Chapter 524

Jasmine’s curiosity about the mysterious woman gnawed at her. She sought out Teddy for answers.

Teddy had fully recovered and was now handling business affairs.

When Jasmine arrived, he greeted her politely. “Ms. Farrington.”

Ramor had said Joshua would soon depart, leaving Eagle Assassins under Jasmine’s nominal leadership, though Damien would handle the day-to-day operations. Teddy didn’t mind this arrangement at all.

Jasmine smiled warmly, “Just call me Jasmine.”

Teddy nodded. “What brings you here?”

Noticing others nearby, she said, “I’d like to speak privately.”

Teddy dismissed everyone else in the room.

Once alone, Jasmine asked, “You and Damien are close, right?”

“We are.” Teddy nodded. When he had been in trouble before, Damien had saved him.

“Then you must know him well.”

“Fairly well.”

Jasmine hesitated. “Do you know who the woman visiting him earlier was?”

“A woman?” Teddy blinked. Damien was cold and reserved. He hardly ever had women around.

Teddy thought, ‘Interesting. Someone finally caught his eye? What kind of woman could it be? But seeing how concerned Jasmine is… Is she into him?’

Damien’s icy demeanor usually scared women off, unless it was mission-related.

Jasmine described the woman. “Red hair, very pretty. Have you ever seen her?”

Teddy thought hard. “No.”

Jasmine slumped. “Oh. Thanks anyway.” As she left, she scolded herself inwardly, ‘I’m losing it over Damien. Pathetic.’

Unrequited feelings were torture. Distracted, Jasmine made multiple errors in her paperwork. Thankfully, her vigilant assistant caught them.

Shortly after Jasmine left, Joshua returned to Shermaine’s room. Despite last night’s indulgence, he looked refreshed, even more so than usual.

Shermaine lay in bed, limbs heavy with exhaustion, stomach growling.

Joshua sat beside her. “How do you feel?”

Shermaine didn’t respond. Memories of their engagement party resurfaced—how she had drunkenly demanded Joshua attend to her. Even then, she had been drawn to him, though her usual restraint masked it. Alcohol, however, stripped her defenses bare.

Last night, intoxicated and uninhibited, she had clung to him with desperate need. No wonder he had lost control, keeping her awake until dawn.

Joshua leaned closer, his voice a low murmur in her ear. “Ignoring me?”

Shermaine turned slightly, voice hoarse. “I’m hungry.”

Joshua’s gaze was soft. He had been relentless last night, but it was all because she was irresistible. The memory of her possessive kisses still stirred him. Truth be told, he loved it when she showed her desire.

Scooping Shermaine up, Joshua carried her to the bathroom, gently wiping her face with a damp towel. “Oatmeal for now. We’ll have a proper meal tonight.”

Shermaine grumbled.

Joshua kissed her rosy lips, then brushed his fingers between her thighs. “Still sore?”

“A little,” Shermaine whispered.

Joshua had applied ointment last night. Without it, she would be in far worse shape.

Just then, her stomach growled again.

Joshua chuckled, tucking her back into bed.

Shermaine lounged lazily, waiting to be fed.

After a while, Joshua spoon-fed her oatmeal until she was half-full, then let her drift back to sleep.

Night had fallen. Jasmine waited outside Damien’s door for hours until her legs grew numb and drowsiness set in before he finally returned.

Spotting her, Damien was puzzled. “Why are you here?”

“I… I was just passing by,” Jasmine stammered.

Damien didn’t buy it. With a faint glance, he pressed his finger on the scanner and entered the room.

Jasmine followed. “I wanted to see you.”

Damien stopped abruptly. Jasmine bumped into his back, inhaling the faint trace of a woman’s perfume clinging to him. Jealousy flared. She thought, ‘He spent the whole day with that woman.’

Turning, Damien asked, “Satisfied now?”

“Mm.” Jasmine lowered her head, nose stinging. “Do you hate me?”

“No.” Perhaps sensing her distress, Damien’s tone was uncharacteristically neutral. “I need to shower.”

Jasmine clutched his sleeve. “Wait. Who was that red-haired woman today?”

Damien’s brow furrowed.

“I’m just curious.” Jasmine bit her lower lip. “You’re so reserved. Why would a gorgeous woman seek you out? Even Teddy doesn’t know her.”

The moment the words left her mouth, regret flooded in. She had crossed a line, probing Damien’s privacy through his friend. She looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat.

Damien’s expression hardened.

Startled, Jasmine recoiled, releasing his sleeve.

Damien said coldly, “I don’t like people prying into my life.” For an assassin, privacy was sacred. Even Teddy didn’t know his past.

Tears welled in Jasmine’s eyes. “Sorry,” she whispered before bolting, too afraid to hear more heartbreaking words.

Damien almost reached for her, but she was already gone. A rare thought struck him, ‘Was I too harsh just now?’