Ashley was wide awake the entire time that Jaxon and her son were sitting beside her as they watched the talking pig on the television. For the first time after her two lifetimes, Ashely felt incredulous about how this was the only time that the three of them sat as a family while watching a cartoon. A daily occurrence in a normal family was something akin to impossible for a family like Ashley, Jaxon, and Scottie. And this seemingly impossible event was happening right now, making Ashley tense all of a sudden. Like Ashley’s tense form, Jaxon acted as if he was entranced with the talking pig on the screen. Unmoving, Jaxon’s back was straight as he crossed his legs and arms. Scottie was the only one acting normal between the three of them. His little chubby legs dangled the sofa as he leaned to his mother’s side and his father’s side. His cute little cheeks were like buns and his eyes were twinkling happily. The odd tranquility was shattered by the ringing tone of Jaxon’s phone. On
The dazzling light focused on the stage, the buzzing of the people around the stage like a working bee each with a clear purpose, and the towering cameras attached to a wide range of variety equipment seemed so far away from the lone figure of a woman who was exuding indifference and nobility.The crew members, even the assistants of the famous celebrities invited by the production for this grand audition, could not help but glance—once or twice—in the direction of the woman.There was a hint of alienation from the woman’s willow brows but it did not affect her beauty nor did it make her pretty face offensive at all. Despite the subtle atmosphere which seemed to exclude the woman from the hustle and bustle of the crowd, she did not seem an outcast at all! In fact, it gave the illusion as if she was the queen who could not be bothered by the buzzing of the mere mortals around her.The woman was no other than Ashley Connor—the famous joke of the entertainment industry who was currently
It could be seen from Ashley’s meager amount of dresses in her wardrobe how the steward of the Elijah Family was indifferent to her. Before, Ashley did not mind this. In fact, her fucking love brain believed that being thrifty could make Jaxon see her in a different light.What a joke!In her years of marriage, not once did Jaxon give her a single present! Aside from the black card that he threw to her, nothing else was given!Now, with a divorce waiting for her, it would be cheap for that bitch to have everything while she got nothing! First, she would fill up her wardrobe with elegant and high-end dresses!A beautiful girl welcomed Ashley as soon as she entered LV’s store. The other sales lady looked her up and down. Seeing how she was wearing a simple skirt and ruffled crop top without any pieces of jewelry adorned around her neck, the sales lady scoffed and turned away.Ashley ignored her. With years of being the Madam Elijah, her vulgar bones had long been washed away. To keep up
The apartment Ashley owned was 300 sq. meters located at fifth floor at the center of the metropolis and surrounded by special economic zones. This was in her name and was given by the grandfather of Jaxon Elijah.In the past life, Ashley barely used this place. After all, most of her life was focused on Jaxon Elijah.But this time, Ashley came prepared. She already contacted a cleaning company before she brought Scottie here. So the moment she opened the door, she was not welcomed by a layer of dust. Instead, the place was spotless clean.“Mommy! Can I sleep with you?” Scottie bounced around. His clever eyes shone brilliantly when he saw a picture frame of him and his mother. This was recently a photo taken by his mother. He was so happy! His mother loved him!Ashley’s gaze towards her son was filled with nothing but tender love which hid the guilt and self-loathing. She would not let her mistakes tarnish the brilliance of her son—never again!“Of course! Scottie will always have a s
Ashley left the Elijah mansion with a heavy heart. She did not leave until the doors closed, separating her and her son for a few weeks. She was not used to the sudden silence.The moment she turned around, Ashley stood face to face with the man whom she was once obsessed with. But unlike before, there were no more fluctuations in her heart. Instead, she was looking at Jaxon Elijah with the feeling of a rival.“I will take Scottie again after my taping.”Ashley’s voice was not cold, but rather alienated. It was like talking to someone whom she did not care about which astounded both Harold and Jaxon.Not waiting for his reply, Ashley walked past Jaxon and Harold. This time, Jaxon’s brows were no longer indifferent as he sneered. He looked back at Ashley’s retreating figure.Countless thoughts flashed in Jaxon’s mind as he stared at her resolute back. Unlike before, Ashley Connor did not wear those vulgar and revealing dresses he disdained the most. Ever since she mentioned the divorce
The wool was sold according to the so-called quality from its pattern deemed lucky by the so-called experts and these were sold according to grams.The wool material was not expensive, but it was judged from a professional point of view.According to the experts, if the outer skin was good and the green rate was high, it would be marked as more expensive than ordinary wool.Of course, these so-called words of experts were still about gambling. Whether a person would take his chances or not depended on individuals.After all, no normal person could truly predict what was inside the jade stone (wool), and no one knows if there was green in the wool.Therefore, even if the experts’ evaluation was low or considered as waste, there was a high green probability.After all, these were all looking at luck.Because there are quite a few people in the store, no one was entertaining the newly arrived potential customers, but it was good.Ashley really did not like someone in the ear to chatter.
"Well, the little girl is good." Teddy praised, and immediately asked: "Do you want a check or transfer?""Transfer.” Ashley said. She took her specially opened bank card out which she created solely for this trip.“Alright.” Teddy immediately called to transfer money.In a few minutes, Ashley received a text message in her newly registered sim card. The 30 million already arrived and Ashley gave the jade to Teddy."This lady, do you still need to continue to solve the other wools?" asked Birk.Ashley nodded. She placed the wool next to the stone cutter master.Teddy, who got the multicolored jade, was ready to leave. But once he heard that Ashley still had a wool to be cut open, he stopped and watched.Because Ashley solved a piece of high-class jade, everyone was excited about the next stone.Although they all felt that Ashley could not have such good luck the second time around, they watched a new round of cutting. They couldn’t help but feel excited.It took more time to rub the s
"The jade stone has many characteristics. We can judge the internal condition of the jade stone according to these characteristics. Because from the perspective of petrology, the jade inside the jade stone has a certain correlation with the color of the outer skin. The characteristics of "songhua", "strap" and "skull" are important features for distinguishing the internal conditions of the jade stone."Teresa came prepared equipped with very professional—an attitude to teach Ashley knowledge, but the look of smug and disdain in her eyes sold out her intentions.Teresa was playing the knowledge of Ashley to show off his knowledge and satirize Ashley's ignorance.Teresa continued with an attitude of a Holy Mother who took pity on an ignorant woman—Ashley. “I’m looking at Miss’ wool and there’s no sling, no loose flowers, no shackles, I’m afraid. It won't be green."Because Teresa really made a lot of professional remarks, she was immediately appreciated by many people around her."I don
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