Chapter 18

"Thanks, Adrian. Just drop me off at the entrance of the subway station. It's easy for me to get home by train! I really can't thank you enough for today." As Yasmin recalled the scene outside the Grant Group building, she couldn't shake the guilty feeling that she had just been caught cheating. It had to be because of her overly strong sense of morality. After all, she and Caleb weren't officially divorced yet. "I already said I'd take you home, so, of course, I'll see you all the way there!" Adrian smiled shyly. "But if you feel the need to thank me, how about a movie this weekend? Dinner will be on me." Yasmin blinked and politely declined, "Adrian, I'll be back on campus this weekend, so I'm not free." But Adrian completely missed the hint and simply said graciously, "It's alright. We work together, so we'll have plenty of chances in the future!" She failed to get her message across. Adrian followed the navigation system until they reached a high-end residential area near the city center. Looking at the place, he hesitated. This was the most luxurious villa in the area. Even a senior partner of the legal team wouldn't necessarily splurge on a place like this. "You… live here?" He glanced at Yasmin in disbelief, then at her simple canvas tote bag. She didn't look like a rich person. Yasmin nodded, and before she could say anything, a security guard had already approached with an umbrella. He respectfully escorted her out of the car. Adrian still looked doubtful. "I just assumed since you always carry a canvas bag and don't wear any expensive brands that you were… " "That I wasn't rich?" Yasmin thought to herself. She smiled nonchalantly. "The house isn't mine, and I find canvas bags convenient." "Oh… " He pondered for a moment, then gently advised, "Just be careful. If you dress too modestly in the workplace, others might think that you have no background and try to take advantage of you." That was why Karen treated her the way she did, but he didn't say that part out. "Thanks for the advice, Adrian. I'll keep it in mind." As Yasmin vanished from his sight, Adrian felt a little disappointed. His family was middle class. He had never lacked money, but he couldn't even dream of staying in a villa of such standard. … Later that evening, Yasmin stepped into her closet to grab some clothes and caught a glimpse of her designer collection. LV, Chanel, and even a few Hermes bags were neatly arranged on the shelves. She couldn't help but think of what Adrian had said. The bags were all practical, stylish, and perfect for work. But her canvas bag was lighter than an LV, so she decided to keep using it. She didn't care about other people's opinions. These things had always been within reach since she was a child. While other children had competed over toys, her toys were jewelry. Carrying an LV bag worth a million dollars or a canvas bag worth a few dollars made no difference to her. She was sitting on the balcony, reading a legal textbook. When she stood up to return to her room, her gaze fell upon something. A Rolls-Royce Phantom was parked downstairs. The car's interior lights were off, but through the windshield, she could faintly make out the glow of a cigarette. Someone was inside smoking. Caleb had taken the Rolls-Royce Phantom today too. Yasmin immediately fell stiff. She wanted to see who was downstairs. After a minute, she snapped back to her senses. She must've been bewitched, which was why she'd guess it was Caleb. He had never acted like this. Why would he wait for her downstairs? Just as she was about to turn away, another car drove past, momentarily illuminating the interior of the Rolls-Royce. The dim lights cast over a familiar, cold face. Caleb tilted his head slightly, looking directly at her. Yasmin's heart skipped a beat. Her first instinct was to hide in the room, but she stopped herself. She could not show weakness now! Standing her ground, she kept her gaze locked onto the Rolls-Royce. Despite being a distance away, she could feel the tension between them. What did he want? It didn't matter what he wanted, she couldn't let this go on. She had to leave the company! … Yasmin finally disappeared back inside from the balcony. Caleb took one last puff from his cigarette before extinguishing it. The name "Adrian" circled in his mind. With a swipe of his finger, he opened his tablet, displaying the personal file that Harris had sent ten minutes ago. Adrian Elsher was a dual degree graduate from Dunville University's law school. During his time there, he was ranked first in his class and known as one of the most handsome students in the department. He was mild-mannered and liked by all. He came from a middle-class family with stable, loving parents. This was the man Yasmin liked? He was rather boyish. So, there was no boy toy and only him? She was divorcing him for this? She had even taken off her wedding ring for this? Caleb had only one thing to say—her taste was garbage. … "What? You're quitting? Are you out of your mind?" In the small conference room, Edward looked at Yasmin as if he had seen a ghost. "Yasmin, do you have any idea how lucky you are to get on the Mayford Acquisition case? People beg for this opportunity, and now, you're telling me you're quitting?" "Mr. Sullivan, I don't believe that I have the capabilities to contribute effectively to this project. I sincerely apologize for bringing trouble to you." Yasmin sincerely apologized, but she was dead set on doing this. "Also, I had already stated during my interview that I would need to return to my university next week, which means I would've had to request leave regardless." Maybe she should've left the moment she met Caleb while on the team. That had been a sign of her misfortune! Edward wanted to tell her to get lost too. He had been looking for a chance to get his girlfriend to join the project. But Caleb had just requested for Yasmin to be the exclusive liaison. If she left now, it would be chaos for the team. "You can't quit. I won't approve of it!" he snapped. "Do you know how rare an opportunity like this is? Don't be ungrateful." "Mr. Sullivan, I'll complete my handover today. If my resignation isn't approved, I'll have to formally quit the firm." He turned red with anger, jabbing a finger at her. "Are you threatening me? Yasmin, are you seriously threatening me? If you don't cooperate, I'll make it impossible for you to continue in this line of work!" As one of the top lawyers in the field, Edward had his connections, so he could back up that threat. "I sincerely apologize, but I'll complete my handover." If it meant staying away from Caleb and avoiding Edward, she was more than willing to find another job. After the argument with Edward, Yasmin didn't go with the team for lunch at the cafeteria. Instead, she sat alone on the park bench, eating yogurt. "Yasmin, I heard you're resigning?" She turned to see Adrian sitting down beside her. "Adrian?" Yasmin was surprised. "Didn't you go for lunch?" Adrian shook his head. "I didn't have much of an appetite." After a brief pause, he hesitated, then finally asked, "Yasmin, why are you suddenly quitting? Is it because I'm bothering you?” "Huh?" Yasmin was stunned. "I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I want to pursue you." He smiled self-deprecatingly. "After last night, I realized you might be out of my league. But… But I'll work hard and make myself worthy of you!" "Adrian, I… " Yasmin didn't know what to do. She had vaguely sensed last night that Adrian might be interested in her. But because she was about to leave the team or even the firm itself, she didn't expect him to confess his feelings to her so quickly. "Adrian, I'm not quitting because of you. You're talented, and you shouldn't underestimate yourself." Yasmin struggled to answer, fearing her words might hurt him. "But I have personal reasons for not accepting your feelings for me. I'm sorry." Adrian hid his disappointment and forced a smile. Just as he was about to speak, his gaze swept behind her. "Mr. Grant!" Adrian immediately stood up. He was a little bewildered about someone else walking in on his confession. Yasmin turned around and saw Caleb dressed impeccably, his tall frame radiating cold authority. At his side was Veronica, who was all smiles.