Chapter 3

A waitress, delivering pastries, overheard Yasmin's words. Shocked, she nearly dropped the tray, her eyes widening as she darted toward Yasmin. Yasmin glanced at her—a cute young woman, likely a part-time student. She seemed familiar, but before Yasmin could place her, the waitress quickly set down the pastries and hurried away.

Veronica's composure faltered momentarily. Her fingers, gripping her coffee cup, paled. Then, smoothly shifting the conversation, she said, her tone laced with meaning, “Yasmin, don't forget Edith is still hospitalized, surviving on the money Dad sends monthly.”

The mention of Edith instantly extinguished Yasmin's amusement, darkening her expression. Edith, her mother's maid, had followed them from Glenfield to Dunville. Over three years ago, she'd been injured saving Yasmin, falling into a coma. As Yasmin was underage, her father became Edith's legal guardian. Her life hung precariously in the balance, controlled by her father's decisions.

Meanwhile, the waitress rushed into the break room and texted her cousin: “Send me fifty thousand, and I'll tell you exactly what Yasmin thinks of you!”

Caleb had just returned from his business trip. He immediately noticed half the shoes in the entryway were missing—Yasmin's. His assistant, Harris Evans, began reporting updates, but Caleb stopped him. His gaze swept the room; all of Yasmin's belongings were gone. She had left. He clenched his jaw, irritation rising. "Where is she?" he asked Harris.

Finding someone in Dunville wasn't easy, but the answer soon arrived: "Mr. Grant, Mrs. Grant went to see Mr. Barnes Senior at the hospital to discuss settling Jeremy's and the Barnes heir's case privately."

"Mr. Barnes Senior, I'm truly sorry about your grandson. Even if Jeremy serves time, it won't undo the past. I heard your grandson wants to attend Barrow Public School in Eldham. A former professor of mine holds significant influence there; I can ask him for a recommendation letter."

Yasmin apologized, then offered a deal. The Barnes family had wealth, but lacked power. They could find other recommendations, but business favors were harder to repay. Yasmin's offer was clearly superior.

"Mrs. Grant, your terms are tempting, but—" Michael Barnes spread his hands in mock helplessness. "Our family depends on Mr. Grant. Perhaps you should discuss this with him first?" His meaning was clear—Caleb had refused a private settlement, and Michael had to follow suit.

Yasmin sped back to the villa. Caleb, still dressed from his trip but with his tie discarded and shirt unbuttoned, reclined on the couch, napping. Yasmin stormed in. "Caleb, what's the meaning of this?"

Caleb opened his eyes lazily, rising to face her. When angry, she reminded him of a puffed-up kitten—fierce, but not threatening. His irritation, simmering since finding her gone, eased slightly at her return. Crossing his legs, he leaned back leisurely. "Minnie, you came to me first. Now that you're done, you think you can toss me aside like a toy? Do you think I'm your gigolo for hire?"

Minnie—her childhood nickname. Yasmin rolled her eyes, muttering, "A gigolo would at least be obedient."

Caleb grabbed her chin, tilting her face up. "What did you say?"

Caught off guard, Yasmin stumbled into him, her hands landing on his chest. She felt his muscles and heartbeat. His scent enveloped her. Panicked, she pushed away, taking a few steps back. "Caleb, Jeremy is Veronica's brother. I'm helping her family. Even if you want to make things difficult, now isn't the time, is it?" Edith's treatment couldn't be stopped; removing the ventilator would end her life.

"You're overthinking," Caleb's expression made clear. Timing wasn't an issue if he wanted to make things difficult.

"Then what are you doing?" Yasmin asked, choosing her words carefully. "You're upset because I asked for a divorce, aren't you?" That was the only reason for his obstruction.

Caleb didn't respond; his gaze remained cold, deep, and unreadable. Yasmin lifted her chin, a sweet, almost innocent smile playing on her lips. "Caleb, don't tell me that after sleeping with me a few times, you've actually fallen for me."

"Yes," Caleb replied casually.

Yasmin's smile froze. She stared, momentarily stunned, her heart skipping a beat. Caleb's grip tightened around her waist, pulling her close. "I like you… Your body," he smirked. "So far, it's satisfactory." His tone was detached, objectifying—dominant and dismissive, as it had been for a year.

Yasmin shoved him away, her expression cold. "You're a bastard, Caleb."

He remained unfazed. "Minnie, only Mrs. Grant has the authority to negotiate with the Barnes family. The choice is yours."

At the bar, neon lights flickered, a live band screaming into their microphones. Yasmin yelled over the music to Brenda Rhodes. "Is he insane? I asked for a divorce and am willing to leave without a dime! I might be the most understanding ex-wife in this circle. What more does he want? It was a mistake to sleep with him, but I've admitted it! How many times? And he acts smug and patronizing! He's insane! He's doing this to make my life difficult! Does he have nothing better to do? He's insane!"

Brenda sighed dramatically. "Babe, can you expand your cussing vocabulary just a little?"

Fuming, Yasmin downed another whiskey, her anger escalating. Then, Brenda said, "Yasmin, have you considered that maybe Caleb doesn't actually want a divorce?"

Yasmin choked, eyes widening in shock, followed by a coughing fit. Catching her breath, she looked at Brenda with lingering fear. "That would mean he's actually insane. Caleb has someone else. We both know he only married me because he had no choice."

After their wedding, Caleb had flown to Pacifica for work. A year later, Yasmin left for Eldham on an exchange program, while Caleb returned to Pacifica. They'd spent less than a year together. That's how much he cared.

Brenda frowned, internally cursing Caleb. "Tell me, who told Mrs. Grant Senior about the two of you that night? You hadn't even gotten out of bed before someone reported it. I don't believe it was an accident."