Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 497

The reaction lasted only a split second before she composed herself with expert precision.

Seeing that her provocation hadn’t worked, Annie laughed again. “Of course, I didn’t mean it like that. I wouldn’t dare. He’d break my ribs and toss me overboard to feed the sharks.”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

Annie shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure myself. I suppose I’m just far too curious about you. You know, I really liked Dorman. It’s a shame he rejected me every single time. I thought a man like him would never stop for a woman. And yet… I lost, so I’m intrigued. I wanted to see you for myself.”

With that, Annie stood up and walked toward Tatiana. Her towering frame created an intense, suffocating pressure as she drew near. Tatiana instinctively backed away until her spine hit the cold surface of the door. A shadow loomed over her as Annie braced a hand against the wood beside her ear, her heavy perfume clouding the air.

“Now that I’ve seen you… I have to say, Dorman has excellent taste.”

Even though they were both women, Annie’s overwhelming presence made Tatiana deeply uncomfortable, giving her the distinct, unsettling feeling of being toyed with.

Just as she was about to speak, hurried footsteps sounded from the hallway, and the door was thrown open with violent force. Tatiana tried to dodge, but the person in front of her reacted faster, grabbing her and

struck by the swinging door.

pulling her protectively into a firm embrace to save her from bein

The man who burst in was met with quite a sight. Tatiana looked like a delicate flower being held by a tall, striking woman–an image that carried a decidedly scandalous undertone.

Jasper’s face darkened instantly. “Annie, I warned you! Don’t touch her!”

Hearing this, Annie only tightened her grip on Tatiana. And what if I want to?”

For a moment, the temperature in the private room seemed to plummet. Jasper reached out to grab Tatiana’s arm, intending to pull her back. Annie, however, refused to let go. Caught in the middle of their tug–of–war, Tatiana let out a pained huff. Her patience snapped.

“Both of you, let go of me right now!”

Jasper instinctively released his grip. Annie followed suit slowly blinking her eyes. “Fine, fine.”

Tatiana was finally free, though she was now covered in the scent of cloying perfume. Her brow was furrowed in frustration. She felt as though she had been out of her mind to even accept this invitation tonight.

Annie shrugged. “She was curious about your past. Don blame me.” Seeing his gaze grow even more lethal, she raised her hands. “Alright, alright. No next time. But don’t you dare try to take my man.”

He watched as the Maserati took a sharp curve without slowing down. The rear wheels skidded, the tail swinging out in a dangerous arc, only for her to miraculously save the car at the brink of disaster. He knew that technique–he had taught it to her himself. Now, that very move nearly sent his heart through his ribs.

The mountain road grew narrower, the turns more treacherous. Adrenaline flooded his system. Jasper’s mind worked at high speed, recalling every detail of this stretch of road. Three hundred meters ahead was a rare straight section–his only chance.

The Maserati’s taillights glowed in the rain like bloodthirsty eyes. He jerked the wheel, and the Porsche veered off the asphalt onto the shoulder. The right tires crunched over

gravel and weeds, the car jolting violently. Just as he was about to hit the rock face, he yanked the handbrake swung the wheel hard.

The Porsche completed a near–perfect 180–degree turn on the slick surface. He didn’t hesitate for a second, releasing the brake and pinning the throttle. The engine wailed in protest, but the car began racing against the flow.

His headlights pierced the rain. The red Maserati was hurtling toward him at a suicidal speed. Jasper held the wheel steady, the Porsche acting like a medieval knight’s lance aimed directly at the oncoming beast.

One hundred meters… fifty meters…

Through the rain, Jasper could see Tatiana’s face behind the wheel of the Maserati.