Back then, Jasmine's stubborn defiance was both exasperating and endearing...
Henry detested Jasmine's proud, unyielding spirit, as if she were like a white rose blossoming against the wind, undaunted by the fiercest storms.
It was a first for him, having never been bested by a woman, and he perversely longed to see her edges worn down.
In her third year in prison, Jasmine had the chance for early release thanks to her good conduct.
But Daniel and Evan had pulled some strings behind the scenes.
Upon hearing this, Henry was the first to visit her in prison, curious if the years had dulled her spine or if she would still refuse to bend.
Jasmine, however, declined to see him.
And he once again... chose to stand by and watch.
Until her five-year sentence was up, and Jasmine walked free from prison.
Leaning on the couch, smoking, Henry's thoughts were tumultuous.
Originally, he mistook his interest in Jasmine as mere fleeting fascination – a stunning woman who alone, in defiance of his will, would never yield to him.
But later he realized that Jasmine had become his obsession.
His phone kept ringing, agitating him.
It was a message from Melissa.
"Mr. Patrick, you haven’t been in touch for a while."
Annoyed, with Jasmine's unexpected return, he felt nothing but impatience towards all women now.
"Contact Ben tomorrow. He'll take care of what you want," Henry texted back, then blocked her.
He was generous with women, yet always resolute in his decisions.
Except for Jasmine – it wasn't that he couldn't be harsh with her, rather that he regretted it when he was.
That feeling was truly...
Annoying.
Taking a deep breath, Henry closed his eyes slowly; he couldn't let Jasmine discover it had been his interference that had shaped her fate.
He wouldn't let Jasmine go, but he could make amends.
"Ben, reach out to the hematology and genetic specialists in Silverlight City for a consultation on Jasmine’s son’s condition."
Strangely enough, Henry found himself not minding at all that Jasmine had a child with another man.
Usually, he was so particular with other women.
“Mr. Patrick! The club called to say Ethan arrived in Silverlight City tonight and he’s been asking around for Miss Jasmine at our club..."
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