Chapter 8

Matthew's gaze darted between Jasmine and Charles, his voice raised. Charles looked at her. She raised her hand, almost as if to stop him, and calmly said, "It's none of your business. Matthew wasn't having it. He raised his voice again, shouting, "Why? Jas, I thought we'd talk about everything! "Are you still upset about the allergy incident that happened yesterday? Please—Timothy and I apologized!" "Apologized?" Jasmine sneered. "You must think your apology is worth millions. You thought a simple 'sorry' could still keep me as your emotional fallback, huh?" "Jasmine!" Timothy finally snapped, anger simmering beneath his roar. "You'd better mind your words. All these years of friendship, and this is how you see us?" She paused briefly. "You're right. After everything we've been through, I still can't compare to Ms. Gardner's tears." Lynette's eyes turned red-rimmed at the perfect time. "Jas, don't say that. This is all my fault…" Timothy immediately pulled Lynette into his arms, gently stroking her back to comfort her, and shot Jasmine a furious glare. Even Matthew looked at her with disapproval. Jasmine fell silent again. After a long pause, she looked up and flashed a dazzling smile. "The Lane Group will terminate all partnerships with the Jackmans and the Smiths with effect from today." She looked straight at Timothy. "As for that science park project of yours, you're on your own." He reacted as if he had been struck by lightning. "Are you insane? That's a project worth 300 million dollars!" "I'm not insane," she replied calmly. "I've just finally come to my senses." She turned to Charles. "Notify the finance department. Effective immediately, freeze all investments in the Smith Group." He nodded affirmatively. "Noted, Ms. Lane." Suddenly, Matthew seized her wrist. "Don't do this, Jas… We were wrong. Come on, you're freaking us out right now." Jasmine flung his hand away with such force that he stumbled back a step. "Do you remember what you said to me when I turned 18?" Her voice was soft. "You said, 'Jas, we'll be there for each other forever.' Yet, the moment Lynette showed up, you ditched me just to celebrate her birthday. I passed out alone in the hospital from cramps! "Was that your idea of 'forever,' then?" Matthew opened his mouth, but not a single word rolled off his tongue. Suddenly, Timothy exploded with rage. "So, just because we didn't show up at the hospital, you're going to destroy two family partnerships? Do you have any idea how important that project is to me?" "Oh, trust me, I do," Jasmine replied with a smile. "You promised you'd visit me at the hospital that night, but you went to her place because she said she was afraid of the thunder." She took a step closer toward him. "Do you remember last year when I took that knife for you? The doctor said it would've pierced my heart if it had been an inch deeper. What about you? "You've forgotten all of it. Your heart's so far gone to her now that there's no coming back anymore." The other diners in the restaurant had long since fallen silent, their eyes fixed on the unfolding drama. Timothy's face was devoid of color, then flushed an ugly red as humiliation set in. Jasmine gave a small nod to Charles, then turned on her heel with crisp precision. "Let's go." "Jasmine!" Timothy called after her. "You'll regret this!" She didn't look back, but simply lifted her left hand in a casual wave. "Tim, Matt…" Her voice drifted over as delicately as a sigh. "I wish you and Lynette a friendship that lasts forever." … Walking side by side out of the restaurant, Jasmine suddenly asked Charles, "Do you think I was too harsh?" He paused for a moment before replying, "From a business standpoint, you made the right call. Their companies haven't met our investment standards in years." She let out a soft laugh. That was what she appreciated about Charles—always professional and knew exactly what should and shouldn't be said. "I'll give you a ride, Ms. Lane." She nodded and stepped into his car. As the vehicle merged into traffic, Jasmine caught sight of Timothy and Matthew in the rearview mirror, rushing out of the restaurant. Their figures grew smaller until they disappeared around the corner, just like their place in her life.