Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 443

Chapter 443 A Cursed Encounter

It truly was a cursed fate.

They had met again.

Finished

The people who had just walked in were Jasper, Ginnie, and Max. They were there specifically to help Ginnie pick out items for her engagement. Ginnie had fallen in love with the gown the moment she saw it.

Max, doting on her as always, spoke up immediately. “We’ll take this dress.”

“Dad, you’re the best!” Ginnie beamed, then turned to Tywin, clinging to his arm. “Tywin, what do you think of this dress? Will I look beautiful in it?”

Jasper was momentarily distracted. His gaze kept drifting, almost uncontrollably, toward the woman in the face veil. She felt familiar. Too familiar.

“Tywin?”

“Ah… yes. It’s beautiful.”

The manager found himself in a difficult position. On one hand, he had a massive customer who had already spent a fortune; on the other, he had a man he clearly could not afford to offend. No matter which side he chose, it was a losing game.

The manager braced himself and spoke up. “This… this dress was actually seen first by this lady here.”

Max grew impatient. “Enough talk. I told you to wrap it up, so wrap it up. Are you looking for trouble?”

The group of men behind Max instantly drew their weapons, their faces contorted with malice. The manager turned pale. “Yes, yes, right away. I’ll wrap it up for you.”

Tatiana spoke suddenly. “How much?”

The moment she opened her mouth, Jasper’s breathing nearly hitched. Tatiana made no effort to disguise her voice, and he recognized it instantly. A tidal wave of emotion surged within him.

Why was she here? Had she come looking for him? Despite the chaos in his heart, he maintained a mask of perfect composure.

The manager quickly quoted a figure. “Nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand.”

That was in US dollars. Every price on this street was in USD. Ten million dollars for an evening gown was an astronomical, nearly unbelievable price. However, considering the quality and quantity of the gemstones encrusted upon it, the price wasn’t entirely far–fetched.

Max’s expression shifted. Ten million wasn’t an impossible sum, but it wasn’t pocket change either. Normally, Max wouldn’t hesitate to spend it on his daughter, but he had just lost his entire base. Rebuilding required a massive amount of capital, and his liquid assets were becoming tight. Besides, this was just for a dress, not the entire wedding.

Seeing Max hesitate, Ginnie grew anxious. “Dad!”

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Chapter 443 A Cursed Encounter

Tatiana offered a thin, mocking smile. “I can pay in full, right now.”

49 Finished

The manager looked toward Max. Under the gaze of the crowd, Max could only nod through gritted teeth. “Buy it!”

Tatiana stopped contesting the sale. She watched as they settled the bill, and she watched the way Ginnie clung to Jasper’s side like a happy little bird, her entire world revolving around him.

Suddenly, she let out a short, involuntary laugh. Jasper instinctively looked toward her.

Ginnie noticed the exchange and asked suspiciously, “What are you looking at?”

Jasper pointed toward a display case across the room. “I just thought that necklace would suit you perfectly.”

Ginnie’s face instantly brightened. “Really? Let me try it on!”

Ultimately, she begged her father to buy the necklace as well–another three million dollars. After spending over thirteen million, even Max was starting to feel the pinch.

“Ginnie, this is just an engagement.”

“Dad, you said it yourself–it’s my engagement! I have to have the best!”

Max sighed helplessly, still unable to deny his daughter. Tatiana heard their conversation clearly, especially the word “engagement.”

She turned and walked out.

Ginnie cast a glance at her retreating back, a sense of unease bubbling in her chest. Something felt wrong. She couldn’t help but tighten her grip on Tywin’s arm.

Once the shopping was finished, Max ordered his men to take Ginnie home first. She protested, but when she saw the rare, stern look in her father’s eyes, she didn’t dare resist and was dutifully escorted away.

Max led Jasper to a local private club and booked a VIP room. As soon as the door closed, Max’s men swarmed forward and restrained Jasper.

He didn’t struggle. He looked at Max and asked calmly, “Mr. Max, I haven’t done anything wrong.” He had pointedly shifted his form of address from “Boss” to “Mr. Max.”

Max lit a cigar, blowing a ring of smoke into Jasper’s face. “Tywin, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Do

you really like my daughter?”

Jasper remained silent.

“Are you playing me?” The men slowly drew their pistols…

Jasper suddenly chuckled. “Love is the least durable thing in this world. I like her because she is clean and pure, but more importantly, because she is your daughter. That is enough.”

Max stubbed out his cigar and signaled his men to holster their weapons. “Your answers are always so

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Chapter 443 A Cursed Encounter

uniquely satisfying. Hahaha!”

Finished

If Jasper had claimed to be madly in love, Max would have killed him. If he had said he didn’t like her at all, he would have killed him too. But this answer–calculating and honest–was one Max could live with. A son- in–law who was intelligent and driven by profit was the easiest kind of man to control. Once again, he felt a surge of appreciation for Jasper’s talent.

“Drink this bottle, and we’ll consider this matter settled. Don’t tell Ginnie.”

“Understood.”

Without hesitation, Jasper drained the entire bottle. He knew the drink wasn’t “clean“-nothing he was given to drink here ever was–but in this environment, he had no choice.

Seeing him finish the bottle, Max was satisfied. “Come with me to meet a client later. I’m planning to establish a new stronghold here.”

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