Jasmine's POV….

My dad had fainted. Why did it feel like my world was ending?

“Jasmine, what's wrong?” Kayla’s voice reached me, but it felt a thousand miles away.

“Jasmine," she shook me a second time, snapping me back to my senses.

My father, he… he’s in a coma.” My legs wobbled as I tried to stand still, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Kayla sighed gently and gave me a warm hug. “It’ll be okay, my dear. Let's head to the hospital.”

She picked up my phone from the floor and held my hand like a child learning to walk.

She paused and asked, “Which hospital?"

Right—I hadn't waited for the caller to finish telling me. I didn't even know which hospital. Kayla dialed the last number on my phone. After speaking briefly, she got the location, and we took a cab there. I had cried enough and even the tears were no more coming.

The moment we arrived, I rushed to the receptionist. “Where is my dad?”

The receptionist directed me, and I hurried to his room.

The sharp scent of antiseptics hit me as I stepped into the sterile hospital room. My heart sank as I saw the oxygen mask strapped tightly over his face, each beep of the monitor felt like a ticking time bomb.

I fell to my knees beside his bed, screaming, “Father!”

“You know I need you now! Please, wake up.” Tears streamed down my face as I wailed.

“Excuse me, how are you related to the patient?” A doctor’s voice startled me from behind.

“I’m his daughter," I replied.

“I see. Your father is suffering from a brain tumor, and he needs urgent surgery.”

The words made my knees weak, but I stood and approached him. “Doctor, money isn't a problem. Please, do everything you can to save him,” I begged, holding his hands. My voice shook, and my hands trembled.

“We’ll do our best,” he assured me. “Please prepare seven million dollars, and we will proceed as soon as possible.”

“Alright, doctor,” I said, thanking him as he left the ward. Returning to my father’s bedside, I knelt. “Father, you’ll be okay. I’ll do everything to save you.” I held his hand tightly, nodding furiously as though convincing myself. Then, reluctantly, I left the hospital.

The Blay Company was founded by my grandfather, Alexander Blay. As one of the top five richest families in the country of Axia, with monthly profits nearing three billion dollars, seven million should have been nothing.

With a glimmer of hope, I dialed my dad’s secretary. “Hello, Mr. Jemmy, the doctor said we need seven million dollars for my dad’s surgery.”

“Okay, young miss. I’ll arrange the money immediately,” he replied respectfully before hanging up.

My hands trembled as I clasped them together nervously. Kayla squeezed my hands, blinking reassuringly.”

“Do you think everything will be okay?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Kayla smiled softly. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be okay.”

I stared at her, uncertain. “Really?”

“Yes. Everything will be fine.”

As we talked, my phone rang. It was the secretary.

“Young miss, there’s a problem," Jemmy said, his tone urgent.

“What is it, Jemmy?" My heart pounded, my hands clammy.

"Miss, all the company cards have been frozen. The bank said the vice president issued the order.”

“What?! B-but why?” My lips trembled, struggling to process his words.

“Miss, you need to come to the company immediately. I think something serious is happening. Your uncle has called for an emergency board meeting. I think you know what he’s planning.”

Jemmy didn’t elaborate, but I could guess.

My uncle had always been dissatisfied with my dad. They were twins, but my father had always been the exceptional one. While my uncle was good, he was slower.

Our grandfather, disappointed in my uncle, chose my father as the president before he passed away. It had been five years, but my uncle still held a grudge.

“Kayla, watch over my father. I need to go to the company,” I said.

“Alright. Don’t worry.”

I rushed to the company. Sure enough, when I arrived, the board of directors was already in an emergency meeting.

“The stock is falling, and the president’s position is vacant. We need to appoint a new president immediately,” someone said as I entered the room.

My fists clenched, my nails biting into my palms. But that pain was nothing compared to the one in my heart.

“Who dares?” I yelled, my voice commanding.

The room fell silent, heads snapping in my direction. My uncle, ever smug, leaned back in his chair with a smirk that made my blood boil.

“Jasmine,” he drawled, as though addressing a child throwing a tantrum, “this is no time for dramatics.”

All eyes turned to me. “It hasn’t even been five hours since the incident, and you’re already discussing appointing a new president?”

The temperature in the room dropped. I could see some of the shareholders lowered their eyes in shame, some with guilt, and some with pity.

My uncle met my gaze with a mocking expression. “So what? Should we wait for the company to collapse?”

I marched toward him, my steps heavy. Slamming my hands on the table, I roared, “My father isn’t dead! Why are you in such a rush? Are you behind this?”

He burst into laughter. “Did I force your mother into her scandalous life?”

His words cut deep as he stood, his voice sharp.

“My mother was framed! She didn’t do it! Someone set her up and murdered her!” I screamed.

“That’s not my concern. It’s your family’s problem,” he replied, adjusting his tie before sitting back down.

I looked around the room, my gaze landing on my beloved Aunt Violet. She had always been close to my father. With a tinge of desperation, I asked, “Aunt Violet, won’t you speak up?”

She sighed, spreading her arms helplessly. “What can I say? I’m sorry about your father, but you know how powerless I am.”

“Even you?” I whispered, my voice breaking. My breath caught, and my hands clenched into fists. I didn't expect this from her.

Her indifference was the final blow. My world had ended.

---

…Aunty Violet POV…

I met Jasmine’s gaze briefly, and for a moment, I faltered. Her eyes, wide and filled with desperation, reminded me of her father’s unwavering trust in me. He had always been my shield, my strongest ally.

But this wasn’t about sentimentality. This was survival. I clenched my fists under the table, my nails digging into my palms.

Helping her now would undo everything I had worked for. She’ll understand someday, I told myself, though my chest tightened with guilt.

Being a vice president is better than my previous position as the managing director. This is my last opportunity, and I won’t let it slip by.

Only by eliminating your father from the company can I achieve this goal.

“I’m sorry, Jasmine,” I said softly, my voice barely audible over the storm brewing in the room. It was a lie. I wasn’t sorry—I was scared.

Being a vice president was better than my previous position as managing director.

This was my only chance for that, and I didn’t want to waste such a golden opportunity.

I could see the disappointment on her face, but this was just the beginning, as the storm had only begun.