In Halbert's residence, tension filled the air as Cody Halbert questioned Olivia about her progress in winning over Asher. With a sour and cynical expression, Olivia replied that Asher wasn't easy to approach. Cody Halbert then blamed Olivia for her affair with Darren. "If only you hadn't broken up with that guy back then, we wouldn't be in this mess!"Cody stared at Olivia scornfully, calling her a worthless child. "You truly embarrass this family, Olivia. Why can't you be like Asher, successful and accomplished?" he said sharply.Olivia suppressed her boiling emotions, yet maintained her cool demeanor. "I won't let your statements bother me, Father," she said firmly but calmly.Cody Halbert shook his head in annoyance. "You'll never understand the importance of the opportunities I've given you, Olivia. You're just wasting time with Darren and your foolish plans."Olivia remained silent, but her eyes reflected determination. She knew facing her father's hatred and disappointment wasn
The unexpected encounter with Alicia Pervaz made Asher feel intrigued. Besides being beautiful, she was highly knowledgeable and smart. Asher felt comfortable discussing the business world with her and couldn't ignore his growing attraction. However, amidst this attraction, his father's words, Aberon, echoed in his mind, suggesting he collaborate with the Pervaz company. The company operated in the cosmetics and various soaps sector. Asher glanced briefly at Kailos, who was busy finishing his work. "Kailos, can you find out more about Aldric Pervaz?" Kailos, Asher's secretary, lifted his head and looked at Asher attentively. "Yes, Sir. I will carry out your order," he replied firmly before leaving the room with quick and calm steps. Meanwhile, Asher's thoughts drifted back to the moment of his first meeting with Alicia. That day, Asher was on his way home from the Halbert company party. Accidentally, he saw a luxury car stop by the roadside with the hood open. A woman looked
Olivia swallowed hard but tried to remain calm. "Because I still love you, Asher. I regret leaving you just because of your past circumstances. Now I understand how valuable you are." Asher smiled coldly. "Love? Regret? Those words can't erase what you've done, Olivia. Didn't you say I was just a stepping stone for you to complete all your college tasks?" Asher looked at her cynically. "You even belittled me. That event is something I will never forget," Asher added. However, Olivia still did not give up. "Asher, please. Give me one more chance. Yes, I was like that before, but now I've fallen in love with you. I'll prove that I'm serious. I don't care about the past; what matters is our future." Asher took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger boiling inside him. "Olivia, our future ended when you decided to leave and insult me. There is no room for you in my life anymore. Now, go and don't come back." Olivia's eyes looked teary, but she did not move. "I won't leave until
Sunlight slipped through the gaps in Asher's bedroom window. He blinked his eyes a few times before fully waking up. Beside him, his mother, Luciana, was already sitting with a sweet smile."Good morning. Did you sleep well?" Luciana greeted enthusiastically, gazing at her handsome son's face. Seeing Asher reminded her of the past, the time when she gave birth to and took care of him."Morning, Mom." Asher responded while feeling the gentle caress on his head."Drink this tea. Mommy doesn't know what you like now, but this was your favorite tea when you were little." Luciana handed him a cup of warm tea. "Hurry up and get ready, there's something important Mommy wants to tell you," she said with excitement.Asher sipped the tea, feeling the warmth spreading from his throat. "What does Mommy want to tell me?" he asked, curious.Luciana looked at him with sparkling eyes. "There is something very meaningful to Mommy. Something Mommy wants to show you," she explained, standing up and lead
In Dixon's office, the atmosphere was abuzz with the news that Dixon's subsidiary, Ezoc Company, was under investigation by the company's financial audit team. William Dixon, who led the Ezoc Company, became the center of attention and speculation. Executives who usually sided with William looked anxious, their gazes filled with worry, and secret whispers filled the office corridors.Asher entered the meeting room with a crooked smile, noticing the anxious faces around him. He enjoyed seeing their unease, especially since William had often been considered a potential threat to his position.Today's meeting about Dixon's supermarket project felt tense. Mr. Thimphon, who presented the project, tried to deliver with confidence, but the room's atmosphere remained heavy. This major project was scheduled to commence after the opening of the Celestial Haven Hotel, another ambitious project by Dixon.Asher listened half-heartedly, beginning to feel bored. For some reason, today's meeting was
After the meeting about the supermarket project proposed by Mr. Thimphon, Asher sat at his neatly arranged desk and reviewed other documents. These documents involved collaboration with other companies, including one owned by Alexander. Asher frowned as he read a few lines, ensuring everything met his expectations.A soft knock was heard at the door before Kailos entered. With calm steps, Kailos approached, carrying some files in his hand. "Mr. Asher, we need to discuss the preparations for the Celestial Haven hotel inauguration," he said.Asher nodded, inviting Kailos to sit. "What are the management plans?" asked Asher, leaning back in his chair."We need to decide whether to use internal management or hire an external company," replied Kailos, opening one of the files. "There are pros and cons to both. Internal management is more cost-effective, but an external company has more experience handling big events like this."Asher nodded slowly, contemplating. "We need to make sure this
Asher stood in the middle of the room, his mind racing to digest the concerning new information. Kailos, still holding his phone with a tense expression, approached again."Mr. Asher, we've just received confirmation about who the insider is," Kailos said in a lower voice, as if afraid someone might overhear. "The insider is Mr. Jaxon Rathore."Asher raised his eyebrows, slightly surprised. "Jaxon Rathore? How is that possible?"Kailos nodded gravely. "Mr. Jaxon turns out to be a longtime ally of William Dixon. They have been working together behind the scenes for a while. They help each other and hide their respective flaws."Asher smirked, his eyes gleaming with newfound cunning. "Interesting," he murmured. "So, William not only has allies outside but also inside. This is more than just ordinary business. This is a complex game of intrigue."Kailos nodded, waiting for further instructions. "What's our next move?"Asher turned, gazing out of the window with a sharp gaze. "We have to
Just as he reached the front door of the mansion, Asher was greeted by the piercing gaze of William—his uncle. William's face showed suppressed anger, his lips drawn into a thin line filled with threat.Asher stepped forward calmly, showing no hint of fear. The air around them felt heavy as if every molecule contained tension that could explode at any moment. William waited until they were close enough before speaking."You think you can bring me down just like that, Asher?" William whispered in a low, furious tone. "Those embezzlement accusations will disappear soon. You have no idea who you're dealing with."Asher looked at his uncle calmly, unfazed. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm dealing with, Uncle William. Do you and Mr. Jaxon think you can keep playing dirty without any consequences? The audit team has already started confiscating items, and this is just the beginning."William's face turned red, showing how inflamed his anger was. "You don't understand, boy. This world is not that
Asher sat in the company’s boardroom, positioned at the head of a long table adorned with piles of documents and an open laptop. His sharp eyes tracked the presentation displayed on the projector screen, where Kailos explained the potential of the LuseCraft and Rudwick partnership. Kailos’s calm voice filled the room as he outlined the opportunities this collaboration could bring.Yet, Asher’s thoughts drifted elsewhere. He wasn’t just listening to his employees’ spoken words—he was hearing the unspoken ones, the thoughts streaming loudly from the minds of those seated around the table. Ever since discovering the magical ring, Asher’s newfound ability had proven useful, though it sometimes felt more like a curse. Today was one of those aggravating days."Rudwick? Such a small company? There’s nothing to expect from a place like that. Honestly, this is idiotic.""Why does Asher keep wasting the company’s resources on this? William would never have taken a risk like this.""He’s way too
Asher slowly removed his tie and tossed it onto the small table beside the sofa. The formal jacket he had worn earlier had already been draped over the backrest of the sofa, and now his body sank into the soft support. He massaged the stiffness in his neck, exhaling deeply, as though trying to relieve burdens that were not just physical. The room was silent, with only the faint ticking of a wall clock breaking the stillness.Asher’s thoughts wandered, but they did not settle on the numbers in his reports or the plans for developing new construction projects under Dixon’s subsidiary. Instead of focusing on those documents, his mind drifted to Alicia. Her name resurfaced in his thoughts, as if it occupied a special space that constantly demanded his attention. Asher couldn’t push it away.A small smile curved on his lips as the memory of their kiss resurfaced. His lips moved unconsciously, as though tasting again the warmth and softness that had touched them that day. "Crazy," Asher mur
In the dim corner of a bar, Waldric gulped down his drink quickly, trying to drown the bitterness of his life with every sip. His mind was full, chaotic—Asher had discarded him just like that, like a pedestrian stepping on filth in the street without a care. Waldric's gaze was filled with hatred and smoldering anger, but underneath, there was also a gnawing sense of frustration.A cold voice interrupted his thoughts. "There's no point in staying here, sulking, Waldric."Waldric looked up, narrowing his eyes at the figure standing before him—Kaylery Barnnet. A thin, meaningful smile played on Kaylery's face, his gaze like a snake ready to strike."What do you want?" Waldric's tone was defensive, his voice tinged with curiosity.Kaylery chuckled softly, unbothered, and slowly took the seat beside him uninvited. "My intention is simple. You want revenge, don’t you? Seems like we share a common enemy, Waldric."Waldric straightened up, feeling skeptical. "So, you just want to offer help?
Alicia buried her face in the pillow, her body squirming with embarrassment on the bed. The memory of the moments with Asher earlier felt so vivid, replaying in her mind like a never-ending movie. "What did I say earlier?" she thought, frustrated with herself."At least I managed to hide my feelings. I don't want Asher to feel disgusted seeing me act like that," she muttered. Alicia let out a long sigh, then stared at the ceiling of her room."What's wrong with me?" she asked softly, her voice filled with confusion. She closed her eyes again for a moment, imagining Asher’s handsome and calm face every time they met."I want Asher."That whisper felt too real, always echoing in her mind so clearly. It wasn’t just about Asher’s physical attractiveness, but his charismatic aura and decisiveness that captivated Alicia. He was a man who could lead, who could take control, and that was something Alicia had always dreamed of.A small smile formed on her lips as Asher’s image appeared in her
Asher stepped into the lobby of Dixon's headquarters with a firm stride, while Kailos waited in the corner, his face full of questions. There was a clear curiosity in Kailos's eyes about the outcome of Asher's visit to BOWWS Company.As Asher approached, Kailos couldn’t hold back from asking, "How did it go, sir?"Asher simply gave a brief smile, one whose meaning few could understand. "Smooth. BOWWS Company is now in my hands," he replied with a tone full of confidence.Kailos, who had already suspected this victory, smiled with satisfaction. "I’m glad to hear it," he said sincerely, walking alongside Asher as he began discussing other important matters. "Sir, there’s something else we need to talk about—regarding LuseCraft and your upcoming meeting with Aldric Pervaz."Hearing Aldric Pervaz's name, Asher's steps slowed. His eyebrows furrowed deeply. "Why does he want to meet with me?"Kailos paused briefly, clearing his throat lightly before answering. "He wishes to discuss a potent
Asher's schedule had changed. After his visit to LuseCraft, he was supposed to attend a meeting about renewing a contract with Jonathan. However, due to Waldric's insistence on meeting to settle the inheritance dispute, Asher had no choice but to meet him and end it as soon as possible.Asher stood facing the large window, his posture straight and his expression neutral, though the atmosphere around him felt tense. Beside him was Waldric, staring at him with eyes full of anger, as if he wanted to devour Asher alive. Waldric was clearly displeased with the changes at BOWWS Company, especially the fact that the company was now under Asher’s control.“Does being the heir give you the right to act so arrogantly?” Waldric began, his voice cold and full of hatred. “Don’t you feel greedy, Asher?”Asher merely raised one eyebrow, remaining unaffected by Waldric’s outburst. His eyes continued to gaze out the window, overlooking the courtyard of BOWWS Company, watching the employees busy with t
The soft rays of the sun slipped through the gap in the curtains of Asher's room, gradually warming the space. Asher opened his eyes, feeling refreshed after a long sleep—something he rarely got these days. He stretched his muscles, then slowly sat up, leaning his back against the headboard. His thoughts immediately drifted to the previous night—the moment when he unintentionally kissed Alicia.His lips curled into a small, almost hidden smile. For a moment, he covered his face with his hands, feeling slightly embarrassed. "What have I done?" he thought. But the more he tried to ignore it, the clearer that moment replayed in his mind.His memory took him back to when he could hear Alicia's thoughts and feelings spilling out, full of confusion and wonder. Those voices, which usually bothered him, now made him chuckle softly. He could hear how nervous and embarrassed Alicia had felt, yet at the same time, her heart had raced after their kiss.“She didn’t push me away, did she? In fact…,
Asher felt the growing awkwardness as Heinry deliberately left the two of them alone at the dining table. The atmosphere in the restaurant, which was previously filled with business conversations, now felt quiet, with just him and Alicia. Even though they often met, it felt different when it was just the two of them. Asher tried to stay calm, though Alicia’s thoughts continued to whisper in his ear. He wished he could stop his ability for a moment, to focus on the conversation, not the mix of thoughts running through her mind. Alicia glanced at him occasionally, as if waiting for Asher to start talking. Feeling awkward because of the sudden silence, Alicia finally decided to shift the topic. "What about BOWWS Company, Asher? Have you fully taken control?" she asked, her voice soft, but there was a hint of curiosity she couldn't hide. Asher sighed and placed his nearly empty glass of water down. "It should be settled," he replied, looking at Alicia. "But Waldric is still trying t
Asher sat in his newly established office, specifically created for LuseCraft, a home goods and property company under the Dixon umbrella. Since its founding, LuseCraft had just begun to take off after Halbert Company went bankrupt, especially since Asher initiated partnerships with several major players in the property industry. The primary focus of LuseCraft was to create high-quality products for home interiors, ranging from furniture and kitchenware to innovative home decor. However, the company also had ambitious plans to expand into real estate development, including luxury housing and modern apartments.With a calm and professional demeanor, Asher looked at the stack of contracts waiting for his signature. One of the most important was the partnership agreement with Rudwick Company, which had long been a leader in the property sector. This partnership was crucial for LuseCraft to gain broader market access. Asher wanted to ensure everything went smoothly, particularly regarding