Chapter 263
Chapter 253
An hour earlier, Sophia had stepped quietly out of the hospital doors, a ghostly shadow haunted by restless
thoughts.
For days, she'd kept her family at arm's length, erecting an invisible barrier around her wounded heart.
Her soul felt raw, tormented by relentless doubts about Alex.
Perhaps she had always been mifair, perhaps she should have trusted him
sooner.
After all, their marriage was already torn to shreds; yet, somewhere deep inside, she knew Alex deserved an
apology far greater than her pride allowed.
Paying a discreet detective employed by her family, Sophia easily covered the small clinic Alex ran near the
slums.
Guided by the instructions of her GPS, she drove slowly through the grimy streets, her eyes hollow with
anticipation and dread.
As she approached, the sight of bodyguards patrolling the perimeter, stern-faced and vigilant, set her pulse
racing
Her heart twisted painfully upon glimpsing Jasmine standing intimately close to Alex, radiating confidence and
allure.
Sophia's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her knuckles whitening as uncertainty gnawed at her courage.
Unaware of Sophia's anguished gaze, Jasmine had already concluded her dealings with Alex.
Her sharp eyes, however, caught sight of Sophia's familiar luxury car lurking nearby.
A sly, triumphant smile curled her lips.
Jasmine recognized instantly who the woman was-a rival whose mere existence ignited an instinctive,
competitive fire in her
heart.
"Oh, that's right!" Jasmine suddenly declared with a playful lilt, turning to Alex with eyes glittering mischievously.
"| almost forgot-1 have one more special gift for you."
"A gift?" Alex raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. "What kind?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
"It's a surprise," Jasmine whispered seductively, her voice dripping with allure. "Close your eyes."
Alex hesitated briefly, then shrugged off any suspicion and obediently closed his eyes, unaware of the storm that
was about to
conshim.
In the silent darkness, a fragrance sweet as forbidden fruit enveloped him, causing his pulse to quicken
dangerously.
Before he could react, warm, soft lips claimed his own, stealing a kiss that felt like the spark of an inferno.
Alex froze, his entire body seized by shock as though lightning had pierced his soul.
Instinctively, he pulled back-but Jasmine's slender arms, deceptively powerful, locked firmly around his neck like
shackles forged from iron.
Never had he imagined such strength hidden beneath her delicate form.
Her intoxicating scent clouded his judgment, and, lost in that electrifying moment,
a reckless voice whispered in his mind, Why not?"
After all, Jasmine was undeniably one of Vancouver's greatest beauties- irresistible, intoxicating, dan
Jus.
Surrendering to temptation, Alex returned her passionate embrace, sealing a betrayal he scarcely realized was
occurring.
In the distance, Sophia watched helplessly from behind tinted glass, her soul shattering into countless fragments
as the truth stabbed ruthlessly into her heart. Chapter 253
The cruel image etched itself into her memory a nightmare she would never forget.
Her chest tightened, agony flaring as tears blurred her vision, anger bolling fiercely beneath her despair.
It felt as though something precious, something she had always believed was unquestionably hers, had been
viciously ripped
away.
Finally releasing Alex, Jasmine drew back, her cheeks flushed, her breath slightly
uneven.
For the proud, independent Jasmine, this impulsive act had been her first stolen kiss-a daring declaration of
desire.
"That was my first kiss," she murmured softly, her eyes shimmering with sincerity.
"My heart, my everything-it's yours now." Jasmine's radiant smile was mesmerizing, the flush on her cheeks
amplifying her seductive charm.
Alex, cheeks burning with embarrassment, touched his lips tentatively, as if savoring the lingering warmth.
Yet his reflection was cut short by the sudden, furious roar of an engine.
A luxury car streaked dangerously past, blaring its horn, nearly clipping the startled bodyguards.
Alex caught only a fleeting glimpse-a silhouette painfully familiar, unmistakable— and instantly recognized the
hurt and fury behind that reckless escape.
"Wasn't that...Sophia?" Jasmine's voice was teasing, almost cruel in its innocence.
Alex nodded numbly, still dazed. "It was her."
"Shouldn't you chase her down?" Jasmine inquired playfully, her eyebrow arched in mock concern.
"Explain what she just saw?"
"Explain?" Alex retorted bitterly. "We're divorced. What's there to explain? It's not betrayal if there's nothing left
to betray."
“True enough,” Jasmine purred softly, a possessive gleam igniting her eyes.
"After all, you belong tonow."
Shaking herself slightly, Jasmine quickly shifted back to business.
"Anyway, tomorrow we'll have our final meeting before the official launch of Elixir Vitae. Please cto Hilton
Pharmaceutical's main office. It will be our first-and | promise, our last-formal business meeting. | won't take up
your tafter that."
Alex sighed wearily. "Fine."
The next day, as Alex stepped into the Hilton meeting room, he was met by a tableau of influential figures, each
radiating an aura of wealth and power.
Yet among these powerful individuals sat Dr. Joane, stern-faced and respected, whose presence left Alex visibly
surprised. Jasmine swiftly approached, explaining smoothly, "Kingston Pharmaceuticals wants Elixir Vitae to
enter the interstate market. Having someone renowned like Dr. Joane endorse us is crucial for credibility."
Dr. Joane's skeptical voice echoed sharply through the room.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
t truly worthy."
"I haven't agreed yet. | never endorse anything without thorough scrutiny. Not once have | found a p Jasmine's
smile widened knowingly. "With your discerning taste, Dr. Joane, | have no doubt you'll be impressed."
Jasmine opened a luxurious velvet-lined box, revealing an emerald-colored pill that shimmered brilliantly under
the light, resting with elegant precision inside.
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Chapter 253
With a theatrical flourish, she presented it reverently. "Here it is he Emerald Elixir." Joane carefully took the
shimmering pill, inspecting it with keen precision.
Her face slowly brightened with approval. "Impressive clarity, brilliant luster, and a remarkably pure fragrance-
this pill is extraordinary!"
"Precisely!" Jasmine applauded with genuine pride.
"Emerald Elixir not only enhances beauty but grants longevity and youthfulness. If
you aren't concerned about potential tampering, why not test it yourself?"
Dr. Joane chuckled defiantly, her pride flashing boldly.
"Poison? What have | to fear from mere toxins?" Without hesitation, she swallowed the Emerald Elixir whole.
Instantly, a cooling sensation flooded her veins, cascading swiftly through her limbs, igniting vitality in every
nerve.
Joane shuddered, overwhelmed by the surge of strength and clarity rushing through her.
Her fatigue melted away, replaced by unprecedented energy and rejuvenation.
She felt utterly reborn.
Awestruck, Joane nearly leapt from her seat, voice trembling with rare excitement. "Marvelous! This elixir is a
priceless miracle-utterly phenomenal!"
"Tell me," Joane pressed urgently, her eyes wide with amazement, "who developed this Emerald Elixir? Where did
the formula cfrom? | must know!"
Overwhelmed by the elixir's astonishing effects, she couldn't hide her awe
For someone as discerning as Joane, the desire to uncover the creator behind such a masterpiece was
unstoppable.
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