One night stand with my president (chapter 323)

 

Chapter 323: Jasmine Lost the Baby

"You'd better stop talking!" Anna said angrily.

"Manuel, I haven't even dealt with the fact that you lied to me, and now you dare stir things up and run your mouth? Do you think I'm giving you a free pass?"

Anna felt both upset and furious.

She considered herself a capable professional-maybe not on Adeline's level, but certainly someone to be proud of.

People in the office used to say that if Adeline became Harrison's wife and left her secretary role, the chief secretary position would undoubtedly go to Anna.

That was how much her abilities were recognized.

Yet, she never thought that someone as competent as herself would fall for a trap like this in a relationship.

This wasn't even her first relationship. Her previous one was back in college. It ended amicably after graduation due to the long distance, without any drama or betrayal.

While she'd seen plenty of messy relationships in the workplace, they were always someone else's issues, never hers.

So Anna still held a certain purity about love in her heart. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine someone would stoop so low-pursue her, woo her, and confess his love-just to target someone close to her.

Anna was so angry she could practically feel blood rising to her throat.

If it had been her being deceived, it wouldn't have mattered. Anna could kick Manuel to the curb and move on.

But now, because of her, Adeline was dragged into this mess.

And this wasn't just any trivial incident. It involved a pregnant woman. If rumors implicated Adeline, public backlash could bury her in slander.

And yet Manuel still dared to spew nonsense here. Anna couldn't hold back any longer and slapped him.

She knew Manuel had Jasmine backing him, but she wasn't afraid. Worst-case scenario, she'd leave this city. Right now, she just couldn't stand his smug face.

"You... You dare hit me?" Manuel stared at her in shock.

Anna had always been gentle and sweet in his presence. He never expected this side of her.

"So what I hit you?" Anna said with a cold smirk.

"And you're glossing over the real issue with your words. What's this nonsense about 'finding a roundabout way to invite Miss Hensley'? Why don't you admit Jasmine made you seduce me to lure Adeline out? Such a noble sacrifice-who knows what ulterior motives you two had."

Manuel was so furious he nearly jumped out of his skin. "What nonsense are you spouting? Who seduced you?"

"How am I lying? Didn't you chase me? Didn't you ask me to be your girlfriend?"

"You..."

"Enough!" Rogelio interrupted, his head pounding.

He didn't want to hear any more of their squabbling.

All he cared about was Jasmine's and her unborn child's safety.

Manuel wanted to continue arguing but shut his mouth at Rogelio's command, glaring at Anna as he did.

Anna wasn't intimidated and rolled her eyes at him.

At that moment, the doors to the operating room opened.

Rogelio rushed forward and asked, "Doctor, how is my wife?"

The doctor recognized him and said, "Mr. Hunter, don't worry. She is out of danger."

"That's a relief."

Rogelio had barely exhaled when the doctor continued, "However, she lost the baby."

At those words, Rogelio's mind went blank.

The baby was gone. The child he and Jasmine had longed for was gone.

This child carried all their hopes and dreams, and now it was no more.

Seeing Rogelio's pale expression, the doctor hesitated but had to deliver the rest of the news.

"Mr. Hunter, there's one more thing. Due to Mrs. Hunter's condition, it's unlikely she'll be able to conceive again."

Rogelio, still reeling from the loss of the baby, was hit by another devastating blow.

He and Jasmine would never have another child.

His legs nearly gave out, and he staggered, almost collapsing.

Russell instinctively reached out to steady him.

But Manuel was quicker, grabbing Rogelio and saying urgently, "Rogelio, you must stay strong! Jasmine needs you now. If you fall apart, what will happen to her?"

Rogelio gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay upright.

Manuel glanced at Russell and then whispered, "Besides, wasn't Jasmine's pregnancy fine before? How did this happen so suddenly? Shouldn't we ask the doctor?"

"Yes," Rogelio said, his voice trembling. 

"How did this happen? My wife's pregnancy was progressing well. Why did she lose the baby?"

The doctor hesitated but eventually said, "Based on our examination, it appears Jasmine was pushed, which caused the miscarriage."

At this, Rogelio turned to glare at Russell with eyes full of rage.

Russell furrowed his brow, his expression growing darker than Rogelio's.

"Russell, the only people in that private room were you, Miss Hensley, and Jasmine," 

Manuel said. "So tell us, who pushed her? Was it you, or was it Miss Hensley?"

"It wasn't her, and it wasn't me," Russell replied firmly. "Neither of us pushed her."

"So are you saying Jasmine pushed herself?"

Manuel sneered.

Russell chuckled bitterly.

To be honest, he had been terrified when

Jasmine fell and started bleeding.

At that moment, a flood of memories hit him.

He remembered Jasmine holding him as a child, teasing him and buying him candy.

Russell resented Jasmine, but deep down, he didn't want her to be hurt.

After all, they were family.

That was why he panicked and rushed her to the hospital, making sure Rogelio was notified immediately.

But after coming to the hospital, Russell had time to think.

He wasn't a fool.

Jasmine's sudden text about Adeline being with her, followed by the address and Jasmine's sudden, inexplicable fall...

It all felt too much like a setup.

Yet, part of him didn't want to believe it.

Russell thought, "Could Jasmine really be so ruthless? Would she frame her own nephew like this?"

Now, he had no choice but to accept the truth.

Jasmine was indeed that cruel.

This entire situation had been orchestrated by her.

Manuel had been her accomplice. Adeline and Anna were just pawns.

And the target of it all was him-her own nephew.

"You're laughing?" Rogelio roared. "What, are you pleased that Jasmine lost the baby? Russell, I never realized you were this heartless. If I had known, l'd never have handed the Hunter Group over to you."

Adeline couldn't stay silent anymore.

"Mr. Hunter," she said firmly, "this has nothing to do with Russell."

"Oh? So it was you then? Did you push Jasmine?" Manuel sneered.

He was sure Adeline wouldn't admit ta something so serious.

After all, this was no small accusation.

So Russell would have to take the blame.

That was exactly their goal.

But before Manuel could gloat further, Anna, incensed, raised her hand again.

Just as she was about to slap him, a cold voice rang out.

"Who let this dog off its leash?"