Chapter 7

"Just you?" Neville let out a scoff and handed her his glass. "Don't worry. Drink up."

Jasmine had no way to explain herself. She could hardly announce in front of everyone that last time she blacked out, she'd actually slept with Neville, could she?

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Jasmine grimaced as she accepted the glass Neville offered and downed it in one gulp.

"Nice!" Wally cheered.

And from there, things spiraled out of control. By the time the party ended, Jasmine had long since lost her senses and blacked out again.

Before her eyes went dark and she lost consciousness, the last image in her mind was Neville's stern profile.

"Ugh..."

Jasmine came to groggily, rubbing her aching head from the hangover.

She was already lying on a soft bed. Looking down at her clothes, she found them completely changed—not at all what she'd worn yesterday. Jasmine bolted upright in shock.

"You're awake?"

Just then, Neville emerged from the bathroom, his voice low as he asked.

He'd just finished showering, with only a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. His hair was still dripping wet, water droplets trailing down the lines of his neck, sliding over his firm abs, continuing downward and disappearing into the towel's edge.

Jasmine quickly covered her face, wailing internally.

No way, no way, right?

Had she blacked out and slept with Neville again?

What was she going to do now? This time she'd been caught red-handed. Would Neville fire her?

She knew alcohol was trouble!

Neville narrowed his eyes at Jasmine. Seeing her reaction, he explained coolly, "Don't misunderstand. Nothing happened between us. A female hotel employee helped you change."

Hearing this, Jasmine immediately relaxed. She quickly looked up, relief flooding her face. "Oh, thank God!"

After learning nothing had happened, this woman was actually relieved?

Neville paused mid-motion while drying his hair. He lifted his hand to push his wet hair back, revealing his smooth forehead.

Catching sight of Jasmine still looking relieved, his eyes darkened. He added casually, "Well, not completely nothing."

Jasmine immediately tensed up again and pressed him urgently. "Mr. Cooper, what do you mean?"

"You don't remember anything you said?" Neville tossed the towel aside, walked over, and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Jasmine's eyes wandered, not daring to look at Neville's model-worthy physique, her heart pounding hard.

What on earth had she said?

Had she actually made a move on Neville?

Jasmine bit her lip. She could only look up at Neville and ask anxiously, "Mr. Cooper, what exactly did I say?"

Having been at a distance earlier, he hadn't paid much attention.

Now, Neville finally got a clear look at Jasmine's true appearance. Even his usually composed self couldn't help but be surprised.

So the thick bangs and black-framed glasses had been her disguise all along. She'd deliberately made herself look plain. If the hotel staff hadn't removed her disguise, he would never have known Jasmine possessed such beauty.

"Nothing." Neville answered coolly. Before Jasmine could speak, he added, "This look suits you. Keep it this way for work from now on."

Jasmine quickly pulled out her phone to check. Sure enough, her disguise was gone.

"Yes, Mr. Cooper." Things being what they were, she had no choice but to comply.

"Work starts at nine. You've got fifteen minutes to get ready." Neville glanced at her indifferently and left.

Only then did Jasmine breathe a long sigh of relief. Apparently she really hadn't done anything to Neville last night. She could relax completely now.

She got out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. After getting herself together at lightning speed, she followed Neville out the door.

As soon as they stepped out, they ran into Wally in the hallway.

"Nev, good morning!" Wally greeted warmly. Seeing the woman behind Neville, he asked in confusion, "Who's this?"

Neville shot him a cold glance without answering and continued walking forward.

Jasmine had to explain, "Mr. Seasons, I'm Jasmine."

"I'm about to be late for work, so I have to go."

With that, she gave Wally an apologetic smile and quickly caught up with Neville.

"Jasmine?!"

That plain-looking secretary from last night?!

Wally was stunned. Looking at the gorgeous woman before him, his jaw nearly dropped.

He stood frozen, watching the two figures walk away, suddenly understanding everything.

No wonder last night when drunk Jasmine had been flirting with Nev, he hadn't made a move.

Turned out this Jasmine was actually a stunning beauty!

Meanwhile, Jasmine had already arrived at the office.

The moment she walked in, she drew her colleagues' attention. The entire office fell silent for a few seconds.

"Jasmine?" A female colleague exclaimed in surprise. "Wow, I almost didn't recognize you! You look so much prettier like this—way better than before!"

Other colleagues chimed in.

"Yeah, yeah, I never realized how pretty you were."

"You look so much better this way. What a beauty!"

Jasmine found herself drowning in compliments. Feeling embarrassed, she thanked everyone repeatedly before heading to Neville's office to work.

The moment she entered, Neville spoke up.

"The Valentine's Day gift—is it ready?"

Jasmine suddenly remembered that today was actually Valentine's Day.

Fortunately, she'd gone to buy the gift the moment she'd received the assignment. She immediately replied, "It's all ready. Would you like to see it?"

"No need." Neville signed a document, looked up and glanced at her. "Just deliver it in person now."

Jasmine had long been curious about Neville's girlfriend. Yesterday at the party, listening to Wally go on and on about how Neville avoided women and was a total workaholic had made her even more curious.

"Alright." Jasmine cheerfully accepted this assignment and left the office.

She first went to the luxury boutique to pick up the gift, then rushed to Neville's villa without stopping.

Technically, once she delivered the gift, her task would be complete and she could leave without issue.

But Jasmine patiently sat downstairs waiting for Neville's girlfriend to sign for it personally. She also wanted to see what kind of woman suited Neville's taste.

Time ticked by second by second, but the stairwell remained completely quiet. Jasmine sat there bored but afraid this mysterious girlfriend might make her grand entrance any second, so she didn't dare leave.

Growing truly restless from waiting, Jasmine simply walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows to admire the beautiful garden scenery.

Melina had received a call from Drake earlier, learning that Neville was sending a Valentine's Day gift to the villa. She was instantly overjoyed, all the embarrassment and hurt from that night swept away.

Apparently Neville still cared about her. That night he'd just been in a bad mood.

As long as she performed well, sooner or later she'd completely capture Neville's heart and become his wife.

The more Melina thought about it, the happier she became. Upstairs, she applied a full face of flawless makeup, tried on dozens of outfits, and after elaborate preparations, finally lifted her skirt and bounced downstairs in delight.

In the downstairs living room, a beautifully wrapped gift box tied with a pink ribbon sat prominently on the table.

And by the window, there seemed to be a figure moving.

Melina's heart fluttered. She broke into a coquettish smile and hurried toward the gift.