?Chapter 1095:


    “Ms. Russell, I swear I didn’t mean to mess with you!” he blurted out. “I wasn’t keeping the money for myself. It was for someone else. Please—just let me go.”


    Ste’s stare hardened. “Who?”


    Was he working with someone?


    He hesitated, swallowing hard. “An… overseas ount,” he muttered.


    His voice dropped even lower. “Someone from Erebus. They contacted me. Told me to get close to Jasmine. Said once I did, I’d never have to worry about money again.”


    For a second, no one said a word. Ste and William just stared at him, both stunned.


    That name—Erebus—kepting back to haunt them.


    William narrowed his eyes and gave the bodyguard a subtle signal. The bodyguard grabbed Jake by the cor and shook him once. “What’s Erebus? What kind of deal did you make with them?”


    Jake broke, words spilling out in a rush.


    “A month ago, this guy came to me. Said if I got close to Jasmine—used her to get to Ste—I’d get half a million, a house abroad, even a green card. I thought it was just a quick job. I didn’t think it’d turn into… this.”


    He looked terrified now. Jake had heard the name Erebus before, and even he knew they weren’t the kind of people to mess with.


    He’d wanted easy money, not this level of danger.


    But Ste had found him first.


    She drew a long breath, forcing her voice steady. “Who approached you? What did he look like?”


    Jake frowned, searching his memory. “I never saw his face. He always wore a mask. And a hat. But he had a tattoo—a scorpion—right here.” He lifted his right hand, pointing to the spot between his thumb and forefinger.


    William stepped aside and made a quick call.


    “Look into an Erebus member with a scorpion tattoo on his right hand.”


    Ste turned back to Jake, her voice colder than before.


    “Do you even realize Jasmine nearly died because of you?”


    Your favorite tales live on g?lnσνe??s


    Jake’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I didn’t think she was serious about marrying me. I was just—”


    “Just what?” Ste cut in sharply. “Just ying her? Thought she was easy? Another girl to toy with while you lined your pockets?”


    Each wordnded sharper than thest.


    Jake couldn’t answer. He only stared at his bound feet, his shoulders sagging beneath the weight of her usations.


    Then William’s phone rang again.


    He answered, and Ste knew instantly something was wrong—the way his expression shifted from focus to rm. “Stel,” he said quietly, “we need to get back to the hospital. Now.”


    Her stomach sank. “What happened?”


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