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chapter 53
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Kaugnay na kabanata
My Contract Love Story Chapter 54
“Alana's family closely mirrors mine, but with a far broader network. Her grandfather served as the vice chancellor of the college in his early days and later became a major benefactor to the institution. Several buildings on campus bear his name, including the cafeteria where we currently sat. Her influence in Robin extends widely; she could easily make or break your career if she chose to." Damien leaned in as he spoke, and his two friends nodded in agreement."Moreover, she's in a high social position and has been mingling with the student body. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve heard of you since you arrived... Ashleigh, what did you say your last name was again?" Arthur interjected, his tone slightly condescending. Ashleigh felt her ears grow warm with embarrassment."Hartman. Not that it matters. I don’t think she'd go that far over a failed question," Ashleigh replied, trying to sound dismissive, but her words were met with unblinking stares.“If you say so. I’m just giving you
My Contract Love Story Chapter 55
Ashleigh walked away from the previous day's events without realizing that by the next morning, she would be the talk of the department. It was Saturday morning, and Ashleigh had planned to sleep in, enjoying a rare weekend of rest. However, she was roused from her slumber by the persistent ringing of her phone, which vibrated against her bed. Groggily, she reached out in the direction of the phone, still half-asleep, and picked it up, eyes closed.“What?” she groaned as she answered the call, placing it against her ear.“What did you do yesterday in class?” the voice on the other end asked. Ashleigh squinted, trying to place the caller's identity.“Sorry, who is this?” she asked, her confusion evident.“Damien. Does that ring a bell? Anyway, back to my question—what happened in class yesterday?” Damien asked, his tone urging her for an answer.“Nothing much. Why do you keep asking about this, Damien?” Ashleigh replied, trying to recall if something unusual had occurred in class.“Bec
My Contract Love Story chapter 56
“I told you clearly that we’re going to the club tonight. Why did you dress like it’s a picnic at home?” Arthur asked, his gaze fixed on her through the side mirror. “This is what I had... is it that bad?” she replied defensively, and Arthur rolled his eyes in response. “Haven’t you been to the club, Ashleigh?” he questioned. She shook her head cluelessly. “Are you surprised, Arthur? Ashleigh uses the bus to get around, so don’t expect much from her,” Damien interjected, his eyes fixed on the road as he drove. Arthur turned to look at Ashleigh and shook his head in disappointment. “Enough said... drive on, Damien,” he said, holding his hand up in silent disapproval as he flopped back dramatically into his seat. Soon enough, they arrived at a private department store. Arthur showed his membership card, and they entered the store. He went straight to business, while Ashleigh followed behind him with the store attendants, and Damien sat on a couch to wait. Arthur selected a few opti
My Contract Love Story chapter 57
Ashleigh’s heart pounded as she sprinted through the dimly lit underground parking lot, her breath coming in sharp gasps. She’d seen Megan and those two guys earlier; they had been leaving the building just before her. Now, the parking lot was deserted. Ashleigh glanced around anxiously, trying to piece together the sequence of events. As she exited the lot and headed toward the street, her mind raced with fear.“Why can’t I find them?” she muttered to herself, her voice trembling. “It was only a minute between when they left and when I followed.” She scanned the alleyways adjacent to the building, each darkened passage holding only eerie silence.As she reached the third alley, a chilling sound pierced the quiet—cries of distress. Ashleigh’s pulse quickened. She peered into the dimly lit alley and her stomach dropped. There was Megan, pinned against the wall by the two men from earlier. One man held Megan’s arms forcefully against the wall, while the other was lifting her gown. The s
My Contract Love Story Chapter 58
“This is not Megan, sir. This is Ashleigh Hartman. Megan’s currently in the hospital.” The gentle yet firm voice cut through the room, casting a palpable heaviness in the air. Mr. Turner swallowed hard, his gaze flicking nervously from the terrified assistant to his boss, who glared darkly at the phone. The tension in the room seemed to intensify with each passing second. Earlier... After their heated argument, Adrian had retreated to Italy, seeking solace in his mother’s company and the familiar rhythm of business at Cagliari Industries. The trip was intended to be a period of both personal and professional reflection. It offered him a chance to delve into Ashleigh’s background, to sift through her family’s history and their business dealings. Adrian reminded himself that his primary goal for marrying Ashleigh was to further his own ambitions. Her feelings, whatever they might be, were merely a means to an end. He resolutely chose not to address her probing questions about his emo
My Contract Love Story chapter 59
As the sun began its ascent, its warm rays crept through the ward room's window, casting a soft glow over the space. Ashleigh, nestled on the couch, stirred awake. The couch had been uncomfortable the night before, but fatigue had dulled her discomfort, making it tolerable. Megan, however, was just beginning to rouse from a fitful sleep. Confusion clouded her mind at first. She glanced around the unfamiliar hospital room, her heart racing with a blend of fear and disorientation. It took a moment for reality to sink in, and when it did, she was overwhelmed by the memories of the previous night. Her skin crawled as she recalled the disturbing incidents where the men from the party had invaded her personal space. Silent tears streamed down her face as she lay there, trying to process her trauma.The muffled sound of Megan's distress woke Ashleigh. She bolted upright, concern etched on her face as she rushed to Megan's bedside. "What happened, Megan? Are you in pain? Should I call the do
My Contract Love Story Chapter 60
“Now that I see you, it makes sense why he’s like that,” Alexander remarked, studying her with a reserved gaze.“What makes sense? Did you meet Adrian?” Ashleigh asked, stepping closer at the mention of Adrian.Alexander observed the eagerness in her eyes and internally rolled his eyes. The couple seemed to share many similarities.“I thought you said I was wrong earlier?” he mused, but Ashleigh ignored his teasing.“Did he tell you about our relationship?” she pressed, her eyes gleaming with hope.“He mentioned there was a relationship but didn’t specify the nature of it. I figured it out on my own,” he said, recalling his conversation with Adrian the previous night.“Oh...” Ashleigh murmured, averting her gaze as she tried to hide her disappointment.“By the way, I appreciate your help with my fiancée. Your timely intervention ensured her safety,” he said, and Ashleigh offered a weak smile in response.“It’s nothing. Your girlfriend, however, doesn’t share the same sentiment,” she s
My Contract Love Story Chapter 61
Ashleigh spent the rest of the weekend deep in thought. By Monday, she was still torn between reaching out to Alexander for help with Adrian or deciding if contacting Adrian was even worth the trouble. For now, her midterms were her primary concern, so she got ready to meet Damien, Arthur and Oliver. Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. Seeing Fiona’s name flash on the screen, she winced, remembering she hadn’t spoken to Fiona or James since the office party.“Hi, Fiona! How are you?” she answered, trying to sound cheerful, but a loud male voice boomed in the background, nearly deafening her.“I told you she was alive, Fiona! She just didn’t want to call us. And her phone’s working fine, too,” James voice boomed in the background, his footsteps growing louder as he neared the phone.“James, don’t talk like that! I’ve just been busy settling into college,” Ashleigh replied, her voice tinged with guilt for neglecting her friends.At first she had been preoccupied with her arg
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My Contract Love Story Chapter 76
Adrian’s office was heavy with silence, the kind that pressed down on the air like a suffocating weight. Mr. Turner sat quietly in the corner, doing his best to make himself invisible. He’d worked with Adrian Cagliari for years and had witnessed many of his moods: sharp anger, cold detachment, and moments of ruthless efficiency. But today, there was something different—something he couldn’t quite define.Adrian sat behind his massive oak desk, his fingers steepled, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the window. He hadn’t said much since they returned from the hospital. His posture was as composed as ever, but the set of his jaw and the faint crease in his brow hinted at something far more volatile simmering beneath the surface.Turner shifted in his chair, his instinct to speak overridden by experience. He had long since learned that silence was often the safest response when Adrian’s mood darkened. Especially now, when the man who normally seemed invincible looked... troubled.The quiet
My Contract Love Story Chapter 75
Adrian gazed at Ashleigh's fragile form, curled up in the backseat of the sleek black BMW. Her breathing was shallow, her brows occasionally furrowing as she shifted in her sleep, her pale hospital gown clinging to her delicate frame. His eyes lingered over her face, tracing every familiar feature—the soft curve of her lips, the faint shadow beneath her eyes, her slender hand supporting her head. It had been so long since he’d last seen her, and he couldn’t tear his gaze away.The steady rhythm of raindrops against the window and the gentle hum of the car’s engine were the only sounds in the silence. Up front, Mr. Turner and the driver remained still, sensing the tension radiating from Adrian. The mood was heavy, laced with unspoken anger that simmered just beneath his composed exterior.The drive back to the mansion had been filled with Adrian’s restrained fury. The sight of Ashleigh in that hospital bed, weakened and vulnerable, had ignited something he hadn’t felt in a long time—a
My Contract Love Story Chapter 74
The room was unnervingly still, the kind of silence that presses down on you, suffocating. Ashleigh lay stiffly in the hospital bed, her body motionless but her mind racing. The IV drip attached to her arm was slowly delivering something meant to make her sleep, but sleep had become a foreign concept. Her thoughts kept pulling her back to the past twenty-four hours, playing on repeat like a nightmare she couldn’t escape.Through the thin walls, she could hear Arthur talking in the hallway, his voice sharp, clearly dismissing whoever had come to visit her. He was keeping them away, and she was grateful for it. The whole school had seen the video—everyone was talking about it. But nobody was saying anything good.Ashleigh felt dirty. Filthy. Her skin crawled as if it had absorbed the shame of the entire incident. Damien’s cold indifference hadn’t helped. The memory of him walking out as soon as she woke up, ignoring her calls, was a fresh wound. She understood why he didn’t want to see
My Contract Love Story chapter 73
After the photo session, Adrian glanced quietly at Mr. Turner, who lingered at the edge of the crowd. Mr. Turner immediately made his way over to Mr. LaRosa, likely preparing for their meeting. Adrian was about to leave as well but was stopped by Caelia. “Adrian, let’s go inside. The event is about to start,” Caelia said sweetly, gripping his arm. “I’d love for you to meet some friends after the wine launch.” Adrian saw through her playful tone but didn’t want to spoil her evening. With a resigned sigh, he gently pulled away from her grasp and nodded. They entered the venue together, and heads turned. Adrian ignored the stares, heading to the space reserved for him, while Caelia took center stage. The event proceeded smoothly, with Caelia confidently addressing the crowd. She spoke about the prospects of her new wine brand, impressing both her younger and older guests. Her every move exuded grace, and she played the role of the charming host flawlessly—yet her eyes constantly flicke
My Contract Love Story chapter 72
He sat in the backseat, staring at his reflection in the tinted windows. His face was calm, a mask perfected over years of maintaining control, yet beneath the surface, his thoughts churned like a stormy sea. It had been hours since he’d heard from Tristan or Jake about Ashleigh’s whereabouts. They had fallen silent. And in Adrian’s world, silence was never a good sign.A flicker of irritation crossed his expression as he checked his phone once again. Still no messages. His fingers hovered over the screen, tempted to call them, but he stopped himself. However, that nagging voice in the back of his mind—the one that had been whispering to him ever since La Mano Nera started sniffing around—was louder tonight. Too loud to ignore completely."Boss?" Mr. Turner’s voice broke through his thoughts. He was sitting beside the driver, turning slightly to face Adrian. "They’re expecting you on the red carpet. There’s a lot of press."Adrian tore his gaze from the wi
My Contract Love Story chapter 71
Adrian sat at his desk, bathed in the muted glow of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The night stretched beyond the glass, thick with inky darkness. He absently rubbed the corners of his eyes, eyes that hadn’t seen sleep in over 24 hours. The presidential suite, once a haven of luxury, had turned into a command center. Papers were strewn about, laptops hummed, and the room had the quiet buzz of efficient chaos. The city outside was lively with nightlife, yet Adrian remained locked in, poring over reports.The voice from the call earlier still rang in his head:"Boss, a few members of La Mano Nera have been tracking Ashleigh’s whereabouts. They've traveled to America for further investigation. We believe they've found either her home or her college."That message had shifted everything. His mind replayed the voice with eerie clarity. No matter how many bodyguards he assigned to Ashleigh, no matter how many layers of security he placed, the thought of danger lurking near her kept g
My Contract Love Story Chapter 70
Meanwhile, Ashleigh’s unconscious form lay on the cold, muddy ground behind the building. The hooded man standing over her grinned in satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with malice.“You two, drag her over there,” he ordered, gesturing toward a dark corner where trash was piled high. The stench of decay filled the air, making the men gag, but they followed orders, dropping Ashleigh into the filth.The hooded man stepped closer, pulling a small perfume bottle from his pocket and dabbing it on his mask to mask the horrid smell. As he knelt beside Ashleigh, his eyes traced her figure. Despite being covered in mud, she looked stunning, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.“Such a shame,” he muttered, his voice filled with contempt. “She’ll pay the price for what her friend did.”He signaled to the others to start recording, their phones aimed at the unconscious girl. He ran a hand down Ashleigh’s face, his touch lingering as she whimpered i
My Contract Love Story Chapter 69
The night was electric with energy. The music blared from the speakers, reverberating through the walls, while the lights flashed in hypnotic patterns, casting the room in vibrant hues. Oliver, Arthur, and Damien were in their element, dancing, laughing, and drinking to their heart's content. For Oliver, this was his natural habitat—he thrived on the chaos and excitement of parties. Arthur and Damien, on the other hand, had been laying low ever since the incident at the club, so tonight felt like a long-overdue release.After what felt like hours on the dance floor, the trio finally retreated to their table, sweating and out of breath. They flopped into their chairs, still buzzing with adrenaline. The others from their group remained on the dance floor, too wrapped up in the rhythm to notice their absence. Damien leaned back, taking in the sight of the room, while Oliver wrapped an arm around Sue, who had curled up on his lap, lips locked in a passionate kiss.Arthur was deep in conve
My Contract Love Story Chapter 68
The party was already in full swing when they arrived. Music thumped through the air, neon lights pulsed to the beat, and the hall was packed with students dancing, laughing, and drinking. Ashleigh stood at the entrance, momentarily overwhelmed by the chaos. She glanced at the others—they seemed unbothered, immediately diving into the festivities. “Alright, guys, let me introduce you to my friends,” Oliver announced, leading them deeper into the crowd. He grabbed Ashleigh’s hand, pulling her toward a table near the bar where a group of students sat. Upon seeing Oliver, the group erupted in greetings, their faces lighting up. Ashleigh was welcomed with curious glances as they invited them to sit. "Arthurrrr, it’s been too long!" one of the girls slurred, clearly tipsy. She reached across the table to grab his hand, her voice wobbling. Arthur laughed, apologizing with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Sorry! It’s been a crazy few weeks, but I’m here now to turn up!" Before he could say more,
