CHAPTER 379: A FATHER’S SACRIFICE

Jasmine sat in Lawrence’s study, her fingertips tapping restlessly against the armrest. Lawrence hadn’t reached out since he left to salvage LL Construction. What had struck their company was simply the aftershock of the engagement party.

From what she’d heard, NL Group had managed to stabilize its stocks after agreeing to collaborate with Summit Partners. But LL Construction had yet to recover—or even stabilize. If anything, there was nothing left they could do.

"The Lancasters are no good anymore," she whispered. "Not with Melissa ending everything once and for all."

Jasmine pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a level of distress she hadn’t felt in years. She had been hopeful that once things settled, Melissa would be able to persuade Derek again. The chairman adored his only grandson. Even if he often threatened to disinherit him, Jasmine knew the old man would never truly forsake Derek.

After all, he hadn’t even forsaken Lola—a child who didn’t share his blood—because of his bond with Loren’s father. Having played this game for so long, Jasmine knew that what people said aloud rarely matched what they truly wanted.

"I should’ve calmed her down," she murmured. "I already knew she was unstable."

In this state, she couldn’t even bring herself to be angry at her daughter’s actions. She knew Melissa better than anyone. She had raised and molded her. Melissa’s outburst had been driven by emotion and stress.

But no one in the world could take back the words that had been said today.

Amid her thoughts, a knock came at the door. Jasmine’s sharp gaze flicked toward it.

The door opened, revealing someone she knew far too well. Someone she had once loved, someone who had promised to be with her through thick and thin.

"Mike," she breathed, her voice soft, almost relieved. "You came."

"How could I not?" he said, closing the door behind him. "My daughter’s being wronged by the world."

He stopped in front of the desk. "Jassy, are you okay?"

"Yes," she exhaled. "Don’t worry about me. About the thing I asked...?"

"It’s being handled. You’ll hear good news soon," he replied, resting his hands on the desk and studying her face. "I heard about your husband’s company. People are talking, saying he’s gone mad for refusing to declare bankruptcy."

Genuine concern flickered in his eyes. "Jas, leave him now."

Silence filled the room as their gazes locked. Neither spoke of loyalty or survival because they both knew Jasmine always had an exit plan.

"You’ve already siphoned enough funds for you and our daughter," he said. "It’s enough to sustain your lifestyle for the rest of your life. Clinging to that man isn’t a good idea, Jas. You know that."

After all, she and Mike had been together far longer than she’d been with Lawrence. They had seen each other’s worst sides and still stayed together. They weren’t married, and yes, Jasmine was another man’s wife. But her heart had always belonged to Mike.

It always had... or so, what he believed.

"You’re exaggerating, Mike. I already told you about that rogue, Hudson. If you’d taken care of him before, I wouldn’t hesitate to leave that fool."

"What else can I say? The guy’s hard to deal with," he replied calmly. "He’s more slippery than you think. But I’m already handling it. He’s been hanging around here for far too long. The past is different from now."

How could he deal with Hudson when that sly fox had threatened to expose them if anything happened to him? One move against him, and the whole world would learn what Melissa had done. The thought alone filled Mike with bitterness.

If only he had been there, he would’ve handled it himself. Then Melissa wouldn’t have to live under Hudson’s constant harassment.

"You know my hands are tied with that guy," Mike said. "But I’ve been working on it. So, you don’t have to worry. He’ll be dealt with soon enough."

Jasmine studied his expression, and relief began to wash over her. "And Lola?"

"She’ll be dealt with too," he answered almost instantly. "But right now, you and our daughter need to leave this house. File for divorce. Otherwise, it’ll be too late. Jasmine, I let you marry that man for our daughter’s future—and for us."

And it had worked.

By marrying Lawrence, Jasmine had lived the life she’d always wanted. Their daughter had grown up in comfort, even if she never knew who her real father was. It was the price Mike had paid for all three of them.

It was a father’s sacrifice.

"But now, we have the money," he said sincerely. "We don’t need that man anymore."

"What about Melissa?"

"What about her?"

"Mike, she believes you’re her uncle—that we’re relatives."

"She’ll find out eventually," he said with a shrug. "She’s old enough to understand why we did what we did. It’s time for you to leave this place, to leave that fool, and come back to me. It’s time we live as a family."

When she didn’t answer, he added, "The business is good now, Jas. I can take care of you."

A heavy silence hung between them again. Then Jasmine nodded faintly.

"Good." Mike gave a small smile and nodded back. "Tell me when you’re ready. We’ll figure out how to deal with our daughter after that. For now, just take her far away from this hell. Melissa’s still our priority."

Because no matter how vile or selfish they were, one thing remained true: they both loved their daughter. A parent’s love, perhaps, was the only sincere thing left in them.

With that, Mike pushed himself off the desk and left without another glance. Jasmine watched quietly until the door shut behind him.

A deep breath escaped her as she massaged her temples. "Business is good?" she muttered. "That business?"

Mike’s business wasn’t like LL Construction or any reputable company in Novera. It wasn’t even legal—run by hoodlums and back-alley dealers like him. She might’ve loved him once, but it had been decades.

"I just need to buy myself some time," she whispered, her lashes fluttering as she plotted her next move. "Then I’ll take my daughter away from here, and we’ll start over."

Had she known what was coming, Jasmine would have decided right then and there to leave. Maybe then, she could have protected everything she’d fought so hard for.

But alas, it was already too late.

Her nightmare had begun long before she realized it.