“What?” Sebastian was stunned.
In Beliston, only one Guzman family could leave Mandy this shaken. They’d made their fortune in mining, but it was a business genius in their family that had truly set them apart. Now they were equals with the Zimmerman family, known as the “Two Pillars of the City.”
Before the marriage, his grandma Anne had vetted Yasmine’s background–clean as a whistle. So instinctively, Sebastian shook his head and denied Yasmine could have anything to do with the powerful Guzman family. “Impossible.”
The next moment, the realization hit him. His breathing quickened as he asked, “Mom, did you see Yasmine?”
“I did.” Mandy said through gritted teeth.
“Where?” Sebastian pressed.
Mandy finally noticed the strange look on Sebastian’s face. She studied him for a moment before saying slowly, “Sebastian, tomorrow is your engagement party with Ashley. After waiting so long, you can’t get involved with your ex–wife now.” She emphasized the word “ex–wife.”
Sebastian’s voice was still flat and cold. “Where’s Yasmine?”
Mandy suddenly felt a pang of unease and thought, ‘Something’s off. Sebastian’s the one who’s wanted to marry Ashley. So why does he seem so preoccupied with Yasmine at a moment like this? Could it be that he still has feelings for her?‘
Her anger suddenly cooled. Mandy decided to hide the fact that she’d seen Yasmine. “I made a mistake earlier. I didn’t see Yasmine myself. One of the servants saw her being intimate with a man on the street.
“And this man was that good–for–nothing from the Guzman family. So she didn’t just run away. She cheated on you before she left.”
She added firmly, “Sebastian, there’s a tradition in Beliston. Grooms don’t stay at the bride’s home before the engagement. I’ll book you a hotel for tonight. After this, you and Ashley will move straight into your new place. No more staying here.”
Sebastian stared at Mandy, catching the flicker of something in her eyes. She was lying. He knew it instantly.
He replayed everything Mandy had said since he’d arrived. Then he turned and walked away–Yasmine had to be nearby.
Seeing him hurry off, Mandy instinctively chased after him. “Sebastjan!”
But he seemed not to hear, quickening his pace instead.
“Sebastian, stop,” Mandy shouted, ignoring the pain in her body as she limped toward the courtyard. But then she froze–Sebastian had stopped in the garden.
She followed his gaze and saw Yasmine chatting with Hayden at the entrance of the villa across the way. His arm was linked with hers together.
as
they laughed
At some point, Yasmine playfully punched his arm. Instead of getting annoyed, he affectionately ruffled her hair. Their every move exuded the easy intimacy of a close couple. Then, he playfully tapped her nose with a grin.
Sebastian watched, his brow furrowed.
“Yasmine, I’m leaving now,” Hayden said, still looking worried. “I’ve put emergency buttons in every obvious spot around the villa. If that bastard trie anything, press one and I’ll be there with the cops faster than you can blink.”
Yasmine had heard this speech so many times she could recite it in her sleep. She smiled and saw Hayden off, and then turned to head back inside.
Then Sebastian’s deep, cold voice stopped her in her tracks. “Yasmine. Who was that?”
