Chapter 4

Later that day during dinnertime, Ashley was the last to arrive at the dining room. She was busy trying to get her outfit right.

Ashley was frightened that she might not be fit to wine and dine with them, seeing the way she was being treated by her so-called siblings, she didn't want to face any humiliation at dinner.

And grandfather also mentioned that it was a little reunion hosted by him for her sake.

Ashley didn't want to disappoint him either.

She put on a white floral dress, her hair was tied up in a beautiful ponytail. Ashley headed downstairs accompanied by two bodyguards who were assigned to her by Mr Manchester.

As she reached the dining room, all eyes were on her. She became nervous and rubbed her hands on her dress.

Lilah, who noticed her anxiety, hurriedly stood up and went to meet her at the staircase. Her eyes darted through the faces of everyone in the dining room.

She didn't need to look at Cassandra or Alex before Ashley knew that she was being stared at sternly by them.

“Even if you bathe a pig, you can never change the fact that it came from the gutters” Cassandra remarked.

Mr Manchester heard her and he frowned. “Mind your language Cassandra, Ashley is your sister” he stated. Reminding her about the painful truth.

“She is no sister of mine, grandpa. I refuse to acknowledge her as my sister. She's just a fake, an imposter. I hate her!”

Meanwhile as Cassandra expressed herself, Alex just watched everything unfold quietly. So many thoughts ran through his head.

Mr Manchester turned to Ashley.

“Ashley, dear. Please come. Take your seat beside me” he beckoned.

Hearing his calm tone made Ashley relieved. She felt comfortable to sit with the family.

Mr Manchester raised a toast to her, only Cassandra didn't respond.

He ignored her and just went on to celebrate Ashley's return.

“I have an announcement to make. I'll need you all to be silent” he said,

The dining room went into deep silence immediately.

Mr Manchester stood up with the help of his golden walking stick.

The man held his wine glass on his other hand and he raised it up.

“Firstly, I want to appreciate you all for being present for your sister, Ashley. I will like this to continue forever even though I might not be here one day”

“Grandpa, please don't say that. You aren't going anywhere” Ashley immediately cut in.

Mr Manchester only smiled In response and he continued speaking.

“Ashley, I want you to study abroad. As you all know, the Manchester family is a family of medical personnels. We do not go against that tradition. I want you to be like your brother and sister someday” Mr Manchester announced

Cassandra jerked up immediately.

“What! Ashley is going to become a doctor? This is unacceptable grandpa. She doesn't deserve it! I won't agree to this” she angrily declared.

“Sit down Cassandra!” Alex ordered harshly.

“Alexander, are you going to sit here and agree to this? I can't believe this!” Cassandra left the dining room angrily.

The whole place fell into a long silence but Ashley spoke and broke it up.

“Thank you grandpa, I'm happy to accept this decision. I will become a doctor as you've wished”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ashley was standing alone at the pavilion, her mind was occupied with several thoughts. A lot had happened that day and she didn't know what to make of it.

She was asked to study abroad by Mr Manchester. Ashley knew that she was intelligent and could learn whatever he wanted her to learn in a space of two years.

However, she never pictured herself becoming a doctor. It all seemed alien to her. How is she going to cope if she ever made any mistakes? Ashley was in a big mess.

She didn't want to offend Mr Manchester and also make a fool of herself. Maybe, she really didn't fit in as Cassandra remarked earlier.

She should just be the lowlife that she was and reject the offer. But it would break the heart of Mr Manchester as he also had a lot of plans made for her.

He believed and trusted her and he must be expecting a lot from her already.

Ashley found herself in a pool of confusion. She didn't even have a friend to advise her on what decision to take.

“You should reject the offer and leave this villa before dawn” A cold masculine voice spoke from behind her, making Ashley freeze. She turned to him at once, it was Alex, she barely recognized his voice because she didn't speak much most of the times they'd met. Only Cassandra did the talking, but Ashley knew exactly what was going through his mind. He didn't want her here.

“Why?” She asked, shooting a glare at him.

“Because you don't belong here, Ashley. You should go back to the slumps where you come from. However, if you do not want to return there, I can make provision for that. I'll give you $5 million as a settlement if you leave” he said.

Ashley paused for a moment. Did he just mention $5 million?”

“$5.. 5 million?” she stuttered in fear.

The man in front of her moved closer, towering his figure over her. Alex was a handsome young man in his early thirties, dark hair, oval face with pink lips.

Any woman would throw themselves at him but not his own half sister, Ashley.

“So what do you say?” He asked, lowering his face near hers as he whispered.

Ashley tried to take her eyes from him. Although the money was tempting, grandfather had invested a lot in her right from the hospital.

He also loved and cherished her. She dared not do this to him.

Alex was moving closer to Ashley which frightened her. She kicked his knees and pushed him off.

“Let go of me, I do not accept this offer, Alex” she declared.

Ashley ran off, and went straight to her bedroom in haste. How could he just think that he could buy her with money? She might be desperate but not cheap! Ashley rejected his offer to keep her dignity and grandfather's trust in her intact.

She reached her bedroom and the first thing Ashley did was to drink water from the dispenser. She was so tasty after running from such a long distance.

Ashley sighed deeply as she took her seat on the bed. “$5 million was a huge amount of money and could change her life but it wasn't worth betraying her own grandpa. She was going to stay no matter what”

After a few hours, Ashley got bored from staying indoors all day. Lilah was not in the mansion, she went on a short trip and would be back in two days time. She had to deal with the nuisance of Cassandra and Alex before then.

Ashley decided to watch the television which was the only thing she could do without leaving the bedroom. She picked up the TV remote and pressed the buttons randomly, choosing a channel.

As soon as it entered the entertainment channel, Ashley noticed something.

They spoke about the marriage news of Justin Wilson and Valerie Parker.

Ashley froze immediately, watching the news. The veins on her face popped out at once. She clenched her fists tightly in anger. Ashley couldn't believe that Justin was remarrying shortly after their divorce.

She lost at last. Ashley felt as if she was going insane. She laughed out hysterically in disbelief. Three years of love and dedication to a man who didn't even love her.

How stupid was she to ever think that a high-class man like Justin would love and ever show her off as his wife. She felt extra stupid for it.

With Shaky hands, she dropped down the remote and Ashley laid on the bed using the duvet to cover herself up.

‘Justin, I will make you pay for this’ she declared.

There, Ashley decided to take grandpa's offers and become the doctor he wanted her to be.