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9.
Last Updated:
2025-02-28 15:45:36
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Mistaken Identity 10.
Avery’s POVAvery eyed the cloth suspiciously, then glanced up at him. “What am I supposed to do with this?” She asked, confused to why he was giving her a handkerchief.He gave her a pointed look, then nodded toward the deep red stain on her dress, that was now looking like a permanent symbol. Like it had come with the dress in the first place.It took Avery more than a second to realize what he meant. “Seriously?” she asked, incredulous.Asher didn’t answer. He just held the handkerchief there, waiting for her to take it from his hand.With an annoyed sigh, she snatched it from his hand, muttering under her breath as she dabbed at the stain. From the corner of her eye, she caught the way his lips twitched; like he was fighting back a smirk. She really couldn’t believe that he cared about her dress when the damage had already been done.“Clean it up,” he said simply, nodding toward the stain on her dress. She frowned, glancing down at the deep red splotch marring the delicate fabric
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Mistaken Identity 11.
Avery's POVThe realization settled uneasily in her chest like she needed to hear that name from his lips. Now look who’s obsessed about a stranger, she thought.He had spent every moment since they met insisting that she was someone else. That she was Raina Ross. Yet, here they were, talking about flowers as if she were just… Avery.Here in the quiet of the garden, he wasn’t saying her name. She could no longer ignore that fact, so she decided to raise it up.“Why aren’t you calling me Raina?” she asked, breaking the silence.Asher’s gaze flickered toward her, unreadable. He didn’t speak, just studied her. Perhaps searching deeply in her eyes for something.Avery swallowed. “You’ve been so obsessed with the idea that I’m her. And now, suddenly, you’re not saying her name.” she said.Asher’s jaw tensed, but he said nothing.Something inside her pushed forward. Avery didn’t know why she felt this way. Why suddenly, she cared about the identity of someone she didn’t know, but it unsettl
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Mistaken Identity 12.
Asher’s POVThe ride home was quiet; well, at least for Asher, before Nolan had opened his mouth. He still had a lot to process over his conversation with Avery. He was eighty percent sure that she was Raina and perhaps a DNA test or a confirmation from her would seal the deal.He had confirmed the mole present on her shoulder, but that could also be a coincidence, just like her face could be. Asher was just leaving room for trial and error, because he was sure that the woman he had sat with at the party that night was Raina.The soft hum of the car engine filled the air as the vehicle glided through the quiet streets. Asher sat in the backseat, legs stretched out, gaze fixed on the passing cityscape. It had been a long day, and he would have preferred silence for the ride home.But with Nolan sitting beside him, that was never an option. Peace was hard to come by when Nolan was in the back seat with him. It had not crossed his mind earlier to send the man to the front seat.He knew
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Mistaken Identity 13.
Asher’s POVHe pushed open the door and entered the house quietly and swiftly. He only took three steps before he paused, looking at the occupant in his house.There, sitting comfortably in his living room like he owned the place, was none other than Julian.Asher’s stance shifted ever so slightly from attack mode to mild exasperation. His shoulders dropped as he exhaled a sharp breath. He would have been very pissed, but he had lost the strength to even do anything.Figures. He should’ve known. Especially when Julian was in town. How the man had guessed his security lock was a mystery to him. Asher remembered changing it recently.Julian looked up, entirely unbothered, a glass of what looked like whiskey in his hand. Julian was here in his house, drinking his fucking whiskey. The audacity. “Took you long enough,” Julian mused, “and before you start thinking if you locked the door, you actually did, just that I guessed the lock code… again.” He explained.Asher closed the door behind
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Mistaken Identity 14.
Asher’s POVMorning light crept in through the blinds, casting soft shadows across the room. Asher groaned, rubbing his temples as the dull throb in his head made itself known.He had dreaded waking up that morning and had even stayed longer in bed just so he could avoid moving his head that was aching, around.It had taken him far too long to fall asleep last night. Even after Julian left, his thoughts had remained tangled, circling back to Avery. Rest had not come easily. He had thought of ways that he could stop this feelings he had for Avery from progressing, but it couldn’t.His entire mind was clouded with pictures of her even as he had just woken up.Last night, to shake of the thoughts of Avery, he had poured himhadself a glass of wine, hoping it would help, but all it did was keep him awake longer. He had even thought of going out that night, perhaps to a bar, but ignored his inner mind.Every since the incident seven years ago, Asher had never stepped his foot into a bar or
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Mistaken Identity 15.
Asher’s POVThe detective led him through a series of hallways, past the office area. The fluorescent lights above casting a sterile glow as they walked by towards the forensic department. They stopped in front of a heavy metal door, and Callahan swiped his keycard to unlock it.As they stepped inside, the scent of antiseptic and cold steel filled the air. The forensic department was dimly lit, the walls lined with stainless steel compartments.A medical examiner stood by one of the slabs, his face unreadable as he nodded in acknowledgment. Callahan turned to face Asher.“Are you ready?” he asked, studying Asher’s face.Asher gave a curt nod, though his fingers twitched at his sides. He really wasn’t ready and he wasn’t sure that he would ever be ready. But this was happening whether he wanted it or not. He braced himself for what was coming next.The examiner pulled the body out, slowly unzipping the bag. As soon as Asher saw it, his breath hitched. He had seen dead bodies before, bu
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Mistaken Identity 16.
Asher’s POV Asher stepped out of the car, straightening his jacket as his gaze flicked up to the grand mansion before him. The estate held his grandmother’s residence, as well as his uncles and aunts who also have their residence inside the estate. His family believed in living together and because most of them had families of their own, his late grandfather had acquired a large acres of land with more space than anyone could imagine. That way, they could build their houses inside the estate and still live close together. He was the only one who had chosen to live outside the estate after he had come of age, just as he had chosen to start his own company instead of working for the family. A decision that he had fought tooth and nail for and even got reminded by his grandmother constantly that it was the most foolish decision that he could have ever made. She would call him sometimes to nag about how she couldn’t visit him anymore because he was living far away from his family i
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Mistaken Identity 17.
Asher’s POV That was all Asher needed to know. His grandmother was an impulsive buyer and she would sometimes buy something just to be the one at the top, especially if her competitors are people she wanted to beat so badly. He sighed. Alena Georgia Storm, once again had beaten someone by throwing more money on the table. Nice one grandma, Asher thought. They arrived at the sunroom, its grand glass doors allowing the late afternoon light to spill into the hallway. Wilson knocked once, then pulled the door open for him. Asher stepped forward but paused in the doorway, glancing back at the butler who turned around to leave. “Leaving me alone with the lioness, huh?” He whispered. Whenever he was meeting with his grandmother, Asher always wanted a buffer around, especially someone that could stand by his side. Usually, it was Wilson or Nolan on some few occasions, but now it was just him. Wilson chuckled, a rare moment of amusement crossing his features. “You’re on your own now
Last Updated : 2025-02-28
Latest chapter
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
Mistaken Identity 60.
Asher’s POVThe private conference room at Hamilton & Co. was more like a high-end boardroom than anything else—a long, glossy table surrounded by chairs that seemed to absorb the weight of the entire room.This was the first time Asher was stepping foot inside Hamilton & Co. He had not wanted to see the building during the deal negotiations but only their books, and so there was no need to visit the company.He looked around the room in a way that made it impossible for anyone to actually know what he was doing. The walls were adorned with art that spoke more of prestige than personality.Whoever they had contracted as their interior designer had done an awful job at designing the place. Asher didn't blame them, though, because it looked like they had done a quick job to impress.He sighed, relaxing in his chair. He wasn't there to judge their poor job at making the place look great. He was here to negotiate a deal that was hanging on a thread.However, Asher couldn’t help but feel t
Mistaken Identity 59.
Asher's POVAsher sat in silence for a moment, processing everything that had just unfolded. He hadn’t said a word during the entire exchange, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that the game had shifted in a way that he hadn’t anticipated. Of course they had made plans on the different measures to take if the deal went either North or south. But neither him not Julian would have expected Serena to not be fully aware of the inner dealings of Wellesley, especially if she was representing Hamilton and co.Serena was rattled, and Julian had just set the stakes higher than anyone had expected. He glanced at Serena as she gathered her things, her face unreadable. But the tension was there, unmistakable. She was about to face one of the toughest decisions of her career, and Asher couldn’t help but wonder how it would all play out.But one thing was for certain—he would be watching every step of the way.Serena and her team members left the conference room, her heels clicking sharply agains
Mistaken Identity 58.
Asher’s POV Serena didn’t flinch after hearing what Julian said. It meant that she knew of Wellesley's involvement in the company. “Wellesley is just one of the last investors. We needed more funds and he was willing to help us. Of course, he had his terms.” she said, her voice measured but carrying an edge. “His involvement was to keep the company afloat when it was at risk of going bankrupt. There’s nothing more to it than that.” she added, looking at Asher straight in the eyes instead of Julian.Asher scoffed at her and turned to Julian. Julian’s smile was sharp, almost predatory. “That’s where you’re wrong,” he said, his tone turning colder. He leaned forward slightly, placing his palms on the table as though he were about to reveal something explosive. “We both know it’s more complicated than that, Serena. Wellesley’s shareholding isn’t just for the sake of stability. You’ve been hiding the truth.” Julian told her.Serena’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t react. She was trying t
Mistaken Identity 57.
Asher's POVStorm Capitals conference room was designed for power meetings like this one—sleek, modern, with a long, polished table stretching out before them. The room was recently furnished and it was a coincidence that the meeting happened to be close.The walls, lined with dark wood and abstract art, seemed to absorb the tension that was rapidly building between the two teams that were currently facing each other.Asher sat off to the side, an observer, as he’d been told to be, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was a player in this game whether he wanted to be or not. Julian had actually wanted him to not be present in the room, but Asher couldn't help it. His options had been to sit in his office and watch a live feed of the meeting, but he wanted to see Serena's reactions throughout and he wanted her to see him to and know who she was really fighting.After hiring an external representative and negotiator, Julian, Asher's role in the merger between Storm Capitals and Ha
Mistaken Identity 56.
Avery's POV “Then what?” she asked, watching him. She didn't know why he was hesitating to speak.“You have this mole,” he said quietly. “On your shoulder. That night, while we…" Asher paused, looking at her.Avery had an idea what he was talking about. Asher and Raina had had an intimate night together, so it meant that they had slept together. Even though he had not told her of the specific, why or how they had ended up together, but she knew.He rubbed the back of his neck, flicking his gaze briefly towards the door. " Is it soundproof?" He asked her.Avery arched a brow. Regardless of how serious the conversation was, she found it funny that he was concerned about the boys hearing their conversation. It warmed her heart that he actually had concern for them. Not everyone would be that cautious in discussing sensitive things.She also found it funny that the kitchen door would be soundproof. Why the hell would any door be soundproof, Avery thought."If you're worried about the boy
Mistaken Identity 55.
Avery's POV Avery’s arms ached by the time she reached the top step of her porch. The grocery bags dug into her fingers, the weight making her wish she’d taken two trips instead of stubbornly stuffing everything into as few bags as possible. She was already regretting that decision.She was just about to try balancing the load on one arm, to reach for her keys when the door swung open. "Saved by the bell!" She muttered to herself.Asher stood there, tall and still, watching her with that unreadable look he wore far too often these days. He must have been waiting for her and had probably heard her car drive in.She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. He stepped forward and took the bags from her without a word, his fingers brushing hers for a second longer than necessary. The relief she felt when those loads left her arm was instant. She muttered a quiet thanks, grateful more for his timing than anything else. If he had not showed up, more than one of those grocery bags she was
