All Chapters of My Contract Love Story : Chapter 81 - Chapter 86

“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

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 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