Chapter 2056

The scene was as if an entire city plunged into darkness by a power outage had been instantly re-lit. Just as Jasmine's body rapidly recovered, the commercial vehicle she was in plummeted to the valley floor.

The vehicle was a wreck. The front end was crumpled into the front seats, the windows shattered, and the metal body gouged by countless rocks. The entire vehicle was twisted and deformed, like a crushed can.

Despite broken ribs, leg and arm bones, wounds, and internal injuries, Jasmine's consciousness returned. Within moments, she could move. She tried to unbuckle her seatbelt, but the buckle and latch were so badly damaged it was impossible. The seat was also severely deformed. Fortunately, the seatbelt remained loosely around her, allowing for escape.

Her phone, under her feet, was cracked but still lit, indicating it still functioned. Quickly grabbing it, she struggled from the vehicle. The doors were gone, leaving only severely deformed window frames.

She heard running water and smelled gasoline. The fuel tank, typically located under the vehicle and often made of engineering plastic, can withstand many collisions, but a 360-degree rollover is catastrophic. Several large holes pierced the tank, spilling dozens of liters of gasoline.

The vehicle's 70-liter tank, roughly equivalent to 35 two-liter bottles, had been nearly full after refueling at the hotel. Less than ten liters had been consumed, meaning at least sixty liters remained. The ignition energy of sixty liters of gasoline—even a much smaller amount—is enough to incinerate a car.

The engine was still running, indicating that spark plugs were firing and fuel injectors were operating. An internal oil leak could ignite the spilled gasoline.

Jasmine didn't hesitate. Despite the surrounding woods, she fled into the undergrowth. Less than ten meters away, a fire erupted behind her, starting at the engine compartment and spreading rapidly through the spilled fuel. In moments, the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

Turning, Jasmine watched in tears. Her other assistant and the kind Japanese driver were inside, and she knew they perished on impact. The thought of their bodies being burned beyond recognition pained her. And Clarice… the little girl who had just discussed photography with her… was also gone.

Overcome with grief, Jasmine knelt, her face buried in her hands, sobbing amidst the flames.