Chapter 7

“Caleb?” one of the guys called out. “You guys have fun. Put it on my tab.” Caleb, without a word, lifted Yasmin into his arms and strode from the lounge. His rolled-up sleeves revealed toned muscles contrasting sharply with Yasmin’s softer form. Whispers followed: “Am I imagining things, or is Caleb way too indulgent with Yasmin?” “He wouldn’t lose his composure just because she flirted a little, right?” “Obviously not. We have a bathroom in the lounge. If he really couldn’t hold back, why leave?”

The McLaren door swung open, and Yasmin was practically tossed inside. Caleb followed, reclining the seat as the door closed. Before she could react, his kisses rained down—on her lips, neck, collarbone… His body burned with alcohol, and Yasmin shivered. His hands ripped her new dress. “Caleb!”

He looked down, meeting her misty eyes. Her lashes trembled, tears threatening to spill. He braced one hand against the seat. “Unwilling?” His other hand cupped her face. “Minnie, weren’t you the one who seduced me?”

The word “seduce” burned her cheeks. Remembering her actions in the lounge, she felt even more embarrassed. “It’s not that I’m unwilling…” she murmured, swallowing her frustration. “You ruined my dress. It was new.”

Caleb scoffed. “Haven’t I bought you enough dresses?” He referred to her two walk-in closets in the Longview Bay villa. Yasmin huffed and turned away. But Caleb remained still, their breathing the only sound. Suspicious, Yasmin looked back. The desire in his gaze had faded. He traced her cheek. “Yasmin, did you think I’d help you save Jeremy as long as I slept with you tonight?”

Her expression stiffened. That was her plan. Caleb could be cruel, but not petty. Sex tonight would seal the deal. She opened her mouth, but found no argument.

“Young lady, you need to commit to your schemes,” he murmured, fastening his belt. “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

Seeing him leave, Yasmin grabbed his wrist, panic in her voice. “Caleb, Jeremy is Veronica’s brother too. If it were her asking, would you have agreed without a second thought?”

Caleb sighed, sensing her misunderstanding. “Yasmin, if you were content as Mrs. Grant, Jeremy would’ve been home long ago.”

With no other option, Yasmin approached the Barnes family. To her surprise, Michael looked genuinely confused. “Mrs. Grant, our family dropped the charges. Didn’t Mr. Grant tell you?”

“What?” Yasmin was stunned. “When?” “Yesterday afternoon.”

Caleb had decided yesterday. Why hadn't he told her at the bar? And why had she slapped him?

An officer led Jeremy from the detention center. The eighteen-year-old was tall, his features sharp, a blend of youth and adulthood. However, his scruffy blond hair, unshaven face, and slouched posture made him look like a delinquent. Spotting Yasmin’s G-Wagon, his face lit up. “Keys! I wanna drive!”

“What you need is a good smacking!” Yasmin smacked his hand. “Unlicensed driving gets you fifteen days. Did you develop a liking for the food here?”

Jeremy lowered his gaze, unable to retort. The Whitmore family spoiled him—except Yasmin. She’d even beat him up like those viral videos of sisters hitting brothers.

“Jeremy, you’re eighteen. The law applies to you. Think before you act. And that girl you fought Fabian over? She’s engaged.”

Jeremy scrunched his nose. “I didn’t beat him up over her.”

“Oh? Then who was it?” At a traffic stop, Yasmin turned to him. Jeremy hesitated, then turned away. “It’s none of your business!”

Yasmin clenched her teeth. Excuse me? I got you out, and you say it’s none of my business? This damn brat!

The Whitmore family didn’t know the Barnes family had dropped the charges. Entering the house, the living room was tense. Patricia Philips wailed about her grandson’s suffering, comforted by Veronica and Wanda Morrison. Wanda, nearing fifty but looking younger, seemed exhausted.

“Grandma?” Jeremy’s voice cut through the noise. Patricia blinked, rubbing her eyes. Confirming it wasn’t a dream, she shoved Veronica and Wanda aside, rushing to him. “My dear grandson! My poor Jer! Look how much weight you lost! The Barnes family are monsters!” (He’d actually gained two pounds in detention.)

Wanda and Veronica fussed over him. Veronica turned to Yasmin with a measured smile. “Didn’t you say there was nothing you could do? Looks like you managed it, after all.” The implication: Yasmin could have done this sooner. Jeremy had been locked up for over two weeks, and it was her fault, according to Veronica.

Patricia’s gaze turned cold. “Grandma, you know my relationship with Caleb. He’s much closer to Veronica. This wasn’t solved because of my relationship with Caleb—I went to see Mrs. Grant Senior,” Yasmin explained, improvising. Caleb’s grandmother, Gracie Benson, liked Yasmin. Everyone knew that.

Patricia hesitated, then glared at Veronica. “Those who did nothing shouldn’t run their mouths!”

Veronica could only endure in silence. Their eyes met. Yasmin’s smile was elegant, but mockery lurked beneath. She took Patricia’s hand, her tone measured. “Grandma, Mrs. Grant Senior helped Jeremy. Her birthday is next month, and I was thinking of a gift. She loves emeralds, and my mother had an emerald bead necklace. I’d like to give it to Mrs. Grant Senior.”

“Yes, that’s wonderful,” Patricia agreed, calling for the necklace. Using a dead daughter-in-law’s belongings to curry favor? Patricia loved the idea! Wanda and Veronica’s expressions darkened.

A maid rushed in, panicked. “Madam, the necklace… is missing from the treasury!”