Sophia''s heart nearly stopped when she realized no one knew that the woman they were all so eager to banish was actually Jasmine Kingston.


    If her hotheaded mother and brother made a scene, the entire deal would be done for.


    The Lancaster family had wed its way back from near-ruin once before- another disaster now might just seal their fate.


    But before she could make a move, Marco gently caught her by the wrist.


    "Sophia, there you are. I''ve got someone I want you to meet,"


    "This really isn''t the time, Marco," she shot back, voice tight with nerves.


    He didn''t budge. "Wait. Tell me what''s going on."


    She exhaled sharply, words tumbling out in a rush.


    "My mother wants to toss Alex out of here-and she has no clue that Jasmine Kingston is involved. She''s basically ordering him and Jasmine to leave, and if that foolhardy n actually goes through, the partnership with the Kingstons might go up in smoke."


    Marco shrugged like it was no big deal. "Sophia, that might actually be for the best."


    She blinked. "What are you talking about?"


    He offered a sly grin. "I wanted to introduce you to Charles Kingston. He said if you won''t continue with Jasmine, you can partner up with him instead. He''ll throw in twice the investment Jasmine promised."


    Sophia''s jaw went ck. "Double what Jasmine''s offering?"


    "Exactly. And I''m sure you''ve heard Charles and Jasmine are butting heads."


    She nodded slowly, trying to hide her skepticism. "I''ve picked up rumors, but I didn''t think they were serious."


    Marco''s tone darkened slightly.


    "Oh, it''s deadly serious. Lines are being drawn. People are picking sides-some are with Charles, others stand with Jasmine. Listen, if you side with Charles, he''ll protect you. In fact, your mother and brother might be doing you a favor by scaring Jasmine off. Lesspetition, more profit."


    Sophia''s pulse hammered in her ears. The math made perfect sense-a safer deal, more money.


    Still, her gut churned with unease, warning her this was all too convenient.


    Meanwhile, across the hall, Florence barreled straight toward Alex and Jasmine with an air of self-appointed royalty.


    Her lips twisted in open disdain.


    "Alex, who gave you permission to set foot in the Lancaster building?"


    Alex stiffened, trying to keep his temper in check. "Must you always be this difficult?"


    Florence let out a short, bitterugh. "Difficult? This ce belongs to Lancaster, and you think you can waltz in without so much as an invitation?"


    Jasmine raised a hand, hoping to rify. "Excuse me, ma''am, but"


    Florence snapped around, shutting Jasmine down with a re cold enough to freeze the air.


    "And you, youngdy, you might be a decent sort, but that man you''re clinging to is a no-good show-off. My daughter tossed him aside already because he''s all bark and no bite."


    She let out a shrill, mocking chuckle and beckoned Jack to step forward. "Why don''t I introduce you to my son instead?"


    Jastaine found herself speechless, eyes flicking to Jack, who swaggered over with a smug grin.


    He flexed his biceps as though he were auditioning for a cheap fitnessmercial.


    "Check out these guns!" he dered, oblivious to how ridiculous he lookedk


    Florence nodded with sickening pride. "That''s my boy, Jack-yourg, strong, handsome. And now that his sister is about to partner with the Kingstons, he''s practically a VIP. Perfect for you, Miss...?"


    Jasmine''s eyes bulged.


    Alex could only nce away, wondering how on earth Florence''s all could stretch so far.


    She let out a delicate sigh, then looped her arm through Alex''s. "Thank you for the offer, but I''ve made my choice."


    Florence''s face curdled like sour milk.


    "You''re turning down my son for this broke loser? Do you even understand the insult? I''m being gracious enough to present Jack, yet you''re too blind or too stupid to appreciate it. Fine-get out of my sight."


    Jasmine''s mouth fell open. "But-"


    Florence jabbed a finger toward the door. "Tell me, do either of you have an invitation card?"


    Jasmine hesitated. "No."


    "Then get lost," Florence snapped. "The pair of you parading in here without an invite is downright pathetic. I''d be well within my rights to have security haul you out by the cor. If you''ve got any shred of dignity, you''ll leave right now." Jasmine''s expression twisted between fury and disbelief-no one had ever shown her the door before, let alone in such a humiliating fashion.


    "But I was supposed to sign something here..."


    Florence barked a dry, humorlessugh. "Sign what? Forget it. Run along, little


    girl."


    Jack, brimming with arrogance, added, "Wow, your nerve is impressive. Already kicked out, yet you''re still yapping about business?"


    Alex let out a resigned sigh, cing a hand on Jasmine''s back. "Let''s just go."


    Jack shrugged, lips curling into a sneer. "Should''ve done that an hour ago."


    They were barely out the main doors when Sophia rushed over with Marco in tow. "Mother, where are they?" she asked, panic flickering behind her eyes. Florence crossed her arms and gave a disdainful sniff. "Who do you think? That useless Alex and the womantched onto him. I threw them out."


    Sophia pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperation dripping from every syble.


    "Mom, that woman was Jasmine Kingston."


    It took Florence a second to process.


    Her eyes practically bugged out. "You can''t be serious. That was Jasmine Kingston?"


    Jack''s bravado melted instantly. "Sis, I had no idea. She said she came here to sign something, but Mom threw her out. Told her to forget it."


    Sophia went pale. "So you just chased away our biggest partner? Did you actually throw our deal with the Kingstons straight into


    the trash?"


    Marco eyed them both with a self-satisfied smirk tugging at his lips.


    He''d already funneled the Lancasters'' money into covering his own losses from a disastrous stock investment.


    Their destruction was precisely what he needed: a broken family would nevere looking for stolen funds.


    He cleared his throat, slipping on a mask of concern. "So, Florence, do you n on running after Ms. Kingston and begging for her forgiveness on your knees? Or would you rather let Sophia sign with Charles Kingston instead?" Florence''s posture stiffened, chin raised with stubborn pride. "I am not crawling to that woman. Ever."


    Sophia could only let out a weary sigh. She knew her mother''s temperament too well-pleading was not in Florence''s vocabry.


    "All right, Marco," she said atst. "Where can I find Charles?"


    Marco gave a triumphant grin. "He''s waiting right this way. Allow me to make the introductions."


    The serpent that stings you the worst is the one you nourished at your bosom. 2