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Chapter 37

last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-06-29 13:12:17

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
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  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 38

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-30
  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 39

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-07
  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 40

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-09
  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 41

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-10
  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 42

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-11
  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 43

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-17
  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 44

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-18
  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 45

    A dull ache throbbed in Mr. Atkinson's head, a lingering echo of the electrical malfunction he'd spent hours fixing. He patrolled the silent staff quarters well past midnight, ensuring everyone was tucked in. Finally, at 2 am, the quiet shattered with the arrival of Mr. Cagliari, his ever-present bodyguards flanking him like shadows. They deposited their employer at the door with a curt nod before melting back into the night.Adrian shrugged off his jacket, handing it to Mr. Atkinson with a sigh that spoke volumes. The air crackled with tension, and Mr. Atkinson, a seasoned observer, knew to navigate cautiously."Good morning, sir," he ventured tentatively. "Your trip seemed… taxing."Adrian grunted in response, his long strides carrying him straight for the kitchen. A midday flight to Italy, fueled by a supposed family emergency, had landed him face-to-face with his mother's machinations. Lunch with Caelia, another unsubtle nudge towards an unwanted relationship, had devolved into a

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-07-22

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  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 102

    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

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 101

    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

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 100

    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

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 99

    “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

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 98

    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?

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 97

    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

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 96

    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

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 95

    “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

  • My Contract Love Story    Chapter 94

    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

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