“Are you sure about your decision, Sophia? Being the president of CSC won’t be easy,” Carl asked, making sure one last time.Sophia didn’t even slow her pace.“Why? Are you not ready?” she shot back.“It’s not that,” Carl said honestly. “You’re trusting me with everything. What if I betray you too?”Sophia stopped walking.Her fists clenched at her sides as she took a deep breath. When she turned to face him, her eyes were steady—but wounded.“I trust you, Carl,” she said quietly. “And right now, please… you’re the only one I can rely on.”She reached for his hand and held it tightly.“I won’t survive it if you betray me too.”Carl swallowed hard. Something sharp twisted in his chest at the pain he saw in her eyes—raw, unguarded, real.He exhaled and gave her a faint, sincere smile.“I won’t,” he said. “I promise.”Sophia’s face instantly softened. She smiled brightly and wrap

Carl and Jasmine left early for Astrandale.Jasmine couldn’t help but feel nervous during the drive. The party was private—only a handful of highly important people had been invited. She never even imagined that she would be one of them.Why she was invited remained a mystery to her.They arrived at the hotel and booked two rooms, where they changed into their formal attire.Carl wore a casual tuxedo he had gotten from Sophia, while Jasmine slipped into a silver off-shoulder dress that shimmered softly under the lights.“Ready?” Carl asked.Jasmine took a deep breath. “Yes. Are you?”“Of course. I was born ready.”Jasmine rolled her eyes. “Let’s go.”They walked down the hallway toward the ballroom where the party was being held.“You know what?” Jasmine said, glancing at him. “You still haven’t told me why you want to come here.”Carl glanced at her as they walked, his steps steady, unhurried—too calm for someone entering a den full of wolves.“You know what?” Jasmine repeated, stopp