Yasmine gestured toward the exit. “Don’t let me stop you.”
Ashley glared at her. “Aren’t you scared?”
e
“Why would I be?” Yasmine shot back. “Sebastian’s the one hunting me down. If he finds me… Who knows? Maybe we’ll make up.”
Her gaze remained steady, a smirk tugging at her lips. “You wrecked my marriage–now you’re giving me the perfect chance to return the favor. Why would I say no?”
Ashley’s jaw tightened. “All those times you ‘coincidentally‘ showed up near me–that was deliberate? You’re using me to lead Sebastian on?”
Yasmine laughed. “Think whatever you want. I’ll be right here waiting,” she said and then she strolled out of the bathroom.
Ashley’s shout chased after her. “Yasmine, I won’t let you get your way!”
Yasmine exhaled slowly–the gamble paid off.
“Yasmine.” Hayden walked over after finishing his call, brow furrowed. “Did I just hear a yapping Chihuahua?”
“Spot on.” Yasmine’s smile widened. ‘A rabid little thing throwing a fit.
“Enough about her.” Yasmine tilted her head toward the restroom, eyes sharp. “Let’s talk in the lounge.”
Twin telepathy kicked in. Hayden instantly understood and nodded, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they moved off with easy familiarity.
When Ashley stormed out, she found the two glued together. Instinctively, she snapped a photo.
She nearly sent it to Sebastian to stir the pot–but Yasmine’s taunt echoed in her head. The urge fizzled out unspoken.
Fuming, she shoved her phone into her purse. “Yasmine,” she hissed at the retreating figure. “Don’t even think about using me as a pawn.”
In the lounge, Yasmine’s eyebrows shot up as she stared at the LED check–in screen. “As I expected, they’re there.”
Hayden followed her gaze and laughed. “So this was why you flashed the ‘Ace‘ card in public?”
The siblings exchanged grins, both getting the unspoken message in each other’s eyes.
‘Cheryl’s got some serious guts, putting up that signboard right at the company entrance,” Hayden said. “Isn’t she afraid Sebastian will get really pissed off?”
Yasmine didn’t even blink. “He won’t.”
After three years of inarriage, she knew Sebastian well–he valued his reputation above all else. With that sign there, he wouldn’t show up tonight, no matter what. Even if things blew up tomorrow, he’d just pretend nothing happened.
After all, he’d already sent his lackeys. And the intel they wanted? She’d make sure they left empty–handed.
The Tieline Design gala dragged on past midnight. By the time the confetti settled, the Guzman Group had locked down Ace’s sponsorship. Sebastian’s face went stone–cold at the news.
The Zimmermans and Guzmans had been bitter enemies for years. The Zimmermans had already stolen the resort. renovation rights, and now Tieline had escalated the conflict.
Not only did they display such a bold signboard at the gala entrance, but they also handed the sponsorship to the Guzmans. For Sebastian, this was nothing short of a full–blown declaration of war.
2
10:26 AM
Chapter 22
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed slightly. ‘Since when did I piss off Tieline?‘ he muttered to himself. ‘It’s been flying under the radar for three damn years.
“Mr. Zimmerman, urgent!” Truman burst in, breathless. “Mrs. Leila Zimmerman’s been hospitalized.”
Sebastian shoved his thoughts aside and rushed to the hospital.
Leila lay against the stark white sheets, her face ghostly pale. The moment she saw Sebastian, she ripped out her IV and yelled, “Where is Yasmine? Why haven’t you taken her back yet?”
Sebastian watched as her hand swelled up. After a brief pause, he glanced at the nurse standing by.
Before the nurse could step closer, Leila hurled a pillow at her, sending her scrambling back.
“If Yasmine isn’t here, I’m done with treatment,” Leila spat, glaring at Sebastian. “I might as well follow Anne into the grave. We old folks don’t deserve any dignity anyway.
“Anne picked Yasmine as your wife. She hasn’t even been gone a month, and you’re already crawling into bed with other women. Sebastian, I never took you for a spineless hypocrite!”
Leila’s chest heaved like a cornered beast, eyes burning into Sebastian with raw, animalistic rage.
