Chapter 5

To keep this secret hidden, Melina absolutely couldn't let Jasmine see her. She could only grit her teeth and turn away, her resentment toward Jasmine growing even stronger.

That jinx—she only ever ruined her plans!

Melina stormed back to the guest bedroom, hoping desperately that Jasmine would hurry up and leave.

Meanwhile, Jasmine and the driver had just managed to settle Neville in.

The driver was shrewd. Seeing that Jasmine had accompanied the CEO to the banquet, he figured this plain-looking woman must have something special about her after all.

He immediately offered to drive Jasmine home.

After refusing several times to no avail, Jasmine finally agreed. "Thank you so much."

"Don't mention it." The driver walked ahead and opened the door.

Jasmine followed behind him. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but the moment the door opened, she thought she glimpsed a woman's figure disappearing around the corner.

Could that be Neville's girlfriend?

Why did that silhouette feel so familiar?

Jasmine was puzzled. She stood at the door, brow furrowed, trying to recall but couldn't place it.

"Ms. Hale, let's go."

The driver had already gone downstairs. Seeing her still standing in the hallway, he called out.

Her train of thought interrupted, Jasmine snapped back to reality. Without thinking further, she hurried after the driver.

Once she confirmed Jasmine had left, Melina breathed a sigh of relief. She checked her appearance in the mirror, then quietly slipped back into Neville's room.

Though Neville had told her to be his woman, since bringing her back, he hadn't touched her at all.

Seeing Neville lying on the bed with his eyes closed, clearly somewhat drunk, Melina's heart leaped with joy. This was a heaven-sent opportunity—she had to seize it tonight.

Melina stripped off her clothes and climbed onto the bed, pressing close to Neville. Her palm slowly moved down from his firm, muscular chest.

Just as she was about to unbuckle his belt, her wrist was suddenly clamped in a vice grip.

Melina cried out in pain. Before she could say anything, a powerful force shoved her away violently!

She tumbled to the floor, naked body sprawled on the carpet in complete humiliation.

Neville had already sat up in bed, his dark eyes filled with undisguised disgust.

He stared coldly at the woman on the floor, demanding harshly, "What the hell are you doing!"

Melina looked aggrieved, deliberately putting on a pitiful expression as she tearfully complained to Neville. "Didn't you say you wanted me to be your woman? I just wanted to make you feel good."

Looking at her, Neville felt none of the excitement and heat from that night.

To completely break with her past, Melina had replaced everything about herself from head to toe. Even the iris flower scent she'd picked up from living with Jasmine was something she regarded like a plague.

That smell irritated her endlessly. Every whiff reminded her of her lowly origins.

To get rid of it, Melina had scrubbed herself three times over as soon as she moved in, finally replacing her natural scent with expensive fragrance.

Therefore, Neville didn't detect that crisp, seductive iris flower scent on her at all. Instead, there was a completely unfamiliar fragrance.

Had he found the wrong person?

But the ID badge couldn't be fake.

Neville frowned, a seed of doubt taking root in his mind.

Looking at Melina still tearfully complaining, he couldn't find even a trace of that night's woman in her. Only disgust.

He normally despised these weepy, whiny women most. By contrast, though Jasmine was plain, she was quiet and well-behaved, not annoying at all.

Neville's patience ran out. "Get out," he said coldly.

Melina was frightened by his stern expression. She hastily grabbed her clothes from the floor and left.

The room fell quiet again.

Neville couldn't sleep. His head still felt fuzzy, so he leaned against the headboard with closed eyes to rest.

Jasmine's face inexplicably surfaced in his mind.

Thick bangs, wearing those outdated black-rimmed glasses.

Clearly plain as could be, with nothing attractive about her appearance.

Yet her scent was so alluring...

Neville recalled the crisp iris flower fragrance, and the sensual memories of that night began replaying in his mind.

A scorching heat erupted from within his body, making his blood boil. He had no choice but to get out of bed and take a cold shower.

Meanwhile, after being kicked out, Melina was already angry and upset. Of all times, Jasmine had to call right now.

She didn't want to answer at all, but Jasmine persistently called again.

Melina answered with a dark expression, very impatiently. "What do you want? Spit it out."

Being scorned after reaching out first hurt Jasmine's feelings. The words of concern stuck in her throat.

After a moment of silence, she still spoke in an even tone. "Lina, how are you doing there? Is your boyfriend treating you well? If you're being mistreated, you can come back anytime."

Melina was fine until Jasmine brought it up. The mention reminded her of the embarrassing incident just now.

"What are you babbling about? Who needs your fake concern? My boyfriend treats me great—mind your own business!" Despite her anger, Melina remained stubborn. "I'm telling you, I'm living the good life now. Don't think about mooching off me, and stop calling me!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she impatiently hung up.

Jasmine held her phone, a wave of disappointment washing over her.

She could feel Melina's eagerness to sever ties with her, wanting nothing to do with her.

Jasmine sighed, deciding to find an opportunity to have a proper talk with Melina.

The next day, Jasmine still reported to Drake first, doing tasks like organizing files and making coffee.

According to Drake, Neville was extremely punctual and valued order highly. Calling him a work machine wouldn't be an exaggeration.

For this reason, Jasmine deliberately checked her watch to deliver Neville's coffee right on time.

"Mr. Cooper, good morning." Jasmine set down the coffee and greeted him respectfully.

The faint iris flower scent drifted over, instantly stimulating Neville's nerves.

"Leave it there."

Not having slept well last night, he tiredly rubbed his temples.

Jasmine tactfully began organizing the bookshelf behind him. The distance between them wasn't far, and that crisp iris flower scent lingered just out of reach, disturbing Neville's peace of mind.

Just as his irritation peaked, a receptionist came to knock on the door.

After receiving permission, the employee stood at the entrance and asked carefully, "Ms. Hale, could you come here for a moment? We just received a gift with a note saying it's for you."

Neville looked up and indeed saw the employee holding a pink gift box with very elegant packaging.

Jasmine immediately set down what she was doing. After signaling to Neville, she hurried over with small running steps and thanked the employee before taking the gift.

Seeing the handwriting on the note, Jasmine immediately understood who had sent it and broke into a smile.

The employee feared Neville but wasn't as intimidated by the plain-looking Jasmine. She teased, "Ms. Hale, judging by this romantic packaging, is it from your boyfriend?"

Jasmine froze, but remembering she'd lied to Neville about having a boyfriend, she smiled faintly and tacitly confirmed it.

Neville grew increasingly irritated listening to this. He barked, "Jasmine!"

Instantly, the entire office fell into deathly silence. All eyes swiveled toward Jasmine.