Chapter 202
Chapter 204
Chapter 204
Ay hour later, Alex and Jasmine strolled through the grand double doors of Kingston Mansion as if it were a casual “Sunday jaunt.
At the center of the lavish sitting room sat Charles, flanked by Jessica (Jasmine’s mother) and an elegant old man with a posture so rigid it might crack.
The old man’s eyes roved over everything with quiet calculation.
Jasmine’s heartbeat thudded in her ears, but she managed a cold smile. “Mother, you summoned me. Spill p>
Jessica’s expression was as frosty as the marble floors beneath them. “I want no family drama right now-only professionalism. Can you do that, Jasmine p>
Jasmine turned to Charles and raised an eyebrow. “I assume you have some brilliance to share, big brother p>
Charles steepled his fingers in theatrical calm, but his tone snapped like a whip.
“Let’s skip the niceties. You and I both own shares of Kingston Pharmaceuticals, but the bulk belongs to Mother’s side of the family. They’ve appointed me to evaluate your… performance.” His smugness dripped from each word like venom.
Jasmine scoffed, tossing her hair back. “Sure. since you can’t rise to the top on your own, you’re taking my companies down one by one. How original p>
Jessica cleared her throat, eyes narrowing with disapproval. “Jasmine, watch your mouth p>
“That’s me being polite,” Jasmine retorted. “Let’s cut to the chase. What do you want p>
Charles spread his arms wide in an ostentatious show of concern. “Oh, many things. But first, let’s address Lydia’s death.” He paused, letting the words hang in the air like a noose.
“I’m here to find out why you killed her p>
Jasmine’s eyes flashed with fury. “And you actually have the nerve to ask? Lydia tried to murder me, Charles./ Would you prefer I sent her a fruit basket p>
He offered a mocking shrug. “Families lie. Witnesses vanish. I’m not here as your dear brother anymore. I represent our mother’s family, and they demand answers. If that’s inconvenient for you… tough p>
Cold anger pulsed in Jasmine’s veins.
She hated how slick he’d become-slippery as a rattlesnake, striking when you least expected.
“I see you’ve really gotten a taste for poison, Charles,” she said, her voice husky with contempt.
“Oh, I’ve been devouring it whole,” he agreed smoothly.
Then, turning to the old man, he added, “And while we’re digging up corpses, let’s also discuss the rumor about Jericho Kane poaching our employees. A chunk of our workforce-and the top-secret skincare research-just up
and vanished. Care to explain, dear sister? Word on the street is they ran because they couldn’t stand you leadership p>
Jasmine’s jaw clenched, refusing to take the bait.
Charles pressed on, clearly enjoying the friction.
1/3
Chapter 204
“Kingston Pharmaceuticals’ pride and joy, SkinDew Essence, was supposed to conquer the market,” he explained, leaning back like a man reading from a teleprompter.
The family’s furious at this colossal failure. Hence, our special guest today-Mr. Fleming p>
He gestured to the old man, whose eyes gleamed like a hawk’s. “Mr. Fleming here
is a top-tier researcher. From now on, he’s the chief physician of Kingston Pharmaceuticals p>
Jasmine slipped her arm through Alex’s. “How thoughtful, Charles. But I’ve already found our new chief physician p>
Charles’s mask of cool fell for a split second. “What? You can’t just❞
She smirked. “I can and I have. Mr. Fleming, or whoever hes, won’t be needed p>
Charles let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “You still believe you’re in control here? Dear sister, I’ve warned you before this is what the stakeholders demand, and I’ll remind you once more p>
“You’re already engaged, or have you conveniently forgotten? If you insist on flaunting this lowlife, you’ll disgrace us all p>
Jasmine snorted. “Engaged? Don’t make me laugh. I never agreed to that farce. If you’re so keen on the Koch family, marry them yourself p>
Jessica leaped to her feet, her fury coiling through every rigid muscle.
“Enough! The arrangement is set. End of story. And you-“she pointed a trembling finger at Alex, “-why are you here p>
Jasmine, ignoring her mother, tightened her grip on Alex’s arm. “Father left me this mansion, and I’ll invite whoever I want. Also, Alex is the best candidate for chief physician. Period p>
Charles exchanged a scandalized look with Jessica, then zeroed in on Alex like a vulture.
“Are you kidding me, Jasmine?” he barked, his voice slicing through the room like broken glass. “This clown? This back-alley miracle worker you dragged in like some charity case p>
He scoffed, leaning in, eyes gleaming with venom. “Sure, I’ll give him this-he stitched you back together, big deal. That doesn’t make him a goddamn scientist p>
He jabbed a finger toward Alex with theatrical disgust.
“This guy has no degree, no papers, no published research hell, he probably doesn’t even know how to spell pharmacokinetics. And this is who you want leading our research department p>
A cruel smirk curled across his face as he turned his gaze to Alex.
“Tell me, Alex-do you feel important now?” he sneered.
“Leeching off Jasmine’s success like a tick fattened on someone else’s blood? Crawling into her favor, hoping to ride her coattails to fame and relevance? How pathetic. No title, no pedigree, no credibility-just a stray dog sniffing around the banquet table, hoping for scraps p>
His voice turned colder, more cutting. “You should be thanking her, really. Without Jasmine, you’re nothing but a glorified street medic playing dress-up in a clinic no one even respects. And now you think you’re suddenly chief material? You’re a joke p>
2/3
Chapter 204
He sat back with a derisive chuckle, lips curled in contempt “Tell me, doc-how does it feel to wear someone else’s crown when you haven’t earned a single jewel in it p>
Alex stood rigid, not rising to the insults.
Charles continued, teeth bared in a wolfish grin. “So silent, doc? Cat got your tongue, or maybe you’re just too stupid to speak p>
Alex’s eyes narrowed. “I didn’t realize you asked me a question p>
Charles’s laughter was more scorn than humor. “You’re pathetic. All right, I’ll
phrase it loud and clear-did you kill Lydia p>
Alex didn’t waver. “Yes, but she p>
Charles slammed his hand on the table, cutting him off with a thunderous crack that echoed off the mansion’s vaulted ceilings.
“Perfect. You admit it. Makes my job a hell of a lot easier. Lydia was a pillar of this family, and you’re going to atone for that p>
From beneath the table, Charles yanked out a small urn.
He slammed it onto the polished wood with a force that set the teacups rattling.
A hush swallowed the room. The tension was so thick, every breath felt like a chokehold.
“Her ashes,” Charles growled, his eyes burning into Alex. “Bow your head and apologize-to her, to this family, to everyone you’ve disgraced. And cut your arms to show your regret p>
Alex’s face went taut. “What the hell p>
“Don’t act clueless,” Charles spat, shoving the urn forward. “You snuffed out a life,
and I won’t let Lydia’s death be dismissed like some trivial footnote. Show some
damn remorse-with your arms p>
Chapter 205
Chapter 205