Bleary-eyed and throbbing with pain, Ashleigh finally cracked open her eyelids. The day was already bright, the morning long gone. Lifting a hand to her head proved a monumental task, met with a fresh wave of nausea. A groan escaped her lips as she attempted to sit up, but the sound was cut short by the approaching footsteps."Footsteps?" she thought, bewildered. Room service wouldn't enter a locked room, so who could it be? Her questions were answered abruptly by a familiar voice."Mrs. Ashleigh, you're awake! Chef Larry whipped up a special concoction for hangovers," chirped Susan, causing Ashleigh to snap her eyes open in a jolt, disregarding the spike of pain that accompanied the movement.Panic washed over her as she took in her surroundings. She was back in the mansion, specifically her room. Her mind reeled. Noticing the shock etched on Susan's face, she squinted and croaked,"I… I was brought back?""Yes, the boss brought you home early this morning. He instructed that you sho
Surprise contorted Ashleigh's features. This wasn't how she envisioned her return."Where are they?" she pressed, urgency lacing her voice. Her colleagues pointed towards Mrs. Smith's office before dispersing back to their duties.A frantic rush of movement carried Ashleigh through the door, where she found Mrs. Smith mid-conversation on the phone. James and Fiona stood before her, fear etched on their faces. Relief flickered in their eyes upon seeing her. Ashleigh rushed towards them, engulfing them both in a tight hug."Ashleigh! We were worried sick!" Fiona exclaimed in a hushed whisper. "You disappeared the next morning, no message, no call, nothing!"Remembering the abruptness of her departure, Ashleigh could only manage a weak smile."My apologies, Fiona. My leaving was… hasty. An emergency came up, and I had to rush out."James, unconvinced, raised an eyebrow. "At midnight? What kind of emergency couldn't wait until morning? Besides, you were hammered and went straight to sleep
Ashleigh's jaw clenched tight. "Absolutely not," she gritted out, her voice barely a whisper above a growl. Adrian met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Then consider this conversation over," he finished, his voice devoid of emotion as he redirected his attention to the paperwork littering his desk. Silence descended upon the room, heavy with tension. Ashleigh forced herself to take a deep breath, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "With all due respect, Mr. Cagliari," she began, her voice calmer this time, "I fail to see how firing me or my friends will solve anything." Adrian leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers before him. "On the contrary, Mrs. Cagliari. From the beginning, we've been at odds over you working here after our marriage. Between your household duties and your workload, it all contributed to your breakdown." Ashleigh's temper flared. "That was because—" she started, but Adrian held up a hand, silencing her. "Yes, I know," he conceded, his
In the following days, the whispers surrounding Ashleigh's resignation faded to a dull hum. Assigned to the executive floor, she found the pace far more relaxed. Fewer offices meant less hustle and bustle, and the remaining space was dedicated to conference rooms and media events. The only real disruption was the constant presence of the company owner himself.Back home that night, after hours of stewing in silence, Ashleigh made a decision. She wouldn't let Adrian turn her into a pawn in his elaborate game. Until she found a way to regain the upper hand, silent compliance seemed the best course of action.Adrian, however, took full advantage of her presence on his floor. He piled on the tasks, transforming her workload into a relentless beast. Breaks were confined to the snack room, where Mr. Turner, ever dutiful, presented lunch for Adrian alongside a weary Ashleigh. Any lull in her schedule was promptly filled with nonsensical errands. By day's end, she was a mindless automaton, co
The door creaked open, shattering the charged atmosphere and jolting them both back to reality. Mr. Turner, mid-conversation with a group outside, caught a glimpse of the scene unfolding in the office. He quickly ushered the visitors out, muttering about needing a few minutes.Ashleigh's cheeks burned a fiery crimson. The near-miss sent a jolt of panic through her, and she struggled even harder to disentangle herself from Adrian's embrace. But he remained unyielding.A kaleidoscope of emotions warred within Adrian. Relief, a strange and unwelcome sentiment, washed over him at Mr. Turner's interruption. His behavior in the past few minutes had been uncharacteristically impulsive. But a stronger current of anger surged through him, directed at his oblivious secretary for shattering the moment. His piercing gaze pinned Mr. Turner in place, silently demanding the man understand the situation and leave."I-I apologize, Boss," Mr. Turner stammered, his voice barely a whisper under the withe
A surreal sense of accomplishment washed over Ashleigh as she sat in her room, surrounded by mountains of clothes. Susan, her ever-reliable assistant, meticulously folded them into a large suitcase, a team of helpers bustling around her. The news of her acceptance into Robin College had arrived a week ago, yet the memory of jolting awake from the couch, sleep forgotten in a surge of joy, remained vivid. Back home, she'd found the official letter nestled amongst her mail, a crisp confirmation that she was to report to campus for a mandatory freshman orientation that very weekend.The news had been met with ecstatic reactions – her aunt and friends bursting with pride, the latter particularly curious about the sudden turn of events. Sharing the news with Larry and Susan had set off a joyous chain reaction, with Susan spreading the word amongst the other staff members. The week since had flown by in a whirlwind of excitement."Madame," a familiar voice cut through Ashleigh's daydream, st
Ashleigh grumbled as she climbed the stairs. It seemed everyone was picking on her today, constantly bringing up Adrian. Why did they hold this perception of their relationship? They were hardly affectionate or a love couple. Perhaps her behavior unintentionally portrayed otherwise. But Adrian, the constant subject of their whispers, hadn't even bothered to address the events of the previous week. Pushing those thoughts aside, Ashleigh focused on getting ready for the night's festivities.By 7 pm, everyone had gathered in the event hall. Mr. Atkinson and Susan had opted for a simple yet elegant design. Beach-themed decorations were strategically placed, adding a touch of whimsy. The stage was more elaborately decorated this time.A "Congratulations!" banner flanked by streamers adorned the background. An upgraded karaoke machine boasted various microphones, and additional games promised to spice up the evening. The entrance table, overflowing with culinary delights, showcased Chef Lar
With a determined glint in her eye, Susan announced, "Unfortunately, it seems our boss won't be joining us for karaoke tonight. But hey, the night's been fantastic so far, and we can't let that dampen our spirits! Let's get this karaoke party started!" A wave of cheers erupted from the crowd, quickly dispelling any disappointment. Mocktails, meticulously prepared beforehand, were distributed to lighten the mood. While most were non-alcoholic, a few cheeky younger staff members saw an opportunity for mischief. They pretended to request refills, distracting the assistants while their friends surreptitiously spiked some of the remaining mocktails. One particular young man exchanged a knowing glance with Chef Larry as he passed by. Larry acknowledged him with a subtle nod, his gaze flickering towards a disheartened Ashleigh. All evening, Larry had been waiting for this moment. Adrian's absence was the icing on his cake. Without him there, his plan would be much easier to execute. It wa
The conference hall fell into stunned silence as Adrian’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. His presence alone was commanding, but his words sent an even stronger shockwave through the room. Ashleigh’s grip tightened on the edge of her chair, her heart hammering as she watched him walk toward the panelists with unshaken confidence. He’s here.The chairman, clearly unsettled but attempting to maintain control, cleared his throat. “Mr. Cagliari, this is a formal hearing. You cannot simply barge in and disrupt the proceedings.”Adrian’s lips curled into a smirk, his posture radiating quiet authority. “And let you pass judgment based on incomplete, biased information?”Murmurs rippled through the panelists, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. He strode to Ashleigh’s side, taking the empty seat beside her. His presence alone shifted the energy in the room, making the panelists exchange wary glances.Mrs. Cartwright however kept expression sharp, and leaned forward. “That’s a bo
The evening skyline burned with hues of orange and gold as a black SUV wove through the city’s traffic. Inside, Adrian flicked his gaze to his watch, then to the black envelope resting between his fingers. The insignia embossed on it caught the dim light, a silent reminder of the night’s purpose. Mr. Turner sat in front, assisting the driver in navigating towards the hotel.A low vibration from the phone interrupted the quiet, and he handed it over to Adrian."Mr. Cagliari, how is everything going?" Beau’s voice came through the speaker. Adrian exhaled, his tone smooth but unimpressed. “I’ll update you when I get there. I’m still en route.”Beau huffed. “Ashleigh and I went through a lot to get that card into your hands, so kindly make it worthwhile, sir.”Adrian’s fingers traced the insignia on the card, recalling the bank’s call from earlier. A smirk flickered across his face. “Must’ve been quite the ordeal. The bank took notice, after all.”“Oh, it was,” Beau replied. “Your wife s
Ashleigh stepped out of the car and Beau followed suit, looping his hand around hers with a witty grin.“Are you ready to put on a show?”She exhaled lightly, gazing at the Gold card in her palms. The weight of it felt heavier than it should but she didn’t hesitate. If Adrian wanted to meddle in her world, he ought to feel the consequences.She slipped the card into her clutch and met Beau’s gaze, her expression cool.“Let’s make this count.”Beau chuckled, sliding on a pair of designer sunglasses. “Now you’re speaking my language."They walked in through the glass door being held by a door man and the minute they stepped in, the atmosphere shifted. The boutique dripped elegance as walls were decked with paintings and high ranking celebrity autographs and perfumes were presented like a work of art. The air was filled with various exotic fragrances as a few customers milled around quietly testing the scents andAshleigh immediately understood what Beau meant.A woman in a sleek black
The weight of the day’s task pressed against Ashleigh’s chest as she sat at the dining table, dulling her appetite. Her mind churned with everything she needed to do today—tracking down the perfumer before her panel meeting tomorrow, smoothing things over with Arthur, Fiona, and James.She needed their support now more than ever. Beau on the other hand, was carefree as ever. He hummed under his breath, tapping his fingers idly against his plate as he ate.“Babygirl, you’ve barely touched your food.” He commented, and Ashleigh looked up to find him and Susan both watching her with concern. Ashleigh clenched her fork and stabbed a piece of pancake, exhaling sharply. “I can’t eat right now. There’s too much on my mind.”Susan stepped forward, likely about to insist she eat, but Ashleigh raised a hand to stop her. “Don’t bother, Susan. I’m not eating until we get that person.”Susan hesitated before stepping back, defeated.Ashleigh turned to Beau, bringing her glass to her lips. “Do yo
Ashleigh barely noticed her hand trembling until Susan spoke up.“Miss you’re trembling, are you okay?” Her gaze dropped from the scenery outside to the car seat where her hands quivered. She clenched them into fists, forcing herself to take deep slow even breaths.“I’m fine, Susan.” She mumured lowly, willing herself to believe herself to believe it was true.But she wasn’t fine. Not after what happened at the cafe. Meeting James and Fiona unexpectedly disrupted all she had planned to discuss with Arthur, and left her with more built than clarity. And there was Adrian, who’s texts drew more suspicions due to her actions. It seemed to her that it was on purpose, and her jaw tightened as they pulled into the Cagliari mansion.He was going to answer for it.Ashleigh stepped out of the car and walked into the mansion burning with frustration. She was ready to confront Adrian, until she saw who was sitting beside him.She stopped in her tracks. “No way.......”A sharp, knowing grin stret
Ashleigh felt the world around her blur into silence. The café, once a warm haven of familiar scents and quiet chatter, now felt suffocating. Across the table, three sets of eyes burned into her—Fiona’s sharp, unwavering stare, James’s disapproving frown, and Arthur’s cool, assessing gaze. The weight of their scrutiny made her throat tighten, but the real pressure came from the phone resting on her lap, as heavy as a brick. Adrian’s name glowed on the screen, his text burning into her mind. Why aren’t you responding? I hope you haven’t lied to me again. Her fingers curled tightly around her phone, flipping it facedown before anyone noticed. But Arthur did. “Who was that?” His voice was neutral, but there was something unreadable in his expression, something sharp. “No one important,” she answered too quickly. His eyes narrowed. “Still lying, Ashleigh?” He let out a quiet sigh, shaking his head as he leaned back. “You’re insufferable.” Ashleigh swallowed, her grip tightening on he
The room was drenched in darkness, save for the flicker of a single bare bulb overhead. The silence was broken by the shuffling of chains and the faint drip of water pooling somewhere unseen. Tristan and Jake knelt behind the iron bars, their once-proud postures now bent with shame and fear. Adrian sat in the corner, cloaked in shadow. His piercing gaze cut through the dim light, fixed on the two men who had failed him. His fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair, the rhythmic tapping the only sound besides their labored breaths.“Boss, please,” Tristan started, his voice hoarse. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, evidence of the earlier punishment. “We didn’t expect the attack to happen then. We—”“You didn’t expect,” Adrian interrupted softly, his voice calm but laced with menace. “That’s the problem, isn’t it?” Jake flinched, his trembling hands gripping the bars.“We’re sorry, sir. We’ll make it right. Just give us another chance.” Adrian rose slowly, his impo
Ashleigh arrived at the dinner table, a rare giddy smile lighting up her face. For the first time in weeks, she felt like her life was falling back into place. Her conversation with Arthur had gone smoothly—he was relieved to hear she was safe and suggested they meet to discuss things in depth. She had agreed without hesitation. Yet, as she settled into her chair, her thoughts wandered to Adrian. Now came the hard part: convincing Adrian.Her heart sank slightly at the thought. She hadn’t seen him anywhere in the house since the call, which probably meant he was out for business. Good—she needed time to plan her approach.“Mrs. Ashleigh, you seem to be in a good mood,” Susan observed, interrupting her thoughts. Her assistant stood beside Chef Larry, helping him place steaming dishes on the table.“Yes" Ashleigh declared with a grin, sliding into her chair. “I am in a good mood”“I am beginning to feel like myself once again” she added, and Susan a
“Funny how you were so quick to leave last night, but you’re here now" Adrian mused casually, leaning against the closet, as Ashleigh placed the rest of her things in his closet.She paused mid-fold, her hands freezing momentarily before returning like nothing happened. She expected his words, yet it still managed to tug at her heart.“Just shut it, Adrian.” Ashleigh snapped instead, her voice sharp and defensive as she shot him a scowl over her shoulder.Adrian chuckled lowly, amused by her reaction. Although the situation was not ideal, he couldn’t hide his appreciation for the perpetrator, as it now brought Ashleigh to his side. And now, she will not be able to leave even if she wanted to. Once Ashleigh was done, she closed it and walked toward the center of the wide room, taking in it’s aesthetic. Unlike her room which was filled with lighter colors, and personal touches, Adrian used deep tones and neutral colored paintings and furniture. The room was also less decorated than Ashl