MasukEthan led Justin to the study room before encircling Jasmine from behind, his arms enveloping her as she arranged the flowers meticulously.A visible tension gripped Jasmine's frame, her discomfort evident."Ouch," Ethan winced, grasping a rose with untrimmed thorns, drawing a droplet of blood from his finger.Nervously, Jasmine clasped Ethan's injured finger, her gaze pleading."Jasmine," Ethan said softly, leaning in close enough to create an intimate atmosphere."Um..." Jasmine looked down, attempting to remove the thorns from the roses."Red roses endure wind and harshness better than white ones," Ethan explained, gently taking the rose from her. "Thorns are inherent to roses; their prickliness isn't a flaw." Meeting Ethan's gaze, Jasmine's eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions.With a sigh, Ethan leaned in, pressing his lips against hers.He loathed those vile bullies who tormented Jasmine, leaving her in a defensive and wounded state; he understood that it took considerable
When Ethan returned, Jasmine had already prepared dinner. She was wearing an apron and had her hair tied up in a simple bun.As she placed the dinner on the table, Jasmine greeted a returning Ethan with a smile. "Wash up, dinner's ready."Ethan paused, setting Justin down.Growing up amidst his parents' chilly relationship, Ethan had long resisted the notion of settling down and starting a family. Yet, in this moment, a sense of warmth enveloped him.It felt akin to a weary traveler finally returning to the hearth after a prolonged journey."Mommy," Justin said after washing his tiny hands, obediently sitting at the dining table. "Today Casey didn't go to school."This surprised Jasmine, and she turned to Ethan. "Casey didn't go to school?"Ethan nodded, not wanting to pry into someone else's business. Perhaps the kid was just sick.Jasmine didn't press further, seeing that Lisa seemed to dote on her son; she figured there was no need to worry too much."I've made a simple soup with p
In Ethan's sprawling abode, Jasmine sat at the dining table, gripping her phone tightly. Richard had already called her, telling her to stay out of it and let May learn her lesson. If no one bailed her out, she'd be locked up for twenty-four hours for disturbing public order.Today, she would have time to reflect inside.Soon after, the police station called again."Is May your mother?" the officer's voice cut through the tension, probing for clarity amidst the turmoil.Jasmine's response was swift, a mix of defiance and resignation. "Sorry, I don't have a mother. Does she have proof otherwise?"The officer, taken aback by Jasmine's retort, hesitated momentarily, the complexity of their familial dynamics evident. "Let her reflect at the station for a day. When it's time, you can come and pay a $500 fine," he concluded before abruptly ending the call. Jasmine heaved a sigh of relief, thinking of calling Ethan, wondering how he was doing at Stellar Enterprises..."Jasmine, Ethan's place
"You're the one who caused this, right?" Richard said coldly. "I've already called the cops, and they'll be here any minute. You'll have to answer to them, and if my boss decides to pursue this, you could face criminal charges.""Richard! I'm your mother!" May's shock was palpable, her voice pleading for understanding.Silence hung heavily between them before Richard spoke again, his tone unyielding. "Do you think the police will let you off the hook just because you're my mom?"May was left speechless by her son's harsh retort."Instead of yelling because you're my mom, you should be reflecting on why you're looking to go back to prison right after being released."It wasn't long after Richard finish speaking that the local cops arrived."She's been causing trouble here and attacked someone. We have it all on surveillance," the company security promptly explained to the officers.The police took May away, leaving behind a sense of emptiness, as the rest of her relatives had vanished
"By the way, Emily took today off and said she's coming over to see you," Ethan called back to Jasmine, glancing over his shoulder as he walked away.Jasmine was taken aback by the unexpected news.Before moving in, the butler had emphasized Ethan's strict rules about cleanliness, quiet, and not allowing any visitors or strangers into the house, under the threat of Ethan's anger. Yet, Ethan appeared remarkably lenient with her....At Stellar Enterprises, HR representative Daria rushed over to Ethan as soon as he arrived, informing him of the chairman's intent to fire Jasmine due to her mother's disruptive behavior."Who said that's Jasmine's mother?" Ethan questioned sharply, causing a momentary pause among the staff.Everyone assumed the disruptive woman was Jasmine's mother."The chairman is waiting in his office..." Howard's assistant added, accompanying Ethan to the elevator.Ethan made his way directly to the conference room where Howard awaited, anticipating Ethan's arrival."Y
At Ethan's residence, Jasmine was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen while Ethan, having just dropped Justin off at school, leaned against the dining table, taking a moment to hydrate.Erin had indeed stirred up trouble; the kindergarten was now in the midst of replacing its principal and undergoing reform, all due to allegations of corruption and bribery among the principal and certain teachers.Ethan's phone buzzed, indicating a call from HR's Daria."Mr. Ethan..." Daria sounded anxious, likely reaching out to warn him. "Jasmine's mother is causing a scene at the office, with the chairman and board members present, suggesting Jasmine be fired...""Jasmine is under my purview. All matters regarding her employment are my decision alone," Ethan asserted firmly. "But... What about Jasmine's mom causing a scene all the time? This can't go on," Daria expressed her concern.Ethan's brow furrowed with frustration. What was May's motive? Was she heartless or simply malicious? After all,







