Chapter 6

The day when Yasmine was discharged from the hospital, Zachary came to pick her up. "I'm sorry. I was busy with the club these days, so I didn't come to visit you," he explained. Yasmine didn't expose him and merely hummed in response. Zachary paused for a while, then continued, "It's Queenie's birthday today. She's invited you to come along." The birthday banquet was held at a private club, and the place was lavishly decorated. There was a chandelier, a floral arch, and a band performing. It was romantic, and Yasmine could tell that Zachary had prepared all this. During the gift-giving session, Zachary took out a velvet box. Everyone gasped in shock at the sight. It was a diamond-studded necklace, glittering under the light. The necklace cost at least hundreds of millions of dollars. Queenie covered her mouth in surprise, and her eyes turned slightly red. "Zach, this is too expensive." Zachary gently put on the necklace for her, his fingers brushing against her nape unknowingly. His eyes were fixed on her as if she were the only person he could see in the world. Standing in a corner, Yasmine watched everything silently. Just then, Zachary seemed to recall that Yasmine was also present, so he turned to look at her. Just when he wanted to explain, his phone rang. Frowning, he walked out to answer the call. Not long after he left, Queenie immediately walked up to Yasmine, flashing her a sweet smile. "Yasmine, it's been a while." Yasmine replied indifferently, "Happy birthday." Queenie chuckled. "Thank you. But… how could you still bring yourself to congratulate me?" She took a step forward and suddenly lowered her voice, a vicious look flickering in her eyes. "You had to watch your boyfriend prepare a birthday banquet for me and look at me with affection. Besides, he even gave me such a valuable gift. You must feel awful, right?" Yasmine narrowed her eyes. "What did you say?" "Stop pretending." Queenie sneered. "I found out that Zachary's dating someone who resembles me secretly. I recognized you right away the first time I saw you." She tilted her head. "I didn't expect you to love him that much. You know you're a substitute, yet you still put up with it until now." Yasmine wanted to say something, but Queenie taunted, "Do you think he'll fall in love with you just because you pretend to be forgiving? If he had had the slightest bit of feelings for you, he wouldn't have made you suffer such a serious injury. "And now, I'm back. It's time for a substitute like you to get lost." Upon hearing that, Yasmine pursed her lips and grinned. "Girl, who do you think you are? How dare you talk to me like this?" Yasmine's voice was soft, but her presence as someone with a higher status was overpowering. "I'm Yasmine Wagner from the Wagner family. Even your parents have to show respect in front of my family. Didn't they teach you the rules of the upper class? Or should I call your parents now and tell them to educate you personally?" Queenie's expression changed instantly, and she spat through gritted teeth, "The Yorks might be nothing compared to the Wagners, but there are three prominent families in Jinhal. They're the Sullivans, the Wagners, and the Smiths! Have you forgotten how Zachary is deeply in love with me?" She sneered. "Just you wait. I'll make sure you regret humiliating me today!" With that, she turned around and walked away, looking slightly defeated. Yasmine merely thought her actions were ridiculous. Did this young, naive woman think she could mess with her? Later, as Yasmine felt extremely bored at the party, several men came to approach her. She casually responded to them until Zachary came back from answering his call. Just when Yasmine was about to tell Zachary that she wanted to leave, Queenie suddenly rushed over in tears. "Zach! I lost the necklace you gifted me!" Sobbing, she pointed at Yasmine. "I only interacted with Yasmine just now. She might be your guest, but it doesn't mean she can steal my stuff! That gift means a lot to me!" Everyone fell silent in an instant and fixed their eyes on Yasmine. Yasmine almost burst into laughter. "I stole your necklace? Ms. York, I can afford anything I want. Do I need to steal yours?" Queenie refused to relent and even requested the bodyguard to conduct a body search. Yasmine swept her cold gaze around. "Try if you dare!" At that, Queenie turned to Zachary, her eyes brimming with tears. "Zach, can you tell her to cooperate? It's just a body search." Tension filled the air. Wearing a deep frown, Zachary seemed to be pondering something. A brief moment later, he said to Queenie, "I'll buy you a new necklace. Forget about this one." Queenie stared at him in disbelief, and tears kept streaming down her face. "No! I only want this one! Haven't you been asking me what my third request is? I want…" Pointing at Yasmine, Queenie enunciated every word. "I want to search her body!" At that moment, the air seemed to freeze. Zachary closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was full of determination. "Search her!" Yasmine's pupils constricted. "Zachary Smith!" He avoided her gaze. "Yasmine, just put up with this for a bit. It's only a body search." The next instant, the bodyguards swarmed forward. "No one can lay a finger on me! Go away!" Yasmine kept struggling, but she couldn't fight against a few strong men. Her gown was ripped forcibly, and the pearl buttons were scattered around the floor. When her innerwear got torn, her fair skin was exposed to the cold air. Everyone gasped in shock at that sight. "That's enough!" Zachary yelled sternly. He removed his suit jacket and wrapped it around Yasmine's body, which was barely covered. His voice was laced with panic. "Forget it if you can't find. Bring her to get changed!" Before Yasmine was brought away, she stared at Zachary for the last time. Her gaze was icy cold without a hint of warmth.