(JASMINE YU'S POV)
Everything was going according to plan.
Anthony was sweet today.
Cutting steak for her.
Staying close.
Not brushing her off.
She was almost giddy.
Sure, he was acting… strange.
Quiet.
Distracted.
But he was with her.
And that was what mattered.
She watched Michelle from a distance.
Pretty.
Polished.
Soft-spoken.
But too meek.
Not someone who could stand the pressure of their world.
Jasmine smiled politely to herself.
Anthony needed someone elegant.
Refined.
Educated in etiquette.
Raised with expectations.
Someone like her.
And she intended to be that someone.
She slipped her hand through Anthony's arm again.
He flinched.
Just barely.
She frowned.
He'd never done that before.
She followed his gaze—
—to Steven.
—to Michelle.
—to the strange air between them.
Jasmine froze.
Slowly, realization crept in.
Oh?
Oh.
This… was interesting.
She smiled sweetly.
But inside—
She began to plan differently.
--
(ANDY PENG'S POV)
