Alex was aboard the helicopter when he spotted Jasmine dangling precariously from the edge of a thirty-story skyscraper."Get us there now!" he shouted to the pilot, his voice sharp over the thrum of the rotor blades.As the helicopter surged toward the building, Alex moved to the open doorway, preparing to reach her.But then his heart lurched—Jasmine released her grip and leaped into the void.His eyes widened, but only for a split second.Instinct took over.With a powerful push, he launched himself out of the helicopter, diving headfirst through the night sky after her.The sudden shift rocked the aircraft, causing it to sway as Alex plummeted downward.The cold wind whipped against his face, stinging his skin as city lights blurred around him.Jasmine fell through the air, the world a swirl of stars and skyscrapers.Regret and confusion stormed within her.Had she made the right choice?Should she have fought back against Chris?Let him do his worst and face the consequences late

Alex acknowledged to himself that his childhood memories were a blank canvas.With a wry smile, he murmured, "Is that a promise I forgot from my past?"He genuinely had no idea what Kelly meant earlier.His eyes drifted to her business card lying on the table—the one she'd left for him.She had offered to assist him in any way he needed, simply because Alfred Kingston had instructed her to.Suddenly, his phone buzzed. Lifting it to his ear, he answered, "Yes, Sophia?""Where are you?" Sophia's voice was sharp, tinged with impatience."Somewhere near Silver Mansion," Alex replied casually.She let out a weary sigh. "I'm not staying there anymore. We're renting an apartment since we were kicked out."Alex raised an eyebrow. "But you're the CEO of the Lancaster’s Group. Don't you think it's time to move back to Lancaster Mansion?"A bitter chuckle escaped her. "It would be a nightmare. Everyone there is pressuring me to divorce you and marry someone they approve of. My grandmother hasn't

The next morning, Sophia informed Alex that she needed to meet with her family to address the escalating crisis facing the Lancaster Group."Will you come with me?" she asked."Sure," Alex replied.They arrived at the Lancaster Mansion, where the entire extended family had gathered.Her grandmother, Amelia, fixed her with a stern gaze."Sophia, as the CEO of Lancaster Group, you're our only hope. The company is teetering on the brink—we won't be able to pay our employees in a few days. And Charles Cole is threatening to seize our assets over the loans Chris took out in our company."Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.Sophia took a deep breath. "Grandmother, I plan to meet with Mr. Cole today to renegotiate the loans. Additionally, we've secured a partnership with Kingston Corporation. I'm hopeful he might extend us further credit."Her grandmother's expression softened slightly.She stepped forward and placed a frail hand on Sophia's shoulder. "I knew I could count on you.

At one of Vancouver’s most renowned salons, Cathy Black reclined beneath gentle hands, savoring the soothing rhythm of a facial massage.The air was sweet with lavender and rosewater, calming her senses, until her smartwatch buzzed insistently, yanking her from blissful repose.She opened her eyes, annoyance already sparking beneath her lids.“Yes?” she snapped, answering the call.“Madame Black, it’s Jacqueline, Mr. Charles’s secretary,” came the crisp voice on the other end.Cathy exhaled, impatience bleeding into every word. “Well?”“Mr. Charles has invited Sophia Lancaster to his office and ordered me away from my desk,” Jacqueline said.Cathy’s face went cold at the mention of that name.“Sophia Lancaster,” she repeated, as if testing the flavor of it on her tongue.The esthetician, still smoothing delicate creams over Cathy’s face, tried to soften the moment.“She’s the most celebrated beauty in Vancouver,” she offered quietly.“A famous model, back in the day.”Cathy’s body ten

“Who the hell are you?” Charles snarled, voice cracking into a shrill pitch.“If my wife says she’s going to die, then she’s going to die!”Alex stepped into the office, calm and deliberate.His eyes swept over the scene before settling on Sophia.Even from across the room, he could see her condition was anything but normal.She looked drugged, unsteady, and vulnerable.“Get your filthy hands off my wife,” Alex said quietly.His voice was steady and low, yet it carried a firm authority that made everyone pause.Cathy almost laughed out loud, disbelief flickering in her eyes.She prided herself on never feeling fear, but when she met Alex’s gaze, a strange chill gripped her.For the first time in years, her knees weakened, and her hands trembled.She released Sophia’s hair, letting the young woman slump back onto the sofa.“Good,” Alex murmured, moving closer to Sophia.Cathy studied him, unsettled.He seemed like any fit young man—handsome, maybe—but nothing special.Still, something