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Chapter 28
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2024-06-12 14:30:48Shock hung heavy in the air as Susan's frantic words echoed. Adrian, his face an unreadable mask, snapped his head towards Mr. Atkinson.
"Explain yourself," he demanded, his voice tight.Mr. Atkinson, flustered, stammered, "I wasn't informed, Mr. Cagliari. Apparently, Mrs. Cagliari is unwell." His gaze darted towards the anxious Susan."I tried to tell you," Susan blurted, "but Mrs. Ashleigh wouldn't let me raise an alarm."A mix of surprise and concern flickered across Adrian's face. He turned to Mr. Turner, his voice clipped."Get a doctor. Now." Mr. Turner scurried off, dialing on his phone.Unable to stay still, Adrian paced the hallway, his eyes flitting nervously between the stairs leading to Ashleigh's room and Mr. Atkinson."How long has this been going on?" he finally managed, his voice strained.Mr. Atkinson cleared his throat. "To my knowledge, since the beginning of the week. Mrs. Cagliari's been stu
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Tension crackled in the air, thick with unspoken words. Ashleigh, stung by Adrian's pronouncement, glared at him. The water glass trembled in her hand, mirroring the turmoil within her."Indefinitely?" she rasped, her voice barely a whisper but laced with anger."Who gets to decide that?" "Your husband," Adrian countered, his tone clipped."Convenient, isn't it?" Ashleigh shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "When it suits you to control or belittle my dreams, you're suddenly my husband.""Look who's talking," he retorted. "The woman who nearly threw her health away for a dream that surely could have waited.""Not 'a' dream, Adrian," Ashleigh pressed, her voice gaining strength. "My dream. You say it could have waited? How long exactly? Since I was a teenager, Robin College has been my aspiration. I've waited and yearned for this chance. This is my life, Adrian, not some trophy you can hand out or take away on a whim."He
Last Updated : 2024-06-13My Contract Love Story Chapter 30
Frustration simmered beneath the surface as Adrian tackled his work. He made calls, barked orders, and even slammed his laptop shut in irritation. Mr. Turner, ever cautious, kept his distance. Anything he did seemed to further irritate his already volatile boss.Despite the laser focus on his tasks, Adrian couldn't shake Ashleigh's words. Her accusations about his contribution to her workload echoed in his mind, successfully evoking a pang of guilt. The shrill ring of the phone shattered his concentration. He glared at Mr. Turner, who held the phone out with a questioning look."Sir, it's Dr. Brooke, Ashleigh's tutor," Turner announced."Answer it and hand it over," Adrian instructed, snatching the phone from Turner's grasp."Mr. Cagliari, good afternoon. I've been trying to reach you for weeks," Dr. Brooke's voice came through the line. "Your secretary mentioned you were unavailable.""Yes, Dr. Brooke, business has been demanding lately," Adrian explained, omitting his earlier instru
Last Updated : 2024-06-17My Contract Love Story Chapter 31
Ashleigh recoiled from Adrian's touch, her gaze darting nervously away. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm, threatening to escalate her fever."You're just trying to distract me from my frustration," she accused, her voice tight with suspicion. Adrian continued to smile, unfazed by her accusation."Actually," he countered nonchalantly, settling into the plush pink chair, "I simply wanted to get a closer look at you, like I did this morning. You seem to be the one reading ulterior motives into my actions."However, a hint of mischief danced in his eyes as he met her gaze. She couldn't ignore the playful spark that contradicted his seemingly earnest words."Regardless," Ashleigh said, her tone softening slightly, "I trust you'll keep your promise this time, Mr. Cagliari. But will it be possible to schedule the examination sometime after this week? Robin College is notoriously selective with their admissions.""Why waste your energy worrying about that right now?" Adrian replied, his voi
Last Updated : 2024-06-18My Contract Love Story chapter 32
For the next two days, Ashleigh remained confined to her room, recovering. Mr. Atkinson or Susan delivered all her meals, medications, and necessities. Though Adrian didn't stay constantly, he made a point to visit every evening for at least an hour after returning from work. During these visits, Ashleigh persistently questioned him about Robin College, but his answers remained frustratingly vague.By the weekend, Ashleigh felt strong enough to move around freely. Her eagerness to escape confinement meant breakfast would be her first outing. News of her recovery brought relief and joy to the staff. They eagerly awaited their Madame's return, and Chef Larry prepared a magnificent feast in her honor.Ashleigh woke up in a chirpy mood, bustling about the room with Susan. She wanted a complete transformation: fresh sheets and pillows, a lighter scent in the air, new curtains in a brighter color scheme, even a change in toiletries. Everything that reminded her of her gloomy week of illness
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Ashleigh, determined to clear the air with Adrian about his strange behavior towards Chef Larry, hurried up the stairs. Spotting him engrossed in a call as he neared his study, she sprinted down the hall to intercept him. Adrian, deeply involved in his conversation, didn't register Ashleigh's approach until she practically dashed in front of him, halting his progress towards the study door."Wait! I need to talk to you," she blurted, catching her breath as she leaned against the doorframe. He gave her a surprised look before finishing his call."That will be all for now," he said, pocketing his phone."What's wrong?" he inquired, concern replacing his initial surprise."We need to talk about Chef Larry," she started, noticing his brow furrow at the mention of the name."Is that so?" he replied, his tone guarded."Yes," she pressed, "your mood seemed off ever since I joined you at breakfast. And then you mentioned something about him being… intriguing?"Adrian studied her for a moment,
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"Are you sure we won't get in trouble at work, Ashleigh?" James, the ever-present voice of doubt, asked again, hoisting himself upright in his hammock. "You should have worried about that three days ago, James," Fiona countered, rolling her eyes beneath the cucumber slices adorning her face. "We're halfway through the week; why not enjoy it?" Ashleigh, nestled in the furthest hammock, hummed along to music filtering through her earbuds, blissfully unconcerned. James had initially balked at the idea of escaping to this secluded resort, but Ashleigh's fervent desire for a break from the city had swayed them. Nestled two towns away amidst a lush forest, the resort catered to luxury camping enthusiasts. Fiona, with a well-placed "favor" owed by the owner, secured them a discounted rate, while Ashleigh discreetly transferred a substantial sum into Fiona's account on the eve of their departure. Work and, more importantly, the mansion, were far from Ashleigh's mind. She'd informed he
Last Updated : 2024-06-20My Contract Love Story Chapter 35
Three days agoAdrian returned Monday night to the mansion with plans to see Ashleigh concerning her admission. After their last conversation on Saturday, he'd instructed Mr. Turner to contact Robin College's administration to discuss her admission. The news wasn't bad - the college was holding a stakeholder meeting the next morning, perfect for potential investors like Adrian. He'd arranged a trip immediately, leaving in the dead of night to secure Ashleigh's place.As expected, the school administration welcomed him with open arms. He laid out his plans for investment, with one crucial condition: Ashleigh's admission. The deal was finalized with eager acceptance. Eager to share his success and pick a suitable exam date with Ashleigh, Adrian rushed back home. But upon arrival, he was met with an empty house and the unsettling news that Ashleigh had gone to work and hadn't returned.He wasted no time calling Mrs. Smith, who informed him that Ashleigh was staying with her. While disple
Last Updated : 2024-06-24My Contract Love Story Chapter 36
The journey to Town Q had been uneventful, the real challenge lay in finding Ashleigh's exact location within its vast expanse. For hours, Mr. Turner and his team had tirelessly scoured the town, their efforts hampered by the knowledge that Ashleigh was likely hidden somewhere within the surrounding forest. The prospect of them aimlessly searching the entire town gnawed at Adrian.He reached the outskirts of Town Q and pulled over, dialling Mr. Turner's number in the car behind him. "Any progress?" he demanded, frustration lacing his voice. Mr. Turner's report mirrored the lack of progress that had plagued them for hours.Just as despair threatened to consume Adrian, his phone rang. His eyes narrowed as he saw Ashleigh's name flash on the screen. "Work fast," he barked to Mr. Turner, instructing him to trace the call, before answering."Hello," he said, his voice cool and controlled. Yet, his carefully constructed facade crumbled upon hearing Ashleigh's voice. It was a drunken giggle,
Last Updated : 2024-06-25
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Ashleigh adjusted the strap of her bag as she walked into her department, trying to keep her shoulders straight and her head high despite her nerves. Stiil, the buzz that erupted as she entered the class told her the news had already spread farther than she expected. The article Arthur sent this morning was now the latest buzz on campus.HOT: Ashleigh Hartman Spotted on Campus Yesterday with Security Detail! Click Here to Read the Full Article…The headline still echoed in her mind, she was unable to think of anything else after she finished reading it. Her heart pounded harder with every scroll as photos of her arrival, a blurry video of Tristan and Jake flanking her near the hostel. They speculated about her “wealthy sponsor”, giving theories about why she suddenly had so much security when she'd gone unnoticed in the first few weeks on campus. One paragraph even hinted that she was in “protective custody,” though it didn’t say what reason.Although the article didn’t mention Ad
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Ashleigh stepped through the hostel doors in a haze. Her body was here, but her mind was still trapped in the car that had sped off minutes earlier. The way Adrian kissed her… it felt like he wanted to take a piece of her soul with him. She had to use practically all of her willpower to claw her way out of his arms and make it here. As much as she loved the thrill of his touch, she hoped this wouldn’t become his new way of negotiating with her because she wasn’t sure how far he’d want her to go next time.“Miss!” the hostel manager called out, snapping her back to reality. She looked to see Miss Maisie and Mrs. Johnson eyeing her with a curt smile, their eyes showing mild concern.“I-I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked.Miss Maisie waved her hand gently. “We were just asking if you feel better Miss Hartman, we were informed of your departure due to illness” “I’m better now, thank you.”“Good.” Mrs. Johnson said, taking a seat behind the computer. “ We’ll begin the check-in proc
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As the sleek black sedan rolled to a slow stop in front of the administrative building, Ashleigh shifted uneasily in her seat. Her fingers clutched her bag a little tighter as she caught sight of students bustling past. She wasn’t sure which made her more uncomfortable: the imposing car she’d arrived in or the man beside her who had refused to leave her side since the other night.Adrian sat calm and collected, his expression unreadable as he reviewed documents with Mr. Turner seated in front. The two men discussed what seemed to be logistics campus security for her as if it were just another business transaction.Ashleigh gave him a sidelong glance, her jaw tightening. Although she had some reservations, everything about this moment still felt surreal to her. She wasn’t just coming to college like she stormed out the mansion two months ago, she was returning with Adrian by her side, and under his protection…. no matter how overwhelming it was at the moment. She turned her face towa
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“You said what? The stalker has been sending you messages?”Ashleigh’s froze as Adrian nodded with a grim expression. He turned the laptop to her, showing a glowing map of with scattered with glowing red dots across various regions.“ While I was in Italy, I had my private investigation team has been trace the message activity from your phone.” he explained, his voice low. “They have also monitored my messages as well. The patterns are much clearer now.”A chill ran down Ashleigh’s spine as her eyes scanned the map. Her college dorm,the library, the restaurant where she met Arthur, even the mansion were all marked.He clicked another window, and a black screen appeared with several lines of encrypted codes came up. “The last message was traced to Italy, and it has been confirmed this evening that the stalker is connected to an old Italian mafia organization.”Ashleigh’s brows furrowed, her pulse quickening. “Mafia?” she repeated, almost dumbfounded.Adrian’s next words were slower, h
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The confidence Ashleigh had when she ordered Mr. Atkinson to get the driver fizzled as the Tixton building loomed ahead. Her palms were clammy, and her heart pounded unreasonably fast.What exactly was she doing? What was she going to say? She had no plan.....only a widening pit in her stomach and a need to see Adrian that wouldn’t stop growing no matter how she tried to crush it.One more mistake and she’d look desperate.She grimaced in the back seat, chewing her bottom lip before pulling out her phone in a panic.Ashleigh: HELP, I’m panicking!! He wasn’t home, so I’m going to his office. I think I’ve lost my mind.She stared at the screen like her life depended on it, tapping her fingers against her thigh until Arthur's three dots appeared.Arthur: OMG girl😯! Didn’t know you had it in you to make a move so fast.... proud of you😉Ashleigh: Not a move. A disaster in motion. What do I even say to him? I’m shaking😭😭Arthur: First off, breathe. Second... isn’t it still the weekend?
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After Fiona and James left, Ashleigh had spent the whole Saturday devising possible ways to get Adrian’s attention. But each suggestion only made her realize how unmatched she was against a woman like Caelia. Though Arthur left her that evening with words of encouragement her heart remained heavy…. and her aunt took notice. The next morning, Mrs. Smith insisted on driving Ashleigh home herself, sending the driver back to his quarters for extra rest. Ashleigh was surprised to learn her aunt could drive but agreed anyway. Whilst Mrs. Smith maneuvered the car with ease, Ashleigh remained glued to her phone, glaring at a particular message— or rather, the lack of a response from Adrian.“He really knows how to make me feel shitty, doesn’t he?” she muttered as she saw her message marked as read.“What’s the matter, dream girl? Why so angry at your phone?” Mrs. Smith's voice broke through her thoughts. She glanced at Ashleigh before returning her focus to the road.Ashleigh quickly shoved
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The drive back to the Cagliari mansion was silent, but Adrian’s mind was anything but that.Megan’s words echoed in his mind, chipping at his indifference. Now, he fully understood how isolated Ashleigh had been at Robin College. Megan’s confession about her indifference stung, but he held back his anger— out of respect for Alexander, yes, but also because he knew that the main fault was with him. Ashleigh won’t be so affected by Megan’s treatment if he had been by her side. The realization gnawed at him. The car pulled into the driveway and he stepped out with purposeful strides. Mr Atkinson approached him with a slight bow, and he nodded in acknowledgement.“Welcome home sir. Any instructions for this evening? Will you be having dinner?”Adrian shook his head, replying curtly. “I won’t be having dinner tonight. I don’t want to be disturbed.”Mr. Atkinson nodded but hesitated before speaking again. “Sir, should I inform the kitchen about Mrs. Cagliari’s return tomorrow morning as we
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“Adrian! To what do I owe the pleasure or displeasure?” Alexander greeted, arching a brow as he leaned against the doorframe. Adrian didn’t bother with a response, pushing past him into the mansion. He wasn’t here for pleasantries.After reviewing the results of the investigation into Ashleigh’s supposed stalker, Adrian had been forced to acknowledge something that Ashleigh had been telling the truth, and he had never truly paid attention to her struggles. That realization led him here, to the one person who had spent the most time with her at school.He needed answers.“Babe, where are……oh.” Megan’s voice trailed off as she entered the room, stopping short when she saw Adrian standing beside Alexander.Her eyes flickered between them, uncertain. Alexander casually draped an arm around her waist in a grounding gesture.“Babe, this is my friend Adrian—the one I told you about,” Alexander said. Recognition flashed in Megan’s eyes.“Oh… hi. Nice to meet you.” Her voice was polite, but t
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The night was supposed to fun- a light-hearted escape from the stress of college and her marriage. But for Ashleigh, it was anything but that.While her friends lay passed out in their sleeping bags under, she sat on the couch staring at the empty bottles of wine on the coffee table, unable to sleep. No matter how hard she tried to distract herself, her thoughts kept circling back to Adrian and Caelia. The image from the article burned in her mind: the way they stood together, the warm smile on her face as she held him closely….. They looked perfect. They looked like the kind of couple Adrian and she were not.“Why should I care? It’s not like we were a real couple anyway” she thought bitterly, reaching for another bottle of wine.And yet, as she gulped it down, the bitterness in her chest remained…. Unwilling to leave. The more she thought about it, the more the pieces started to fit. A part of her felt cheated, her thoughts racing as she pieced everything together. His reluctance to
