Chapter 452

Julian Valdemar held Jasmine Keane tightly in his arms, his fingers gently brushing the faint redness at the corners of her eyes.

A silent vow formed in his heart.

Just one more year. Once the arranged marriage with the Sinclair family was dissolved, he would give the girl in his arms the recognition she deserved.

The mess in the room couldn't dampen the warmth of this moment.

Exhausted from crying, Jasmine fell into a deep sleep against his chest.

Julian had endured too much today.

First, overtime at the company. Then, dealing with the elders at Valdemar Manor. And now, returning to find Jasmine in the midst of an emotional breakdown.

He carefully laid her down on the bed.

Despite his exhaustion, he forced himself to clean up the scattered mess.

When he opened his laptop, the clock had already struck two in the morning.

The blue glow of the screen illuminated his weary face.

This illustration gig was hard-won. He needed to finish it quickly to secure a permanent position.

Next door.

The moment the door clicked shut, Jasmine's eyes flew open.

She turned over irritably, burying her face in the pillow.

In the gardens of Valdemar Manor.

Adrian Valdemar felt a suffocating tightness in his chest after transferring money to Julian.

He pulled out a cigarette and crouched in the shadows of the flowerbed.

Wreathed in smoke, his sharp features looked even more severe.

A sudden argument reached his ears.

"What were you thinking? Letting him bring another woman here?"

The shrill voice of a middle-aged woman pierced the air.

Adrian realized he'd unintentionally become an eavesdropper.

He stubbed out his cigarette but remained still.

"Mom... It's not what you think..."

That voice made Adrian freeze.

Tiffany Sinclair.

"The marriage alliance must proceed!" The woman's tone brooked no argument. "With so many Valdemar assets at stake, you must produce an heir!"

"But—"

"No buts!"

The click of high heels faded into the distance.

Under the moonlight, Tiffany stood alone in the garden, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Almost against his will, Adrian stepped forward.

"Miss Sinclair."

Tiffany jerked her head up, her face deathly pale.

"You... heard everything?"

Adrian's chest tightened painfully at the sight of her red-rimmed eyes.

This suffocating feeling was a hundred times worse than when Julian had come to him for money.