Everett''s dark eyes skimmed coolly over her tear-streaked face, a flicker of irritation barely visible in their depths. Still, he let her into his office.


    Seated on the sofa, his expression was unreadable, yet he seemed to loom over Yasmine, even as she stood before him. His charisma was undeniable-a maism that could easily captivate any woman. She was utterly smitten.


    Sensing her unguarded stare, he lifted his eyelids, his gaze icy and faintly mocking. Yasmine''s heart skipped a beat, snapping her back to reality. She wiped away her tears, pulled a house key from her purse, and stepped forward to ce it on the coffee table. "Mr. Everett, I was out of line with the whole engagement party idea. You''ve been so good to me, pulling me out of my troubles and always looking out for me, but I let my feelings get the best of me."


    "I spentst night tossing and turning, realizing that unrequited love is just a burden. I can''t lean on your kindness anymore. You don''t owe me anything."


    "I''ll move out of the vi and stay out of your way. And... I know you waited three years for Mrs. Bet, and now that you can finally be together, I''m genuinely happy for you. I wish you both all the happiness."


    She forced a smile, bowed slightly to Everett, then picked up her cardboard box and turned to leave. As she did, something slipped from her bag, unnoticed,nding softly on the carpet.


    Everett remained impassive. Yasmine''s newfound awareness saved him the hassle of addressing the situation. He nced at the key on the table, picked it up casually, and as he moved to his desk, he stepped on something.


    Looking down, he saw an expensive jade pendant. He bent to retrieve it, examining it with growing recognition. This pendant felt so familiar, like an extension of himself. Everett''s eyes narrowed as he flipped it over, finding a small engraving: "Bo."


    It was indeed the jade pendant he


    had lost! Given to him as a baby to help with his weak heart, Joshua had it specially made, and it had always hung around his neck, warding off illness. It vanished after a countryside ident.


    Post-heart transnt, his memory was hazy, and he couldn''t recall if he


    lost it or gave it away. How did Yasminee to have it? She always imed she was from the countryside, but he never thought much of it.


    Could she be linked to the girl who saved him? Everett''s dark eyes deepened as he clenched the pendant in his hand.


    Downstairs, Yasmine approached the sports car parked at the curb, opened the door, and slid into the passenger seat. Turning to the woman behind the wheel, she said, "I did everything you asked."


    The woman nodded, started the engine, and floored the gas pedal, sending the car speeding away. An hourter, they pulled up to a rundown old neighborhood.


    Yasmine now had no choice but to


    return to her former home. The


    noisy surroundings, the sketchy characters, the cobwebbed


    corners it all made her wrinkle her nose in disdain. She had forgotten that not long ago, this was her world too.


    Before getting out, she couldn''t help but ask, "Why are you helping me? Aren''t you Selena''s best friend?"


    Joy gave her a cold nce, a sneer ying on her lips. "Some things are better left unknown."


    It was that same derisive look, the same condescending tone. Yasmine clenched her fists, anger simmering beneath her calm exterior.