Chapter 6

Sean's words undoubtedly pushed Jasmine into an awkward situation she couldn't escape from.

Jasmine looked at Sean, and suddenly she understood—he was just afraid that if she revealed her hidden identity, it would make Kayla uncomfortable.

So the company contract wasn't that important to him after all?

When Zachary looked at Jasmine again, the appreciation that had remained in his eyes was completely gone, and his tone was mocking: "I see. Manager Harris, you've really gone to great lengths for this deal."

You couldn't blame Zachary for saying this—at least he still gave her some dignity by not exposing her publicly.

Jasmine glanced at Sean. He didn't know that once again, he had personally pushed away a deal that could have worked out. Well, hopefully the PhD graduate from Crestview University by his side could bring back the cooperation with Horizon Tech.

"Since Mr. Gray says I'm just a sales manager, then I guess that's all I can be," Jasmine said with a smile.

She had tried her best. She hoped Sean wouldn't regret what he said today.

Turning to Zachary, Jasmine asked with a smile: "Does your offer of twenty minutes still stand?"

As expected, Zachary laughed dismissively: "Someone who lies through their teeth—even two minutes would be a waste."

Seeing Jasmine's uncomfortable expression, Sean stepped forward and positioned himself partially in front of her: "Zachary, don't let her ruin your mood. As for the contract, Kayla is more professional than anyone. We can discuss it in detail later."

"The banquet hasn't even started and it's already this lively?" A man's teasing voice came from the side.

This whole situation was a complete mess.

Jasmine closed her eyes, not wanting to turn around. She naturally recognized this voice. When she used to avoid him, she could go three years without seeing him. She never expected to run into him twice in one day.

She really didn't know whether to call herself lucky or unlucky.

Zachary's attitude completely changed: "I didn't expect to see Ms. Williams today. I wonder if I have the honor of meeting Mr. Williams?"

Logan walked over slowly with his arm around Chloe's slender waist, not even glancing at Jasmine.

Chloe politely exchanged pleasantries: "My dad had something come up, so he sent me instead. Mr. Baker, long time no see."

Zachary wanted to continue making small talk, but Logan didn't give him the chance. He smiled formally at Sean: "Mr. Gray, won't you introduce the lady beside you?"

Kayla smiled at Logan: "Does she need an introduction? We're all old friends."

"So you know each other too," Zachary asked with a smile.

It seemed this Kayla really wasn't a nobody.

Logan raised an eyebrow: "Of course we know each other. I just don't know what capacity Ms. Bailey is here in today?"

He looked at Jasmine thoughtfully, his eyes full of mockery: "Or maybe Ms. Harris can tell us—how does a sales manager sneak into an event like this?"

Jasmine felt more humiliated than ever before. Even when Sean had publicly denied her earlier, it hadn't made her feel this embarrassed.

She felt like someone had stripped off her clothes, leaving her standing naked in front of everyone.

Kayla smiled: "Logan, you're still so sharp-tongued. I'm the company's technical representative, and Jasmine is the company's sales representative. Why can't we come together?"

Kayla seemed to be helping her out.

Jasmine's brain had lost the ability to think. At this moment, she only felt a crushing headache coming at her like a tidal wave. Her blush could no longer hide the paleness of her face. Her palms were sweaty, and her whole body felt so cold she could barely feel any warmth.

"Sorry, I need to use the restroom." Jasmine turned and fled. She didn't want to show weakness in front of them.

Sean frowned slightly. Jasmine didn't look well. He knew his words would embarrass her, but he had to think about the big picture. A salesperson should make way for a technical engineer. He couldn't let Kayla be put in an awkward position.

After the contract was signed, he would explain everything to her properly.

Jasmine's temper had gotten too big lately.

Kayla casually linked her arm with Sean's and chatted with Chloe: "You must be Ms. Williams, right? I'm Kayla. When I was at Crestview University, I had the honor of attending your father's lecture. It was very enlightening."

Chloe smiled: "You graduated from Crestview University? I heard from my dad that the tech people there are all top talent. Let's exchange contact info and grab coffee sometime."

Kayla smiled and took her phone out of her purse, stepping forward to chat with Chloe.

Logan, standing beside Chloe, was looking in the direction Jasmine had left. The expression on his face was unclear.

Sean glanced sideways at Logan. His wife wasn't someone just anyone could covet.

Especially not Logan.

Meanwhile, when the cold water splashed on her face, Jasmine finally felt her consciousness gradually returning. The pain was so clear it made her want to bang her head. She could only fumble with trembling hands to get painkillers from her bag.

She had already gotten this medication from the hospital but had been hesitating about taking it.

Her hand moved to her lower abdomen. Countless times she had told herself this was just an unformed embryo, that her own health mattered more than anything, but in the end, she kept softening, unable to be ruthless.

Opening the medicine bottle, she poured out a pill, put it in her mouth, and swallowed it dry. Tears fell with it.

There was no way back now.

Maybe this was for the best. An unwanted child, a loveless family, and even a mother whose life wouldn't last much longer—not bringing the baby into this world was also a kind of mercy.

She held onto the sink and walked to the outer common area. Just as she was about to lean against the wall to rest, a man's gentle voice came from behind her.

"Hello, do you need help?" A man's gentlemanly voice came from behind.

Jasmine waved her hand with her back to him, not wanting anyone to see her vulnerable side.

Perhaps the movement was too sudden, or perhaps someone's concern broke through her defenses. As soon as she straightened up, she felt dizzy. She reached out to steady herself on the sink, but her hand slipped and her body fell uncontrollably to the side.

"Careful." The expected pain didn't come. She fell into a soft embrace. In her nostrils was a pleasant, woody cologne.

Before her eyes was a vaguely familiar face.

"Jasmine?" The other person called out her name first.

Jasmine looked at him in surprise. Realizing she was still in his arms, she quickly pushed him away and reached up to smooth her wet hair, trying to look less disheveled: "You are?"

The man's deep eyes looked at her calmly: "You really are forgetful. When you were a junior, we participated in the robotics competition together and won first place. You forgot already?"

"You're... Hank?" Jasmine's eyes lit up. The man before her had shed his student innocence and was wearing a custom-made suit. He had become a mature and steady man. She almost didn't recognize him.

Hank Shaw smiled gently: "I didn't expect you to still remember me. I asked Professor Davis about you before. Where are you working now?"

Jasmine smiled bitterly: "I... after graduation, I went to Helix Technologies, doing... sales."

Standing in front of a former partner with whom she used to code and do research day and night, she had never felt the word "sales" so hard to say.

Hank looked like he'd heard a huge joke: "You're kidding, right? The most talented student in our department, who published cutting-edge papers in top international journals as a junior, the genius girl who was specially admitted to Crestview University—I wouldn't be surprised if you said you were at a national research institute. How could you possibly..."

His slightly excited expression came to an abrupt halt when he saw Jasmine's bitter and helpless smile.

He coughed lightly and quickly calmed down: "Are you still in touch with Professor Davis?"

Jasmine shook her head gently, her voice very low: "I don't dare to see Professor Davis."

Hank smiled: "Professor Davis has mentioned you to me several times. By the way, there's an AI technology academic conference in a week. Professor Davis is one of the organizers. I'm extending a sincere invitation to you now. I hope you won't refuse."

An academic conference?

That term seemed so far away from her.

"I... wouldn't that be inappropriate? I'm not working in a related field anymore," Jasmine wanted to refuse.

Hank smiled and held out his phone: "Someone who could write the best code as a freshman—your brilliance can't be hidden by any job. Let's exchange contact info. I'll send you the invitation later."

"Okay, thank you, Hank." Jasmine didn't hesitate anymore. She opened her phone and added his contact information.

"You don't look well. Do you need me to take you to the hospital?" Hank asked with concern.

The headache seemed to have mostly subsided. Jasmine shook her head: "No need. You go ahead with what you were doing. I should go."

"I'll take you," Hank said with a smile.

"But... didn't you come for the banquet?" Jasmine wanted to refuse.

"It's just a place for fame and fortune. I didn't want to come anyway. Let's go, I'll take you home." Hank said lightly, as if this high-end business banquet meant nothing to him.