"I don't know, aunt," Ashely whines for the eleventh time, trying to wiggle her way out of the situation.She could hear her aunt hissing through that call: "I'm not taking no for an answer; you are coming down to Seattle for your cousin's engagement party, and that's final." With that, she cuts off the call, leaving no room for further argument.Ashley growls, keeping her phone aside on the sofa.Ashely and her aunt share a mutual relationship that consists of love and understanding. Her aunt, Rebecca, is the only one she can regard as family, as she's always been there for her since the death of her parents.Unlike her husband and kids, she's as soft and understanding as Ashley's late mother; she has never made Ashley feel otherwise as the others do.Ashely sighs, knowing that there is no way she's ever going to escape attending Alec's engagement party.She fears that her uncle and other relatives will be hard on her about the fact that she's yet to bring forth a man. Ashley has nev

"Aren't you going with a suitcase?" Lex questions, gulping on his cup of black coffee..Rhys grumbled, remembering his conversation with Ashley during the day at work; she specifically warned him not to bring any of his stuff, not even his outfit; she'd get him new ones when they got there.His appearance matters a lot to her, and she probably didn't want to be seen with him as he is now."She'll handle everything," Rhys responded after a deep silence.Lex giggled, "Technically, she's—or should I say, they are getting to see the dashing Rhys," he teased."More like vindictive," he sneers."No, man, not yet," Lex reminds him. "I can't wait for that time as well. You know what I like about you?"Rhys hisses, "Fuck off!""I'm still going to say it, you ass. Anyways, as I was saying before I got interrupted, you, Mr. Mickelson, have a way of scheming that they—our enemies—see coming till after the damage is done. The current upper hand you have in collapsing every fortune they've worked

Ashley's breath hitched as she saw her uncle walking towards them."I'll go grab a drink," Rhys mumbles, to which she nods before he leaves.She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding mentally, preparing herself for the insults that were yet to come."Ashley," he calls out, reaching for a hug and cutting her off guard.He placed his hands on her lower back and his lips next to her left ear. "What are you doing here with him?"She saw that question coming, but just as she had prepared for it, this wasn't going down without a fight, that's for sure."He's my date," she says barely above a whisper as he pulls back his gaze, hardening on her."Who is he?"She bit her lower lip, batting her eyelids for a second. "He's my man."His brows scrunched. "Don't give me that; what's his status, I mean?"Oh god!What was she going to say to him now? He won't even welcome the idea of her dating her assistant, who is an absolute nobody.That doesn't happen in the bloodline of a freeman. Eve

Both Rhys and Ashley stared at Mr. Freeman in shock at what he had just said. None of them saw what he said coming; they would have at least prepared for a comeback, but right now both their tongues are tied."What?" Alec spats unbelievably, shooting his father a look that screams volumes.Mr. Freeman chuckles. "Young man, my niece made mention of how in love you two are, so I don't see any problem in delaying things. We can go ahead with the wedding procedure; how much time do you need?""No, uncle, we're taking things slow." Ashley finally regains her composure, trying to keep her sanity in check.She knew what sort of monster her uncle was and how much he wanted to see her downfall. He wants to crush every inch of her and take away any source of happiness in her life.She's sure he could tell that there is absolutely nothing between Rhys and her, which is why he's suddenly coming up with such absurdity."No. I agree with your term, Mr. Freeman; your daughter loves me just as much a

She resumed working today. Ashely hasn't been able to keep her mind on things that have been happening lately. The night at Alec's engagement party and how her uncle has been dropping reminders of how she'd live her life pitiful.The stunt Rhys pulled was uncalled for; she has been thinking of ways to go about it without having to defy her uncle or else. Let's just say she knows better.Heaving out a breath, she growled, feeling her tear glands working up.She made a big mistake by ever agreeing to take Rhys with her on a date. He used her to get to whatever his motives were.Ashley was left shocked after finding out that he was married to Alec's fiance. The Roderigos had said about him being a golddigger who wants nothing, but opulence fears her.Ending up with such crap would only give her uncle the pleasure he wants, seeing her miserable.No, she couldn't sit back and end up with such a classless, disgusting man who wants nothing but wealth.The urge to fire him brew with every dep