Mag-log inShare
26.
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-09 19:15:09
Kaugnay na kabanata
Mistaken 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12Mistaken Identity 30.
Avery’s POVAvery sat frozen, her fingers gripping the armrest of the chair as her grandfather’s words settled in. A reporter? This was her first time hearing it this.She had spent years wondering about the life she had before the accident, searching for pieces of a puzzle that never seemed to fit. And now, out of nowhere, Grandfather Wellesley was telling her that she had been a reporter—something she had never once suspected.She neither looked nor acted like a reporter, so it was difficult to accept what he had said.Her heartbeat quickened as she stared at him, his sharp blue eyes watching her closely, waiting for her reaction. He wants her to come to the company and work as a reporter.In other words, he was telling her that he was fed up with her avoiding and distancing herself from the company. That it was now time to come closer. Avery had intentionally stayed clear of anything that has to do with Wellesley publications because of her sisters in-law drama. They didn't work i
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14Mistaken Identity 31.
Avery’s POV“You don’t think I know that? Every decision I make is about my sons. But that doesn’t mean I have to take the first job thrown at me just because it’s safe and offers stability.” She told him, trying to calm herself.“This isn’t just any job,” he countered. “This is a career. A future for your sons.”A future he controlled, right? She knew what he was not saying. A future for her sons means that one day, they would take over the company and the first step to doing that is for her to work for him. If it were something else, it would have been easier to consider, but a reporter?She had wondered about her past career before, but never once had she imagined she had been a reporter. It felt foreign. Like something that didn’t belong to her. And the way he had brushed off her question? It only made her more suspicious.She took a slow breath. Calm down. Think this through, she chanted in her head. Was she ready to let go of her sons future for her own selfish dreams? What woul
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-15Mistaken Identity 32.
Avery's POV"Come sit down. I’m not done," Grandfather ordered, leaving no room for argument.Avery sighed, regretting that she hadn’t walked out of her grandfather's office sooner. She was done with this conversation, no matter what he said. Because if he kept pushing, she was going to lose her temper.She was already mentally exhausted from trying to convince him that she knew what was best for herself and her sons.As if sensing her frustration, grandfather sighed and gestured toward the couch."We have more to discuss, Avery. I didn’t just call you here about a job in the company. Come sit, please." He reclaimed his seat, waiting for her.She didn't know why it had taken her this long to finally break free from him. Maybe because she was depending solely on him after her accident, so he now feels that he had the keys to her life.Avery let out another sigh and walked back to the couch, slumping onto it with exaggerated exhaustion. Whatever he had to say next, she already knew it w
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-16Mistaken Identity 33.
Avery's POVWithout acknowledging her protest, he pointed at the first photograph, expecting her to listen to him.“Charles Kensington,” he began. “Heir to the Kensington shipping empire. His family controls nearly half the trade routes along the East Coast. A man like him would ensure your financial security for a lifetime.” he explained.Avery eyed the picture. Charles was in his late thirties, clean-shaven, with the kind of sharp features that spoke of old money and entitlement. Somehow like Asher, but something was different with Charles. She just couldn't place it.He looked stiff, like someone who had never laughed a day in his life. Did grandfather really think that this man was suiting for her? She has kids and he was suggesting she marry a stuck-up asshole like this.She looked back at her grandfather. “Security? I don’t need security. I have more than enough money of my own, thanks to Henry.” Avery muttered.Henry had left a huge amount of money for her. The family knew abou
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-17Mistaken Identity 34.
Avery's POVShe took a step forward, her voice firm. “And what if I was interested in him? At least he wouldn’t be a business deal disguised as a husband.” she said.At this point, Avery didn't care about what he was going to say or do with her. She had not known Asher for long, but she felt the need to be on his side.Grandfather slammed his palm on the table. “That man is nothing but trouble! He’s not one of us! The Storms have always been reckless, always standing below us, the Wellesleys, in status and power. Do you really think I’d let you throw away your future on a man who can’t even secure his own?” he spat.Avery swallowed the anger rising in her throat. This was it. Grandfather was really intimidated by the storm. She wondered if they had any history between them; the Storms and the Wellesleys, that would cause him to act this way. …And below us? She didn't know if he was exaggerating or simply denying reality, but it was an obvious and clear fact to everyone that no family
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-18
Pinakabagong kabanata
Mistaken Identity 69.
Avery's POVThe coffee was warm in her hands, but Avery barely noticed the heat as she stared out the large window of the cafe. She checked her phone for the umpteenth time that afternoon.She didn't know why it was taking too long for Asher to respond to her missed call and she was nervous. That was why she had decided against eating something. She was worried and didn't think anything could go down her throat without coming back up.The afternoon sun bathed the park across the street in a soft glow, casting long shadows from the benches and trees. Neal stood just outside the glass, licking the edge of a large swirl of strawberry ice cream and swinging his legs lazily from the edge of a bench.It wasn't his favorite as she had promised, but it was a flavor that they had to settle for, seeing that only the mall sold the mixed flavor that was his favorite, which surprisingly was also Asher's favorite.Avery smiled faintly, sipping her cappuccino again. The peaceful moment was rare, and
Mistaken Identity 68.
Avery's POVKelvin was leaning slightly, one hand still braced against the top of the car, the other raised in a casual wave, as if this were an everyday occurrence and not completely bizarre. His expression was unreadable, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.Avery blinked. She remembered Kelvin and had been meaning to call him back since that day they met at the mall, but she wanted to do that after Asher had gotten back the DNA test results.She was not going to go behind his back to contact Kelvin, even though he looked and sounded like he was quite sure that she was Raina, his former girlfriend.For a moment, she just stared, unsure what to do. She took a quick glance at the rear mirror and Neal noticed her tension and followed her gaze, outside.No, no. This wasn't how she wanted this to turn out. Of course Kelvin was not aware that she had kids and she didn't know how she felt about him knowing or being near Neal.“Who’s that?” Neal asked, his tone suspici
Mistaken Identity 67
Avery's POVAvery sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, her thumb tapping the screen of her phone as she tried Asher’s number again. Still nothing. The call didn’t even ring. Just a cold, flat “call failed” that flashed on her screen like a stubborn slap to her patience.He had promised to be there with her, and she was nervous as hell. Though she knew he was busy and it wasn't yet time to meet with the realtor, she had watched the news that was going viral. She just wanted his voice to assure her that all was okay and he was going to be there. He had been with her from the onset of her business plan, and she hated to admit it, but didn't feel like she could do this without Asher.She sighed. Maybe she was leaning in too much on him. Or he was already getting tired of them. She stared down at the phone on her hand and dropped it. There was still time, no need to overthink a situation. He had promised, and he would be there.She leaned back against the driver’s seat, exhaling
Mistaken Identity 66
Asher's POVAsher looked up, first at Callahan, then at Anderson. Was this why Laurel had disappeared without a trace in the past? Why she had hidden herself from the world? What if this person had been looking for her too, like he had." Shit!" He cursed internally.“We’ve been tracking this individual for a while now,” Callahan explained. “He’s been in the area where Laurel was last seen, and we believe he’s tied to her disappearance in some way. We’re still working on the connections, but we know for sure that he’s interested in finding her—and he’s not alone.”Asher’s heart pounded as he examined the pictures. The man in the photographs didn’t look familiar to him, but the cold look in his eyes sent a shiver down his spine. Whoever he was, he had been watching Laurel. And now, with a child involved, things were taking an even darker turn.He couldn't even begin to imagine what Laurel had to go through to get to this point. Why was someone else looking for her? This was all too com
Mistaken Identity 65
Asher's POVAsher followed Callahan down the dimly lit hallway, his steps echoing in the empty space. This was the first time in all the seven years that they've been on the case, that he was coming to this part of the station.He wanted to ask Callahan where they were going. It wasn't that he didn't feel safe in the police headquarters; scratch that, Asher didn't feel safe, and the more they walked, the more mysterious everything felt.The sound of a phone ringing in one of the offices was the only noise breaking the silence. At least someone was around if detective Callahan wanted to try anything funny. In a case like this, one could only trust this much. He really didn't know why he had been called and until Callahan made it known, he wasn't going to loosen his guard.As they reached the last door, Callahan opened it, ushering Asher inside. Asher gave him a brief gaze to which Callahan nodded, before Asher walked into the room.The room was small, utilitarian, with just a few chai
Mistaken Identity 64.
Asher's POVAsher stepped out of the press room, his mind still buzzing with the energy of the announcement. It had taken every will power and self control he had not to fist bump every reporter in there with a 'Yes I fucking made it' shout.The weight of the merger and acquisition was beginning to sink in though and it took an enormous amount of effort not to crumble in it. His company had successfully secured one of the most significant financial moves in recent history. He was finally where he’d aimed to be: on top.Hamilton and co. Had been in the eyes of major investors companies, not because it was doing good or they had more money, but because it had the potential to grow under the right leadership and a huge amount of resources.He was willing to invest and sit back to reap the dividend. He smiled, turning to Julian. "Grandma wants to see us both this evening…" he muttered.Julian stopped in his steps and sighed. " Not possible, Ash. I have a flight back to catch thos evening…
Mistaken Identity 63.
Asher's POV Asher’s gaze lingered on the door for a moment, but then Julian, who had been silently observing the proceedings, gave him a small nod. “Well done,” Julian said quietly, breaking the silence.Asher didn’t respond immediately. If he did, he might get emotional. He knew that part of the reason why the deal had pulled through was because of Julian. Though he was not going to tell the man that.His focus shifted to the documents on the table in front of him—the contract that had irrevocably altered the course of both companies. The deal had been as complicated as it had been fragile, but they’d done it. Storm Capitals had acquired Hamilton & Co., and now the future of both companies would be shaped by their decisions.Asher turned to Julian, his voice low but full of satisfaction. “It’s done. This is a big win.” he muttered.Julian smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. “It is, but there’s still work to be done. The real challenge starts now, you know that. I can't imagine
Mistaken Identity 62.
Asher’s POVThe next few days passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and endless paperwork. Asher barely had time to sleep, let alone think. The only time he wasn’t thinking about the deal was when he was with Avery and the boys.It was always a fresh moment for him, where he got to be free of the thinking or the responsibility on his shoulders. His relationship with Avery was also progressing at a fast rate that if care was not taken, he would ask her to marry him.They both had a lot going on in their lives now that it was only wise for him to wait. She was currently planning for her new business which he was helping her to plan too. Though they did more of kissing and cuddling than talking.Neal was like his golden retriever now, while Noel was this constant presence that never left his side whenever he was with them. Noel asked him more about work than any kid had ever done and it warmed his heart that he could talk smart business with the kid.He enjoyed every moment with the
Mistaken Identity 61.
Asher's POVGregory leaned back in his chair, staring at the documents in front of him. Asher could see the wheels turning in his mind, the struggle between loyalty and survival. This wasn’t just about money for Gregory—it was about pride. And pride, as Asher knew all too well, was something that could both protect and destroy. Would he be willing to submit under Asher's leadership as president of the company even though he remained as CEO.Not many CEOs would want that, but at the same time, Asher was also offering to keep his staff body instead of replacing them with his own. Hell, the merger and acquisition team already had job offers for the various positions and were only waiting for the deal to be finalized.For several long moments, the room was silent. He had thought that Gregory would jump immediately at the offer, but apparently, the man had not. Then Gregory’s voice broke through the quiet.“What’s the catch?” he asked, his gaze now steely.Catch? Asher understood why Hami
