Chapter 170

Through the phone, Neville's voice was low and hard. "Ring Road Elevated Highway. I'm about to exit toward the hospital. The brakes are completely shot. I can't slow down."

That single sentence shattered the last shred of hope Jasmine had been clinging to.

She knew the conditions on the Ring Road better than anyone.

The exit led directly onto the main thoroughfare in the city center. Evening rush hour traffic was at its peak density. Neville's Bentley was traveling at high speed. If it barreled straight off the elevated highway and plunged into that sea of cars, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Not only would Neville die—innocent drivers and pedestrians on the entire main road would be caught in the chaos. A devastating pile-up would be inevitable.

Every second that passed multiplied the danger. In that brief moment of thought, Jasmine cast aside all distractions. She made a decision: she would trade her life for his if she had to.

She steadied herself, her voice unusually firm. Each word was deliberate. "Keep the wheel steady. I'm coming to get you."

"Jasmine, don't do anything reckless!" Neville instantly picked up on the finality in her tone. His voice turned sharp.

But his warning came too late. Jasmine didn't give him a chance to say another word. She hung up.

Jean, standing nearby, had completely lost her composure. "What are you planning to do?"

Jasmine looked at her, her eyes resolute. "Did you drive here? Mrs. Cooper, I need to borrow your car."

Jean froze for a moment. Then realization dawned.

Her face went pale. She grabbed Jasmine's wrist, her voice rising in alarm. "Are you out of your mind?"

Jasmine's resolve didn't waver. "This is the only way."

"Driving the wrong way onto the elevated highway to face a runaway car head-on—do you realize that's suicide?" Jean pleaded. "I've already asked the police to intercept him urgently. You don't need to gamble your life like this! If something happens to you, Neville will be devastated!"

"The police won't make it in time." Jasmine yanked her wrist free, her tone ice-cold. "Traffic on the elevated highway is complicated. The runaway vehicle is moving too fast. If we're even a second late, it'll all be over."

"That doesn't mean you should throw your life away!" Jean was both furious and desperate. "Neville's life matters, but doesn't yours?"

Jasmine turned to look at her. Her eyes were red-rimmed. Her tone carried an unprecedented obsession. "To me, his life is worth more than mine."

Jean stared at her in silence. In the face of Jasmine's stubborn determination, she finally gave in. She pulled out her car keys. "Keep yourself safe."

Jasmine nodded, took the keys, and left.

She rushed into the hospital's underground parking garage. The car shot out like an arrow released from a bow, smashing through the gate and merging into traffic at breakneck speed.

Jasmine floored the gas pedal, ignoring all speed limits, heading straight for the entrance to the Ring Road Elevated Highway.

The moment she reached the entrance, she disregarded all traffic laws, yanked the wheel hard, and shot up onto the highway—driving the wrong way.

Her reckless move immediately threw the entire lane into chaos. Ear-splitting horns blared. Brakes screeched. Countless drivers swerved in panic. The sounds of scraping metal and locked tires filled the air. The scene was terrifying, but miraculously, no one crashed.

Jasmine didn't spare any of it a glance. Her eyes were fixed on the road ahead—and on the one person she was willing to risk her life for. In that moment, she wasn't thinking about life or death, consequences or logic. She had only one single, stubborn thought: 'Neville cannot get hurt.'

A few minutes later, a black Bentley came into view at the far end of the road. It was her car. The vehicle was swerving uncontrollably, speeding wildly toward the exit ramp. It was one step away from disaster.

Jasmine's gaze sharpened. Every nerve in her body tensed. Her hands gripped the steering wheel with all her strength. Without hesitation, she slammed the gas pedal to the floor. The car exploded forward with maximum power, charging straight toward the runaway Bentley.

"BANG—!"

The deafening crash echoed across the elevated highway. The violent impact engulfed both vehicles. The front ends crumpled instantly. Glass shattered and flew in every direction. The force of the collision threw Jasmine's body forward. In the next instant, the airbag deployed, wrapping around her and absorbing the brunt of the impact.

After the massive collision, the two out-of-control vehicles finally came to a complete stop, blocking the center of the elevated lane and cutting off the Bentley's path to the exit.

Silence fell over the scene. Moments later, the police cars that had been in pursuit pulled up one after another. Officers jumped out, weapons drawn, and quickly surrounded the wreckage.

The first to regain consciousness was Neville.

His forehead had been cut by shards of glass. Warm blood trickled down the side of his face. His arm was bruised from the airbag. His entire body ached. But fortunately, nothing vital had been damaged. The injuries were only superficial.

He didn't bother wiping the blood from his face. He struggled to push open the car door, stumbled through the scattered debris, and rushed toward the other vehicle.

Jasmine had also only suffered a cut on her forehead and a bruised, swollen shoulder. No life-threatening injuries.

She had just pushed the airbag aside and was still trying to shake off the dizziness when the car door was yanked open.

In the next second, a powerful force pulled her out of the car. Jasmine was crushed into a scorching, solid embrace.

Neville's chest heaved violently. Suppressed fear and fury intertwined.

One hand locked around Jasmine's waist like a vice. The other cradled the back of her head. His voice was hoarse, laced with extreme rage. "Jasmine, do you have any idea how stupid you are?"

Jasmine froze at his sudden scolding.

Neville's tone grew even colder, his anger palpable. "Did you even think about the consequences of a head-on collision? If the angle had been off even slightly, we both would've died on the spot! Who gave you the right to gamble with your life like this?"

All the fear and hurt she'd been holding in finally exploded. Jasmine buried her face in his chest. Her nose stung. Hot tears broke free, soaking the front of Neville's shirt.

"If I didn't do it, you would've died at the exit ramp." Her voice was choked, thick with sobs. "I couldn't even imagine it—if you were gone too, what would I do? Neville, I was so scared."

In that moment, all the vague, unspoken feelings finally broke through the fog and became crystal clear in Jasmine's heart.

She finally understood what she truly felt.

Neville's entire body went rigid. The fury flooding his chest was instantly replaced by a surging wave of emotion.

He released his hold on her, leaned down, and cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes were deadly serious. "You're this afraid of losing me. You can't live without me. Does that mean you love me?"

The blunt, naked question made Jasmine's face flush with embarrassment. Tears still clung to the corners of her eyes. Her cheeks turned red. She avoided his burning gaze. After a few seconds of hesitation, she finally nodded softly, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes."

Her confession shattered every barrier and misunderstanding between them.

The tension Neville had been carrying for days finally released. He lowered his head and pulled her back into his arms.

The two of them stood there in the wreckage of the accident scene, holding each other tightly. Tears fell. Emotions overflowed. They cried and laughed at the same time, releasing all the hurt, suspicion, and anxiety they'd carried for days.