Lahat ng Kabanata ng Dangerous Arrangement: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

Without understanding the situation, Jasmine remained standing firm in front of Prof. Sullivan’s office door. Time continued to pass, and her anxiety grew as if a significant event was waiting behind the door. As her doubts deepened, Mr. Hawthorne appeared. He closed the door and stared at Jasmine in a prolonged silence. “I don’t hate you.” These words were not something Mr. Hawthorne would normally say. They didn’t know each other well, and their relationship was one of antagonism. Jasmine was about to ask what he meant, but suddenly Dr. Lawson opened the door. “Please come in, Miss Everhart. Prof. Sullivan is waiting for you.” “Me?” Jasmine looked surprised and confused. Her visit to the hospital was only to change a bandage. “Go in,” Mr. Hawthorne said firmly. Mr. Hawthorne’s serious demeanor made Jasmine's anxiety intensify. Her mind was filled with questions. What would happen if she went into that room? And what if she couldn’t come back? Dr. Lawson chuckled lightly. “Why

Morning light streamed through the window, highlighting Jasmine’s pale skin as she descended the stairs slowly. The shadow of sadness still lingered in her swollen eyes. Confusion quickly crept in when she discovered Mr. Hawthorne, not alone. Mr. Hawthorne caught sight of Jasmine with a deep gaze, as if he could read the traces of sorrow on her face. Beside him, Theodore smiled warmly in greeting, while a woman also bowed respectfully. “Come here,” Mr. Hawthorne said. Jasmine approached them, her eyes fixed on the objects on the table. It was then she noticed the unusual aroma filling Mr. Hawthorne’s penthouse. “You mentioned needing soap, so I asked Theodore to invite a soap formulation expert,” Mr. Hawthorne explained. Jasmine was taken aback. “Y—you didn’t have to go that far.” Mr. Hawthorne shot a brief glance at Theodore, who promptly gestured for the woman beside him to introduce herself. The woman nodded politely and said with a friendly smile, “Good morning, Miss Everha

Jasmine stirred slowly, feeling the heaviness in her head. As her eyes opened, she realized she was seated with her hands bound behind her back. She could also hear the sound of music filling the room. “I doubt the man guarding the side gate at the campus will let us in,” a man said with a relieved sigh. “Yeah, I was anxious facing him earlier too. I was afraid everything we’ve done would be exposed,” added another man. Jasmine clearly recognized that voice, her soul rebelling, urging her to escape immediately, but her consciousness was still foggy. The strength needed to move hadn’t fully returned. “Ahaha, since when did you become so scared? Truly weak. And who cares about the fate of a poor girl? The campus even gave us the freedom to use her as we pleased.” “The campus may not care about her fate, but that incident forced us to be expelled as a form of punishment.” “Punishment? It was more like the campus trying to cover up its own problems. Tristan even went on vacation to

With a face cloaked in anger, Dr. Lawson walked briskly behind Theodore, who led the way. They left the bustling city life behind, entering the area ruled by Mr. Hawthorne. Only a few people were granted permission to step into this realm filled with an aura of darkness. Imprisoning individuals privately and establishing his own prison was an act against the law, but Mr. Hawthorne didn’t care. His land remained a holding place for those who had crossed the boundaries he set. This was how he delivered punishment to those he deemed deserving. Dr. Lawson had long known about Mr. Hawthorne’s dark secret. Behind his role as the leader of Kins Enterprises, there was a hidden criminal network that supported him. Without that assistance, four years would have been too short to build a large company. This was why Dr. Lawson was always cautious around Mr. Hawthorne. He realized that Mr. Hawthorne was a terrifying figure, with the ability to carry out actions far beyond anyone’s imagination.

A male servant walked briskly toward the restaurant’s private room. A sinister smile crept across Mr. Hawthorne’s face as he noticed the line of bodyguards standing vigil along the corridor. “No need to go further,” Mr. Hawthorne said to the servant. The servant bowed respectfully before stepping back. Mr. Hawthorne strode forward without hesitation, heading toward a room. The bodyguard at the door moved to inspect him, but as he reached out to touch him, Mr. Hawthorne swiftly rejected the gesture. “Who gave you permission to touch me? Just open the door.” “Mr. Vanderbilt instructed us to conduct a check first.” Sensing something was amiss, the other bodyguards, who had merely been observing, began to move closer. Mr. Hawthorne grabbed the suit of the bodyguard who had tried to touch him and slammed him forcefully onto the floor. Bang! “AAAAARGH!” The bodyguard writhed on the floor, clutching his back in pain. The sudden act served as a loud warning to the other bodyguards who