“Scottie?” Ashley murmured incredulously under her breath. She looked away from the lens for a minute, took a deep breath, and looked into it again—only to see her son clinging for whatever reason to that huge man in black mask.
Nexus, who was back and who was holding his binoculars, could not help but frown as well. “Hold on.” He called Wolf in which the latter immediately answered. “What’s going on?”
Wolf, who successfully went out of the Cadillac without being noticed by the men in the SUV, was now hiding in a blind angle. He was crouching and looking over what was happening near the kid. Of course, he had seen Scottie’s reaction. But compared to Ashley and Nexus, he had a better view. He saw the look of reluctance in the child’s face.
This was something that Wolf first noticed after seeing Scottie clinging to the big masked man’s neck as if he did not
Ashley closed the door behind her in a very gentle way, too scared to wake up the exhausted child inside the hospital’s VVIP room. Her eyes quickly met Jaxon who was the only one who remained after an exhausting night. Although they were the only ones in the hallway, she could still see the patrolling soldiers, policemen, and their k-nine dogs outside the glass wall of the hallway.Jaxon handed Ashley a warm knitted blanket and a cup of steaming coffee which she took before she sat on the chair right outside her son’s private ward. “Did they answer?”Jaxon was in a dilemma. His team found out from the leader’s phone that his son was photographed secretly during the premiere night. They used this as a lead and found out about an actress named Atasha who had a beef with Ashley. His team focused on this motive and found out about another connection—Talia. The team had Atasha’s manager surrender Atasha’s phone as soon as possible. There, they found more traces of Talia. The same picture w
#Critics paid to promote Unmasked?##Unmasked’s Cecilia played by Actress Ashley received unanimous praise from the well-known critics of the industry?!##Unmasked#“Bad publicity is still publicity. Don’t read them. With all of your black materials, this is the most useful scandal ever. The people will be curious about your acting here. We need this curiosity!” Dylan yelled in whisper as he grabbed Ashley’s arm.Ashley pulled her arm and focused on transcribing the script of The Wedding. A gorgeous flight attendant delivered the meal ordered by Dylan plus a glass of champagne.“Thank you, Gorgeous.” Dylan playfully winked at the smiling lady. He clicked his tongue. “We should have used this private plane since day one.”“Stop it. It’s gross.” Ashley groaned. She looked at her sleeping so
Atasha spent the night wondering how she ended up in this situation until she remembered one important detail—Talia. So she did the right thing she could think of.Atasha tiptoed across the room, left the room, and looked for Ashley’s room. She knocked all the doors that were booked by the crew, but Ashley was not there. When Chowen opened his door, he was quite shaken after seeing a disheveled Atasha which was very far from the glamorous look she always portrayed in and out of the camera.“Atasha, is everything alright?” Chowen thought of the worse. He stepped forward, looked behind her to see if she was being chased by predators or paparazzies. When he found nothing, he looked back at her in wonder. “What’s going on? I thought you are sick?”Seeing that it was not Ashley either, Atasha was about to leave when she thought of something. So she looked back again and stared at Chow
S.J. Cosmetics…this was the top brand in the country in terms of cosmetics industry. From young to old, everyone knew about this brand. Shockingly, this big brand did not belong to the Elijah Family. Over the past decade, this big brand started to slowly expand to the international market. Although as of today it had not yet gained a big impact compared to the internationally renowned brands from other countries, S.J. Cosmetics had already gained a firm foothold in the cosmetics industry.And over the years, all of the endorsers of S.J. Cosmetics were either actress who won big awards or models who were making a name in the fashion world.But this time, the S.J. Cosmetics brand wanted to try a new approach. Instead of appointing the next endorser after the previous one’s contract expired, the S.J. Cosmetics decided to drop a bomb that sent all social media platforms buzzing from excitement!S.J. Cosmetics wa
“Where’s your father?” Ashley immediately felt that something was amiss as soon as she entered the suite. She scanned the surroundings and found the empty study table setup by her nominal husband. That was his makeshift office ever since he insisted on being with her and her son which she did not mind so long as they would not take her son away from her.Scottie, who was reading a story book, beamed as soon as he noticed his mother. he dropped the story book and leaped towards Ashley with open arms. “Mommy!” His small arms quickly encircled Ashley’s waist as he smelled the familiar smell of his mother while bathing the warmth from his mother’s gentle embrace.Caressing her son’s fluffy hair, the corners of her lips could not help but curled up. All the fatigue from the endless interviews and mall shows vanished with this power hug. “Little dumpling, where’s your Dad?”&
Whilst Ashley was having the fun of her life with her son, Talia was now facing Vulcan Elijah.It was supposed to be a very beautiful afternoon. Overlooking the spacious and fairy-looking garden while seated in garden viewing hall connected to the outdoor dining area, Vulcan Elijah was leisurely feeding the carps below. It was as if he was the only one in the area even though there was a trembling and pale-looking Talia behind him.The moment Talia arrived at the airport, she was immediately intercepted by Vulcan’s men. Talia knew right there and then that something was wrong. Her eyes flashed with sinister gleam upon remembering Atasha’s last text message to her.Although she did not really get what happened. She knew she was being blamed as the master mind behind that little bastard’s kidnapping incident—she only wished she did that but no!Talia felt that she was being blin
Ashley was basking under the sun with her son while eating their favorite pasta outside the cozy restaurant located at the suburbs of K City.She did not participate in any bidding nor did she solve the raw jade stones. She just bought all the wools that she felt had a top-grade jadeite inside.Now, the mother and son were exchanging notes about Ashley’s knowledge with wools and Scottie’s observation during the process.They were laughing and talking animatedly as they enjoyed themselves when two devices rang at the same time. The mother and son looked at each other. The bigger one answered her phone and the smaller one answered the call from his smart watch.“Hello?” They both answered, eyes looking at each other in bewilderment.At the same moment, the two pairs of eyes widened in shock. The smaller one had fear, sadness, and worry in his eyes. The bigge
The mother and son watched as they checked on Talia.She was awake with minor injuries and she was not far from being discharged. The moment she opened her eyes, she looked fearful, shocked, excited, then disappointed.Ashley saw these fleeting emotions from Talia which made her frown. She was about to get out of the room and bring her son to rest first when Talia’s first question as soon a she woke up stopped Ashley from her tracks.“Why are you still alive?”Ashley abruptly stopped. Her heart thumped and a very bad premonition washed upon her. Slowly, she looked back to verify one thing.Ashley met Talia’s pair of deep eyes.Talia was indeed looking at her. Somehow, she had a very bad guess. But this time, Ashley did not want to entertain such thoughts because it would be a disaster if it was indeed the case.&ld
Five months had passed since Ashley and Jaxon decided to give their family a true second chance.Now, seated in the plush back seat of their luxury SUV, Ashley’s fingers traced over the financial reports on her tablet screen. The elegant logo of Rosemary Jewelry and Rosemary Real Estate gleamed in the corner, a reminder of the empire she had built with her own hands. At the time, these companies were meant to be her insurance, a safeguard in case she had to walk away from Jaxon and start anew. But now, things had changed. She had chosen to stay. To build not just a business empire, but a family.The numbers on the reports reflected her hard work.Rosemary Jewelry, a brand that had once been a small passion project, was now a name whispered among high society. Celebrities, heiresses, and tycoons adorned themselves with her pieces, and international boutiques clamored for exclusive contracts. On the other hand, Rosemary Real Estate was a rising force, acquiring prime properties and maki
The steam clung to Ashley’s skin as she stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. A plush towel was wrapped securely around her body, but she hardly paid attention to the fabric covering her as she reached for the hairdryer on the vanity. The sound of movement near the closet made her pause.She turned her head—and then froze.Jaxon stood with his back to her, his broad shoulders flexing as he ran a towel through his damp hair. The dim lighting of their bedroom accentuated every ridge and valley of his toned muscles, the chiseled perfection of his body honed through years of discipline and training. But it wasn’t just the raw masculinity of his physique that stole Ashley’s breath—it was the dark, intricate ink stretching across his back.Her name was there.Ashley Elijah.Just beneath it, an elegant script detailed a date—one that sent an icy shiver down her spine. The date of her death in her past life.Her breath hitched in her throat, her pulse thrumm
Jaxon Elijah sat in his office, his fingers pressed against his temples as he listened to Harold recount the details of Henry Deneuve’s confrontation with Ashley. The more Harold spoke, the more Jaxon’s fury burned like an unrelenting inferno. His jaw clenched, his breathing steady yet deep—a dangerous calm before the inevitable storm.Henry Deneuve had dared to threaten his wife? To speak to Ashley as if she were some scheming outsider rather than the woman who had suffered and endured to reclaim her rightful place? Jaxon would not tolerate it. Not now. Not ever."Prepare the package," Jaxon finally spoke, his voice devoid of emotion but carrying an unshakable weight. "Everything we've collected on Henry over the years. I want him to see every dark secret, every skeleton buried in his past."Harold nodded without hesitation. He knew his boss well enough to recognize that this was not a moment for questioning. This was a moment of execution. The Elijah Consortium did not deal in empty
Ashley stood before the towering glass doors of an exclusive luxury boutique, her heart thudding in her chest. It was a strange sensation—one part excitement, one part apprehension. She had never done this before, never had the chance to bond with a mother over something as trivial yet meaningful as shopping. The mother she had known, the one who had raised her until she passed away, was a distant memory, blurred and bittersweet. And Camilla Connor, the woman who played the role of stepmother, had only ever used the idea of motherhood as a tool to manipulate and belittle her. But now, standing beside Uriel Deneuve, her real mother, Ashley was finally about to experience something she never had before.Uriel, graceful and poised, exuded the quiet confidence of someone who had spent her life in wealth and power yet carried an air of warmth that Ashley hadn’t expected. She reached out, gently squeezing Ashley’s hand. “Are you ready, ma chérie?” she asked in a soft voice, her foreign acce
Ashley stood in front of the grand estate, her heart pounding against her ribcage. The Deneuve estate was nothing short of magnificent, with its towering gates, sprawling gardens, and a mansion that exuded centuries of prestige and power. She had been through countless battles in life—both emotional and physical—but standing here, waiting to meet the people who had given her life, felt like the hardest thing she had ever faced.Jaxon stood beside her, his presence a solid wall of support. He hadn't said much on the way here, knowing that no words could ease the storm brewing inside her. Instead, he simply held her hand, giving her strength in his silence. Ashley squeezed his hand briefly, grateful that despite everything, he was here.The gates opened slowly, revealing a long driveway lined with aged oak trees. A butler approached them with practiced grace, bowing slightly. "Madam Ashley, Master Jaxon, welcome. Mr. and Mrs. Deneuve are waiting for you inside."Ashley took a deep breat
Ashley stood before the grand gates of the Connor estate, her heart pounding in her chest. The towering iron gates, adorned with intricate gold embellishments, loomed before her like a silent guardian of the past she was determined to unearth. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the leather straps of her handbag. She had spent years believing in lies, believing that Fred Connor was her father, believing that she was a part of this family despite never truly belonging. But today, she was here to uncover the truth.The guards hesitated for a moment before opening the gates, recognizing her instantly. Despite the years of neglect and mistreatment, Ashley was still considered a Connor by name, a title she never truly wanted but was forced to bear. As she stepped onto the estate grounds, memories flooded her mind—the cold stares, the whispered insults, the forced smiles at extravagant galas where she was paraded as the ‘honored’ daughter of the Connor family.She was led
Ashley sat on the edge of their massive bed, her fingers gently tracing the embroidery on the soft duvet. The silence in the room was thick, heavy with unspoken words and lingering ghosts of the past.Jaxon stood a few feet away, his broad shoulders tense, his hands buried in his pockets as he gazed out the window at the night sky. The soft glow of the city lights cast shadows on his face, making him look almost unreachable, almost like the man he used to be—the man who had once broken her heart over and over again.She took a deep breath, summoning the courage she needed. "Jaxon, we need to talk."He turned immediately, his dark eyes locking onto hers with a mix of worry and determination. He had been waiting for this conversation just as much as she had."I know," he said, taking a step toward her. "I’ve been waiting for you to be ready."Ashley nodded. "I need to know, Jaxon. I need to know what’s next for us. For Scottie. For this family."Jaxon exhaled sharply and walked toward h
The sun cast long golden streaks through the hospital window, bathing the pristine white room in a warm glow. Ashley sat at the edge of the bed, absently running her fingers over the sleeve of her hospital gown. She was ready to leave. The doctors had confirmed it that morning—she was strong enough to be discharged. But even as she prepared to return to her life, an unsettling weight pressed down on her chest.Scottie sat on the couch near the window, staring out at the world beyond the glass. He hadn’t spoken much that morning. He hadn’t smiled either.Jaxon stood near the door, his arms crossed as he watched them both carefully. His sharp eyes missed nothing, least of all the way Ashley clenched her hands together as if trying to steady herself, or how Scottie’s small shoulders seemed to shrink under an invisible burden.They were leaving this place, but the horrors of that night still clung to them, unwilling to release their hold.Ashley inhaled deeply and released a slow, shaky b
The air surrounding the Elijah Consortium’s headquarters was heavy with tension. What was once the most dominant empire in the business world was now teetering under pressure from an equally formidable opponent—the Rostishire Family. The emblem of crows, their unmistakable mark, was beginning to loom over the Elijah Family’s empire, signaling the coming of a war that was as much about power as it was about revenge.It had been three weeks since Izana Rostishire had disappeared without a trace. No ransom note, no communication, no evidence—just an eerie silence that enraged the Rostishires to no end. The head of the family, Reginald Rostishire, was a man of calculated ruthlessness, and the disappearance of his only son had turned him into a force of nature, an entity that would stop at nothing until his heir was returned.While Reginald was known for his composure, the movements he had been making in the corporate world were anything but subtle. The Rostishires had begun to sink their