They all went inside, guided through a gleaming hallway lined with crystal lights that probably cost more than Jasmine’s entire condo unit.Each party was escorted to their own private dining room—soundproof, luxurious, and scented with something so expensive Jasmine was sure it didn’t even have a name, just a price tag.Inside their room, Ophelia immediately sank into the velvet chair as if she had been born royalty instead of… well, Ophelia.“This is life,” she declared, crossing her legs dramatically. “Tony, hold that card properly, okay? So they’ll see we’re not just nobodies.”Tony chuckled awkwardly and placed the gold card on the table as if it were a sacred relic stolen from the gods.The staff arrived with menus so thick they could probably double as riot shields. But before Jasmine could even say “thank you,” James leaned back arrogantly.“You see that?” James said, grinning at the servers. “This is a gold card. GOLD. Only special people have it.”Ophelia nodded proudly. “Ex

Inside their private dining room, the atmosphere was buzzing—part shock, part denial, part pure chismis energy.James paced like a man trying to calculate taxes he never planned to pay.Ophelia sat stiffly, fingers tapping the table as if hoping the wood would give her a different answer.Tony, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair like nothing was wrong, but his eyes kept twitching in curiosity.“I can’t believe that Carl is the new owner of this place! How can he even own a place like this?" James asked, still couldn’t believe. "Maybe it’s because of Sophia." Ophelia shook her head. “Poor woman. Now she’s the one that Carl milking away.”“You’re right, Mom! So, that means Carl wasn’t really the owner of this place, right?” James answered. “Of course!” Jasmine sighed. Though she also couldn’t believe it. But who was she to judge? Carl must have been too lucky that he suddenly owned this place. “So… let me get this straight,” Tony finally said, folding his arms. “Who exactly is thi

Carl walked back into their room in complete silence. He sat beside Sophia, not saying a single word, not even shifting in his seat.He still couldn’t believe Jasmine didn’t believe him. He was just trying to save her.But she looked at Tony the way she never looked at him.She was falling for that man again.Carl shook his head. Then so be it.Sophia’s brows drew together as she noticed the unnerving quiet radiating from him.“What happened? Bakit ka biglang umalis?” she asked.Carl let out a long breath. “Nothing important.”Sophia raised an eyebrow. She didn’t buy that for a second.“Anyway, Uncle Marion,” she said, turning to him, “since we’re done here, we should head out.”Marion nodded.“Yes. I didn’t expect everything to go this way, but it happened. I’ll start searching for the herbal plant tonight. And I’ll expect the prepared medicine from you as well, Mr. Donovan.”Carl didn’t even answer.Sophia forced an awkward smile for him.“Y-Yes, Uncle. Don’t worry. Carl will prepar

Greg Lawson stepped closer to Sophia with a polished smile, the kind of grin that suggested he practiced it in front of a mirror far too often.“Ms. Carson! I’m glad I finally met you!” he said, voice smooth as silk.He leaned in and kissed her cheek, catching Sophia completely off-guard.Sophia forced a polite smile.“I… thanks. May I know who you are, Mister?”Greg’s grin widened.“Sorry for my bad behavior. Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Greg Lawson—a lawyer, and a businessman. I own a few establishments here in Crimson Rox. And I’ve been an admirer of your work for a long time.”Then he took Sophia’s hand and kissed the back of it.Sophia swallowed hard, gently pulling her hand away as she glanced discreetly around.The moment she caught Carl watching from a distance, her shoulders eased.“Thank you, Mr. Lawson. I didn’t realize I had an admirer here.”Greg straightened proudly.“Well, of course. Many people in my city would love to work with you. This could be a great oppo

Greg’s smile widened, almost delighted.“So… you're ‘Carl Donovan’, huh? You really are skilled,” he said, as if he wasn’t holding a knife pressed to Sophia’s stomach.He looked at Carl with an amused gleam in his eyes.Sophia stood frozen between them, her knees trembling so badly she could barely feel them. She didn’t dare move, terrified that the slightest shift would make Greg push the blade deeper.Carl’s eyes narrowed. “So you’ve been after me all this time? Why involve her?”Greg chuckled. “Why wouldn’t I? I like her.”He leaned toward Sophia and inhaled softly.“And she smells good.”Sophia’s tears spilled. “Y-You’re crazy!”“Am I?” He tilted his head. “Yeah. I think so.”Suddenly, Greg jerked the knife back and aimed to stab her, but Carl yanked Sophia aside. She collapsed to the floor just as Carl caught Greg’s wrist in a tight grip.“What do you want?!” Carl demanded.Greg’s grin twisted. “Because you ruined everything! Our operations at Velmora have stopped!”Carl frowned.