The Aftermath
By morning, a diner’s video had gone viral. Within a week, it reached fifteen million views under the headline: “Millionaire Humbled by Dr. Waitress.”
The investors confirmed the story. Blackwood Realty’s reputation collapsed, stocks plummeted, and within months, Richard’s empire disintegrated.
Meanwhile, Yuki Sato reached out with a job offer — Director of Intercultural Relations at Tanaka-Yamamoto International. Salary: $180,000. Office: Midtown Manhattan.
Jasmine accepted, choosing to continue teaching part-time at Columbia.
Her mother, now in recovery, lived in a sunlit apartment on the Upper West Side. Jasmine bought her a small grand piano, and in the evenings, she listened to the soft, trembling melodies that filled their home with hope.
Richard Blackwood never returned to The Prestige Club. Rumor said he was selling cars in Queens. Sometimes, he caught glimpses of Jasmine on TV — a guest speaker on cultural empathy. Her voice still made him flinch.
