"Dr. Joane," Jasmine purred with a coy smirk, leaning forward with predatory grace.


    "This information is ourpany''s deepest secret. But, if you''re willing to join us formally, I''ll dly reveal the mastermind behind Emerald Elixir-provided he''s willing to show his hand."


    "You certainly know how to y your cards, don''t you?" Joane retorted bitterly, recognizing Jasmine''s carefullyid trap.


    "Alright, hand me the damn contract. I''ll sign."


    Jasmine''s secretary swiftly produced the document, and Joane scrawled her signature, sealing her fate.


    Meanwhile, Jasmine cast a mischievous nce toward Alex, eyes glinting with cunning amusement. "Can I reveal the genius behind our elixir now?"


    Alex scowled faintly, irritated by Jasmine''s tant maniption.


    Clearly, she viewed him as nothing more than bait to ensnare Dr. Joane.


    "Fine," Alex sighed resignedly. "Given my stake in this venture, I suppose I can''t refuse."


    "Thanks, Alex. I keep owing you more and more," Jasmine teased, winking yfully.


    "So, Miss Kingston," Joane pressed eagerly, her eyes bright with anticipation.


    "Who exactly is this prodigious mastermind behind the Emerald Elixir?"


    "The genius," Jasmine dered with dramatic ir, pausing for effect, "is standing right in front of you."


    Joane''s jaw dropped, eyes widening in astonishment as she stared at Alex.


    "You mean to tell me Mr. Alex is the creator of the Emerald Elixir?"


    Healing patients and concocting groundbreaking pharmaceuticals were entirely separate arts, demanding profoundly different expertise.


    Masters capable of excelling in both fields were almost mythical, aging legends pushing past their prime, their reputations forged by decades of painstaking dedication.


    But a man barely out of his twenties achieving mastery in both realms?


    Unheard of.


    Impossible.


    Alex shrugged modestly, a faint smile dancing on his lips. "I just have a great master, got lucky, that''s all."


    "Modesty doesn''t suit you, Mr. Alex," Joane insisted passionately her admiration unmistakable


    "Even with a master, crafting such extraordinary medicine is no trivial task. You''re extraordinary. Meeting someone of your caliber is truly an honor."


    She bowed deeply, sincerity radiating from her every move.


    Alex quickly stepped forward, gently lifting her up. "Please, you tter me, Dr. Joane."


    Joane''s eyes gleamed mischievously, her smile shifting into an alluring grin. "Tell me, Mr. Alex, are you


    ken for?"


    Her voice dripped with yful intrigue, the famed bachelorette clearly sizing him up.


    Jasmine instantly tightened her grip around Alex''s arm possessively, her tone icy. "He''s off-limits to anyone else."


    Joane burst intoughter, rich and uninhibited.


    "Fine, fine. We have plenty of time ahead," she winked knowingly at Alex, clearly amused by Jasmine''s fierce profectiveness.


    Turning sharply back to Jasmine, Joane''s tone became briskly professional.


    "What now, Miss Kingston?" Despite Jasmine''s authority, Joane''s demeanor implied she viewed the younger woman as a novice ying adult games.


    Jasmine swallowed her unease, realizing she''d ced Alex directly into Joane''s sights, perhaps a dangerous mistake,


    Still, professionalism prevailed.


    "Thank you, Dr. Joane. Emerald Elixir officiallyunches in five days. I''d love your support at ourunch event-I''ll forward you the details."


    "Consider me there!" Joane announced decisively, rising to leave. Make sure Mr. Alex attends, too. There''s plenty we still need to discuss."


    Meanwhile, in a sprawling estate in Chicago:


    "Jericho Kane just handed over all SkinDew''s production rights. What''s your take, Father?" Henry Dupont asked eagerly, leaning forward with greedy anticipation.


    Conrad Dupont, one of the five lords of Chicago, studied his second son with a sharp, unblinking gaze. His voice was low, edged with suspicion. "You''re certain this medicine is worth anything?"


    "I had our top pharmaceutical analysts run a full evaluation. Their conclusion was unanimous-it''s groundbreaking, with massive profit potential just waiting to be capitalized on," Henry stated confidently.


    Conrad frowned deeply, skepticism etched in every line of his weathered face.


    "If it''s so lucrative, why''s Jericho selling? That man isn''t an idiot. There''s a reason he''s unloading it."


    "Father," Henry replied confidently, "Jericho lost his governorship. With Kelly Kingston running the show now, he''s desperate


    to dump anything tying him to his shady past. Everyone knows he stole SkinDew from the Kingstons."


    "I don''t like the smell of this," Conrad growled, uneasy.


    "Father, trust me, it''s a golden opportunity! I bought it for a steal. Help me finish this deal." Henry pressed urgently.


    Conrad exhaled slowly, the weight of calction in his tone.


    "Fine. But move quickly. Kingston''s team is already rushing to quietlyunch a SkinDew recement within five days. It might even be a knockoff of your form."


    "I''ll roll ours out in three," Henry said with a cold smirk.


    "We''ll dominate the market before they even blink. By the time they drop theirs, it''ll be Death On Arrival-and if it''s too close to ours, we''ll bury them in court."


    "Good. Host theunch at the Texas Interstate Convention Hall," Conradmanded, his tone resolute. "Bring in buyers from every corner of the country." "Yes, Father. This victory is ours," Henry grinned greedily, relishing the thought of besting his elder brother in making profit for family and humiliating Jasmine Kingston-the woman sheltering Alex, the brat who''d humiliatedim.


    Meanwhile, at the Kingston Mansion:


    "Mother!" Charles exploded, pacing furiously. "How could Father give Vermont to Kelly and leave me empty-handed? Am I not


    his son!"


    Jessica sighed deeply, her brow furrowed with exasperation.


    "Your father ims it wasn''t his decision. The King''s secret group exposed Jericho Kane''s corruption and chose Kelly directly" "Father''s a liar!" Charles snarled, hurling the crystal pot off the desk-shattering it against the marble floor. "It should''ve been mine! But no-he despises me, always has! Everything I do, every breath I take, he finds a reason to hate it! And for what? I''ve never failed him!" Jessica grasped his shoulders, her voice firm yet soothing. "Patience, Charles. Your father won''t live forever. Los Angeles will inevitably be yours. Prove your worth now, build your empire, and your father will have no choice but to respect you."


    Charles gazed at his mother desperately. "Promise me?"


    "Yes, Charles," she vowed solemnly. "Even if Jasmine and Kelly temporarily overshadow you, you''ll inherit my business empire. Tell me, what''s your next move?"


    Charles''s eyes lit with cunning determination.


    "I''m buying into SkinDew stock. Word is Jericho Kanes is handing it off to the Chicago Lords-washed his hands too fast, like the coward he is. That form is Jasmine''s Achilles'' heel. Once our profits skyrocket, she''ll be forced to remember who really stands above her."