Chapter 3

A waitress happened to be delivering pastries when she overheard Yasmin's words. Shocked, she nearly dropped the tray, her wide eyes darting toward Yasmin. Yasmin glanced at her. It was a cute young woman, probably a student working part-time. She looked familiar. But before Yasmin could place her, the young woman quickly set down the pastries and hurried away. Veronica's composed expression cracked for a brief moment. Her fingers, which were gripping her coffee cup, turned pale from the pressure. Then, she smoothly shifted the conversation. Her tone was laced with meaning. "Yasmin, don't forget that Edith is still lying in a hospital bed, surviving on the money Dad sends every month." The mention of Edith instantly extinguished Yasmin's earlier amusement, darkening her expression. Edith had been her mother's maid, following her from Glenfield to Dunville to take care of her. Over three years ago, she got injured saving Yasmin and ended up in a coma. Since Yasmin was underage at the time, her father became Edith's legal guardian. Her life now hung in the balance—one that her father controlled with a single decision. Meanwhile, the waitress rushed into the break room and immediately opened her contact list, texting her cousin. "Send me 50 grand and I'll tell you exactly what Yasmin thinks of you!" … Caleb had just returned from his business trip. The first thing he noticed was that half the shoes in the entryway were missing—Yasmin's shoes. His assistant, Harris Evans, followed behind him, reporting updates on work, but Caleb suddenly raised a hand and signaled him to stop. Caleb's gaze swept across the room, only to see that all of Yasmin's belongings were gone. She had actually left! He clenched his jaw, feeling the irritation rising within him. "Where is she?" he asked Harris. In a city the size of Dunville, finding someone wasn't easy. But soon, the answer came to him instead. "Mr. Grant, the madam went to see Mr. Barnes Senior in the hospital to discuss settling Jeremy's and the Barnes heir's case privately." … "Mr. Barnes Senior, I'm truly sorry about what happened to your grandson. But even if Jeremy serves time, it won't undo what has already happened. "I heard your grandson wants to study at Barrow Public School in Eldham. One of my former professors holds significant influence in Eldham's education sector. I can ask him to write a recommendation letter." Yasmin first apologized and then offered a deal. The Barnes family had wealth but no power. They could find other ways to get a recommendation, but business favors were harder to repay. Clearly, Yasmin's offer was the better option. "Mrs. Grant, your terms are tempting, but—" Michael Barnes spread his hands in mock helplessness. "Our family depends on Mr. Grant. Perhaps you should discuss this with him first?" His meaning was clear—Caleb had already refused to settle privately, and Michael had to follow Caleb's lead. Yasmin sped back to the villa. Caleb was still dressed from his trip, but he had tossed his tie aside. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing the sharp lines of his collarbone and chest. He was reclining on the couch, his eyes closed in a light nap. Yasmin stormed in. "Caleb, what's the meaning of this?" Caleb opened his eyes lazily, and before she knew it, he was already standing in front of her. When Yasmin was angry, she reminded him of a fluffed-up kitten—fierce, but not threatening. From the moment he returned and found her gone, his irritation had been simmering. Now that she was back, he felt some of it ease. Crossing his legs, he leaned back leisurely. "Minnie, you were the one who came to me first. Now that you're done, you think you can just toss me aside like a toy? Do you think I'm your gigolo for hire?" Minnie—that was her childhood nickname. Yasmin rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "A gigolo would at least be obedient." Caleb grabbed her chin and tilted her face back toward him, deliberately asking, "What did you say?" Caught off guard, Yasmin lost her balance and stumbled into him, her palms landing on his chest. Beneath her fingertips, she could feel his firm muscles and the steady beat of his heart. His scent surrounded her. Panicked, she quickly pushed away and took a few steps back before trying to reason with him. "Caleb, Jeremy is Veronica's own brother. I'm going out of my way to help her family. Even if you want to make things difficult for me, now isn't the time, right?" Edith's treatment couldn't be stopped. The moment the ventilator was unplugged, she would be gone. "You're overthinking." Caleb's expression made it clear. If he wanted to make things difficult for her, timing wasn't an issue. "Then what are you doing right now?" Yasmin asked, considering her next words carefully. "You're upset because I asked for a divorce, aren't you?" That was the only reason he was deliberately obstructing her. Caleb didn't respond. His gaze remained cold, deep, and unreadable. Yasmin lifted her chin slightly, a sweet, almost innocent smile curling her lips. "Caleb, don't tell me that after sleeping with me a few times, you've actually fallen for me." "Yes." Caleb's response was casual and effortless. Yasmin's smile froze. She stared at him, momentarily stunned, her heart skipping a beat. Caleb's grip tightened around her waist, pulling her against him. "I like you… Your body." He smirked and added, "So far, it's satisfactory." His tone was detached, objectifying. It was the same as it had been for the past year—dominant and dismissive. Yasmin shoved him away, her expression cold. "You're a bastard, Caleb." He didn't seem fazed by the insult. "Minnie, only Mrs. Grant has the authority to negotiate with the Barnes family. The choice is yours." … At the bar, neon lights flickered, and a live band screamed into their microphones. Yasmin had to yell over the music to vent her frustration to Brenda Rhodes. "Is he insane? Tell me, is he insane? I asked for a divorce and am willing to leave without taking a dime! I might be the most understanding ex-wife in this entire circle. What more does he want? I admit it was a mistake to sleep with him that night, but I've owned up to it! How many times have I admitted it? And yet, he keeps acting all smug and patronizing. He's just insane! "He's doing this on purpose to make my life difficult! Does he have nothing better to do? He's insane!" Brenda sighed dramatically. "Babe, can you expand your vocabulary for cussing just a little?" Fuming, Yasmin downed another glass of whiskey, her anger only growing as the alcohol hit her. Then, Brenda suddenly said, "Yasmin, have you considered that maybe Caleb doesn't actually want a divorce?" Yasmin choked on her drink, her eyes widening in shock. Two seconds later, she burst into a coughing fit. When she finally caught her breath, she looked at Brenda with a hint of lingering fear. "That would mean he's actually insane. Caleb has someone else in his heart. You and I both know he only married me because he had no choice." The day after their wedding, Caleb had flown to Pacifica for work. A year later, Yasmin left for Eldham on an exchange program while Caleb returned to Pacifica. In total, they had spent less than a year together. That was how much he didn't care about her. Brenda frowned, internally cursing Caleb a thousand times over. "Tell me, who told Mrs. Grant Senior about the two of you that night? You hadn't even gotten out of bed before someone reported it. I don't believe for a second that it was an accident."