As Ashton began to walk away, he hesitated, lips parting as if to speak. However, in the end, he said nothing. The gap between them had grown so vast that no gesture or words could bridge it. Every action was futile, and no amount of regret would soften his heart.Alora stood up, dusted her clothes, and smoothed her hair with resignation. "I will leave now," she whispered. She ran down the stairs, hiding her tears.As she left, she collided with Kendra, who had just arrived at the entertainment city again. "Alora?" Kendra was confused. Why was she there? And had she been crying? "What's going on?""Miss Lockwood," Alora greeted, forcing a smile. "Congratulations on being with Ashton. I wish you both happiness." Without waiting for a response, she swiftly moved past Kendra, leaving behind a trail of bewilderment."What was that about?" Kendra mused aloud, but before she could reflect further, she found herself before Ashton."Darling, what was—""Still calling me darling? Thought
The Merchico Hotel penthouse suite's activity surprised the group."Reynard, Beckett, come on in!" A trendy young man waved them over. "I've saved us some seats." Their eyes lit up as they hurried over."Yale, you seem to be doing well. I heard this Edren Summit is high-profile, and you got seats?" Reynard said with envy.Yale Waggett was their friend from college, though he was from an earlier batch. Back then, Yale's family only had a small business, with assets around tens of millions, but after a few years, it seemed he had climbed the social ladder."I got some seats at the back thanks to my relative who arranged the venue. It is unbelievable how lavish this setup is," Yale said."The hotel's top floor spans 2,000 square meters, and it's so crowded that there's no room for a single extra chair. Some influential figures can't even secure a seat. An event of this magnitude is unmatched in South Edren's history.""Is it really that significant? Just who is this Master Levin? It
"Deal with you?" Mister Churney's laugh was a thin slice of ice. "Master Levin thinks you are worthless. You are nothing."Ashton's smirk deepened. "So, Master Levin is that formidable, huh?""Master Levin dominates South Edren. He can kill from a hundred meters away with great panache. Can you, an insignificant ant, even comprehend his prowess? When the Xenakis family collaborates with him, all of South Edren will fall under the Xenakis family's domain!""I am genuinely looking forward to the day when the Xenakis family joins forces with Master Levin." Ashton nodded in agreement."Mister Churney, why waste words on a man who could not even protect his wife?" Just then, a smiling Jaxson approached, surrounded by a group of people."I'd say that's still a bit better than someone who couldn't guard his own pride, wouldn't you think?" Ashton responded, his eyes casting a fleeting glance downward, his smirk loaded with insinuation."What?" The reference to his castration, the deepest
"A desperate call for help?" Jonathan mocked, his voice dripping with disdain. "Who is it? Better leave them a farewell message because your life is in my hands now. No one can save you today."Ashton ended the call, a peculiar smile playing on his face. "It was your Uncle Eadwig. Care to have a word with him?"Jonathan's anger flared. "You dare mock me? I'll cut you down!"Suddenly, a murmur spread through the inner courtyard.Someone shouted, "The bigwigs are arriving, silence!"All eyes turned."Lluvia, Harley, Dylan Shaffer, Mister Zadroga, Miss Lockwood, Anthony, Mister Canfield—all are top-tier figures. Where's the rumored Master Levin?""Yes, which one is Master Levin? Why haven't we seen him?"Whispers filled the air.Compared to the minor spat between Jaxson and Jonathan, the main attraction at the Edren Summit was the elusive Master Levin. Rumor had it that he had been voted the top figure in South Edren. Every elite wanted to meet him.Even Jaxson and Jonathan were
"Hey! They called for Master Levin, not you! What are you thinking, marching up there? Do you have a death wish?" Ellora exclaimed in shock as she saw Ashton walk onto the red carpet. However, Ashton seemed not to hear her at all. With every step he took, he appeared to bask in the crowd's attention as he made his way to the stage."Does he think they called for him when they said Master Levin? Is he—" Mellie began, but her voice faltered as realization dawned. "Is Ashton Master Levin?"At that moment, numerous elites once again voiced their respect in unison. "Welcome, Master Levin!" With thousands of eyes on him, Ashton moved toward the platform with an undeniable charisma, radiating authority and grace."I thought Master Levin was an older gentleman. Look at him—he's so young and handsome!" someone said."He appears to be around the same age as my grandson. Yet, while he's already reached the pinnacle of South Edren's power hierarchy, it's clear that the younger generation excel
"Uncle, Master Levin, I was wrong. I truly was. This Xenakis fellow misled me. It had nothing to do with me!" Jonathan immediately threw Jaxson under the bus.Brotherhood paled in comparison to one's life and future."Jonathan, what nonsense are you spouting? What does your rash behavior have to do with me?" With a darkened expression, Jaxson angrily said, "Was it your not shortsightedness that got us into this mess with Master Levin?"The two looked as if they were about to come to blows. However, Ashton shook his head with a faint smile and turned away. He considered them clowns, unworthy of his time."Master Levin, I heard your new energy project with the Royal Sealift Group will release a brand-new product. Will you be looking for distributors?""Master Levin, how long will your collaboration with Royal Sealift Group last?""Master Levin, there's a rumor that you can kill someone from a hundred meters away. Is that true?"Everyone started asking questions as the mood got mor
Jaden turned on the massive screen in the middle of the room, and Alora appeared in the footage.It looked like Alora was in her home."You stole the surveillance footage from someone else's house?" Ashton frowned."Desperate times call for desperate measures.""I did not want to go this far. However, considering what Alora had done, I thought it was not as simple as it seemed."It's my job to find more information, right?"Ashton shook his head and smiled. Jaden was always so righteous about his reasons.Soon, Ashton looked at the surveillance footage.On the screen, Howard knelt on the ground while Florence knocked on the door as she begged Alora.It was on the night of Howard's incident. Florence forced Alora to marry Jaxson in exchange for immunity for Howard's supposed crimes.In the video, Alora's desperate voice reached Ashton's ears. He stood for a long time, unable to respond.Ashton never knew the reason behind whatever happened."Jaxson never came up with this pl
Ashton stared at her in a daze, recalling their wedding day six years earlier.Alora was also in a wedding dress. She was smiling, and she was happy. The couple swore an oath in church while holding hands. Ashton felt like the luckiest man in the world.From then on, Ashton considered letting go of his hatred and living peacefully with Alora for the rest of his life.However, change was inevitable.Ashton did not want to believe it, but it happened.Even though Alora changed, Ashton still loved her. At least he did until Jaxson happened.However, now, Jaden had shown him the truth. All those misunderstandings and betrayals were just Alora sacrificing herself to protect him. After learning the truth, Ashton did not even have the words to describe the pain in his heart, especially when he saw Alora in a wedding gown, ready to be married to someone else. Ashton could barely breathe at the sight."Don't dwell on the past anymore. As you said, you were disgusted with what I did, and