Chapter 117
Chapter 117
Alex's expression remained calm, almost bored.
"Don't worry about me. What | do is none of your concern.
Marco's lip curled in disdain. "I figured. Better to bluff your way in than admit you don't belong,"
His voice softened as he turned to Jasmine, an oily charm coating his words.
"Listen, sweetheart, letsave you the headache. Don't be fooled by this guy- Alex is no trust fund prince. He's
got nothing, and he sure as hell doesn't deserve a woman like you."
In Marco's mind, there was no way a rich, beautiful woman like Jasmine would willingly choose a down-on-his-
luck man like Alex.
He had to have tricked her what other explanation could there be?
But Jasmine's laughter rang out-loud, unrestrained, and entirely unladylike.
It was the kind of laugh that made everyone in the room turn their heads.
It was as if she'd just heard the punchline of the funniest joke in the world.
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she struggled to catch her breath.
She borrowed a billion dollars from Alex, yet people still thought he was broke and jobless.
In reality, he was the miracle doctor known as "God's Hand." Everyone was searching for this man.
"Oh my goodness," Jasmine gasped between fits of laughter, her composure completely shattered.
The elegant woman they thought they knew was gone, replaced by someone carefree and wild with amusement.
Everyone stared, shocked.
Jasmine suddenly grabbed Alex's hand, gripping it tightly.
"So... he's poor and jobless, is he?" She giggled, leaning closer to him. "That just makeswant to stand even
closer to him."
Marco blinked, thrown off by her response. He hadn't expected that.
"Honey, with your face and figure, you could marry into any mansion in the city," he said, trying to regain
control.
"Why settle for living in a cardboard box with him?"
Jasmine's laughter renewed, spilling out uncontrollably. Marco's words only made him sound more ridiculous.
If only he knew.
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In Vancouver, every wealthy and powerful man longed to win her heart.
But none could measure up to Alex-not a single one.
He stood alone at a solitary peak, where only the best of the best could hope to stand.
Jasmine's eyes gleamed with amusement as she slid her arm through Alex's and shrugged with effortless grace.
"Living in a cardboard box with him would probably feel like heaven," she said coolly, tightening her hold on
Alex's arm.
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Chapter 117
"To me, Alex is an exceptional man. As long as I'm with him, my life is already perfect."
Marco let out a bitter laugh, but it cracked halfway through "Exceptional? Puh- lease. He's got no cash, no fame,
no power. How exactly does that make him stand out?"
Jasmine's smile widened as she felt another laugh bubbling up in her chest.
"Well, for starters,” she said, meeting Marco's furious gaze with a smirk, "he's definitely more handsthan
you. And let's see... kinder, stronger... should | go on? | don't think you'll win in any category."
Marco's cheeks burned red, and the room seemed to grow heavier with silence.
The soft hum of conversations continued in the background, but to Marco, it felt like every pair of eyes was
drilling into him.
"What's the use of a handsface? In the end, he's just a boy toy!" Marco's expression darkened, shadows
clouding his sharp features:"
"I've warned you-Alex is a conman. Everything he says is a lie. The truth is, he's the one who can't take anything
from me. You'll regret it when he uses you for your wealth and your body!"
"Take advantage of me?" Jasmine laughed, the sound light and airy, but this tshe lost control, her laughter
spilling over like a bubbling stream.
She had tried-tried to give Alex every chance to take advantage of her.
But no matter what she did, this man never seemed to fall for it.
"You know what?" She leaned forward, eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and challenge.
"I hope he takes advantage of me. But it seems like he's just not interested."
Her gaze flickered toward Alex, warm and teasing. She lowered her voice into a sultry murmur.
"Con, Alex... when will you take advantage of me? I'm ready whenever you are."
Sophia and Marco both frowned in unison, their faces a mirror of disapproval. Even Alex's ears flushed red.
Jasmine's boldness was shameless, undeniable-and oddly captivating.
Marco's envy twisted inside him like a knife.
Why didn't she flirt like that with him?
He was the best bachelor in Vancouver-hell, half the women in the city would faint
if he so much as smiled at
them.
"Did you not hear me?" His voice rose, cracking slightly with desperation. "That guy is a liar! It won't do you any
good to stay with him!"
Jasmine tilted her head, as though deep in thought, then suddenly ducked behind Alex, clinging to his arm.
"Alex!" she gasped tically. "Helpchase this wolf away! | think he's the one trying to take advantage of
me!"
"You..." Marco's voice faltered, his composure slipping by the second.
He had never felt so humiliated, so powerless. Her stubbornness was driving him insane.
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Chapter 117
How could she go back to Alex, knowing what he was?
Megan, who had silently followed Marco, couldn't stay quiet any longer. She stepped forward, looking Jasmine up
and down like she was something strange.
"Do you even know who Marco is?" Megan's voice dripped with incredulity. "He's the best bachelor in Vancouver.
Just talking to him is an honor for most women." Jasmine took a small step closer to Alex, her smile teasing as
she tilted her head. "Here comes the second liar's helper. | knew liars travel packs. This place is really getting
dangerous. Alex, why don't you helpshoo them away?"
Megan's and Marco's faces flushed a deep red, their anger mmering like a kettle about to boil over.
"Mr. Ashford, this woman deserves to be deceived!" Megan spat, her words sharp as broken glass.
"Not only does she ignore your kind warnings, but she has the nerve to speak rudely! How ungrateful! Just let
that loser tuin her. One day, when she's crying her eyes out, she'll remember that we tried to warn her."
"All I'm trying to do is help," Margo gritted out, his jaw clenched so tightly it hurt.
"But she's just... blind." He wasn't just angry-he was jealous, and it gnawed at him from the inside.
"You two must've known each other for a long time, right? Sophia's voice cut through the tension like a knife.
Her eyes narrowed as she observed Jasmine and Alex.
Jasmine's carefree, affectionate behavior made her wonder if there had always
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been something between them.
How could any sane woman choose a penniless loser over man like Marco? It didn't add up.
"It's not the length of tthat matters," Jasmine replied sweetly.
She smiled, and as if to make her point crystal clear, she pressed her chest lightly
against Alex's arm, like a queen marking her territory.
"What matters is that our feelings are mutual."
Sophia's face darkened.
Her sharp gaze flicked between Jasmine and Alex.
She knew Jasmine was deliberately provoking her, but that didn't stop the sting.
It felt like someone had ripped something precious from her grasp.
"Alex, | seriously misjudged you." Sophia's voice wavered, but she forced herself
to speak. "While you were with me... you'd already found someone else."
Her heart twisted as she said it.
Alex was the first man she had ever been with-the only man she had ever slept with, and married.
She had given him everything, and he was meant to be hers forever.
"If that's what you think of me," Alex said with a shrug, his voice calm, almost indifferent, "then | have | more to
say."
Jasmine's smug smile widened, but Sophia stared at Alex, stunned.
ng
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Chapter 117
He wasn't the sman she remembered the man who once clung to her,
desperate to win her approval, terrified of losing her.
Now, he looked like a man ready to walk away, leaving everything behind.
And it hurt.
It hurt so much it felt like she couldn't breathe.
[YVAN |
*