---- Chapter 10 "No, she didn't," Samuel replied. Jasmine exhaled in relief. Then, Samuel added coldly. "Because she's already dead." The words went off like a bomb, filling the room with a deafening silence. Marcus and Dylan were stunned, then exclaimed, "Dead?!" Disbelief was etched on their faces. Jasmine's expression shifted dramatically. Her face paled, and she shook her head frantically, feigning shock. "When? This must be a mistake! Even if she went on the run, Emilia was incredibly skilled. How could she-" "She was dismembered five years ago." Samuel's voice sliced through her excuses like a blade. "A few days ago, a fishing boat dredged up her remains. Her body had been sealed in a safe, her bones shattered, and her system pumped full of high-dose drugs. Her head was deliberately sunk using a cage to make it ---- easier for the fish to eat away at the flesh." Samuel stepped closer, his eyes locking onto Jasmine's. "And yet you told me she fled in shame?" Jasmine's control was slipping. Panic flickered in her eyes as she stammered, "E-Even if she is dead, it was probably the drug lord who killed her to silence her- " "Then explain this," Samuel interrupted again, pulling out a small blue diamond from his pocket. His voice trembled, thick with emotion. "You told me you lost this ring. But it wasn't lost, was it? It was inside Emilia's mouth." Samuel then shouted, "Answer me, Jasmine!" His voice echoed through the autopsy room, sharp and accusing. Marcus and Dylan stared at Jasmine, their faces frozen in shock. They knew how much she loved blue diamonds. Even today's wedding ring was a blue diamond. Suddenly, Jasmine laughed, her voice rising in ---- hysterical amusement. "Hahaha! No wonder! No wonder she wouldn't open her mouth no matter how many times I stabbed her. I thought she was too weak from the pain to scream. I gave her so much adrenaline. I even stuck her with needles in places it hurt the most! But she was just holding out. Holding out because she stole my ring and waiting for the day she could expose me!" She then screamed, "Emilia, you filthy woman! Even in death, you haunt me! Why couldn't you just disappear and leave me alone?!" Her face twisted into a grotesque mask of rage, her voice reaching a shrill pitch as she ranted, consumed by hatred. Marcus staggered backward, clutching his chest in disbelief. "You... You really...?" Dylan slid down the wall, collapsing to the floor in shock. "No... How could this be? I...I've been blaming Emilia this whole time..." He buried his face in his hands, sobbing uncontrollably. "What have I done?" Samuel stood frozen, clutching the blue diamond ring tightly. "So, the third-year police student who was ---- supposed to play the hostage in that mission... You killed her, too. You set Mr. Langstrom up to send you in the student's place so that you could use the mission to kill Emilia, right?" What?! My ghostly form surged forward, writhing with fury, desperate to strangle Jasmine with my own hands. She had killed an innocent girl just to get to me! But I was nothing more than a ghost. No matter how much I clawed or screamed, I could only pass through her wicked body. I was powerless. And yet, Jasmine stood tall, defiant, and sneered. "So what if I did? I did it all for you, Samuel!" she shrieked. "I love you! You promised you'd never leave me! But I was forced to go away for a few years, and the moment I did, you married her! "What was I supposed to do? Of course, I had to kill her to get you back! Everything that happened is your fault!" In "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" by CrushReel, a heartfelt romance unfolds between a woman and the president she has long admired since youth. Overcoming insecurities about her appearance, she finds herself working closely with him as his assistant, leading to unexpected twists and turns in their relationship. This modern romance novel explores themes of self-acceptance, unrequited love, and the dynamics of power and attraction in an office setting. The unique blend of billionaire CEO dynamics, hidden feelings, and the revelation of secrets adds layers of intrigue to the story, keeping readers captivated as the plot unfolds. What sets this novel apart is its delicate balance between sweet romance and the complexities of relationships in a contemporary workplace. With each chapter, readers are drawn deeper into the emotional journey of the characters as they navigate their growing connection amidst professional responsibilities and personal desires. For those seeking a compelling tale that combines elements of romance, secrecy, and personal transformation, "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" is available to read at CrushReel, offering a captivating escape into a world where love conquers all.