CHAPTER 5

Everyone was left speechless as Asher’s announcement hung in the air.

Jasmine herself was extremely confused as to why he would say such a thing, and she leaned in closer to him.

“What are you doing?” She whispered incredulously and tried to pull her hand away, but he held onto it more firmly, refusing to let go as he glanced at her.

“Just trust me,” he softly assured before returning his attention to everyone else.

Jason managed to pick up his jaw that had fallen to the floor after a few seconds.

“Uncle, y-you can’t be serious!” He blurted in bewilderment. “Jasmine was my fiancé up until yesterday. How can you be getting married to her?!”

“Surely this is some sort of prank right?” Charlotte added, her voice dripping with contempt towards Jasmine. “You can’t possibly want someone as cheap as her.”

Asher’s lips twitched as he enjoyed their reactions. He was so close to laughing, but he kept his expression controlled.

“I’ve made my decision, and I owe no one any explanations.”

He then turned to Jason with a steen expression. “Don’t interfere in my relationship with Jasmine. You’ve clearly moved on with her sister, so focus on that.”

Jason’s fists tightened by his sides as Asher’s words echoed in his head.

“Don’t interfere in my relationship with Jasmine.”

The thought of his uncle marrying his ex made his blood sizzle and filled his mouth with bile.

Charlotte, seeing as the tables were starting to turn in Jasmine’s favour, pounced on her.

“Jasmine, you really are a shameless whore!” She spat in disgust. “Seducing your ex-fiancé’s uncle into marrying you is utterly despicable!”

Charlotte’s comment triggered the reactions of some of the guests and they began to point judgemental fingers at Jasmine.

“Enough!” Asher’s sharp voice echoed throughout the hall, silencing their snide remarks. “I won’t tolerate any further insults towards my fiancée.”

His voice held a warning edge as he continued. “If her ex-fiancé could get engaged to someone else immediately after their break up, then it shouldn’t be a crime for her do the same.”

Jason’s anger reached a boiling point. “It’s a fucking crime because she’s doing it with my uncle!” He snapped. “Our family name will be dragged to the mud!”

“I agree,” Richard interjected, his voice tight with annoyance. “Asher, why would you jeopardize our family’s reputation for a nobody? Mother wouldn’t be too happy—”

“And why wouldn’t I be happy?” A feminine, gravelly voice suddenly echoed from the staircase.

All eyes turned towards the stairs as none other than the celebrant herself, Ophelia Wayne, slowly but gracefully descended the stairs.

She had been watching the entire scene unfold from the CCTV monitor in her room like some spicy soap opera.

Now she decided to step in before it escalated beyond control.

“Happy Birthday, Miss Wayne!” The guests echoed in unison as Ophelia reached the foot of the stairs.

“Thank you all,” she waved with a warm smile before making her way towards her family members.

As soon as she reached where they were, the smile on her face erased as her gaze swept over each of them.

“Why are you all causing such a ruckus at my party?” she reprimanded.

Richard turned to her and chuckled nervously. “Mother, we—”

“Don’t bother, because I love it!” She cut him off, her stern expression dissolving into amusement.

She clutched her chest, letting out a hearty laughter. “I’ve not seen this much drama since the rerun of my favorite soap opera. This is the most entertaining birthday I’ve had in years!”

Everyone exchanged bewildered glances at the sudden change in her demeanor.

“Mother, are you seriously not upset that Asher is—” Richard began, but Ophelia dismissively waved him off as she walked over to Asher with outstretched arms.

“Oh, my darling Asher!” She gushed as she pulled him into a tight hug. “It’s been so long since I saw you.”

Her tone became sad as she pulled back to look at him. “Why did you leave so abruptly? You had me worried sick all these years.”

Richard’s jaw tightened at how Ophelia had blatantly ignored him, and a spark of jealousy flared within him at the sight of her being so affectionate towards Asher.

She never failed to remind him that he was only an illegitimate son, despite everything he had done to gain her affection.

Asher gave his mother a tight lipped smile as he stared into her eyes.

“I had to leave because New York was getting too…” his eyes briefly flickered to Richard, “dangerous for me.”

Ophelia’s brows furrowed at the hidden message behind his words.

But she didn’t dwell on it because a feeling of guilt overshadowed it.

If only she had paid more attention and hadn’t neglected him during his father’s death, then maybe he wouldn’t have had to leave.

She shook off her regret, refusing to let it sour the mood and replaced it with a warm smile.

“What matters now is that you’ve come back. This is the best birthday gift I could have asked for!”

Her gaze then shifted to Jasmine and her expression softened even more.

“Jasmine, my dear, I’m glad you came even after what happened with Jason. It shows how mature and reasonable you are. It’s a good thing you’re no longer together with him. He was never good enough for you.”

Jason’s mouth shot open. “Grandma, how can you—”

“Oh keep quiet,” Ophelia snapped as she turned to his direction. “You had your chance and you blew it, just to hook up with her sister. How disappointing.”

She shook her head and continued, “All these years, I’ve been wishing for my Asher to return and see what a wonderful lady Jasmine is, so he could snatch her away from you. Now, my prayers have finally been answered.”

Jasmine's lips parted in shock at Ophelia’s confession.

Was this why she had always been nice to her despite the other family members’ hostility?

Her heart warmed at the thought.

And now more than before she felt incredibly bad that the bracelet she had made for her had been destroyed by Charlotte.

Ophelia turned back to Asher and Jasmine and took their hands, intertwining them. “I totally approve of your relationship. You both make an amazing couple.”

Jason was practically vibrating as his anger and frustration skyrocketed.

He couldn’t control his next actions as he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and smashed it on the floor, drawing shocked gasps from everyone.

“Jasmine cannot be with uncle Asher,” he thundered. “I refuse it!”