Chapter 4

Her words dropped like bombs. The entire conference room fell silent.

Scarlett's face went pale then flushed, her expression utterly ugly. She probably never imagined Yasmin would tear off the mask in public, laying their entire mess out on the table.

But Yasmin wasn't even afraid of Theodore—why would she fear Scarlett? Worst case scenario, she'd just find another job.

Yasmin lifted her gaze to Grant, her tone still ice-cold. "That's my position, Mr. Wind. You have a problem with it?" Grant choked, ultimately lowering his head. "No problem."

This was the first time Yasmin had shown her claws since joining the company. Even her supervisor, who usually loved bossing her around, looked at her differently now. Yasmin couldn't care less. She paid it no mind.

When the meeting ended, the partnership liaison work went to another colleague.

Grant hurried off immediately after, leaving Scarlett awkwardly behind with the company team discussing design concepts.

At the end of the workday, Scarlett deliberately intercepted Yasmin in the lobby, pretending she wanted to apologize for earlier. Yasmin lifted her hand to brush aside Scarlett's blocking arm. Scarlett took the opportunity to collapse toward the floor.

Yasmin turned and saw Theodore's figure appear not far away. She instantly understood Scarlett's scheme.

Such a cheap trick, yet it worked every time. Only because Theodore was willing to believe her.

Theodore's brow furrowed tightly, his gaze locked coldly on Yasmin, his tone accusatory. "Do you have to make things so difficult for Scar? It's just a necklace. How long are you going to keep this up?"

Of course. Without asking what happened, he immediately attacked her, as if she were the unreasonable villain.

Yasmin's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "What? Here to play hero and put me in my place for your sweetheart?"

Theodore was usually so clever—how could he not see this was never about some necklace? Then again, he'd always been so high and mighty, adored by everyone. Why would he care about the hurt and pain in her heart?

To him, she was nothing but a pawn used for a marriage alliance. Nothing more. No matter what she did, she could never warm his heart.

At this thought, her nose stung and her eyes reddened against her will. Yasmin laughed bitterly inside. She'd already decided to let go, yet hearing Theodore's cruel interrogation still hurt.

Yasmin couldn't be bothered to waste another word on him. Completely pointless.

She turned and walked away, her steps resolute, not sparing him a single extra glance.

Theodore frowned, about to follow, when Scarlett weakly tugged at his sleeve. "Theo, I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much..."

Yasmin ignored the commotion behind her and walked straight out the company doors.

The night wind hit her face with its coolness, dispersing some of the heat burning in her chest.

A white SUV sat quietly by the roadside, its headlights flashing twice. The door opened and a man in light casual wear stepped out, holding a paper bag. When he saw Yasmin, a gentle smile crossed his face.

"Just got off work?" It was Shawn.

"Yeah. What brings you here?"

"Worried you'd forget to eat again. Brought you those little cakes from your favorite place." Shawn's gaze fell on her reddened eyes, his smile fading as concern crept into his voice. "Got into another argument?"

"No." Yasmin took the bag, lowering her head to avoid his gaze. "Just work stuff. A bit annoying." She didn't want to burden her friend with all that mess. It would only add to his worries.

Shawn didn't press further, just raised his hand to tuck the wind-blown strands of hair behind her ear.

His fingertips were warm, carrying the clean scent of soap.

But before his fingers could touch her hair, a large hand shot out from the side and roughly grabbed Shawn's wrist. The force was so strong that Shawn's brow furrowed.

"Who gave you permission to touch her?"

Theodore's voice was colder than the winter night wind. He'd followed them out at some point, with pitiful Scarlett trailing behind him.

The moment Scarlett saw Shawn, her eyes lit up. She immediately leaned close to Theodore's ear, her voice pitched just loud enough. "Theo, see? I told you Miss White probably already has someone lined up. Why else would she be in such a rush to divorce? Three years of marriage can't compare to some man she just met..."

Her words stabbed right into Theodore's sorest spot. Was this the confidence behind her fearless demand for divorce?

"Yasmin, look at you. So eager you already found your next man?" His words were utterly vicious.

Yasmin trembled with rage. Shawn was one of her few friends, the only breathing space she had in this suffocating marriage. She couldn't tolerate Theodore insulting him like this.

"Theodore, what the hell is wrong with you!" Yasmin stepped forward, trying to pry his hand away. "Let him go!"

Shawn was calmer than her. His free hand patted Yasmin's reassuringly before he turned to Theodore, his tone even but firm. "Mr. Prescott, I think you've misunderstood. Yasmin and I were college classmates. We've known each other for years. I'm just here as a friend to pick her up for dinner."

"Friends?" Theodore's cold laugh dripped with mockery. "Friends need to be that intimate?" He was referring to Shawn's attempt to fix Yasmin's hair.

Yasmin was thoroughly enraged by his twisted version of reality.

She shoved Theodore away, stepping protectively in front of Shawn as she lifted her chin to meet his gaze.

"Yes, friends. And you, Mr. Prescott—we're in the middle of divorce proceedings. What right do you have to interrogate my friends? What gives you any authority over me? What you should be doing is keeping your Miss Baker in line!"

"You—!" Theodore found himself speechless.

Right. She wanted a divorce, and he'd agreed to it himself. What was he doing, acting like some wronged party?

Yasmin looked at his frustrated expression without an ounce of satisfaction, only endless exhaustion. She grabbed Shawn's wrist, freeing him from Theodore's grip. "Let's go. Ignore the crazy person."

With that, she pulled Shawn toward the car.

"Yasmin!" Theodore's voice came from behind.

Yasmin's steps faltered.

Just then, Theodore's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID—the estate. He answered, and whatever was said made his expression shift.

Scarlett chimed in right on cue, her voice tearful. "Theo, my ankle really hurts. Can you please take me to the hospital..."

Theodore took one last long look at Yasmin's resolute retreating figure and the man beside her. He spun around and got into his car.