Chapter 15

"Please, I only see George once every two to three months. God knows how many women are calling him their sugar daddy behind my back?" Brenda scoffed. Brenda and George's marriage had been a last-minute marriage arrangement. It was no better than Yasmin's situation with Caleb. Yasmin asked, "Hasn't he returned from his trip to the southern branch yet? It's been nearly six months." "Who knows? We have a fake marriage, and mutual avoidance is the bare minimum level of respect." Brenda changed lanes smoothly before glancing over. "So, have you and Caleb signed the divorce papers yet?" "Not yet." Yasmin had spent the past week getting along surprisingly well with him, so much so that she had momentarily forgotten all about the divorce. She thought it over and then murmured, "I've met him a few times this week, and I've realized we can get along just fine. Maybe after the divorce, we could still be… half-friends." Brenda shot her a weird look. "Of course, you two can get along. You were afraid of thunder when you were a kid. Didn't he sleep with you then? And when you got lost, he was the one who found you and brought you back, no?" "Ms. Rhodes, he was just taking care of me. Don't make it sound so ambiguous! I was looking for my brother, Jacob, that day. Caleb was only my backup option because Jacob wasn't around." Yasmin raised her brow. Besides, Caleb always said she was spoiled and troublesome. He had never liked her even as a child. … It was Monday. The law firm had been bustling with meetings the whole afternoon. Before Yasmin could breathe a sigh of relief, Edward tapped her on the shoulder. "Yasmin, head to the CEO's office. Mr. Grant has a small issue that needs handling." "Me?" Yasmin recalled the corporate knowledge she had learned from Caleb and asked, " I don't think it's appropriate for an intern like myself to go meet the CEO, is it?" Edward eyed Yasmin. "You don't want to go?" Yasmin nodded furiously like a chick pecking at rice. Not at all! "Everyone else is busy with important work. Just go!" Edward rebuked impatiently, flipping through his planner. So, her words had fallen on deaf ears? … The hallway outside the CEO's office was empty. The office door was slightly ajar, and no sounds came from inside. Yasmin knocked twice, but no one responded, so she gently pushed open the door. A woman with cascading curls, flawless makeup, and a striking red Dior dress sat in the executive chair. An emerald pendant rested delicately against her collarbone. She was beautiful yet charming, making it harder to take one's eyes off her. "Yasmin?" Veronica's eyes widened in surprise before she stood up with delight. "What are you doing here?" "I should be asking you that," Yasmin replied in a cold voice. At that moment, Yasmin finally understood why white-collar workers dreaded going to work on Mondays. What bad luck! Veronica hesitated, as if afraid Yasmin would misunderstand. After struggling for two seconds, she pointed towards the closed lounge door. "Are you looking for Caleb? He's changing inside. You might have to wait a bit." Changing in the middle of the day? That could only mean one thing, and it was something indecent! Yasmin asked mockingly, "You're sitting here like the boss of this place. Aren't you worried one of his subordinates might walk in?" Veronica remained unfazed and flashed a smile."It has happened before. Everyone knows how close Caleb and I are. It's not a big deal." No wonder she dared to sit in his chair. Yasmin said nothing. Veronica casually flipped her hair before lowering her voice slightly as if sharing a secret. "You said attending to Caleb was exhausting, but I don't find it hard at all." Yasmin's gaze flickered to the trash bin where a crumpled tissue sat in plain sight. Did they just… The lounge door clicked open. Caleb walked out of the room while tidying his sleeves. When his eyes landed on Yasmin, he paused for a brief second. "Sorry for interrupting you two. I'll see myself out." Yasmin immediately turned to leave. "Ms. Whitmore," Caleb called her back, emphasizing his position as the client. Yasmin took a deep breath. She told herself to stay professional and not engage with her soon-to-be ex-husband. She turned around with a false smile on her face. "I figured you wouldn't want to see me while in the company of a beautiful woman." Before Caleb could reply, Veronica interrupted sweetly, "Caleb, can I have a few minutes alone with Yasmin? Just to catch up?" Caleb nodded. He had an international call to make anyway, so he took his phone and walked out of his office. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows into the room, but Yasmin felt no warmth. She had to admit that Veronica has some serious acting skills. With just a few words, she made Caleb leave his own office. "Your hand seems fine. Great acting," Yasmin said, eyeing Veronica's hand. Veronica chuckled lightly, though her gaze remained cold. "My hand is fine, but thanks to you, my ankle has been hurting for a few days." Veronica studied Yasmin carefully. Yasmin was very beautiful with a mix of foreign features, thanks to her mother's ancestry. Her features were both sharp and delicate, her almond-shaped eyes clear yet unreadable. When she was gentle, she looked pure and innocent; when she was stern, she looked piercingly cold. Moreover, she was great at studying. Getting first place in exams and various competitions came easily to her. As a child, she was always the prettiest girl in her social circle, adored by children and favored by elders alike. Fortunately, all of that ended the moment she was locked up in the psychiatric hospital. "Yasmin, when are you and Caleb finalizing the divorce?" Veronica asked. Yasmin didn't answer. She hoped to keep Veronica in suspense. For someone as composed as Veronica, losing patience was rare. But at this moment, her fingers curled slightly, betraying her frustration. "Don't tell me you have regrets and don't want to divorce him anymore?" Yasmin gave her a curious look. She didn't understand where Veronica got that impression. "Can't wait to replace me and marry Caleb, huh?" Yasmin leaned against the desk. "Veronica, you've never been so greedy before. What's wrong? Afraid of a little competition?" Veronica fumed with anger, looking at Yasmin coldly. However, she quickly composed herself. "Of course not. I'm just looking out for my dear sister's love life." In reality, she was here to discuss endorsements. She was here because Caleb had canceled two major contracts with the Whitmore family. Logan had sent her over to smooth things out. Now, she thought why not pass the job to Yasmin? After all, those contracts were revoked after Yasmin's infamous fallout with her family. Even Veronica could sense that this was a warning to Logan—all because of that slap he gave Yasmin. The realization that Caleb was protecting Yasmin sent alarms blaring in Veronica's mind. "Veronica, how about a trade? Tell me who tipped off the Grant family about the hotel incident three years ago." There were things that Yasmin hoped to learn. "If you answer me, I'll tell you when the divorce is happening. Hell, I'll even let you know if Caleb plans on marrying you at all."