A profound silence fell over the room after Ziyaisko left. Sophia was still stunned that her fiancé had abandoned the room at a rival's signal.
Jasmine now shed her previous sweet, polite persona. Her face became hard and her eyes turned sharp. Jasmine no longer saw Sophia as a rival or a friend, but as a source of crucial information.
Jasmine sat down comfortably in front of Sophia, her voice completely commanding.
Then Jasmin became stern.
"Listen, Sophia," Jasmine began. "I didn't come here to compete with your fiancé. I came here to know some urgent truths. And you will give me those truths."
Jasmine directly asked the questions that were at the root of the intense conflict between Dmitry and Ziyaisko. This conflict was deeply related to Maria's arrival.
"So, how many years was your relationship?"
Jasmine now asked the most crucial and personal question. The reason for the break in Sophia and Ziyaisko's engagement was the primary fuel for Ziyaisko's rage against Dmitry.
"Before Maria came, and how did your engagement break off? I want everything."
Sophia was bewildered by Jasmine's unexpected aggressive demeanor. She knew the mafia's harshness, but Jasmine's questions were extremely personal and dangerous.
Sophia composed herself. "What kind of questions are these! You... you are Dmitry's wife!"
"Dmitry's wife now needs to know all the information about your fiancé's life," Jasmine calmly applied pressure. "If you don't talk, I will tell Ziyaisko that you gave me all the information. You know how emotional he is."
This threat worked on Sophia. She realized that Jasmine's game could be fatal for Ziyaisko. Sophia now sighed in frustration and began to tell the truth.
"Our relationship was for five years," Sophia whispered. "We were engaged. Then... then Maria came. Maria was Dmitry's fiancée, but Ziyaisko loved her like crazy. Ziyaisko fought with Dmitry to marry Maria. Our engagement broke off... because of Maria's stubbornness."
Jasmine's eyes flared at Sophia's words. Maria didn't just want Dmitry; she also drove Ziyaisko away from her. And this was why the rivalry between Dmitry and Ziyaisko was so intense!
Sophia now revealed an explosive piece of information, the main key to Dmitry's weakness.
"Maria knew that Ziyaisko loved her like crazy, but Maria always leaned towards power. She wanted to stay with Dmitry. But Ziyaisko still believes—Dmitry snatched Maria away... only for revenge. Ziyaisko's real weakness is not Dmitry, Jasmine... he still loves Maria!" When Sophia revealed the personal and dangerous truth—that Ziyaisko still loved Maria and that his anger towards Dmitry stemmed from the pain of losing Maria—Jasmine did not remain silent.
There was still pity in Sophia's eyes, but a cold, sharp laugh appeared on Jasmine's face.
Jasmine leaned towards Sophia. Her voice was a whisper, as if she was revealing a grave secret to Sophia.
Then Jasmin started laughing.
Jasmine's laughter was unnatural; it was filled with extreme derision.
"Shhhh..." Jasmine brought her finger close to Sophia's lips.
Then Jasmine revealed the terrifying truth that was still a secret in the mafia world.
"Maria is not on this earth. She is dead, Sophia."
Sophia's eyes widened. She had not expected such news. Maria's death was an extremely sensitive issue for the Volga Empire, which had been quickly suppressed. Ziyaisko might have known, but he hadn't told Sophia anything.
"What... what are you saying?" Sophia asked, terrified. "Maria is dead? When?"
"A few months ago. But Ziyaisko still believes he loves Maria," Jasmine said. "But by holding onto love for a person who is dead, Ziyaisko is destroying himself. This is your chance, Sophia."
Jasmine stood up. She now wanted to use Sophia as a powerful weapon.
"You need to make Ziyaisko understand," Jasmine said. "You have to bring him back to his old life. Make him realize that taking revenge on Dmitry is meaningless because Maria is no longer here. You are his real family."
Jasmine saw that Sophia was hesitant about her words. Putting pressure on Sophia, Jasmine now began to question her own motives. In this entire game, the reason for the intense conflict between Viktor and Dmitry was still unknown. Jasmine saw panic in Sophia's eyes. She realized Sophia did not know about Maria's death. Ziyaisko had kept this information secret, perhaps to protect Sophia, or to suppress his own emotions.
Jasmine softened her posture to calm Sophia further.
"Look, Sophia," Jasmine said. "I know Ziyaisko is a tough man. But he loved Maria so much that he may not have mentally accepted the truth that Maria is gone. Deep in his heart, he might still think Maria is present—a kind of 'diffusion of reality.' But now you help him correct that misunderstanding. He is well now, bring him back."
With this, Jasmine gave Sophia the responsibility of standing by Ziyaisko. If Ziyaisko's mental stability could be restored, she could fully focus on Dmitry.
Jasmine now wanted to delve deeper into the relationship between Ziyaisko and Dmitry through Sophia. It was essential for her to know the reason behind their uncanny facial similarity.
Jasmine now directly posed the question to Sophia, as Sophia might be more open about their family history than Ziyaisko.Sophia was completely unnerved by Jasmine's words. The news of Maria's death had shocked her, and the discussion of Ziyaisko's mental vulnerability made her anxious. Jasmine had urged her to help Ziyaisko, and Sophia felt obliged to take on that responsibility.
Jasmine did not linger. She had obtained valuable information, and Ji-Han could arrive at any moment.
Jasmine gave Sophia one last stern look.
"I'm leaving, Sophia. Do exactly as I said. Point out Ziyaisko's mistake. You are fortunate that you are still in his life."
With that, Jasmine quickly exited the drawing room. Sophia did not have a chance to reply.
Jasmine walked quickly toward the main entrance. Ziyaisko was still pacing nervously on the outer porch. He quickly approached Jasmine when he saw her.
"Jessie! What did you two talk about?" There was intense curiosity in Ziyaisko's eyes.
Jasmine ignored him. "Get in the car, Ziyaisko. My work is done."
Ziyaisko did not hesitate. He opened the car door for Jasmine.
Then Jasmin left, getting into the car.
Jasmine quickly settled into the back seat of the Bentley. Ziyaisko got into the driving seat and started the car. Jasmine now took out her phone. The reply to the message she had sent to Ji-Han while at Ziyaisko's fiancée's house would likely arrive now.