?Chapter 1093:


    Ste blinked, caught off guard. “You mean… Jasmine isn’t his first?”


    William shook his head grimly. “Not even close. Luca dug up at least three other victims. Same pattern every time. One of them even had to get an abortion because of him. After he cashes out, he vanishes.”


    Ste’s fists tightened in herp, anger ring behind her eyes. “Where is he now?”


    William pressed harder on the gas. “The airport. He’s got a ticket to Sharbesy—two hours from now. Looks like he’s running off with the money.”


    Ste let out a low, humorlessugh. “He didn’t waste any time, did he?”


    Jasmine had risked her life standing in for her, taken a bullet meant for Ste—and the first thing she had done after waking was ask Ste to send money to that man.


    And he had yed her without hesitation, hiding behind a fake name.


    Ste drew in a sharp breath and pulled out her phone.


    “Freeze the transfer I made to Justin’s ount this morning,” she ordered. “Make sure he can’t withdraw or transfer that money.”


    She knew exactly how men like Jake operated. He would try to empty the ount before boarding his flight, taking every cent he could.


    Ste knew Jake would try to move the money.


    Good thing she had thought ahead. The funds were locked tight—recoverable, untouchable for now.


    She slipped her phone back into her purse and turned to William, her tone steady but fierce. “We’re not letting him walk away with this. He has to pay.”


    Jake Lee wasn’t just a scammer. He was the kind of man who preyed on kindness, who made women doubt their own worth just to feed his ego.


    William nodded grimly. “I’ve already got people stationed at the airport. They’ll stop him before he boards.”


    He hesitated, then nced at her. “But Ste… how are you going to tell Jasmine?”


    Ste leaned her head back against the seat, her eyes drifting to the blur of city lights sliding past the window.


    Technically, she owed Jasmine nothing. Their deal was done. Two days at the hospital had been more than enough. Jake had nothing to do with her.


    And yet… the way Jasmine had talked about marrying him—so bright-eyed, so certain—made something twist painfully in Ste’s chest. The money she had given Jasmine could have changed her life. She could have bought a decent house in Choria and still had plenty left over. Instead, she had handed everyst cent to a man who had never nned to stay.


    After a long pause, Ste said quietly, “The truth hurts, but it’s better than living a lie.”


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    Besides, Jasmine would find out sooner orter. Better now than letting it drag on.


    Half an hourter, the airport buzzed with travelers, flight announcements echoing through the halls.


    In the private lounge, Jake Lee reclined in a leather chair, toying with a brand-new luxury watch gleaming under the lights. He was in an excellent mood. Histest target had been perfect—young, beautiful, and naive enough to believe every word he said. She truly thought he would marry her, that she had finally found her happily ever after.


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