CHAPTER 6

Charlotte was stunned by Jason’s sudden outburst and a frown appeared on her features.

“Jason, what has gotten into you?” She demanded as she tugged at his arm. “Why do you care so much about Jasmine being with your uncle?”

Her words flew over Jason’s head as he yanked his arm free from her grip. And all he saw was red as he stormed towards Asher and Jasmine.

“This relationship will not happen!” He spat and attempted to grab Jasmine.

But Asher swiftly stepped forward, shielding her behind him.

His eyes narrowed as he glared at Jason’s seething figure. “Stand down!”

Jason’s fists tightened as he ignored Asher and sneered at Jasmine. “You’ll pay for humiliating me like this!”

“Humiliating you?” Jasmine scoffed as she stepped away from behind Asher, finally mustering the confidence to speak up for herself.

“If anyone was humiliated here it’s me. I can’t believe I ever fell for an egoistical and conceited person like you.”

Jasmine’s words snapped off the last shred of restraint in Jason and he lunged at her. “You—!”

But Asher forcefully shoved him back. “This is your last warning, Jason. Don’t test me,” he warned, his voice calm, yet laced with an unmistakable threat.

Jason crashed to the floor and was disoriented for a second, then his anger resurfaced and he shot up to his feet.

“That’s it!” He snarled, about to pick a fight with Asher, but an unexpected slap to his face made him freeze.

“Enough of this now, Jason!” Ophelia’s voice rang out as she appeared in his line of view, her expression livid. “Asher’s your uncle! Have some damn respect!”

Her gaze then shifted to Richard. “Control your son!”

Asher, being fed up with the whole drama, decided it was time to leave.

He wasn’t sure he’d be able to control himself from beating Jason up if he stayed any longer.

Straightening the lapel of his jacket, he turned to Ophelia. “I’ll be taking my leave now, mother.”

“But why?” her wrinkled forehead creased some more. “The party has barely started.

“I’ll see you some other time,” he clipped, ignoring her question.

And without another word, he grabbed Jasmine’s hand. Before she could object, he took her along as he strode out of the hall.

Jasmine’s steps were uneven as she struggled to keep up with Asher’s long strides.

The moment they reached his sleek Maybach, she wrenched her hand from his.

“What do you think you’re doing, Mr Wayne?” She snapped at him with anger brewing in her eyes. “Why did you drag me away like that? Do you think you own me?”

Asher’s brow cocked as he turned to face her.

“Is that the thank you I get for defending you back there?” His voice came out sharper than he intended.

“Would you have preferred staying behind and letting that stupid nephew of mine humiliate you?

Jasmine paused, her anger slowly getting replaced with remorse as she realized that Asher was right.

She had been too blindsided to see that he had actually protected her.

Her features softened and her shoulders slumped as she fidgeted with her fingers.

“I’m sorry for lashing out rudely. It’s just..” she sighed, averting her gaze. “I feel like such a pushover for letting people walk all over me all the time. That’s why I got defensive when you dragged me away like that. Thank you for helping me.”

Asher’s expression flashed with guilt for being too hard on her.

“It’s fine,” his voice softened. “I shouldn’t have dragged you out so suddenly. It’s just an…instinctive habit of mine. I’m equally sorry.”

Jasmine nodded slowly, then tilted her head as she glanced up at him, curiosity seeping into her mind.

“Why did you help me, though?” she asked, her voice a hesitant whisper. “Is it because you felt obligated…after last night?”

Asher’s brows furrowed as he sensed the insecurity in her voice.

“No,” he clarified, then his hands subconsciously tightened into fists. “I just couldn’t stand to see you being treated like that.”

Jasmine kept fiddling with her fingers, not knowing how to respond to the sincerity in his voice.

“Marry me,” he said suddenly.

She froze momentarily before her head whipped up in a wide-eyed stare. “W-What?”

Asher’s unwavering gaze bore into her. “Marry me, and I’ll help you get revenge on everyone who hurt you.”

Jasmine blinked repeatedly as his words slowly sank in. “Marry you? I thought you only suggested that to defend me earlier. D-Did you…mean it?”

“At first no,” he admitted. “But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it wasn’t such a bad idea.”

He opened his car door for her, and gestured inside. “Let’s go somewhere quiet, I’ll explain better.”

Jasmine hesitated a bit before giving in and getting into his car.

The car ride was filled with a not so uncomfortable silence, but there was an unspoken tension that lingered in the air.

Jasmine fidgeted with the hem of her dress as her mind raced with the events that had happened earlier, and she occasionally stole glances at Asher, whose eyes remained focused on the road.

Soon, he pulled into the driveway of a familiar hotel that brought warmth to Jasmine’s cheeks.

“W-why did you choose here?” She stammered, the nervousness in her voice unmissable.

“It’s not what you think,” Asher reassured her, already reading her mind. “This is just my temporary residence while my penthouse is being renovated.”

Jasmine’s racing heart calmed slightly and she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Okay.”

They got out of the car, and Asher led her to his hotel room. As soon as Jasmine stepped inside, memories from last night came flooding back.

She remembered how warm and passionate Asher had been, a complete contrast to the cold man she currently saw.

She spared him a look and caught him staring at the bed with a distant look in his eyes.

It seemed he was remembering their encounter too.

Their moment broke a few seconds later when he cleared his throat and gestured to the velvet sofas across the room. “Have a seat.”

Jasmine obeyed and stiffly sat down on one while he took his seat on the other opposite her.

He leaned back in his chair and stroked his stubbled chin as he studied her through hooded eyes.

“So, regarding what I said earlier,” he began when he finally stopped staring.

“Marrying me will benefit us both. I’ll help you get revenge. In return, you’ll be my wife for one year.”

Jasmine’s fingers unintentionally gripped the edge of the sofa. “One year?”

“One year,” Asher confirmed. “No strings attached. Just a marriage of convenience. What do you say?”