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28.
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด:
2025-03-11 21:03:34
บทที่เกี่ยวข้อง
Mistaken 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 : 2025-03-12Mistaken 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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 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
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-18Mistaken Identity 35.
Avery's POV He glared at her, his anger clearly showing on his face. But there was something else beneath his anger—something that felt like fear. He feared the Storms and she was going to use that against him.For the first time, she wondered what grandfather Wellesley wasn’t telling her. Was it her past or his past. She had not seen anything about a conflict between the Wellesley and the Storms. Hell, he had invited the Storms to his birthday celebration, though only Asher had showed up.Avery’s anger boiled over. “If you want anyone to get married, perhaps you should consider your daughters and leave me the hell alone!” she snapped.They were both unmarried and had the Wellesley blood running through their veins. They would be better candidates than her.Grandfather only laughed, the sound low and humorless, like she had made a useless comment. “You think I haven’t tried them? You must be joking.” His eyes gleamed with something dark, something final. “End whatever business you ha
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-19Mistaken Identity 36.
Asher's POVThe only thing that had been on Asher's mind since he had walked into his office that morning was Avery and the boys. Hell, even after he left Avery's place last night, they still lingered in his thoughts.No matter how much he tried to push the thoughts away, they kept resurfacing, filling his mind with memories of the previous day. He keeps checking the time, wondering when he would see them again. It wasn't just Avery, but the boys too.Spending time with them had done something to him-something he hadn't been prepared for. It made his heart beat faster and brought that longing for a family. Not that he didn't have one; he did, but he wanted a family of his own.Seeing Avery laugh, watching the boys run around without a care in the world, had warmed a part of his heart that he had long buried. It felt... right. And that scared him more than he was willing to admit.At first, it had been about finding Raina Ross, then proving that Avery Wellesley was Raina Ross and the r
ปรับปรุงล่าสุด : 2025-03-21
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
