The ClubBar was Daniel's temporary solace, the dimmed lighting matching his weary demeanor.
Serena had been in a car accident, and for the sake of the Douglas and the Wilson families’ reputations, he was bound to take good care of her.
Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Daniel felt the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him.
"Mr. Taylor has arrived."
"Daniel, your brother-in-law's here," his buddies chimed in with a grin.
Jordan stepped into the private room, furrowing his brow upon seeing Daniel. "Everyone else, clear out."
Daniel's friends exchanged glances. Sensing a domestic issue of the Douglas clan, they stepped outside to guard the door.
"Got something you wanna talk about?" Drawled Daniel, lounging on the couch with a lit cigarette, the very picture of laissez-faire.
Jordan's brow furrowed, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fists. "Ran into a snag with the Willowcrest project. The Taylors need the Douglasses to step in... meet with Mr. Patrick from SHC Group."
Jordan's parents, having heard about a spat between Jordan and Daniel, had strong-armed Jordan into making amends. After all, it concerned the Taylor Corporation's destiny and prospects.
"Heh, who knew you'd actually come begging?" Daniel's voice was laced with frost, fueled by the memory of that nauseating incident at the hotel with Jasmine and, of course, Jordan.
Jordan was such a mama's boy; he'd follow his mother's lead to the ends of the earth. Daniel couldn't fathom what Jasmine or his sister saw in him.
"If you're gonna help, help. No need for the sarcasm," Jordan said, his frown deeper now.
"Is that how you ask for favors?" Daniel couldn't help but chuckle as he took a deep drag. “Only my brother, Ethan, has Mr. Patrick's ear in the Douglas family. Why not go beg him instead?"
Daniel's tone was cutting. Jordan wouldn't dare ask Ethan for help; the man didn't have time for anyone, let alone the Taylors' troubles.
"What do you want, Daniel?" Jordan's hands were fists, but he couldn't stomach the thought of groveling to Lisa.
"Prostrate yourself before my sister, promise her you won't ever cause her grief again, and maybe I'll consider helping you out," said Daniel, flicking ash from his cigarette.
Just then, from outside, came Daniel’s assistant. "Mr. Daniel, that lady you had us watching? She snuck over to the Taylor place; she seemed to be looking for... for Jordan."
Daniel's expression turned thunderous, and his foot sent the coffee table flying.
Jasmine... just great.
She decided to rush to Jordan, the moment she was free? Fantastic.
Jordan stood shocked. "You're spying on Jasmine?"
Was she really looking for him? With a flicker of elation, he spun around, eager to return and face Jasmine.
"Jordan, my Brother-in-law, are you trying to get the Taylor family wiped out?" Daniel's voice was icy, laced with a heavy threat.
Jordan's stride halted, and he turned to face Daniel. "What are you planning to do to her?"
"Sir, I've already brought her here," the assistant chimed in, seeking approval.
Daniel knitted his brows. "Where is she?"
"Bring her in."
The room door swung open, and Jasmine was shoved in, causing her to tumble to the floor.
She shuddered, then looked up at Jordan.
She had come to see Jordan... for a paternity test.
Justin's illness required his biological father's cooperation for the medical examination.
"Jasmine, you're really something," Daniel stood up and gripped Jasmine's chin. "Can't live without a man? In no time at all, you're running back to your lover?"
"Daniel, that's enough," Jordan intervened, trying to stop him.
"Jordan! Don't forget you're here to ask for my help today!" Daniel's cold gaze met Jordan's, fury rendering his composure unstable.
He had loved Jasmine for so many years, treating her like the apple of his eye.
From his freshman year in high school to his junior year in college, he had placed Jasmine above everything else.
But Jasmine? She had slept with Jordan behind his back and even had a child! Where did that leave Daniel's dignity?
For years, the wealthy kids of San Francisco would shout 'Daniel' in admiration — only out of respect for Ethan would they not ridicule him to his face, but Daniel knew all too well the mockery that went on behind his back.
Cheated on by his own woman, and she even bore another man's bastard.
"Jasmine, what do you even see in him?" Daniel really wanted to know what Jasmine found in Jordan.
In what way was he inferior to Jordan?
"Do you think he has the ability to protect you? He can't even save his own family, let alone you." Daniel bellowed, "Everyone, get in here!"
He was determined to show Jasmine today that a man like Jordan was nothing but a complete loser.
Jordan couldn't protect her; she might as well get that fantasy out of her head.
Jasmine looked on at Daniel in terror. He was losing it... He was going crazy again.
Wasn't it enough to deceive her into that humiliating birthday trap for Serena that day?
"Daniel, who's this chick?" A group of four or five guys sauntered in, eyeing Jasmine with interest. "She's alright, a bit on the skinny side, though."
"Isn't that... Jasmine?! The notorious shameless one."
"She's out?" In San Francisco's circles, Jasmine was well-known.
Once famed for her beauty and talent, now she was notorious for her promiscuity and for posing as a fake heiress.
"Some say she's wild in the sack, any guy will do, even loves having kids with random men, huh?" One guy jeered, his words laced with mockery.
"Daniel, don't go too far," Jordan attempted to intervene, ruffling Daniel's feathers even more.
"If you guys like her, then enjoy your time with her," Daniel said with a devilish smirk, "She's nothing without a man. Give us a good show; let the young master of the Taylor family enjoy the spectacle."