Chapter 20

After snapping the photos, Valeria quickly pocketed her phone with a satisfied smirk. “You think you can keep acting all high and mighty, Anastasia? Wait until Jasper sees these pictures. Let’s see how long you can keep up that innocent act,” she muttered venomously before strutting into the building.

She headed straight for Jasper’s corner office, knocking once before letting herself in. When she spotted him behind his desk, Valeria sashayed over with exaggerated movements. “Baby, you’ll never guess what I just saw!”

Jasper immediately pulled her onto his lap. “Are you feeling better? No lasting damage from last night?”

Valeria shook her head with practiced vulnerability. “Just a little shaken up, but I’m okay.”

“Good. Now what were you saying about seeing something?” As he spoke, his hands began wandering inappropriately.

Valeria playfully swatted him away. “Focus! You need to see this first.”

She pulled out her phone and opened the photo gallery. “Jasper, look who I caught this morning.”

Jasper glanced at the screen casually, then his expression froze completely. His eyes locked onto the image of Anastasia stepping out of a luxury vehicle, the scene captured with perfect clarity despite the distance.

“That’s Ana?” His voice dropped to a dangerous register.

Seeing his reaction, Valeria felt triumphant inside while maintaining her innocent facade. “I wonder if it’s just a friend? Though dropping her off this early… they’d have to be living together, right?”

“I know all her friends,” Jasper said coldly. “None of them could afford a car like that. That’s a limited edition—even I can’t get my hands on one.”

His mind raced with ugly possibilities. Was this why Anastasia had been so eager to break up and leave the company? Had she found herself a sugar daddy? The thought hit him like a physical blow to the chest.

He roughly pushed Valeria off his lap and stormed toward the door. “Jasper, where are you going?” Valeria called out with fake concern. She knew exactly where he was headed. The show was about to begin. Let’s see how pure and innocent Anastasia pretended to be when confronted with evidence.

Jasper strode through the office like a man possessed, his face thunderous and eyes burning with rage. The image kept replaying in his mind—Anastasia stepping out of that expensive car, looking back at whoever was inside with obvious affection. So the person in the car was important to her? ‘Anastasia, you lying bitch. You really think I’m that stupid?’ he snarled under his breath, his fists clenched. Employees scattered out of his path, recognizing the danger signs.

When he reached Anastasia’s office, he didn’t bother knocking—just burst through the door like an avenging angel. Anastasia looked up from her laptop with mild annoyance. “Something you need, Jasper?”

He slammed the door behind him and stalked to her desk, eyes blazing. “Cut the act, Ana. Whose car were you in this morning?”

Anastasia raised an eyebrow with complete composure. “Are you stalking me now? My transportation choices aren’t your business anymore.”

‘Don’t play dumb with me!’ Jasper’s voice was venomous. “Who owns that car? What’s your relationship with him? You’ve been cheating on me this whole time, haven’t you?”

Anastasia leaned back in her chair, meeting his glare with icy calm. “First of all, we’re broken up. Second, my personal life stopped being your concern the moment you started fucking my stepsister.”

“We’re not officially done yet!” Jasper exploded, slamming his palm on her desk. “You’ve been making me look like a fool!”

Anastasia stood slowly, her voice dripping with contempt. “Making you look like a fool? Jasper, you managed that all by yourself when you decided to parade your mistress around at public events.”

That hit its mark. Jasper’s jaw worked furiously as he struggled to maintain control. “Don’t push me, Ana. Just because you found some rich asshole to bankroll your lifestyle doesn’t mean you can disrespect me like this.”

His jealousy was eating him alive. The idea of Anastasia with another man made him want to put his fist through a wall.

“Is that a threat?” Anastasia’s voice was arctic. “Because I don’t respond well to intimidation.”

Jasper suddenly grabbed her wrist, yanking her closer. “I know exactly what kind of car that was—luxury rental company, probably costs more per day than most people make in a month. Your sugar daddy has deep pockets.”

“Let go of me.” Anastasia’s tone was deadly quiet, but she didn’t struggle.

“Not until you explain what the hell you think you’re doing.” His grip tightened painfully.

“Jasper, I suggest you think very carefully about your next move. If you don’t release me immediately, I’ll make sure everyone in Manhattan knows exactly what kind of man you really are.”

Something in her voice made him loosen his grip slightly. When had Anastasia developed this steel spine? She twisted free and stepped back, rubbing her wrist. “We’re done, Jasper. Sign the buyout papers and let’s end this civilly.”

She slid the contract across her desk again. “This is your last chance. If you don’t sign, I’m selling my shares to your biggest competitor.”

“We don’t have to destroy each other over this.”

Jasper stood frozen, his chest heaving with conflicted emotions. He stared at her like she was a complete stranger. “You’ve changed,” he said finally, his voice hollow.

Anastasia’s smile was sharp as a blade. “No, Jasper. This is who I’ve always been. You just never bothered to look.”

After a long silence, Jasper fixed her with a murderous stare. “I’m willing to overlook your little tantrum, Ana. But don’t mistake my patience for weakness. I have limits.”

Anastasia met his gaze without flinching. “Go fuck yourself.”