Charles shot Mrs. Lancaster a conflicted look.


    "Mrs. Lancaster," he began quietly.


    "The Best I can do is give you my sister Jessica''s number. Please exin everything to her."


    "She''ll sort out Kane''s problem first, and in the meantime, I''ll see what I can do to help yourpany,"


    Florence scoffed, venom in her eyes.


    "Sure, hand me the damn number. This entire disaster? It''s Alex''s fault-who else? That worthless stray had nothing until Jessica propped him up like a charity case.”


    "Now he thinks he''s untouchable, cocky enough toy hands on Be Kane?" She sneered, voice rising with every word.


    "Jessica should be the one groveling to the Kanes. She couldn''t leash her precious mutt, and now he''s ripped everything apart."


    She snapped her fingers with icy finality. "Give me the number. I''ll spell it out for her-exactly what her filthy little boytoy has done."


    At the Kingston estate, Jasmine lounged by the window, watching the private helicopter lift off into the midnight sky. Inside, Kelly was on her way to Vermont-


    new title, new power.


    Governor of Vermont.


    Jasmine''s lips curved into a soft, proud smile. Blood didn''t matter-Kelly was her sister in every way that counted.


    They''d fought, risen, and built everything side by side.


    But just as the rotor des disappeared into the dark, Jasmine''s phone lit up on the marble table beside her.


    She picked up. "Yes?"


    Florence Lancaster''s voice crackled on the other end.


    "Jasmine Kingston, your gigolo Alex hit Be Kane. Now the Kane family''sing after us Lancasters because Be is throwing a fit. How about you leash your boytoy before you ruin us all?"


    "Especially after Be went after my daughter Sophia. All this chaos started because of your man!"


    Jasmine''s voice was ice-cold.


    "Last I recall, your precious Sophia was caught red-handed stealing Be Kane''s bracelet in front of everyone. Alex stepped in to handle the situation."


    "Maybe you should be grateful he got involved at all, instead of whining about vengeance. Your daughter''s a thief, Florence, and we both know it."


    Florence sputtered, hardly able to believe what she was hearing. "What the hell did you just say?"


    Jasmine gave a harshugh.


    "Your Little sister ra nted Be''s bracelet in Sophia''s handbag and triggered this entire disaster. You Lancasters love pointing fingers, but I have a security recording that proves who really set this up."


    ra lunged at Florence''s phone in fury, screaming, "Don''t you dare use me of that! You''re just trying! wiggle out of responsibility for that sleaze you keep around! Who do you think you are? You''re nothing but a conniving


    Jasmine''s voice remained cutting.


    p!"


    "I can upload the CCTV footage any time I want. Should I go ahead and send it to everyone in Vancouver? Because I''m done


    listening to your nonsense."


    ra''s face paled. “You bitch! Jericho Kane''s gunning for Alex right now. If you won''t help us, then he''s as good as dead. Don''t say we didn''t warn you. He''ll be gone by tonight."


    Jasmine let out a slow, mockingugh.


    "Then I''ll let the Kanes tear the Lancasters apart first. Or maybe 1'' speed things


    up myself. Keep it up and see how fast you lot copse."


    Rattled, ra ended the call and spun to face her family.


    "She''s not going to lift a finger for us. Charles, you''re our only hope!"


    Florence nodded, panic shining in her eyes.


    "Charles, if you can get us through this, we''ll owe you everything. You''re still interested in Sophia, aren''t you? We can arrange the marriage as soon as she regains consciousness."


    Charles frowned. "I''m... not sure that''s appropriate. Let''s talk about it again when Sophia''s feeling better."


    Florence waved him off. "What''s the problem? You two like each other. It''s only a matter of time. Once our family survives this crisis, you should make it official."


    Charles forced a small smile. “I''ll do what I can." Inside, though, he felt a thrill.


    He knew Jasmine would help Alex fight back against the Kanes.


    And if both sides destroyed each other, well... it would only benefit him.


    Late that night, Jericho Kane''s helicopter touched down at his mansion. He limped inside, pale, rage twisting his features.


    Once in his study, he gulped down wine straight from the bottle.


    His mind churned with thoughts of revenge.


    So many allies in Vermont had deserted him, and Kelly Kingston was taking over


    the local government offices, drawing the most powerful families to her side.


    He had nned to use Charles to undermine the Kingstons in Vancouver, but now he was the one losing everything.


    He stared at the walls with hollow eyes.


    "Alex is the root of all this trouble," he muttered. "I''ll kill him, and then I''ll burn the rest to the ground."


    Vet, his body still broken, forced himself into the study. He bowed weakly.


    "Sir Kane, I''ve tried everything. I can''t neutralize the poison Alex used on Be.


    He says Be needs to apologize to Sophia Lancaster if she wants the antidote."


    Jericho''s fury exploded.


    He grabbed a heavy ashtray and hurled it at Vet''s head, causing blood to stream down the man''s face.


    Jericho''s eyes shone with murderous intent.


    "That bastard dares threaten me," he snarled. "He''ll pay with his life. He assaulted Be, and now he wants the Kanes to crawl to him? Unbelievable!"


    Vet trembled. “He also warned that if anything happens to the Lancasters, he''ll destroy our businesses too. We''re already losing power-"


    Jericho slumped into his chair, his expression aging a decade in a single moment.


    "Fine. Send Be to apologize Call off the assault on the Lancasters. Return everything we took."


    Vet bowed. "Yes, sir."


    Fifteen minutester, Charles strolled out of the hospital''s restroom, before he


    could wash his hands only to be rushed by the entire family.


    They practically swarmed him, beaming with gratitude.


    "Charles Kingston, thank you! Our attackers suddenly backed off and even offered


    uspensation. You really saved us!" Florence sped his hands. "Charles,


    we''ll make sure Sophia marries you. We owe you our family''s future!"