Carl had been noticing it all day — the sharp, dagger-like looks Sophia kept throwing at him. Every time their eyes met, she’d roll hers with the dramatic flair of someone who had personally been offended by his entire existence.He frowned for maybe the tenth time.What was that supposed to mean?And she wasn’t saying a word. Not even during the car ride on their way to the banquet celebrating the success of the groundbreaking ceremony. She just sat there, arms crossed, jaw tight, radiating silent judgment like her life depended on it.They finally arrived at the Bright Hotel — classy, elegant, and perfectly suited for post-event celebrations.Carl parked right in front of the entrance. He quickly stepped out, looping around the car to open Sophia’s door like a gentleman. But when he looked up…Sophia was already out, dusting imaginary dirt off her dress like she had escaped captivity.He sighed. Still, he offered his arm out of habit. She brushed past it as if the mere idea of touch

Carl was waiting for Sophia to come downstairs when his phone suddenly rang.He frowned. Unknown number.He ignored it, slipping the phone back into his pocket — but froze when he saw a text notification from Ophelia.Before he could even open it, the phone rang again. Same number.This time, he answered.“What—”“Carl Donovan! I swear! Where is my daughter?!” Ophelia’s furious voice exploded through the speaker.Carl blinked, brows knitting. “Jasmine? Why are you asking me where she is?”“No one else could’ve taken her except you!”“Huh?”Carl genuinely couldn’t process what she was accusing him of.The last time he saw Jasmine was at the banquet. They didn’t even talk. They barely even crossed paths.And now he was the prime suspect? That wasn’t just wrong — that was insane.“Meet me at the station!” Ophelia snapped. Then the call abruptly ended.Carl just stood there, stunned, trying to make sense of her words — when multiple police cars suddenly pulled up in front of Sophia’s hou

Carl didn’t stay in that cell long.Sophia didn’t even have to lift a finger. The moment she dialed the number Carl left on her phone, an officer approached them and immediately began processing Carl’s release papers.Just like that—he was free.“That was fast. Who was that, Carl?” Sophia asked.Carl didn’t answer. His face remained hard and unreadable as he strode down the precinct hallway.In the lobby, Ophelia was still there, speaking with an officer. She turned at the sound of footsteps—and her eyes nearly popped out.“What the hell?! What are you doing here?! Why are you out?!” she screeched the moment she saw Carl.“You monster! You should be in that cell!” James snapped.He looked ready to lunge, but the police stepped in immediately, blocking him.Sophia crossed her arms.“Carl didn’t take Jasmine. Instead of pointing fingers at the wrong guy, maybe you should actually try looking for her.”Ophelia shot Sophia a deadly glare.“How are we supposed to look for her if he’s hidin

Tony stared at Jasmine, who was still lying unconscious on the bed.He had been caressing her face, her arm, and even her legs for a while now—slow strokes that made him close his eyes every time his skin met hers.“Jasmine… why are you so stubborn, huh?” he murmured. “But well, I don’t know what your ex-husband did. Pero pasensya ka na. I’ll need you right now.”He leaned down beside her head, inhaling her scent softly.“Too bad… I really wanted you. But I need money more.”A grin crept across Tony’s lips.Then he stood up and finally left the room.The moment Jasmine heard the click of the door closing, her eyes shot open.She had been awake the whole time—but she had no choice but to pretend she was still unconscious.Tony didn’t know she was aware of where he had brought her.He didn’t know she’d seen the house… and the people inside it.This place wasn’t abandoned at all.She saw men—armed men—moving around when Tony dragged her in earlier.Tears pooled in Jasmine’s eyes as she f

Carl and Jade exchanged one sharp look—and then they moved.Carl bolted toward the house, cutting through the shadows behind the trees while Jade sprinted in the opposite direction to flank the guards. Red’s voice crackled urgently through the earpiece.“Boss, she’s climbing down! Southeast side of the house. Right window. Hurry!”“I see her,” Carl muttered, eyes locked on the pale shape dangling from knotted bedsheets.Jasmine.Her hair whipped in the wind as the makeshift rope swung dangerously. She was halfway down, trying her best not to look at the ground. Carl’s breath hitched—relief mixed with panic.Jade cursed under her breath. “Damn, she’s going to fall.”“She won’t,” Carl said—and he increased his speed.But the guards noticed her too.“Hey!”“There’s someone on the wall!”“Get her!”Three men rushed toward the side of the house, guns raised. Another two broke off, running toward the forest as if searching for someone who had escaped earlier.Carl snarled. “Touch her and I