Chapter 15

“Please, I only see George once every two to three months. God knows how many women are calling him their sugar daddy behind my back!” Brenda scoffed. Brenda and George’s marriage had been a last-minute arrangement, no better than Yasmin’s situation with Caleb.

Yasmin asked, “Hasn’t he returned from his trip to the southern branch yet? It’s been nearly six months.”

“Who knows? We have a fake marriage, and mutual avoidance is the bare minimum of respect,” Brenda replied, changing lanes smoothly before glancing over. “So, have you and Caleb signed the divorce papers yet?”

“Not yet.” Yasmin had spent the past week getting along surprisingly well with him, momentarily forgetting the divorce. She mused, “I’ve met him a few times this week, and we get along just fine. Maybe after the divorce, we could still be… half-friends.”

Brenda shot her a skeptical look. “Of course, you two get along. You were afraid of thunder as a child. Didn’t he comfort you then? And when you got lost, he found you, right?”

“Ms. Rhodes, he was just looking after me. Don’t make it sound so ambiguous! I was looking for my brother, Jacob, that day. Caleb was only a backup because Jacob wasn’t around,” Yasmin retorted, raising an eyebrow. Besides, Caleb always considered her spoiled and troublesome; he’d never liked her.

It was Monday. The law firm buzzed with meetings all afternoon. Before Yasmin could relax, Edward tapped her shoulder. “Yasmin, go to the CEO’s office. Mr. Grant needs help with something.”

“Me?” Yasmin recalled Caleb’s corporate advice. “I don’t think an intern should meet the CEO.”

Edward eyed her. “You don’t want to go?”

Yasmin nodded furiously. “Not at all!”

“Everyone else is busy. Just go!” Edward snapped, flipping through his planner. Her objections were ignored.

The hallway outside the CEO’s office was empty. The door was ajar, silent within. Yasmin knocked twice, then gently opened the door. A woman with cascading curls, flawless makeup, and a striking red Dior dress sat in the executive chair, an emerald pendant nestled against her collarbone. She was strikingly beautiful and charming.

“Yasmin?” Veronica’s eyes widened in surprise before she stood, delighted. “What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you that,” Yasmin replied coldly. She understood why white-collar workers dreaded Mondays. What bad luck!

Veronica hesitated, as if fearing misunderstanding. After a moment, she pointed towards the closed lounge door. “Are you looking for Caleb? He’s changing inside. You might have to wait.”

Changing in the middle of the day? Indecent! Yasmin mocked, “You’re sitting here like the boss. Aren’t you worried a subordinate might walk in?”

Veronica remained unfazed, smiling. “It’s happened before. Everyone knows how close Caleb and I are. It’s not a big deal.”

No wonder she dared to sit in his chair. Yasmin remained silent. Veronica flipped her hair, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You said attending to Caleb was exhausting, but I don’t find it hard at all.”

Yasmin’s gaze flickered to a crumpled tissue in the trash. Did they just…?

The lounge door clicked open. Caleb emerged, tidying his sleeves. Seeing Yasmin, he paused. “Sorry to interrupt. I’ll see myself out.”

Yasmin turned to leave.

“Ms. Whitmore,” Caleb called, emphasizing his client status. Yasmin took a deep breath, reminding herself to remain professional. She turned, offering a false smile. “I figured you wouldn’t want to see me while you’re with a beautiful woman.”

Before Caleb could reply, Veronica interrupted sweetly, “Caleb, can I have a few minutes alone with Yasmin? To catch up?”

Caleb nodded, needing to make an international call. He took his phone and left.

Sunlight streamed into the office, but Yasmin felt no warmth. Veronica was a skilled actress; a few words had sent Caleb away.

“Your hand seems fine. Great acting,” Yasmin observed, eyeing Veronica’s hand.

Veronica chuckled, her gaze remaining cold. “My hand is fine, but thanks to you, my ankle’s been hurting for days.”

Veronica studied Yasmin—beautiful, with a mix of foreign features from her mother’s ancestry. Her features were sharp and delicate, her almond-shaped eyes clear yet unreadable. Gentle, she seemed pure and innocent; stern, piercingly cold. She excelled academically, always topping exams and competitions. As a child, she was adored, favored by all. That ended when she was hospitalized.

“Yasmin, when are you and Caleb finalizing the divorce?” Veronica asked.

Yasmin remained silent, hoping to keep Veronica in suspense. Veronica’s tightly curled fingers betrayed her frustration.

“Don’t tell me you have regrets and don’t want to divorce him anymore?”

Yasmin gave her a curious look. “Can’t wait to replace me and marry Caleb, huh? Veronica, you’ve never been so greedy. What’s wrong? Afraid of a little competition?”

Veronica’s anger flared, but she quickly composed herself. “Of course not. I’m just looking out for my dear sister’s love life.”

In reality, she was there to discuss endorsements, to salvage two major contracts Caleb had canceled with the Whitmore family. Logan had sent her. Why not pass the job to Yasmin? The contracts were revoked after Yasmin’s fallout with her family. This was a warning to Logan—because of the slap he’d given Yasmin. Caleb protecting Yasmin sent alarms blaring in Veronica’s mind.

“Veronica, how about a trade? Tell me who tipped off the Grant family about the hotel incident three years ago.” Yasmin had information she wanted. “If you answer me, I’ll tell you when the divorce is happening. Hell, I’ll even let you know if Caleb plans on marrying you at all.”