Inner War

Earlier...

Jasmine felt disoriented upon waking. Her weak body couldn’t suppress the urge to get up. She slowly lifted herself and with heavy steps, made her way out of the room. She slowed her pace as she heard voices from downstairs. Still between reality and a dream, she tried to convince herself that what she was hearing was a conversation between two men.

“She won’t dare to do it.”

Jasmine’s wrist rested on the glass railing, allowing her to peek at the conversation downstairs between Mr. Hawthorne and an unfamiliar man.

Jasmine pondered for a moment, isn’t this an opportunity to escape Mr. Hawthorne’s grasp?

Jasmine mustered the courage to head downstairs. She descended the cold marble steps, feeling her way down until she reached the bottom.

“Like I said earlier, someone in a hopeless position might do anything to get out of their predicament. You need to watch out for that, Kins.”

That statement made Jasmine wonder if the hopeless person they were talking about was her.

Jasmine didn’t realize that Mr. Hawthorne had already noticed her presence. His movement snapped her out of her reverie, causing her to reflexively tighten her grip on the glass railing. The intensity in his eyes tried to dominate her once more, as if she were a helpless creature.

At that moment, the man accompanying Mr. Hawthorne intervened. “Hello, Miss Everhart. You should be resting while you’re still unwell.”

“Ah, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Calum Lawson, the doctor who examined you. I hear there’s a story behind this. I’ve been told about it by Kins.”

“So, will you help me?”

There was a different meaning behind Jasmine’s words, and Mr. Hawthorne easily read it. Nonetheless, he wisely chose not to interrupt, letting the conversation flow.

“Help you? Of course, I came here to help you,” Dr. Lawson said kindly.

A smile spread across Jasmine’s face as she reached out to Dr. Lawson’s hand hopefully. “Thank you, Dr. Lawson! You’re my savior. I owe you.”

Dr. Lawson felt awkward. He had only treated a patient with a fever, but Jasmine made it seem as though he had saved her from death.

Seeing Dr. Lawson’s confusion, Mr. Hawthorne said in a calm tone, “She’s asking for your help to leave this penthouse.”

Dr. Lawson quickly withdrew his hand from Jasmine’s grasp. “Sorry, Miss Everhart. I can’t do that because my life also depends on Kinsley.” The desperate look on Jasmine’s face made him feel guilty, and with great caution, he said, “But I can offer a tip to improve your condition.”

Dr. Lawson glanced at Mr. Hawthorne, who was standing next to him with his arms crossed, giving a subtle signal that sharing tips should not be done directly in front of him.

Mr. Hawthorne raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What?” he asked, as if not understanding the situation.

Dr. Lawson’s gaze sharpened. “You lack manners.”

Mr. Hawthorne frowned. “Huh?” His expression turned irritated.

“It’s an insult to me,” Dr. Lawson continued. “I rushed here to examine Miss Everhart during my busy hours, but I haven’t been offered a drink since then. You’re being unreasonable, Kins!”

“You think I’m someone to be wary of?” Mr. Hawthorne replied dismissively.

“O—of course, someone to be cautious of.” Dr. Lawson’s nerve faltered.

Dr. Lawson quickly devised a plan for him and Jasmine to speak privately. After finding the right strategy, he cleared his throat. “Alright, I’ll take it with Miss Everhart.”

Dr. Lawson prepared to lead Jasmine away, but Mr. Hawthorne’s hand blocked their path. “I’ll get it. You two wait here,” Mr. Hawthorne decided.

Dr. Lawson managed to persuade Mr. Hawthorne to leave, and he quickly drew Jasmine towards the exit.

“Y—you’re really going to help me?” Jasmine asked impatiently, her voice mixed with doubt and hope.

“Shhh!” Dr. Lawson placed his finger on his lips. “I’m going to tell you a secret.”

With a swift motion, Dr. Lawson pulled out a card from his pocket and handed it to Jasmine. “This is my phone number, you can contact me.”

Jasmine looked at the business card with disappointment. “This isn’t what I meant…”

Dr. Lawson nodded. “I know you really want to leave, but Kinsley isn’t a man to be easily fooled. Even if you manage to get out of here, it doesn’t mean you’re truly free. He has many henchmen, and they could do worse to you if you continue to resist.”

“So, what should I do?” Jasmine’s voice trembled, holding back tears.

Dr. Lawson felt even more pity. “For now, just follow his rules.”

Jasmine shook her head quickly. “I can’t follow his rules. H—he wants me to…!”

Jasmine’s words trailed off as she considered Dr. Lawson’s reaction if she mentioned being asked to be Mr. Hawthorne’s mistress, which would imply something intimate like making love.

“Why?” Dr. Lawson asked, his face showing curiosity.

Jasmine looked down sadly. “I… I can’t do it…”

In the midst of their unfinished conversation, Mr. Hawthorne appeared. His presence became the focus of the two people who had been talking in secrecy.

“Return, Dr. Lawson,” Mr. Hawthorne said with an unhappy expression.

Dr. Lawson went inside to retrieve his bag, taking the opportunity to drink some water that was already available on the coffee table. Meanwhile, Jasmine realized she was still holding the doctor’s business card and quickly hid it behind her. Unfortunately, before the card was hidden, Mr. Hawthorne had noticed every movement.

“Don’t forget what I said, Kins. Contact me if anything happens. I’m leaving now.”

Before Dr. Lawson left the penthouse, he exchanged glances with Jasmine. The man only smiled at the woman who looked so sad, evoking sympathy in him as he couldn’t do much to help. “See you again, Miss Everhart.”

Mr. Hawthorne saw Dr. Lawson off, leaving Jasmine alone in the penthouse. Once everyone had left, Jasmine immediately collapsed onto the floor. She had lost so much strength dealing with Mr. Hawthorne’s power.

***

Mr. Hawthorne returned without asking much after seeing Dr. Lawson off. The business card had already provided an answer without needing to delve into the secret conversation between the doctor and Jasmine.

Despite their close friendship, Mr. Hawthorne remained cautious. Dr. Lawson, being a doctor who prioritized his patients, might still seek a way to help Jasmine in her current situation.

Mr. Hawthorne frowned upon realizing the door to the balcony was open. Concern pushed him outside quickly, searching for Jasmine, fearing she might be thinking of jumping again.

“Miss Everhart!” he called loudly, looking down from the building.

There was no sign of someone jumping from the building, and Mr. Hawthorne felt relieved. However, dissatisfaction still lingered in his mind as Jasmine was still nowhere to be found.

With hasty steps, Mr. Hawthorne returned to the room. His eyes fixed on Jasmine, who was standing by the kitchen island holding a spoon. Their expressions mirrored the same confusion and shock.

“Y—you...!” Mr. Hawthorne stopped himself, feeling the anxiety that had previously dominated him. He hesitated to address her odd behavior and decided to approach Jasmine.

His previously tense brows relaxed, but seeing Jasmine hiding something behind her, his expression turned back to anger. “What are you hiding?” Mr. Hawthorne demanded.

Jasmine shook her head. “Leave me alone!”

Mr. Hawthorne tried to reach Jasmine’s hands behind her, suddenly feeling something cold there. His frown deepened, then he looked at Jasmine who was covering her chest.

Mr. Hawthorne took it, clearly seeing a box of ice cream. His anger dissipated instantly, turning into confusion. “You... are eating ice cream?”

"At the moment he worried she might jump from the building," Mr. Hawthorne thought to himself.

Jasmine did not answer, only turning her face away in embarrassment. Her intense hunger made her abandon her pride to sneak into the enemy’s kitchen. She didn’t realize that Mr. Hawthorne had returned until his voice calling her name made her, hiding near the kitchen island, slowly rise.

Mr. Hawthorne understood after analyzing the situation. “I see, you’re hungry and want to satisfy yourself. But,” his eyes went back to the ice cream box, “why choose ice cream when you’re sick? Isn’t there a better option?”

“That’s the only thing available,” Jasmine replied quietly.

Mr. Hawthorne moved to the fridge, convinced that Jasmine was lying and needed to prove it. However, as Jasmine said, the kitchen only had a box of ice cream.

With a frustrated sigh, Mr. Hawthorne looked at Jasmine. “I was out of town before meeting you, so my kitchen was intentionally emptied.”

He approached Jasmine, closed the ice cream box, and took the spoon from her hand. “I may not be a good man, but I’m not so bad as to let someone who’s sick fill up on ice cream. Go back to your room and rest. I’ll order food for you.”

Jasmine remained silent, feeling something wrong with her situation. Asking for food from an enemy felt like demeaning herself.

Suddenly, Mr. Hawthorne grabbed Jasmine by the neck, startling her. Initially wanting to be angry, the gentle touch on her forehead made her restrain herself.

“Your body temperature is still high. I don’t know how you’re holding up, but you’re clearly pushing yourself.”

After saying this, Mr. Hawthorne immediately picked up Jasmine, making her scream.

“Put me down!”

Mr. Hawthorne grinned, ignoring Jasmine’s protests. He continued to walk up the stairs, while Jasmine kept struggling.

“You could make us fall if you keep moving,” Mr. Hawthorne said casually.

Jasmine’s struggling gradually slowed down, realizing she couldn’t let them fall down the stairs.

Mr. Hawthorne laid Jasmine on the bed, sat on the edge, and reached for his phone from the nightstand. Carefully, he searched for a contact number and dialed.

“Ted, could you send two lunch packages for me? I need something easy to chew.”

“Certainly, Mr. Hawthorne. Where should I send it?”

“Just send it to the penthouse. Oh, wait.”

Mr. Hawthorne moved the phone away, looking at Jasmine who turned her face away. “Do you have any allergies?”

Jasmine was reluctant to answer, but once again, she had to compromise with the situation. She nodded and said, “Seafood.”

Mr. Hawthorne refocused on his phone. “I and Miss Everhart are allergic to seafood.”

Jasmine felt annoyed by the coincidental similarity.

“I also need some women’s clothing for Miss Everhart,” Mr. Hawthorne added.

Mr. Hawthorne looked at Jasmine, observing her covered body. Their eyes met in that moment, and Jasmine’s expression looked angry.

“Since we haven’t been intimate, I don’t know your underwear size. Can you tell me so Ted can buy it? But if you prefer, I don’t mind seeing you walking around in my shirts.” Mr. Hawthorne smiled meaningfully. “How about it?”