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Ashton's Empire 107
Emilie stared in disbelief as the judge read out the verdict – a light sentence for the crimes she had committed. She felt a wave of shock wash over her as she realized that the ramifications of her actions were not even close to being fully addressed. She looked desperately around the courtroom for her loved ones – Stacy and Ryan – but all she could see was a sea of unfamiliar faces. Even amidst the chaos, however, she knew that there was no undoing the wrongs she had done. Emilie felt her face flush with shame and embarrassment as she tried to make sense of the ruling. She wanted to apologize, to t full responsibility for her actions, and make things right, but she knew it was too late. As she was escorted out of the courtroom, she felt tears pricking her eyes and she silently prayed that her siblings would forgive her. She desperately wanted to explain her side of the story and make amends, to show just how sorry she was. In the corridor outside, Emilie found herself face-to-fa
Ashton's Empire 108
"Babe, I have something I want to show you," Ryan said as he and Stacy lay in bed and she was caressing his chest. With the way the house was quiet, it was evident the kids were with their grandmother as always they would rush to her and their grandfather and make sure they left a mark every morning."What could that be?" Stacy raised a question as she got up from his chest to look him in the eye."It would have to be a surprise baby," he said touching her nose."Well that has gotten me riled up," she said laughing."Can we begin to bathe now 'cause I want to see this surprise of yours" Stacy jumped off the bed earning a chuckle and grim a startled Ryan."Okay fine although I thought you'd give me some coochie"."Sheesh, what if Mother is coming up here?" she asked a little shy.She always was shy when it came to those things no matter how many times they had rummaged through each other body."She caught us once so what makes a second time a problem? From what I know the second time
Ashton's Empire 109
"Wait does this mean you all would have myself and Louis in this big house?" Arianna whined as the children told her of their new house and they were moving away."On the bright side we would come to visit you every weekend" Stacy tried to make her see that relocating or moving out wasn't so hurtful."But who would I play morning bingo with!" she asked as she looked at the twins who were quite oblivious to what was happening because they were playing somewhere in the corner of the room with their toys."You could take them for weekends that way and my beautiful wife right here could make more grandbabies for you," Ryan said earning a smack from Stacy who got uncomfortable from trademark."What isn't it the truth or won't you want more babies!" he asked and she just turned beetroot red "Stop teasing your woman Ryan" Louis chimed as he realized how awkward the situation was making Stacy and she mouthed a thank you to him for saving her from her oblivious husband who was bent on making
Ashton's Empire 110
"I can't believe you all are leaving" Arianna whined as their last box got into the moving truck."You could always come to visit Mother," Ryan said for the umpteenth time."It won't be the same idiot" she teased."Ouch mama" Ryan joked causing Stacy to burst into laughter."I'll miss you, mama," Stacy said as she hugged Arianna for what seemed to be the hundredth time today."Okay, who's grandmas favorite"Atianna chimed as the kids jumped saying me."Well Grandmother has no favorites remember, I love you all the same," she said hugging them to her chest.Arianna was feeling a bit moody today as her son and daughter-in-law were preparing to move into their new home with their children. The thought of them leaving with all the grandchildren left her feeling a bit sad and anxious. Even though she was happy for them and their new adventure, the reality of no longer seeing them every day was sinking in. Louis noticed her mood and tried to console her by giving her a big hug and telli
Ashton's Empire 111
"What did you say happened?" Ryan asked as his assistant followed him into the office."We noticed a loop in the financial records and some suspicious things were happening around that we didn't know anything of too, sorry I called you out of your family gathering sir but we needed you around to adequately handle those issues with prowess" his assistant explained. "No worries there is time for everything and right now we've got to save this company from ruins," he said thinking back to his grandmother who had been the one to take care of the company even when he had left for the simpler life, he couldn't help but want to make everything right and also to make sure to make her proud wherever she was.Ryan was shocked and dismayed when his assistant informed him that there had been a case of financial theft at the Ashton Empire. He knew that this was going to be a challenging situation to resolve, so he immediately began to take action by tracing the origin of the incident. Ryan cons
Ashton's Empire 112
"Babe I am sorry" Ryan walked up to his wife as she was making pancakes in the kitchen."What exactly are you sorry for?" she asked without looking at him she didn't want to look at his face because damn she could hardly stay mad at his face when he was remorseful."For neglecting you and the kids from the very first day we moved in here," he said."I didn't notice," she said whipping the pancakes."You can't be serious" Ryan sounded frustrated because she was making it seem like there was nothing g wrong but everything was wrong.Ryan stood in the kitchen, fidgeting with his hands, unsure of how to start the conversation. Since his way of starting it a few minutes ago had not worked.She had moved from the store now attending to other things and as much as he admired her backside as she handled the dishes he knew his mind couldn't wander too far off.At least not now.His wife was at the counter, washing dishes and not looking his way. He had neglected her and their kids since they'd
Ashton's Empire 113
Arianna was a proud and determined mother and grandmother, and when her son and his wife had finally moved out of the family mansion to their own home she knew she had to visit them as soon as possible. She wasted no time in packing her things and setting off on her journey.After a few hours of driving, Arianna finally arrived at her son's new home. She was delighted to see how nicely they had decorated and arranged their house. She also noticed that they had made space for her grandchildren's old toys and books, which made her feel incredibly relieved.After talking to her son and daughter-in-law for a while, Arianna couldn't wait to meet her grandkids. As soon as the kids saw her, they ran up and hugged her tightly, which filled her with joy.For the whole week, Arianna spent quality time with her grandkids, teaching them new songs and stories, playing board games and cards, and baking cookies in the kitchen. She was grateful for the opportunity to spend such quality time with
Ashton's Empire 114
It had been four months since the arrest of Teddy and Erbwstine and today out of nowhere the Ashton household received a call from the precinct."Speaking?" Stacy answered the phone. "Well, I just wanted to ask if you could come down to the station I have something to tell you and Ryan," Ernestine said in a calm voice that still vibrated some pride but anyone could tell that she was somewhat repentant. Stacy and Ryan had been in a heated debate for the past few days about whether or not they should go down to the prison to hear what Ernestine had to say to them. Ever since her arrest, the couple had vowed never to have anything to do with her again. But now they were being pulled in a different direction by the thought of giving her another chance. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to go down there and listen to what she has to say,” Stacy said firmly. “We’ve been through too much together, and I don’t want to put ourselves in the same situation again.” Ryan argued that maybe Ernesti