Chapter 4

Jasmine felt she had to find an opportunity to ask Neville about this person's character and family background.

Even if Melina had changed, she was still the sister she'd grown up with. She wouldn't just watch her walk further down the wrong path.

The next day, Jasmine reported to her new position on time. Though the title was personal secretary, since she'd just started, she was temporarily just doing miscellaneous tasks under Drake's direction.

Jasmine was organizing files when thoughts of Melina made her sigh. She glanced at the time and quickly began preparing coffee, heading toward the CEO's office.

"Mr. Cooper, your coffee." Jasmine carefully placed the coffee on the solid wood desk.

The rich coffee aroma wafted up, mingled with a trace of crisp, seductive iris flower scent. Elusive yet intoxicating, it instantly reminded him of that night's intimacy.

Neville's Adam's apple bobbed. He looked up at the woman beside him.

It was her.

Neville's intense gaze fell on her, full of oppressive weight. Under such scrutiny, Jasmine's scalp tingled. Add to that the fact she'd fooled around with this man that night, and her guilty conscience kicked in.

Jasmine lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze. "Mr. Cooper, is there anything else you need?"

"You can leave and organize all the design department proposals..." Neville instinctively issued orders, then paused mid-sentence. "Actually, stay. Organize them here in the office."

He couldn't quite explain why he'd suddenly changed his mind—he just instinctively wanted to keep that iris flower scent close.

Jasmine was somewhat puzzled by his change of heart, but knew better than to ask questions. Whatever the boss said, she'd do.

Jasmine obediently stayed to organize the proposals. She wasn't chatty and was very focused on her work.

The office grew quiet, the air permeated with the faint iris flower scent. Neville felt refreshed, staring at Jasmine's focused profile, his eyes darkening for a moment.

This woman was far more to his liking than he'd imagined.

Before she knew it, the morning had passed.

Drake came by once, standing respectfully before Neville's desk. "Mr. Cooper, Valentine's Day is coming up soon. Do you need me to prepare a gift?"

Neville cleared his throat softly. After a moment's hesitation, his gaze fell on Jasmine beside him.

"Jasmine." His voice was low as he instructed, "Go prepare a gift. Unlimited budget."

"Alright." Jasmine agreed, a trace of disappointment flashing through her heart, along with an involuntary nervous flutter.

So Neville already had a girlfriend?

To warrant such extravagance, what kind of beauty must she be?

Then that night between her and Neville...

Jasmine's face flushed then paled. She became even more determined to bury what happened that night.

Just then, her phone displayed an incoming call notification.

Simon Baker, her neighbor, a bit older than her. She and Melina had been taken in by the Bakers for a while. In her heart, she'd long since considered Simon like a brother.

Jasmine quickly grabbed her phone and, after requesting Neville's permission, went outside the office to take the call.

At first, Neville forced himself to focus on the documents, but gradually his gaze kept unconsciously falling on Jasmine.

Through the glass door, he could clearly see the happy smile on Jasmine's face. It was genuine joy from the heart, showing how much she trusted and liked the person on the other end.

In front of him, Jasmine had never been so relaxed.

Neville's expression grew cold, his thin lips gradually pressing into a straight line.

Remembering Jasmine had said she had a boyfriend and their relationship was stable, he felt vaguely displeased.

Was the person on the phone her boyfriend?

He'd specifically chosen Jasmine as his personal secretary because she already had a boyfriend, but now this advantage somehow seemed irritating to him.

Neville restlessly set aside the documents. Only when Jasmine came back in and that iris flower scent swirled around his nose again did his mood gradually settle.

"There's a dinner tonight. You'll attend with me." Neville stared at Jasmine, ordering her.

Jasmine was momentarily stunned. "Mr. Cooper, you mean me?"

Neville said flatly, "Is there a third person in this office?"

Jasmine looked around and realized Drake had left at some point. She gave an awkward smile and had no choice but to accept this assignment.

That evening, at the banquet hall, Neville wore a perfectly tailored charcoal gray suit, broad-shouldered and long-legged, his figure straight.

His features were stern, his eyes seeming to be quenched in ice. Just one indifferent glance brought an invisible sense of oppression, and the previously noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

Jasmine quietly followed beside Neville, unable to resist stealing glances at the man beside her every few steps.

"Well, well, what a rare guest."

A flippant, amused voice rang out. Jasmine looked toward the sound to see a rakish-looking man strolling toward them, his teasing eyes sparkling with endless charm.

Lance Hunter gently swirled the champagne in his hand, flashing Neville a mischievous smile. "Neville, what brings you here today?"

As he spoke, his gaze moved to Jasmine, teasing, "First time I've seen you bring a woman along. Hmm... pretty down-to-earth choice."

His words were clearly mocking her plain appearance.

Neville's expression remained unchanged. Usually cold and taciturn, his words now seemed laced with venom. "Newly hired secretary. This type puts my mind at ease."

He paused. "She can block drinks for me."

So Neville brought her along just to block drinks?

Jasmine was stunned. Thinking of the high salary Neville was paying her, she was angry but didn't dare speak up.

Lance burst out laughing. He didn't dare force drinks on Neville, but he showed no mercy to Jasmine.

He kept urging her to drink, and as personal secretary, Jasmine naturally couldn't refuse.

Soon her cheeks were flushed with a rosy glow, and she looked uncomfortable as Lance offered her another drink.

Just as she gritted her teeth to accept the glass, a well-defined hand blocked it.

Neville's fingers tapped the glass lightly as he looked down at her. "How's your alcohol tolerance? Are you drunk?"

At the mention of being drunk, and facing Neville's face, Jasmine instantly recalled what happened last time she blacked out from drinking.

Her cheeks reddened further, her eyes darting away, not daring to meet Neville's gaze directly.

Neville narrowed his eyes slightly. Jasmine was clearly avoiding him, yet he found himself inexplicably moving closer.

The iris flower scent swirled around his nose. Neville's heart stirred, and he couldn't help asking, "Jasmine, have we met before?"

Jasmine's heart thundered. She quietly swallowed and forced herself to appear calm. "Mr. Cooper, I was just a small intern before. How could I have met you?"

"Is that so?" Neville took the glass, slowly straightening up, pulling back the distance between them, his gaze dark and inscrutable as he looked at Jasmine.

Jasmine nodded vigorously, afraid of arousing his suspicion.

Fortunately, Neville seemed to have only asked casually. After giving her an indifferent glance, he turned to converse with others.

The banquet ended.

Jasmine accompanied the driver in taking Neville home. Neville hadn't let her block any more drinks after that, but he'd drunk quite a bit himself and was clearly somewhat intoxicated.

Jasmine had no choice but to help the driver support him into the bedroom.

Melina was waiting anxiously in the guest bedroom. Hearing movement, she immediately slipped off her robe, revealing the sexy lingerie underneath, and sauntered toward the master bedroom door.

She worked hard to strike her most alluring pose, raising her hand to knock, only to catch sight of Jasmine inside!

Melina's face changed drastically.

If Jasmine found out Neville was the new boyfriend she'd mentioned, then wouldn't her identity theft be exposed?