BOOKSDRAMA Chapter 25
Chapter 25 Money
"Are you short on money?" After dropping Jasmine off, Tom asked casually. Jasmine didn't speak; she just lowered her head and
got out of the car.
"Take these for now; I don't usually carry cash. I'll bring you some more tomorrow." Tom fished out a few bills from the car and
stuffed them into Jasmine's hand. "Don't degrade yourself for money. Even though you're used to luxury, you're not a real
heiress. Even if you're pretending, you should be self-reliant."
Earning money by selling your body was something that got you looked down upon. Tom still frowned and advised her,
remembering that he once had feelings for Jasmine. Besides, Jasmine had just protected him.
Jasmine looked at the money Tom was offering but didn't take it, instead turning and walking away.
To her, this was an insult.
"Do you think it's too little?" Tom got angry. "How much do those guys like Larry give you? I'll pay you double to sleep with me!"
After saying that, Tom didn't realize his ears had turned red.
Damn...
Cursing inwardly, Tom felt he had been too bold.
Jasmine bit her lip corner and glared at Tom, but she said nothing and ran into the alley.
"Damn..." Tom cursed again, feeling like he'd gone mad. Everyone knew Jasmine was dirty; any man would do, and she was
even diseased.
...
In Richard's humble garage-turned-home where he also repaired cars, Justin was already asleep.
Perhaps it was because he'd grown up around Richard, but in the run-down shelter, Justin could sleep soundly and sprawled out
without a care.
"You take the bed with Justin; I'll crash on the couch," Richard, who couldn't afford a place in San Francisco, had manageably
"Richard... Jasmine called softly. "Tomorrow, I want to find a job."
"Sure, sis. I'll help you look. You do need a job," Richard replied with a smile, turning on the space heater. "There you go. Nice
and warm."
"No, don't waste the power, save the electricity," Jasmine smiled back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Richard, who hated to see his sister struggle, turned away and headed for the couch.
Jasmine might not have belonged in the opulent world of the Wilson Family, but she had lived the life of a wealthy heiress for
twenty years. He had thought she wouldn't cope with their hardships.
To his surprise, she was more resilient and sensible than he could bear to see.
That night, Richard didn't sleep. He lay awake on the sofa, pondering how he was going to improve both Justin's and Jasmine's
lives.
With their mother in jail and their father long passed away, leaving him with little savings, he had invested everything in Justin's
upbringing.
Richard had always been the one to endure hardship, but never at the expense of the children.
Yet, fixing cars wasn't a permanent solution nor was it a path to wealth. He needed to find a way to earn more, at least enough to
secure a home for Jasmine and Justin in San Francisco.
"Richard, have you given any thought to that proposition I mentioned to you? I genuinely want you on board to help me out," his
old army buddy had called him bright and early to ask.
Richard had served a few years in the Special Forces before an injury led to his retirement. His buddy had started a security firm
and was hoping Richard would join the team. This firm provided services to the distinguished and wealthy families of San
Francisco, offering hefty salaries.
He had turned down the offer before, prioritizing Justin's care, but with Jasmine now free from prison, he had to find a way to
make ends meet.
"Richard, the heiress of the Ryan family has returned to San Francisco, widowed by a wealthy businessman who died suddenly
the Ryans are second only to the Douglas Family. Until Ethan took the reins of the Douglas clan, the Ryans were their equal, and
now they have only one heiress," his friend advised.
Richard frowned, hesitating. He had a distaste for the spoiled offspring of the rich, but he was in dire need of cash. "Alright... I'll
give it a shot."
There was a note of shock on the other end of the line. "Richard, you're agreeing just like that? Are you in some kind of trouble,
or have you finally come to your senses?"
Richard was silent for a while before replying, "My sister's out of lockup. I need to provide for my family."
"Got it. Report in tomorrow."
After hanging up, Richard went to prepare breakfast for Jasmine and Justin.
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Jasmine seemed ill. She ran a high fever through the night, and she was still fast asleep past eight-thirty in the morning.
"Uncle, I think Mom's sick," Justin said, touching Jasmine's forehead before scrambling out of bed to look for cold medicine to
mix for her.
Richard rushed to Jasmine's side and felt her burning forehead.
Too hot-this wasn't good. They needed to head to the hospital immediately.
"Justin, be a good boy and stay home today. Uncle is going to take Mom to the hospital, okay?"
Justin nodded obediently.
Richard cradled Jasmine in his arms, her body so light it was as if she weighed almost nothing.
"Where's Jasmine?" At the doorway, a black sedan pulled up, Daniel's voice tinged with impatience.
With a scowl etched deeply into his face, Richard glared at Daniel, his anger palpable. "What do you want now?"
Daniel glanced at Jasmine; she looked pale while in Richard's arms and felt a tightness in his chest.
"She's got a debt to Serena that she needs to repay," Daniel said, gesturing for Richard to hand Jasmine over.
"Jasmine's sick; I'm taking her to the hospital. As for Serena's debt, we'll take care of it," Richard said, anxious to get Jasmine to
the hospital without wasting time arguing with Daniel.
But Daniel wasn't about to let Jasmine off the hook. "Sick? Quite the performance.
Even if she dropped dead today, she'd still have to come with me."
He didn't trust Jasmine. No matter what she did, he believed it was all an act.