CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT – NANCY’S VENDETTA

At another high-society event, Jasmine found herself the subject of a devastating humiliation orchestrated by the vindictive Nancy DuBois and her cohorts. It began innocuously enough – a champagne flute pressed into her hand by a server, the crisp, liquid seeming perfectly innocent. "To your continued success, my dear," Nancy purred as she sidled up beside Jasmine, her perfectly coiffed chignon and icy smile reminiscent of a preening bird of prey. "This is certainly a night for celebration." Jasmine eyed the woman warily, fighting to keep her expression neutral. "Thank you, Nancy. Though I must admit, your well-wishes do seem...unexpected, given our history." Nancy's smile didn't falter, but her eyes glittered with undisguised malice. "Water under the bridge, darling. I'm simply trying to extend an olive branch, for Alexander's sake if nothing else." She lifted her own flute in a mocking toast. "To buried hatchets." Despite her reservations, Jasmine couldn't resist mirroring the ge