Chapter 5

It was a brief, simple response, but Martin's words cut deep into Jasmine, shattering her heart into a million pieces. The emotional pain was so unbearable that death would've been more merciful. Her ears were ringing, and her gaze was hollow. By the time she realized it, the people in the party hall were gone, leaving her with a blinding light that exposed every wound on her body. Fighting the pain, Jasmine climbed to her feet and wrapped herself in a jacket that a kind-hearted person dropped next to her. Then, she stumbled her way out of the venue. It was pouring outside, and she stepped into it without even noticing. The cold rainwater splashed against her face, trailing down her cheeks like tears. But Jasmine could no longer shed any tears. She had no idea where to go. All she could do was wander the streets aimlessly. Before long, a car ground to a halt next to her. The window was lowered, revealing Martin's cold, stunning face. "Get in." Jasmine seemingly didn't hear him and just shuffled forward in the rain, every step heavier than the last. Martin frowned, and his voice deepened. "Get in the car." She stopped walking and raised her head, revealing her pale face. Looking at him, she said, "I don't need your concern, Mr. Quinlan. After all, I'm just an assistant." The iciness in Jasmine's tone made Martin's heart clench fiercely. He opened the car door, braved the rain, and walked over to her. Gripping her hand tightly, he said, "I handled tonight's incident poorly. I'll admit it, but I've lost Alessa once, and I can't let it happen again. Whatever you suffered tonight, I'll think of a way to make it up to you. Just don't get mad at me over this." This time, Jasmine decided she was done complying. Using her last bit of strength, she broke free of his restraints and took several steps back, her tone laced with desolation. "Mr. Quinlan, you must be joking. An ordinary person like me wouldn't have the guts to get mad at heirs and heiresses like you and Ms. Shaughnessy. I was too naive and absurd in the past, failing to recognize my humble status. "From this point on, I will always remember that I'm just an assistant and that there's nothing special about me. I will not bother you anymore. Are you happy now? Will you please let me go?" The more Jasmine talked like this, the angrier Martin became. His expression turned frigid, his emotions boiling beneath the surface. "You know damn well I didn't mean it like that! I've never looked down on you. I said what I said because I have to soothe Alessa. You and Nora are both…" Jasmine didn't hear a word he said after she heard Nora's name. Her vision became blurrier as seconds went by, and her eyelids felt as heavy as lead. As the last sliver of her energy drained away, her body tilted to the side, and darkness took her. It wasn't certain how much time had passed. By the time she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a hospital. Someone changed her out of her wet clothes and dressed her wounds. There were also medications and a glass of warm water on the side table. The nurse was hooking up the IV drip. When she saw Jasmine waking up, she flashed her a warm smile. "You're awake. Your boyfriend stayed by your side for an entire night, but he had just left a minute ago." Jasmine parted her dry lips and spoke in a hoarse voice. "He's not my boyfriend. He never was." What happened between her and Martin was just a joke from the very beginning. To him, she was just an assistant. Nothing more, nothing less. In the past, Jasmine fooled herself into believing that they had a future together. Now, the only thing she desperately wanted was to wake up from pathetic delusion, walk away, and never come back.