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21.
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด:
2025-03-04 23:34:22
บทที่เกี่ยวข้อง
Mistaken Identity 22.
Avery’s POV Avery’s voice was softer this time, cautious. This was no longer about the torn book, it was something else. Neal wouldn’t have just blurted out a statement like that. “What do you mean, baby?” She asked him.“Your father is Henry, and I told you that he’s no longer with us. Not because he couldn’t, but because he’s dead…” she added for emphasis sake.Neal looked at her, blinking innocently like he had just not made a statement that shook her. “Not Henry.” He muttered.Avery stiffened. Henry was their father, that was what she had been told when she had woken up from her six months coma. She had made sure that Noel and Neal knew who their father was, shown them pictures of Henry that had been shown to her.She took in a deep breath. “Then who? If Henry isn’t your father, who are you talking about?” She asked him in an uncertain voice. Neal couldn’t possibly be seeing or imagining things, right?Neal’s eyes brightened as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. It’s
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-05Mistaken Identity 23.
Avery’s POVAvery stared at the door for a long second, her heart pounding as the doornell rang.She wasn’t ready for this at all. She wasn’t ready to even meet Asher, especially after the mess that had just happened with Neal. Yet, Asher was there, outside her door. He had arrived in less than ten minutes, like he had already been on his way before he even called. That was the only explanation as to why it took him less than twenty minutes to show up. At least with twenty minutes, she had time to think, but now…The doorbell rang again, pulling her from her thoughts. She couldn’t keep him waiting outside. She had a feeling that Asher was the kind of man who broke down doors to enter a place where he was restricted from entering.Avery exhaled sharply, smoothing down her blouse before she took a step further and pulled the door open.And there he was. Asher Storm.In all his glory, standing on her doorstep, tall, composed, and an unreadable expression on his face. She had thought he
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-06Mistaken Identity 24.
Avery's POVThe room was too quiet, filled only with the sound of Neal’s steady breathing against Asher’s chest. Her son's face looked peaceful, satisfied; he was content being in Asher's arm.Was this Neal's silent cry for a father? He had not mentioned it before, nor had it bothered them. Why now? Why had he decided to choose Asher to take that place. why not Julian.Avery felt like she was watching something she wasn’t meant to see; something private, something unspoken. This was the bond that should exist between a father and his son, and it hurt her that Neal and Noel had never experienced this kind of love before.She was tempted to pull them apart, but her heart screamed at her to let them be. Let Neal experience this at least once in his life. Let him feel the warmth of being in his father's arms; though in reality, Asher was not his father.Asher hadn’t moved, but his grip on Neal had shifted. It was no longer hesitant, no longer uncertain. It was protective. It was as if he
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-07Mistaken Identity 25.
Avery's POV Avery was still thinking about Asher’s request as she buckled the boys’ seatbelts in the back seat of the car. She had told him that she would think about it and that she needed more time.She had felt overwhelmed with Asher's presence the previous day, that it still lingered in her mind. The way he looked at her when the boys were not looking or talking to him. The way he had circled his arms around her to assist her get something at the top cabinet.Avery sighed, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts. She was in her sons school and this was not the right place or time to be thinking about such thing.The warm afternoon sun filtered through the windshield, casting soft shadows across the dashboard. She would have to drive with that sun reflecting on her face. At least,she had not forgotten to carry her sunshades when leaving the house.A gentle breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant chatter of children still lingering near the school gates.
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-08Mistaken Identity 26.
Avery's POVAvery was getting tired of arguing or correcting her sons. It was as if the more she emphasized on the fact that Asher was not their father, the more they sounded it in her ears. She turned in her seat, blinking at Neal, trying to make sense of what she had just heard."Asher said that?" she asked slowly.Neal grinned, nodding. "Yup!" He said cheerfully.Avery sighed, shaking her head. She had no doubt Asher had only said that because Neal had backed him into a corner with his relentless insistence. With the way they were making requests and asking Asher to promise them this or that, she knew that he must have agreed to please them. But still… hearing those words aloud made something shift in her chest.Avery sighed. "Asher probably just said that to make you happy," she said, choosing her words carefully. She didn't want to burst their hopes and at the same time, she wanted them to face reality."But he meant it!" Neal argued. Avery bit the inside of her cheek, inhaling
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-09Mistaken Identity 27.
Avery’s POVShe exhaled slowly, shifting her gaze back to Neal’s teacher, Mrs. Peterson, who was watching her with a mix of curiosity and concern. Avery didn’t like to be placed under the spot, especially over something as sensitive as this.Ms. Peterson cleared her throat. “I just thought you should see it. I noticed that Neal was very focused while painting this,” she said gently. “Neal spoke about him so fondly while he painted. And when I asked him about it, he was quite insistent that this is his family now. That’s why I wanted to bring it to your attention.”Avery’s heart clenched. Neal was always so open and trusting when he likes someone. He’s also very quick to claim people as his own once they have broken through his mental walls.She should have seen this coming. That it was no longer going to be a secret at home, but he was now proudly telling people about Asher. She shuddered to think what what would happen if the Wellesley family found out. This was deep.“I appreciate
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-10Mistaken Identity 28.
Avery's POVAvery shut the door and put the car into start. She would have a long conversation with the boys at home first, because this was becoming too much.She noticed someone staring at her from behind and turned to see Neal, his big blue eyes wide with curiosity. He was almost out of his seat if not for the seat belt holding him back in place. “Mom? What did Ms. Peterson want?” he asked her.Avery forced a smile. There was no use in getting mad at him over this. She would focus on his performance instead. “She just wanted to show me your painting.” she replied.Neal grinned. “Did you like it?” he asked in a proud voice.She glanced at him in the rearview mirror. Of course the painting was beautiful. It was something to be proud of. “It’s beautiful, sweetheart.” she told him, instead of focusing on the fact that he included Asher in the painting.“Did you see Asher?” Noel piped up. “I made sure Neal got his hair right!”Avery chuckled despite herself. She was actually surprised
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-11Mistaken Identity 29.
Avery’s POVThe moment she stepped out of the elevator, a warm voice greeted her, as if they had been expecting her.“Avery.”She turned to see Rosa, her grandfather’s long-time secretary, smiling at her. The older woman was in her mid-sixties now, with kind eyes and graying brown hair pulled into a neat chignon. She had been working for grandfather for as long as Avery could remember, even before the boys were born.“Rosa.” Avery smiled, this time genuine. She misses the woman. Rosa was one of the few persons who visited her at the hospital after she woke up from the coma.The woman had kept her company more times than she could count and Avery would always be grateful of Rosa supporting her and defending her in front of her sisters in-law.The woman pulled her into a brief hug. “It’s been too long.” She whispered close to Avery’s ear.“Yeah, well… life,” Avery said, shrugging. Over the years, her relationship with Rosa had declined, especially after she had left the states. But now
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-12
บทล่าสุด
Mistaken Identity 49.
Asher’s POVAsher stepped out of the car, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension from the long day. The weight of the meeting with Julian and the ongoing battle with Wellesley still sat heavily on his mind. He barely spared Nolan a glance as his assistant gave him a knowing nod.The meeting and other important matters had ended late and because Asher didn't want to keep the driver out so late, he had told the man to go home. He had let Nolan drive him back home, since Nolan would also be picking him up the following morning.“Let me know if anything changes,” Nolan said, already sliding back into the driver’s seat. Asher assumed that he was referring to the situation at hand. Nothing was going to change so far as he was concerned. If anything, they would discover more issues with this deal.He was starting to regret getting involved with the deal in the first place. Asher gave a short nod in response, watching as the car pulled away into the night. Nolan needed to rest as he was
Mistaken Identity 48.
Asher’s POV His gaze darkened. “What do we know about the specifics of Wellesley’s investment? If it’s hidden, then the investment was not something that it’s cleared by the book.” He said.A man sitting next to Patel slid another document toward him. “It started as a minor stake, but in the last six months, it’s grown. The finance team analyzed this, and they found out that it’s been coming in from paper companies across the world. We called those companies and they do not exist, but one name stood out in our research. Wellesley. We suspect he’s been planning this for a while.” He explained.Asher skimmed the figures. Mr. Wellesley wasn’t just an investor—he was the investor. He had already positioned himself as the highest shareholder in Hamilton and co. He already had total rule over the company and could claim it even before Storm Capitals merged, but he didn’t.That meant one thing.“He’s positioning himself to control the merger and the company after the buyout. Hell, he would
Mistaken Identity 47.
Asher’s POVThe boardroom at Storm Enterprises was filled with a heavy tension as Asher took his seat at the head of the long glass conference table. He always felt the weight of running the company whenever he sat on that particular chair.His sharp gaze swept over the group of executives and legal advisors assembled for this crucial meeting. His board meetings didn’t happen frequently, but when they do, it was usually because the matter was very important and couldn’t wait.He could feel the weight of the discussion ahead, the make-or-break decisions that would determine the future of the Hamilton & Co. acquisition. They had spent days and nights finding out information about the deal and Serena’s involvement in it, and if a truth, Asher was shocked at what he had found out.By his left hand side sat Nolan, his ever-efficient assistant, already flipping through his meticulously organized files and typing furiously into his ipad. Several key team members from legal, finance, and str
Mistaken Identity 46.
Asher’s POV His gaze flickered back to the drawing in his hand, as if seeing it for the first time. He studied the details again—the way the family stood close together, the slight, protective stance of the tallest figure, the way the children seemed to lean toward him.Not Henry.Neal had drawn him.A strange, unfamiliar emotion tightened in Asher’s chest. He had expected Henry to be in the picture—expected that Neal, despite everything, would have chosen to immortalize his father in some way. But instead, he had chosen him. Why? Asher would give anything to know what was running through Neal’s mind when he drew that picture. He would give anything to go back to that moment and ask him why he had drawn him instead of his own father, Henry.Avery watched him carefully, her expression unreadable, as if she was unsure of herself.He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Are you sure?” His voice was quieter now, not the usual confident, controlled tone. If she listened clos
Mistaken Identity 45.
Asher’s POV He smirked and shrugged. She was in the habit of surprising him now, just as she had called him when she needed him and had even let him hug her. Who knows, maybe she had the talent and was waiting to shock him. “Okay, if you didn’t, then who did?” he asked.Her expression softened, a hint of pride creeping into her voice. It took him a second to realize it, but he got the idea before she even spoke. “Neal. He’s very good at art.”Asher blinked, genuinely surprised. Of course he knew Neal could draw, just like every other kid his age. Neal had mentioned that he likes to draw, but this was not the kind of ability he had been expecting. The picture looked too advanced for his age. “Neal drew this?” he stuttered.Avery nodded, watching his reaction closely. He blinked, not trusting his voice to speak. This was too close to home, Asher thought. No one except his mother knew about this, but Asher could draw. He still drew, though not as frequent as he would have loved to. He
Mistaken Identity 44.
Asher’s POV Avery blinked. “What?” she asked. Her tone was lacking that hint of shock, so she obviously was not surprised at his response, she just didn’t understand why he would want to handle this for her or how he would take care of the matter. He wasn’t even family.Asher cleared his throat. “I said I’ll handle this.” His expression hardened as he repeated himself. “Your grandfather wants to play this game? Fine. But he’s not going to win.”Avery studied him for a long moment, looking for something that she couldn’t pinpoint in his eyes. Then, after she must have seen it, she slowly smiled. It didn’t last for long, because she probably didn’t want him to notice, but he did.She trusted him, and that was all Asher needed. It was all the go ahead that he needed from her. He has too many scores to settle with Mr. Wellesley.Asher looked at the folder that he had dropped on the coffee table and sighed. His body moved before his mind fully caught up, and the next thing he knew, he was
Mistaken Identity 43.
Asher’s POVAsher’s fingers curled around the folder, his grip so tight that the edges crumpled slightly. He forced himself to exhale slowly, trying to rein in his temper.“This is ridiculous,” he said, his voice dangerously low.Avery shrugged. “I know.” She mumbled.He took a brief pause before sharply looking at her. “You’re not actually considering this, are you?” he asked her, one of his brows arched.She scoffed. “Of course not. But that doesn’t mean grandfather is going to stop pushing it. He made it very clear that there’s no way I’m backing out of this, whether I like it or not.” She replied in a low voice, like she was already tired of the drama.Asher snapped the folder shut with more force than necessary. He couldn’t understand why Wellesley acted this way, even to his family. Did the old man even stop for once to consider how she felt or even his grandsons. He sighed, leaning heavily on the chair. Then, curiosity got the best of him as he kept on staring at the folder. H
Mistaken Identity 42.
Asher’s POVBy the time Asher’s SUV pulled up to Avery’s house, the sky was a deep shade of indigo, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the quiet neighborhood. He had exhausted the thirty minutes and more and he hoped that Avery wasn’t the type to hold someone by their words.The moment the vehicle stopped, he didn’t wait for the driver to open his door—he pushed the door open and stepped out immediately. His long strides taking him straight to the entrance of Avery’s building, and before long, he was at her front door. The tension in his chest hadn’t eased since the moment she had called. Something was wrong, it kept on ringing in his head. He could hear it in her voice, sense it in the hesitation, which was so unlike her.He rang the doorbell and waited, hoping she would open up fast. What if she had not wanted to call him in the first place, and had realized her mistake and now, no longer needed him to show up.Barely a second later after his knock, hurried footsteps sounded
Mistaken Identity 41.
Asher’s POVSerena, as if sensing his discomfort, chuckled lightly. “I think you’re misunderstanding me, Asher,” she said, her voice dripping with amusement. She glanced at her watch. “Actually, you do have an appointment with me. Right now.” She said.Asher narrowed his eyes, his patience thinning with every passing second. He had neither the time nor the interest to entertain Serena Laurent. His priority right now was Avery.He didn’t have any appointment with Serena, not now, not another day. Why should he? What would they be discussing about in his office.“I don’t have an appointment with you,” he said firmly, glancing at his watch again. Nine minutes behind schedule now. The least he could do was ten minutes and he was leaving immediately he cleared things with her.Serena smirked, tapping the screen of her phone before lifting her gaze to his. “Actually, you do.” She muttered, this time in a serious voice that would make anyone believe that she was anything but professional.As
