Jasmine took the tablet from Dimitri's hand. Her hand wasn't trembling—rather, her entire being was shaking with an overwhelming sense of unknown dread. She knew that one wrong step at this moment would put not only her life but also Ji-Han's at risk.
Dimitri leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Don't waste time. Make sure your courage isn't some cheap bluff."
Jasmine didn't meet Dimitri's eyes. She focused her gaze on the tablet. She recalled how Ji-Han had taught her to create his personal encryption password—one that was activated by a specific physical touch.
She reached into the inner pocket of her jacket, where she had hidden the small memory chip Ji-Han had given her. Using the method Ji-Han had taught, she quickly connected the chip to the tablet and inputted a complex code.
In the dim light of the study room, the tablet's screen suddenly flared brightly.
Dimitri momentarily leaned in to look at the screen. There was no curiosity in his blue eyes, only sharp suspicion.
But what appeared caused all the blood in Dimitri's body to run cold.
It wasn't just a list of numbers or ordinary business contracts. It was a highly sensitive documentary of the Russian mafia world—high-resolution satellite maps of the secret arms trafficking routes directed by Dimitri over the past five years. Along with it were the data for every shipment, pictures of the senders and receivers, and audio files of some confessions in his own voice.
Dimitri forgot that Jasmine was sitting on his lap. His hand went over Jasmine's coat towards her back, but it was not a touch of affection—it was a fist clenched in extreme rage.
"Impossible..." Dimitri hissed. His voice was trembling. If this file got out, it would not only destroy his empire but also the entire international network that supported him. Ji-Han didn't even have this data—if he did, he would have used it long ago.
Jasmine knew this was the moment. A supreme blend of courage and fear was in her eyes.
"Ji-Han doesn't know about this, Dimitri," Jasmine said in a calm yet chilling voice. "This is a file that was set to activate only upon Ji-Han's death. If you had killed him, it would have been automatically released. But I changed the procedure."
She pointed her finger at a final line on the tablet's screen:
'Release Protocol: Active. Release Delay: 12 Hours. Only Deactivatable by Master Key.'
Jasmine pointed at the tablet with her finger and said, "Now it's your decision. I will give you the Master Key, in exchange for you getting up from here and leaving my people and Ji-Han alone. Otherwise, your death is ensured before you can kill Ji-Han."
Dimitri had never faced such extreme blackmail in his life. He looked at Jasmine—there was no longer panic in her eyes, only an indomitable, Ji-Han-like resolve.
Dimitri slowly let Jasmine slide off his lap. This defeat, this surrender, was utterly humiliating. But he couldn't kill Jasmine at this moment—because he knew, Jasmine was the live switch that could destroy his empire!
Dimitri lightly touched his belt. He sighed.
"Very good, Jasmine," Dimitri whispered. His voice was laced with venom. "I admire your courage. You will teach Ji-Han where his greatest weapon is hidden."
Jasmine silently picked up the tablet and the lighter from Dimitri. Her eyes were filled with extreme caution.
"I am leaving," Jasmine announced calmly. "But you must remember, the agreement is conditional. I have only given you 12 hours. If there is the slightest attack on my Security Team and Ji-Han—whoever is in action right now—within this time, the file will be released. And you won't be able to stop it."
Jasmine started walking towards the door. Dimitri was still sitting on the seat, but his blue eyes followed Jasmine—as if he might pounce at any moment.
Jasmine paused for a moment at the door, finishing her sentence without turning back, which further inflamed Dimitri's anger.
"And listen, Dimitri," Jasmine said, with a slight hint of sarcasm in her voice. "This meeting you had with me... it won't happen today, but again exactly two months from now."
Dimitri frowned and asked, "Two months from now?"
Jasmine gave a chilling smile before opening the door and stepping outside.
"Bye! See you in two months... if you're still alive."
With those words, Jasmine closed the door. Silence descended upon the villa once more.
Dimitri remained seated like a stone. His hand was tightly gripping the glass. Jasmine's confidence, her power—her terrifying faith in Ji-Han! He realized this game was no longer just Ji-Han versus Dimitri. It was the rise of a new power, one he had never imagined.
Dimitri slowly stood up. There was no longer rage for Ji-Han in his eyes, but an odd, savage curiosity for Jasmine. He quickly called his assistant.
"Zhanova! Stop all my people's actions. Immediately! And find out—what Master Key of Ji-Han does Jasmine have that Ji-Han himself doesn't know about."
Escape to London
As Jasmine walked down the corridor of Dimitri's luxurious villa, her heart was beating rapidly. She stepped outside and saw a simple black sedan waiting for her—it wasn't her own driver, but one of Ji-Han's trusted men.
As soon as she got into the car, all the firmness in her body seemed to vanish instantly. The acting of that moment, the extreme risk—it all seemed to exhaust her. She closed her eyes.
The man in the front seat looked back once. "Madam, should we go to the Don (Ji-Han) now?"
Jasmine opened her eyes. Her face was pale, but her eyes were now filled with deep concern.
"No. Not now," Jasmine said in a weak voice. "If they are tracking me, I don't want to bring any danger to Ji-Han right now. Drive straight to the airport."
The driver was not surprised. As Ji-Han's confidants, they were prepared for such unexpected instructions.
"Which airport, Madam? And what should I tell Ji-Han?"
Jasmine shook her head. "No one needs to be told. This must be kept strictly confidential. And the airport... London. Prepare a private plane. Right now. And make sure no one finds out about this journey."
London! Ji-Han's most secure and unfamiliar base. Jasmine knew that even if she didn't tell Ji-Han now, she would have to inform him about her deal with Dimitri—but for now, she just wanted to escape, to prepare herself.
She tightly clutched the tablet and the lighter in her coat pocket. She had given Dimitri two months. Two months! Within those two months, she had to acquire a power that could protect Ji-Han's empire—without Ji-Han's help.
Jasmine asked herself, "Why did I do this?"
The silent answer came: She could not sacrifice her power for the price of Ji-Han's life.
The car sped towards the city. Jasmine looked out at the night, her mind restless—she didn't know what awaited her.
The New Persona: International Model
Jasmine arrived in London. No one knew her there, which was essential for her secret mission. She retreated to Ji-Han's personal, secured apartment. She knew the two-month deadline she had given Dimitri would run out quickly.
But she wouldn't just hide for these two months. Before meeting Dimitri, she had to increase her own power. Against a powerful mafia boss like Dimitri, mere courage and blackmail wouldn't be enough. She needed a strong 'cover'.
And Jasmine returned to her old identity.
A New Life, An Old Identity
Jasmine had been involved in the successful Russian modeling world in her past life. Her height, perfect physique, and that enigmatic beauty had quickly established her in this field. But she had left that life for Ji-Han. Now, that very identity became her biggest asset.
Her arrival in the London fashion and modeling world was swift. She didn't approach a small agency but directly contacted high-fashion houses. Jasmine began using her old Russian name and quickly returned to the limelight.
International Fame: Within two months, Jasmine started appearing on the cover pages of European fashion magazines. Her fame was not limited to London or Europe; it quickly spread to the international scene.
Russian Connections: Through the modeling world, she re-established contact with her old Russian colleagues and influential figures. Jasmine very cautiously began using her circle of acquaintances in a way that made her appear to be merely a popular model.
The Ultimate Cover: Her real purpose behind this fame was to put pressure on Dimitri. As an international model, her every move was now under the scrutiny of thousands of people. If Dimitri tried to abduct or harm her, the consequences would be severe—because the world media would instantly pick up the story, which would be a huge disaster for a privacy-loving mafia boss like Dimitri.
Jasmine worked hard. Fashion shows, photoshoots, parties—amidst all this, she was cautious with every step. Ji-Han's unseen security perimeter was always working around her, but Jasmine wanted her fame to be her real shield.
At the end of the first month, when Jasmine was walking a show at a famous Paris Fashion Week, Dimitri's eyes fell upon her photograph. Dimitri smiled. His curiosity about Jasmine grew further. He realized that their meeting in two months would not just be blackmail—it would be a new game of power.
Jasmine was no longer just Ji-Han's girlfriend. She was now an internationally known, influential, and protected star. Dimitri's rules of the game had changed.
The White Streak: Jasmine's Signature
A special photoshoot for Jasmine was underway in an upscale studio in London. It was an evening wear campaign—a very clean, minimalist look. Jasmine was posing in front of a massive, white backdrop. She was wearing a sleek, black gown that wonderfully highlighted her figure.
Under the intense studio lights, Jasmine's natural beauty seemed to shine even brighter. A few strands of white hair in the middle of her long, golden hair shimmered uniquely. These white hairs were due to a genetic trait that had appeared at a very young age, which she had always covered by dyeing her hair. But for this photoshoot, Jasmine decided—she wouldn't hide this distinct feature.
During the photoshoot, the famous fashion photographer, Julian, took his eyes off the camera and looked at Jasmine. His eyes held wonder and admiration.
"Amazing!" Julian muttered to himself. He put the camera down. "Jasmine, your hair..."
Jasmine smiled slightly. She knew this question would come.
Julian stepped closer and gently indicated the section of white hair. "Is this white section intentional? It looks like very trendy highlights! But its color, its texture... it doesn't look dyed. Is this your real, natural white streak?"
Jasmine nodded. A mysterious smile was in her eyes.
"Yes, Julian," Jasmine said. Her voice was soft but confident. "This is my natural hair. Hereditary. I used to hide it. But now, it feels like it's my best feature."
Julian was captivated. In the fashion world where everything is artificial, Jasmine's natural, imperfect beauty could create a new trend.
"Incredible, Jasmine! This is a statement! This streak of white hair... it makes you even more mysterious. It looks like some goddess from an ancient Russian fairy tale..." Julian quickly looked through the camera. "Pose again! This time I will only focus on this section."
Jasmine posed again. She knew this small white streak was not just a feature of her appearance, it was a symbol of her character. It was the hidden secret of her past, which was now part of her new identity. She didn't want to hide anything anymore. She was ready to unveil herself to Dimitri, with all her strength.
Her modeling fame was now highlighting not just her beauty, but also her courage and mystery. Dimitri must be seeing her new photos. And let him see—Ji-Han's lover is no longer just a beautiful face, she is an independent, powerful woman with her own secret weapon.