Chapter 38
As Mandy jogged by, headphones in, Yasmine turned around slowly. Her face, bare of makeup, was bathed in the soft, golden light of dawn, with tiny flecks of sunlight dancing on her eyelids.
But Mandy stopped short, staring at her like she’d seen a ghost.
“Morning, Mrs. Zimmerman,” Yasmine said with a casual smile. Even after three years of marriage to Mandy’s son, she still wasn’t allowed to call Mandy by her first name–Mandy always insisted that Yasmine wasn’t worthy of it.
Mandy stood there, frozen. Yasmine had vanished without a trace weeks ago and she didn’t understand why Yasmine was back now. And then it hit her- tomorrow was Sebastian and Ashley’s engagement party. Maybe this was the reason. So she asked, “What do you want, Yasmine?”
Yasmine just stretched again, yawning softly. “Just out for a run.”
Then Mandy finally noticed Yasmine’s sportswear. The simple, gray outfit caught her eye–especially the logo. She wondered, ‘Belle & Prestige? Even a basic T–shirt from that luxury brand costs a fortune. How could Yasmine afford something like that?‘
Mandy’s mind raced. Her designer dresses and Sarah’s jewelry happened to be missing when Yasmine left. She wondered if Yasmine had stolen and sold them, using the money to buy those Belle & Prestige clothes.
But then she thought, ‘Yasmine? No way. She’s way too clueless about high fashion. She probably just bought fakes.‘
While Mandy was lost in her thoughts, Yasmine watched her closely, reading every flicker of emotion. Everything clicked into place. A cold, mocking smile curled at the corners of Yasmine’s lips.
Mandy had never respected her–an “orphan” with no family connections, someone who supposedly brought nothing to the table. Even after three years of contributing to the Zimmerman family and their business, it still wasn’t enough.
“Don’t parade around in knockoffs,” Mandy said, her voice laced with disdain.
Yasmine glanced down at her outfit and smiled, “You always have an eye for this stuff, Mrs. Zimmerman.” She let the word “always” linger, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
Mandy didn’t get it at all. She just snorted, convinced Yasmine was wearing knockoffs.
Then she said, “I don’t know what you’re playing at, showing up here. But listen, Sebastian’s moved on. Tomorrow’s his engagement party with Ashley. He was forced to marry you, but he’s in love with her. He wants to show her off to the world. You’d better leave now.”
Yasmine’s smile was more like a smirk. She’d heard it all before–three years of this, and she’d learned to let the harsh words roll off her. “And what if I
don’t want to?”
Mandy’s face turned stormy. “Don’t test me, Yasmine. I’m only holding back because you did alright by the family for a while. But if you’re looking for a fight, I’ll give you one.”
“Oh?” Yasmine looked calm. “And how exactly do you plan to get rid of me?”
Mandy stepped closer, her voice low and menacing. “You think I don’t know what you did? You stole my designer dresses and Sarah’s jewelry. Do you have any idea how much that’s worth? Enough to put you in jail. Are you really willing to risk that?”
‘Whoa, a master of slander,‘ Yasmine almost laughed and thought. ‘All of that isn’t even worth a fraction of what Hayden’s motorcycle parts cost. Steal it? Please.‘
Mandy’s smile was smug at Yasmine’s silence. Since you didn’t take a penny from Sebastian when you left, I’ll cut you some slack. Get out of here-
now.”
Yasmine raised an eyebrow. “And what if I don’t?”
1/2
08:26 Wed, 18 Jun
Chapter 38
Mandy frowned, “Do you really want to end up in jail?”
