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In the Shadow of Marcus
Last Updated:
2024-09-22 13:23:47Related chapters
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Breaking Through Walls
Asher’s POVI walked into the empty diner. When my mom sent me an invitation for dinner earlier, I knew instantly that something was up. It was uncharacteristic of us to hang out alone together. I had an idea of what she wanted to speak about already.It wasn’t hard to spot her. Besides the fact that the diner was practically empty, surely on my mother’s orders, she was the only person who showed up at a fancy diner wearing a business suit, her hair tied back and put in a bun, making her look serious.She was tapping on her phone when I approached her. “Mom,”She looked up at me with those dull brown eyes. “Asher?” she managed a small smile.Over the years, I learned quickly that this was the most affection I’d get from my mother. It was hard to come to terms with it because, unlike my father, her stoicism felt forced. Like she was playing a character, I could always see the struggle in her eyes, her holding back, but maybe it was all in my head, and I was overthinking it. Maybe. As a
Last Updated : 2024-09-22Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Eyes of Deception
Ivy’s POVI woke up that morning and let out an exasperated groan. I remembered the shoot I had planned for the day and sighed in frustration. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to confront Taylor, not yet, at least. I sorted through my morning routine quickly and headed downstairs in a robe.I walked up to a table laden with all kinds of foods and drinks, with Asher sitting there, legs crossed. He smiled warmly at me as soon as I walked in.“I would have brought breakfast in bed, but I didn’t know how to manage,” he said, gesturing towards the breakfast buffet laid out on the table.My mouth watered instantly, and I smiled appreciatively at him.“You really didn’t have to,” I told him.“You were down yesterday. I was only trying to make you feel better,” he replied.I clutched tightly to my robe as I sat across from him. His watchful eyes followed my every move. I watched him lift a large glass to his lips. How did he make drinking look so erotic? Who was I kidding? Everything about t
Last Updated : 2024-09-22Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Under the Spotlight
Asher’s POVI kept stealing glances at the door where she had walked through, waiting to see her walk out again. The team had been extra friendly because I was sitting comfortably with a front-row view of the shoot area, a fine bottle of unopened champagne in front of me. My jaw dropped when she emerged. Her outfit was a beautiful nude dress that stopped mid-thigh, making her legs look even longer.Assistants rushed back and forth, adjusting the lighting, fixing props, and setting up the stage.She glanced at me and smiled. It was the most beautiful sight, making me feel warm inside. When she approached me, I stood up and closed the distance between us. “You look beautiful,” I blurted out as soon as she got closer.She smiled in response and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Taylor is trying to get me to talk to her...”“Would you like me to do something about her?” I asked. “Say, kick her out of the shoot, for instance?”She gave me a funny look.I clutched my chest. “I’m really serio
Last Updated : 2024-09-25Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Heartbreak in the Spotlight
Ivy’s POVAsher had been the sweetest. It was hard to reconcile him with the same guy who teased me all the time in the past. I was too chicken to face Taylor, but on his insistence, I had gone to the shoot. Having him around made me feel a lot better. I didn’t have the crippling dread inside me as I walked into the studio. His corny remarks made me focus on something other than the anger I felt for Taylor.I wanted to go on a long rant. I wanted to charge at her and scream down the studio. It was hard enough dealing with my heartbreak alone, having no one around to talk to. The last thing I needed was my heartbreak becoming the next trendy news in the media. I couldn’t even tell my parents—I didn’t need strangers dissecting my life and picking me apart. That was why I stayed quiet, why I avoided Taylor all day, and why I pretended not to hear her call out to me several times.He made it even easier. I loved the way his eyes searched for me at every point, like we were old lovers. The
Last Updated : 2024-09-25Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Fractured Reflections
Asher’s POV“Are you okay, man?” Luca asked for the umpteenth time that week. We were in my living room.I turned to glare at him. “What do you think?” I turned back to stare at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was sticking out oddly because I had run my fingers through it repeatedly. I was sporting stubble on my chin and jawline, and my eyes looked sunken, like I hadn’t slept in days—which wasn’t far from the truth.“You look like shit, and I’m genuinely worried,” he said.I exhaled. “Luca, I told you I was fine. You didn’t have to stop by.”He eyed me. “Yeah, of course. There’s absolutely no reason to be worried about you right now.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I mean, can’t you just call her? She’s your wife, isn’t she? And you definitely miss her.”Damn right I did. After our last argument, Ivy had gone home, and I hadn’t heard from her in two weeks. She didn’t come back to our house either. I was hoping she would, considering she had her things here. She didn’t resp
Last Updated : 2024-09-27Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Unsettling Reunions
Ivy’s POV“What do you know about the Sterlings?” my mother asked suddenly. We were sitting around the large dining table.I exhaled and glanced at the door nervously, checking my watch for the umpteenth time. I was a nervous wreck, and rightfully so. I hadn’t seen Asher in weeks, and I was about to introduce our families at our home.“Aside from the fact that they own a huge company? Nothing,” my dad answered. He turned to look at me. “Usually, this part of the introduction happens before my daughter gets married to their son.”My mother gripped his hand to stop him.I let out a huge sigh. “Dad, we’re already married.”“And I’m still pissed about it!” he blurted out.I tucked my hair behind my ears. I had sent Asher a long email describing my parents, hoping he had read it and prepared for this. I needed this evening to go well. So much between us already wasn’t, but this had to.You’d think I would have called off the wedding—it was a joke, after all—but no. For reasons I couldn’t f
Last Updated : 2024-09-27Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge The Unexpected Kiss
Asher’s POVI called home three hours before it was time. My father picked up on the second ring, and it was a video call.“Asher.”“Dad,” I answered.“What is it?”“You remember we have that...”“Yes, of course, he does,” Marcus interjected, his annoying face covering the whole screen, “We all remember, we wouldn’t miss it for the world.”I couldn’t hide the surprise on my face. “You’re at home, Marcus?”“Yes, I am. Dad and I made a little bet. Do you want to know what it’s about?”I rolled my eyes. I didn’t, but I knew Marcus, and I knew he would tell me anyway.“I’ve bet that by the end of the night, I’ll unravel whatever scheme you’ve planned and how you managed to entrap your new wife. Dad, for some reason, thinks she might actually find you likable enough to want to be married to you...” He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know, though, it seems highly unlikely.”“Marcus, I don’t care. I hope Dad can at least get good money out of you. You’re unfortunately my brother, and m
Last Updated : 2024-10-03Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Asher
Asher’s POV“We are so delighted to have you at our home,” Mr. Whitfield said cheerfully. “It’s our pleasure...”The waiters served the food. The main course was grilled filet mignon with roasted vegetables and truffle sauce.“It was a rather unlikely situation that brought us together,” my dad responded.“A beautiful one, nonetheless,” Mrs. Whitfield chimed in, smiling warmly at me.I leaned closer to Ivy, who was sitting beside me. “Why is your mom staring at me?” I asked quietly.She glanced at her mother for a moment before replying, “I think they’re starting to like you…”My eyes widened in alarm. “What? They hated me before?” My voice was louder than expected, and everyone’s eyes turned towards me at the table.Ivy’s mother reached for my hand. “Are you okay, son? Is the food to your liking? Do you need anything else?”Now everyone’s attention was on her. My mom gave her a quizzical look.Son? I was too shocked by the term of endearment to respond properly. It was so affectionat
Last Updated : 2024-10-04
Latest chapter
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge News
Asher’s POVMy heart leapt the moment Ivy sauntered into my room, wrapped in a pale pink robe. Though we were still officially sleeping apart - her decision, not mine - I had asked her countless times to move in.Something was holding her back, but that didn’t stop us from spending nearly every other night together. I always looked forward to those evenings. I rushed home early every day, eager for our routine: a movie before bed or simply talking until we fell asleep.Tonight was no different.She beamed as she entered; her smile lighting up the room. Slowly, she slipped off her robe, revealing the flimsy nightdress underneath.“I had quite the day…” she began, climbing into bed.My gaze locked onto hers. “Tell me all about it,” I encouraged, my voice low and eager.She tucked her hair behind her ear, leaning closer. “It was Taylor,” she said, her tone exasperated.I rolled my eyes and sighed deeply. “What did that bitch do this time?” I muttered under my breath.Ivy laid back, resti
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge I hate her
Taylor’s POVI had a grin on my face as I walked into the dressing area. It had been there since the moment I woke up that morning. My mind danced back to the week’s events.It wasn’t every day that I pulled off something as spectacular as blackmailing Asher Sterling. Of course, it had taken a whole week of careful planning and luck.Luck had been on my side that evening at the formal dinner. Walking up to Marcus Sterling had been a gamble, but it paid off. Luck was what made him listen to me. Not that I had to say much.The dick fucker was sold the moment I told him I was a friend of Ivy’s. Odd, wasn’t it? Did he like his brother’s wife?I shook my head. None of that mattered now, though it had been my golden ticket to the Sterling event. Sure, it meant enduring Marcus’s endless chatter, but it was a small price to pay for the look on Asher’s face when he saw me on his brother’s arm.I could still see it - his pale expression, his eyes desperately trying to piece me together and figu
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Shadows at the Table
Asher’s POVI sat absentmindedly at the table, the faint sounds of silverware clicking and the low hum of conversation filling the grand dining room. I forced a polite smile, nodding at something one of the guests said, though I wasn’t paying attention.I wasn’t even sure if I was expected to respond. Thankfully, the man who had spoken to me turned back to his plate.Across the table, Taylor was smiling, her expression tinged with amusement. She was clearly enjoying this - watching me struggle to focus on anything.Then I felt it— a nudge against my foot. Subtle at first, then firmer.I stiffened, glancing up. Taylor was looking directly at me, her expression as innocent as ever. When no one else was watching, she winked, her lips curling into a smug grin.I pulled my foot back, forcing myself to focus as Marcus, seated next to me, leaned in.“Asher,” Marcus said, his tone light but probing, “what’s the progress on Sterling Winery? Any new wines in the works?”I blinked, realizing I h
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Plus one
Asher’s POVI tried to walk away, but Marcus stopped me. “How’s Ivy?” he asked.I had a smartass reply at the tip of my tongue, but I decided against it. “What is it, Marcus?” I didn’t want to deal with him any longer than I had to.He shrugged. “A lot of people would love to see her. I, for one, would love to see her. If she doesn’t show up for important family events like this, then it has me thinking, is something up?”I couldn’t help but grin. “Marcus, Ivy and I are fantastic. If you would like to know, there’s nothing…”He turned around. “Meet my plus one, Asher. Isn’t she a beauty?”I looked up and stared in the direction he was pointing at. It was Taylor. She was wearing a shimmery black halter neck dress, her hair tied back in a slick bun, with a wide smile on her face as she sashayed towards us.What the heck? I cursed under my breath. How? How was she with Marcus? Where did they even meet? Wasn’t she just with Luca the other time? My eyes widened. Could she have told him?Ta
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Her scent
Asher’s POVIvy leaned closer to me on her tiptoes as she tried to fix my black bow tie. She was so close I couldn’t help but inhale her scent. She smelled of the loveliest flowers, her scent was intoxicating. I brought my nose to the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply.She inched away, giggling uncontrollably. “That tickles…”“You really can’t come?” I asked for the umpteenth time, giving her the puppy dog eyes.She smoothed my dress and pulled back. “I told you I can’t. I have a shoot in the city in a few hours,” she glanced at her wristwatch, “2, 3 hours. It’s a simple shoot, and also Janine and I have a coffee date for later in the evening. So yes, I have quite the commitment.”He exhaled and shook his head. “You know Janine is hanging out with you as an excuse to get out of a family event?”She flashed me a wide grin. “Is she now? I’m flattered she’s picking me over family?”“Hey,” I knew she was joking, but I still needed her to know it. “You know I’d ditch them in a heartbeat
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Her taste
Asher’s POVI hesitated, then turned to her fully. “I want you to be proud of me.”She paused, her hands resting lightly on my arm. “Asher, I am proud of you and of what you’ve done so far. You are a good man, and you’re going to do great things with this,” she gestured around. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.”Her words, so simple and sincere, unraveled something in me. I didn’t deserve her faith, not with the secrets I was keeping, but in that moment, I wanted to believe her.We stood there in the quiet, her gaze locked with mine, until the weight of it gave way to a shared grin. Moments later, we were giggling uncontrollably, slipping on the juice-slick floor as we tried to balance.Once the grapes were pressed, we poured a small glass of the fresh wine and tasted it. Ivy made a face. “You know what would make this better?” she asked, tilting her head thoughtfully.“What?”Her grin widened as she leaned in. “What if we added this to the wine from our dinner in the garden—th
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Asher’s pov
Asher’s POVI held out a hand to her. “Are you ready?”She grinned at me. “What’s this? Take your spouse to work day?” she teased.I smiled at her as she slipped her hands into mine, and I shrugged. “Something like that.”Ivy was the one who had offered to follow me to the company today. I had woken up to breakfast already set at the table. It was a gesture that warmed my heart, but nothing compared to when she told me she would call in sick from work and follow me to the office.I led her through those glass doors, and as soon as we walked into the reception area, all eyes turned in our direction. Well, they were mostly looking at her. It wasn’t every day a hot model strode into work. And by God, she looked hot today.She wore a simple white dress that clung to her in all the right ways. It stopped mid-thigh and made her legs look longer. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail. She had light makeup on and a simple piece of jewelry. It was minimal effort, and yet she looked the most
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Secrets in the Shadows
Luca’s POVI stared at her, my eyes twinkling with admiration. “You look...”“What?” she asked, blinking rapidly.I pulled her closer until she was pressed up against me, tucking her hair away from her face and cupping her cheeks. “You look like a snack, Janine, and I want to eat you up.”She giggled. “Okay then?”“Okay?” I asked, unsure. With Janine, I always took my time. She wasn’t like the other girls. She meant so much more to me. I was afraid to hurt her, afraid to do anything she didn’t like.She nodded, her eyes shining brightly.I gripped her jaw and drew her in. I kissed her tenderly at first, savoring the feeling of her soft lips against mine. My hands slipped around her waist.Then, before I knew it, she stood on her tiptoes, her hands wrapping around me as she deepened the kiss. Her tongue probed my lips, and I let her, surrendering to her. With the other women in my life, I was always in charge. Not with Janine. She was like an enigma to me. Apparently, Janine didn’t fee
Billionaire's Bounty: Cost Of Love And Revenge Unspoken Desires
Asher’s POVThe table was set perfectly. Candlelight flickered softly in the cool evening breeze, casting shadows on the ivory tablecloth and the bunch of roses I had picked out earlier for her. The garden was quiet except for the soft sounds of the night breeze.I sat, trying to seem relaxed, nursing a glass of red wine that tasted bitter in my dry mouth. It was a wine from Sterling Winery. We were trying to perfect a new wine. I was not satisfied with the results yet; there was something missing, and I couldn’t quite figure out what it was, neither could the rest of my team.But I wasn’t relaxed.Taylor’s words echoed in my head. “There’s so much pressure with this. You’re a billionaire; there are many things I could want, but I can’t make up my mind.” Her voice had been soft, almost pitying, as if she hadn’t just threatened the happiness I had just found in my life, like she wasn’t enjoying this. And those photos.God, the photos. Every time I blinked, I saw them, burned into the b
