Chapter 50
Lowering her voice, Clare warned, "Yasmin, stay away from my Jayden!"
Yasmin had no patience. She'd just dealt with Jayden harassing her, and now his mother was attacking her. Enough was enough.
"Clare," Yasmin smiled, but it lacked warmth. Clare lifted her chin defiantly.
In the past, Yasmin had endured such lectures silently. Clare expected the same. After all, Yasmin had been engaged to Jayden, then married Caleb. She had no right to be defiant, especially if she didn't want the past dredged up.
But Yasmin didn't flinch. "Instead of warning me, maybe you should keep an eye on your precious son. He's the one harassing me."
Clare's face twisted. "What did you just say?" Disbelief flashed in her eyes. "What nonsense are you spewing? My son would never be interested in a woman who schemed her way into the Grant family!"
Her voice was loud, causing heads to turn. The other women exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. Everyone watched Yasmin, anticipating a spectacle. Everyone knew Yasmin had married into the Grant family three years ago under questionable circumstances—a fact tactfully left unmentioned. But now, the Grants were airing their dirty laundry. Yasmin's position as Mrs. Grant seemed precarious.
Yasmin's expression darkened. She looked Clare in the eye and said coldly, "Clare, today is Mrs. Grant Senior's birthday banquet. I suggest you be mindful of what you say."
Clare snapped out of her anger, momentarily realizing she'd lost control. But Yasmin's words reignited her fury.
"You suggest? What gives you the right? You may have fooled Caleb into marrying you, but it's a good thing my son didn't! Corrine's too simple-minded! Otherwise, she would have been furious with how disrespectful you are toward your elders!" Clare sneered.
More people gathered. Vanessa arrived, attempting to diffuse the situation. Yasmin wasn't afraid to argue, but she wouldn't let this ruin Gracie's birthday celebration.
"Clare, are you crazy? Why do you think everyone likes your son?" Jasmine rolled her eyes. "Jayden is nothing compared to Caleb. He's so stingy he can't even give a little pocket money without making a fuss. Yasmin might be broke, but she'd never go for a cheapskate like him!"
Yasmin was speechless. Jasmine truly had no filter.
Clare had fallen silent, but Jasmine's words reignited her fury. She shoved Vanessa aside and jabbed a finger at Jasmine. "Jasmine! Is that any way to talk to me?" Vanessa, angered that her daughter was being lectured, retorted sharply.
Yasmin sighed and turned to Jasmine. "Get me a glass of water. I'll give you fifty dollars as a tip." She was intrigued by Jasmine's love of money and didn't mind giving her some.
Jasmine's eyes lit up. She ran off and quickly returned with a glass of lemon water. Yasmin thanked her and took a sip. A strange, chalky sensation spread down her throat, followed by a suffocating tightness and erratic heartbeat. Within seconds, breathing became a struggle.
There was a loud clatter as Yasmin's trembling fingers lost their grip on the glass, shattering it on the floor.
"Yasmin! What the hell? Don't freak me out!"
Jasmine caught Yasmin as she swayed, barely keeping her upright. Yasmin clawed at her throat, gasping for air, her eyes wide with panic. She wanted to speak, but couldn't. She scanned the crowd, searching for someone she could trust, but found no one.
The murmurs around her faded as the growing crowd watched in shocked silence.
"What's happening to Yasmin?" "What's wrong with her? Is she sick?" "Oh my God, is she going to collapse?"
Across the room, Caleb watched Yasmin surrounded by a crowd. Before he could approach, a business partner stopped him. Suddenly, he heard panicked screams of Yasmin's name. Without a word, he sprinted toward the gathering crowd.
Jasmine was struggling to hold Yasmin upright when Caleb pulled Yasmin into his arms.