---

I bit my lip, confused about this man’s identity and his purpose. Scrutinizing his car, I could see he was no ordinary man. He might be one of those handsome dudes.

“Woman, my time is precious." His message was short but carried a heavy weight. I could feel the impatience in his tone.

Hesitating for a while, I opened the back door and sat beside him. An awkward silence fell, thick with tension. I rubbed my sweaty palms together, trying to calm my nerves.

“Jasmine Blay, the only child of Kris Blay, the CEO of the Blay Company. A student of Eldridge University studying Human Resources in her final year. A 21-year-old mistress who has been pampered since birth."

He read my biography as if reading a speech. The nervousness I was trying to suppress grew stronger.

My voice caught in my throat as I asked, “Who exactly are you, and what do you want?"

He shifted his gaze from the document he held to meet my eyes. I quickly dodged his gaze, not wanting him to see how nervous I was.

“I am your savior," he said smugly.

“I never said I needed help." I felt offended. Did I look like someone to be pitied?

“Well, are you going to let your father die? Are you going to let someone take over the company? Are you going to let your mother die in vain and shame?”

The more I heard his questions, the more the anger I had tried to suppress burst out.

“How dare you say such things? Who gave you the guts to do so?”

“Am I wrong?" His question only fueled my anger.

My chest heaved up and down. “Shut up! What do you know?"

He stared at me with a smirk on his lips as if mocking me. “Oh, at least I know how proud you are. But you are weak and can't do anything. This is not the time to be arrogant."

I hated how he was looking down on me. I hated his arrogance and his stupid confidence. I don't need his help. I will do everything to save my family, even if I have to go to the ends of the earth.

I clenched my fists and, with gritted teeth, snarled, “It's none of your business."

I couldn't stand him, so I decided to get out of the car. I tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. I tried a second time, but still to no avail.

My eyes turned red with anger as I shifted my gaze to him. “Open the door."

With a lazy tone, he smiled playfully. “Since you’re strong enough, this should be easy." He folded his hands and leaned on the seat.

This man would frustrate me to death. I couldn't stand being in the same car with him for even a second.

I pounded on the door, my fists flying in frustration. “Let me out!” I shouted.

“The glass costs five hundred thousand," I heard him say in a low voice.

This devil. I felt like a hen whose chicks were being snatched by a hawk—helpless and frustrated.

---

…Vincenzo Thane's POV…

I have found her, the girl I have been dreaming about for so long. I’ve been watching her from afar, keeping a close eye on her family.

Seeing the tragic news, I quickly drove my car to her mansion. That was how I saw how she was being treated by the journalists.

I watched as she slipped away and warned the journalists not to report what had just happened. I didn’t want her trending in the news; her mother's story was already too much for her.

I instructed my driver to follow her at a distance and parked discreetly outside the Blay Company.

Seeing her red eyes and trembling fists, I knew they hadn’t helped her.

I ordered my driver to approach her. The stubbornness in her eyes amused me when I told her to get into the car.

The surprise and shock in her eyes when I told her I would help was a rare scene to see.

She was like an angry kitten. I enjoyed teasing her and wanted to do more, but too much of anything is bad. So, I closed my eyes and rested my head on the seat.

Her intense gaze suddenly made me feel hot. I couldn’t pretend anymore, so I opened my eyes.

---

…Jasmine's POV…

Failing to open the car door, the tension in the car increased. I stared angrily at the man who, as if unaware, looked peaceful. Unlike his cold nature, his brow was gentle.

This man was devilishly handsome, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I stared at him until he suddenly opened his eyes.

Gosh, I felt so embarrassed. I tried to hide my embarrassment, but his next words made everything worse.

“Do you want to eat me?" I heard his cool voice.

“You could’ve pretended not to notice."

“Who would want to eat you?” I looked away.

As he leaned in, his eyes locked on mine, making me feel trapped.

“Really?” he smirked.

His smile was disarmingly beautiful, leaving me momentarily stunned. My heart raced as I felt his hot breath on my skin.

I swallowed hard, my face turning red. The air thickened between us.

Kacha.

The car door opened, and I bolted out of the car like a mouse fleeing a cat's claws. Breathing a sigh of relief, I muttered, “Jerk."

“Don’t forget what I said," he replied before driving away.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Who needs his help?

The cold evening breeze bit at my skin as I hurried down the dimly lit street. My watch read half past five, but the weight of the day made it feel like midnight.

Every step toward the hospital felt like dragging a boulder. My mind raced with fragments of the past few hours—my father’s collapse, the chaos, the blank stares of people unwilling to help.

When the hospital came into view, its flickering sign only added to the sinking feeling in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for whatever was waiting beyond those doors.

My only choice now is to sell the mansion and car, as there is no other way out.

This isn’t the end. I won’t accept this fate. No matter what, I will save my dad and the company.

-