"Have you heard? Olivia is cheating on Darren!"
"I've been saying it, that low-class guy is just being used by Olivia." "It makes sense! Olivia is the most popular girl on campus. There's no way she's really in love with that poor guy." "Exactly! This is such hot and shocking news on our campus. The spoiled rich girl is cheating with the campus benefactor's son!" In the campus corridor, Asher Dixon walked, sighing heavily. His face turned pale as he realized that the gossip about his girlfriend, Olivia Halbert, had spread like wildfire over the past three days. Until now, Asher had always thought that the relationship between Darren and Olivia was just limited to being campus friends, but the reality hit hard as he frequently caught Olivia with his best friend, Darren Alexander, these past three days. Negative thoughts started to settle in his mind, although he tried to dismiss them and trust Olivia. Unfortunately, what the black-haired man with brown eyes saw now made him more certain that his negative thoughts were true - Olivia and Darren were kissing in the campus cafeteria. Asher asked, his eyes filled with disgust as he looked at both Darren and Olivia, "So, the rumors about you two cheating are true?" A friend whom Asher had trusted, even considered as a brother, turned out to betray him. Darren's face looked entirely innocent. The ash blonde-haired man even smirked mockingly at Asher, while gently caressing Olivia's waist. Without answering Asher's question, the woman with long brown caramel hair asked sarcastically, "Who's cheating? Did we ever have a special relationship before?" With an icy expression, Asher asked, "So you never appreciated our time together?" The woman in the peach-colored dress laughed hollowly. "Asher... Asher... Of course, I approached you all this time just so you could help me with college assignments! Not because I loved you!" Although Asher was the poorest student on campus from an orphanage, he was the top student academically. This was the reason Olivia and Darren approached him. The ash-blonde man in the black hoodie laughed mockingly, then released his hold on Olivia's waist. "Do you think too highly of yourself, Asher? How could the campus darling look at a low-background nobody like you?" The cafeteria visitors suddenly fell silent, as if they were deliberately enjoying the drama that had just begun while gossiping. "Look, Asher! Now, he's waking up from his dream." "Reality is bitter. Especially for someone who's nobody." "Besides, he never looked at himself. Who is he to expect love from Olivia Halbert?" "Too bad, the truth is girls are more interested in wealthy men." With indifference, Asher spoke, "Oh really?" After a moment of silence, Asher continued, "But does that justify a friend's betrayal?" Olivia clenched her fists tightly, feeling annoyed with Asher. "Hey, Asher! Can't you understand Darren's words? A poor guy like you isn't worthy to be with Mrs. Halbert!" The cafeteria visitors looked at each other, affirming Olivia's words. Asher's gaze suddenly turned intimidating. In a cold tone, Asher replied to Olivia's words, "Why are you so angry? Do you think a promiscuous woman like you is still worthy to stand by me? That won't even happen in your wildest dreams." After speaking his mind, Asher decided to erase Olivia from his life, then turned and left. Everything he had done for Olivia had come to an end, and he didn't feel the need to look back anymore. Feeling irritated by Asher's belittling words, Olivia stepped forward to stop Asher from leaving. The long-haired woman grabbed Asher's shoulder, causing him to turn. "Asher!" Then, surprisingly, she splashed tomato juice on his face. "I hope this refreshes your mind!" She grinned in disgust. The cafeteria visitors gasped, shocked by Olivia's actions. Asher wiped his face while looking at Darren, who smirked mockingly. The ash blonde man then arrogantly said, "What? Why are you staring at me? Do you want to challenge me?" Darren turned to Olivia; at that moment, he wanted to show off to his new girlfriend that he was far superior to Asher in every way. Rolling up his black hoodie sleeves, Darren approached Asher and threw a punch. "Once a loser, always a" Before Darren could finish speaking, surprisingly, Asher blocked Darren's punch and kicked his former friend in the stomach, causing him to fall to the floor. Olivia panicked, "Darren!" At that moment, the cafeteria door opened, and a white-haired man in expensive formal attire stepped in, glaring at the scene before him with sharp eyes. "Young Master Asher Dixon, let's go home," he said authoritatively. "It's time you return to where you truly belong."In the bustling cafeteria, Olivia's laughter filled the air as she mocked Asher cynically. "Hey, do you think you could be an heir? Maybe you should hire more actors to dramatize, Asher!" She taunted, accompanied by waves of mockery from those around her.The cafeteria patrons echoed Olivia's sentiments, their looks filled with disdain towards Asher. Various whispers could be heard."Look, after being rejected, this country bumpkin is putting on a show!""Poor Asher! So desperate for Olivia's approval that he's hiring others.""I think Asher's foolish. Wanting to date Olivia so badly!"However, Olivia's echoing laughter suddenly subsided when Mr. Leonester, the butler, spoke calmly yet firmly, "You should be careful with your words, Mrs. Halbert. The Dixon family's power should not be underestimated."The cafeteria fell into a hush. Those who were whispering seemed to avert their eyes, avoiding the sharp and intimidating gaze of the white-haired, yet dignified, man.Meanwhile, Darren,
Asher was brought back to the mansion, the place that should have been his home. As he stepped inside, the air seemed to change, becoming more serene and luxurious. The glow of beautiful crystal lamps radiated along the mansion's corridors, creating an atmosphere that seemed to welcome the heir of the Dixon family.Stepping on the gleaming marble floor, Asher's memories took him back to the past, right to when he was four years old. He vividly remembered how massive and grand the mansion appeared to him back then. The cherished memories with his parents, Luciana Dixon and Aberon Dixon, became clearer in his mind.Upon entering the mansion's main hall, Asher was greeted with warmth and grandeur. Luciana Dixon, his elegant mother in a captivating evening gown, approached Asher with a happy smile. "Welcome back, dear," she said warmly.His father, Aberon Dixon, a dignified man in a suit befitting his position as the head of the Dixon company, extended his hand to pat Asher's shoulder. "Y
The next day, Aberon indeed brought Asher to attend the executive meeting, making relatives who desired Dixon company assets feel anxious. Rumors about the handsome young man walking beside Aberon being his true son and heir added to the tension.The staff lined up neatly to welcome their master, bowing their heads respectfully. The meeting that ensued promised to be intense and shocking.Asher's hesitant steps halted at the meeting room door; he glanced briefly at Aberon and took a slow breath to calm his nerves.The door swung open wide, and Aberon invited Asher to enter the room with him. For a moment, the executives' attention shifted to the young man next to Aberon, and then they all bowed in greeting and respect to their leader.Aberon exclaimed, holding Asher's back upright, "Before we begin the meeting, I'd like to introduce my son."The executives exchanged looks, whispers barely audible. Faces displayed surprise and doubt regarding Asher's legitimacy among them.Aberon looke
After Kailos finished informing the Alexander Company, Asher started discussing with Kailos, carrying out his next tasks as the leader. He seemed enthusiastic while providing interesting ideas for the hotel development project.Besides work, Kailos also explained that every year the Dixon company held charity events and social activities. Asher was intrigued. "What contributions does the education foundation make to underprivileged children?" Asher asked, catching the social activities' purpose and the education foundation's contributions."Yes, Sir. We often donate to orphanages. During charity events, we can donate new or gently used items to those in need. It can also be for orphaned children."Asher nodded in understanding. For a moment, he was silent, a question crossing his mind. "Then who leads the Dixon company's welfare foundation?"If there are contributions from the education foundation, charity events, and social activities, there must be a leader managing the welfare foun
Asher enjoyed his life as an heir. Although many eyes disapproved of him replacing Aberon, even one by one, the subsidiaries managed by his uncle rebelled, demanding Aberon to take back full control of the company. The news of Asher terminating the partnership with the Alexander Company spread quickly.Asher didn't pay much attention to the protests from the Dixon subsidiaries. Like it or not, they had to follow his policies if they still wanted to lead branches of the Dixon company.After successfully causing significant losses to Darren’s company, Asher reviewed all the partnership documents with other companies.Who knows, maybe the Halbert company had worked with Dixon. If true, Asher would make that company suffer the same fate as the Alexander company.Kailos rose from the sofa and walked towards Asher's desk. He handed over a document for a partnership with another company in the furniture sector for the hotel's facilities. "Sir, this is a proposal from a furniture company reco
After finishing all his office work, Asher met with Wilson Leonester at the mansion. He specifically asked the middle-aged man to investigate the designs of Halbert Company’s furniture. Asher wanted to ensure whether there were other designs similar to those of Rudwick Company.A sly smile formed on Asher’s lips after reading various documents from Wilson. The surname that Olivia had always been proud of and the success of Halbert Company turned out to be stolen from another company.Asher felt even more pleased; he was just one step away from achieving his goal of getting back at Olivia. His gaze shifted to Wilson, and he asked, “Mr. Wilson, do you know why Dixon Company always uses furniture from Halbert?”Wilson looked up, thinking for a moment before answering Asher’s question. “As far as I know, Dixon doesn’t always use furniture from Halbert. Sometimes my master uses furniture from Rudwick.”Asher nodded in understanding. His eyes refocused on the sheets of paper. “But why did K
The company anniversary party held at the five-star Rustyhoze Hotel by Cody Halbert looked very luxurious. The guests were from the upper class. Not only businessmen but Olivia—the heir of the Halbert company—also invited her college friends.The noisy atmosphere suddenly turned silent when Asher and Kailos entered the room. All eyes turned to Asher, whispering curiously about the handsome young man walking alongside Aberon Dixon's personal secretary. Some recognized him as the heir to the Dixon company.Olivia looked at Asher with annoyance. Her annoyance turned into surprise when she saw her father shaking hands warmly with Asher. She walked over to them, her curiosity piqued.Asher smiled meaningfully at Olivia beside Cody Halbert. "Nice to meet you again, Miss Halbert," Asher greeted the woman in a red dress with a low neckline.Olivia looked disdainful, not intending to return Asher's greeting. She smiled dismissively and glanced briefly at Kailos. "How much are you paid by this
Olivia felt a surge of anger welling up in her chest. She glared sharply at Asher, the young man who had ruined the party's atmosphere with his audacity. Her father, Cody Halbert, even had to bow his head and plead for the collaboration between their companies not to be canceled.A victorious smile adorned Asher's face. He enjoyed seeing Olivia's angry and upset expression and Cody's nervousness as he tried to explain the similarity between the two designs. The tension escalated when Olivia tore up the Rudwick company's design license letter and threw it right in front of Asher. Cody immediately grabbed Olivia's arm, giving her a warning signal.Kailos stepped forward to shield Asher, boldly and sharply staring at Olivia. "How dare a spoiled girl like you behave so rudely?!"Olivia snapped, displeased with Kailos' attitude. "How dare you stare at me like that! Do you even know who I am, huh?"Asher's laughter broke out, drawing the guests' attention. The atmosphere grew quieter, and t