Asher re-entered the pavilion, still on the second floor. The atmosphere in this area felt different, more private, and exclusive. As he walked down the quiet corridor, his eyes were drawn to a gleaming door, its golden hue reflecting the dim light surrounding the hallway. A sudden curiosity surged within him, causing him to stop in front of the door.As Asher stood there, gazing at the golden door with deep curiosity, a soft and familiar voice startled him from behind. "Are you curious about that room?" The voice belonged to Luciana, his mother, who was standing a few steps behind with a gentle smile on her face.Asher nodded slowly, acknowledging his curiosity. "Yes, Mom. It seems like I've never seen this room before. Is there something inside?"Luciana smiled warmly as if she fully understood her son's feelings. "Yes, that’s where the Dixon family’s heirloom jewelry is kept, Asher. Jewelry that has been passed down from generation to generation." She stepped closer and offered war
Asher stood in front of the mirror, admiring his neat appearance in a black, expensive suit, paired with a gray tie and a luxurious watch wrapped around his wrist. However, Asher's attention soon shifted to the silver ring encircling his left index finger—a ring he had found the day before in the family exhibition room. The ring’s sparkle reflected light in a strangely lively way, unlike any other jewelry he had ever seen.Asher tried to remove the ring, but as he pulled, it seemed to resist moving. He felt a slight oddness, but there was no pain or discomfort—just a strange sensation that this ring was not ordinary. Finally, Asher left the ring in place, a feeling inside him suggesting that there was something deeper about this object.A faint shadow from the past suddenly surfaced in his mind. Stories he had heard about his grandfather, a strong and authoritative yet mysterious figure, came to him. There were rumors in the family about a ring that his grandfather once possessed—a ri
Asher arrived at his office right on time. He walked with a steady and confident stride. Every step exuded authority, while the employees around the office area promptly greeted him with respect. Asher returned their greetings with a friendly smile, but behind that smile, his mind continued to wrestle with the new power he now possessed.His smile slowly faded as he began to sense a noise that was invisible yet felt very real in his mind. The inner voices of the employees, their scattered and unspoken thoughts, all surged into his consciousness. Asher hadn’t anticipated that the ring he wore would hold such a significant power—allowing him to hear every thought of those around him, whether intentional or not.Asher’s steps suddenly halted when he spotted someone at the end of the hallway—the director of Dixon, known to have a close relationship with William Dixon. The director, Marcelo Greyston, had always appeared calm and authoritative. However, this time, before Asher could make ey
Kailos sat silently, confusion enveloping his mind. He viewed Mr. Sterling, the man Asher had just met, as someone difficult to read. On one hand, Mr. Sterling appeared friendly and smiling, but on the other hand, Kailos sensed something inexplicable—like there was a mystery hidden behind that friendliness."You can’t answer, Kailos?" Asher’s calm and measured voice broke the silence in the car, jolting Kailos from his thoughts."Sorry, Sir," Kailos replied quietly, feeling a bit embarrassed for not having a definitive answer. "In my opinion, Mr. Sterling seemed very nice. However, I can’t judge someone from just a brief meeting."Asher offered a faint smile, a smile that revealed little emotion. He was well aware of how most people thought—what was seen on the surface was often taken as truth. His gaze shifted to the outside of the window, recalling the clamor of thoughts he had encountered during the meeting.What troubled him most was what he had picked up from Mr. Sterling’s thoug
Kailos was right; Asher’s schedule that day was truly packed. From morning until night, he was busy with various projects from Dixon’s subsidiaries. Even some internal issues arose, requiring Asher to provide his input as the leader. Several meetings he attended were long and exhausting, but Asher still managed to handle all the work efficiently.Work finally ended at exactly ten o’clock at night. Overtime had become a normal thing for Asher, and so it was for Kailos, who faithfully accompanied him. Asher stood in front of the large window in his office, looking out at the glowing lights of the skyscrapers in the distance. The night felt peaceful, with only the soft hum of late-night traffic faintly audible. The quietness in the office made Asher feel almost addicted to it as if the silence gave him space to think more deeply.Asher’s thoughts suddenly drifted to the ring he had found yesterday. He raised his hand, staring at the ring intently as if it held more secrets than the naked
The big day had finally arrived—the Dixon family exhibition and antique auction, which would attract the attention of the wealthy elite. The guests began to arrive, each dressed in elegant outfits by renowned designers, making the atmosphere of the event even more exclusive. The Dixon pavilion, where the exhibition was held, looked stunning with its classic and luxurious décor. The attendees were no ordinary people—they were individuals who held great influence in the business and social worlds.Asher stood on the upper floor, observing the guests from a balcony that overlooked the main exhibition area. From where he stood, he could see the graceful movement of the guests below, gliding under the light of a grand crystal chandelier that illuminated the room. His face showed calmness, but in his mind, he was busy using his newfound ability. His ears couldn’t hear, but his mind caught the silent thoughts of the guests below, like one who said, "I wonder what kind of luxurious items the
Asher stood amidst the bustling exhibition, his eyes following the movement of the attending guests. The night had gone smoothly—perhaps too smoothly compared to the other formal events he had attended. However, it wasn’t the presence of the business magnates, his father's acquaintances, that made him enjoy the evening. There was something else, something that captivated his attention much more deeply—Alicia.Every time he spoke with Alicia, his smile grew wider. He felt comfortable around her, more so than he had ever felt with anyone else. Without realizing it, Asher kept finding reasons to look at Alicia more often.The way she laughed, how her lips moved when she told a story, and the soft gleam in her eyes under the crystal chandeliers in the room. But Asher’s pride was too strong for him to openly show his feelings, even though he knew all too well what was in Alicia’s heart and mind—thanks to the magical ring he wore.The two of them stood slightly apart from the larger crowd,
Kaylery paced back and forth in the living room of his luxurious apartment, seething with anger. Every time he thought about Asher's words, his body trembled with frustration."Who does he think he is, huh? How dare he advise me to stay away from Alicia?!" he muttered to himself, his face showing clear impatience. His steps grew faster, unable to calm down even though he had left the exhibition hours ago.With his face still full of rage, Kaylery grabbed a bottle of alcohol from the small bar in the corner of the room. The bottle bore the label of Macallan 1926, one of the most expensive and rarest whiskeys in the world. Without a second thought, he poured the golden liquid into a crystal glass, not caring about its value. One large gulp disappeared immediately as if the alcohol could extinguish the burning fire in his chest. But the feeling wasn't enough."Dammit, Asher! How arrogant you’ve become, just because you're famous now! What do you know about Alicia?!" His voice grew louder
Asher spent his days immersed in work, tirelessly completing various projects. He despised delays and felt restless if tasks remained unfinished or failed to meet his high standards. He was like a mad dog, obsessively driven by his job.The meeting room was nearly empty now, leaving behind only a few scattered papers on the table. Asher adjusted the sleeves of his suit with a relaxed motion, though his eyes betrayed a constant tension that never truly disappeared. He could still hear faint echoes in his mind—the thoughts of those who had earlier been busy praising the success of LuseCraft's new product."Remarkable work, Mr. Asher.""I never expected him to come this far.""I guess I need to start sucking up to him now, or my career is over."Asher suppressed a bitter smile. These were the same people who had once belittled him. Now? They scrambled to gain his favor. His fingers brushed the magical ring on his finger—a tool that seemed almost custom-made to give him the power of silen
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