“HELP!”
It was Jared’s voice.
“PLEASE HELP!”
There was no mistaking.
It really was Jared’s voice, and he must be in danger.
Jared was in danger–
Violet rose to her feet and rushed out of the cottage’s porch. She dashed further to the island, going into the woods where Jared must have searched for some fruits to eat. He was alone.
“Wait,” Ryan shouted behind her, “Violet, wait!”
She didn’t care.
Jared was her brother, her role model and protector. He was always the one who saved her. So, now was her chance to do the same for him. She had to keep him from whatever danger was threatening his life. Whether it was wild animals or dangerous people, she’d save him for sure.
“Violet!”
Soon, Ryan was running beside her.
“We have to assess the situation first.”
Anger welled up inside her chest. &l
“I will not carry him to the cottage.”That was the sentence Ryan had repeated for the last three minutes. He was annoyed by the notion itself, let alone when the person he was supposed to carry was none other than his brother-in-law.To strengthen Ryan’s point, the person in question agreed. For once in his life.“Who are you to say that?” Jared crossed his arms as he sat on the ground, grimacing as his right ankle throbbed with pain. “Even if you beg to carry me, I will never let you touch an inch of my skin.”“Ew. Now, who sounds so gross?”“It’s you, useless scum!”“Oh, yeah? I don’t see a bug on my shoulder, but I assure you I see a certain bastard does!”Jared glare. Hard. And cold. Like a pair of daggers made from ice. But it only lasted for three seconds because the next thing he knew, he was screaming when he felt small feet walking on t
Ryan had been looking forward to their snorkelling adventure. They would really do it, here and now. Without any clothes on.He almost got an erection just thinking about it.But, of course, before such a great climax, he had to do something first. Like, preparing himself, for example. He had locked himself in the small bathroom in the wooden cottage, wanting to make sure that his appearance was great.One glance down to his naked frame and Ryan knew he wasn’t that great. He was even far from looking fine. His limbs were like twigs, with very little muscle mass here and there. His ribcages were visible, further making his hollowed stomach noticeable.Malnutrised. Too thin. A structure of walking bones.No need for someone else to say it, Ryan knew it was the truth.Due to his father’s hatred, he often was neglected and abused. Having three meals a day was considered good, in his opinion. Then, after he escaped his old life by usi
The weather was warm, with a slow breeze that caressed his skin like a soft feather. Blue water calling his name, but his toes were planted heavily on the white sand of the private beach.Grounded there, Ryan’s mind was running rampant.The call from Jorge, the Head Butler and temporary Chairman of the Board, earlier bothered him. If anything that he said was true, then he’d be fucked from Sunday to Saturday. He couldn’t let it be.However, he wondered what he could do in this situation.LOLLIES.The freaking Lord of Luck and Life-Stealing Extravagant System that TEETS told him about haunted his mind since the call ended. If LOLLIES’s Host was none other than Edric, then his life would end the moment he stepped foot on the Ahsford Group’s headquarters tomorrow.What should he do?Ryan shook his head, clearing his jumbled mind. He couldn’t declare something farfetched like that without any proof. Tha
"You have to see this,” Ryan beckoned his wife to come closer.The screen of his phone displayed horrifying statistics of how many dirty plays Edric faked as an accident, according to Jorge’s research.Almost a hundred of them.Excluded the ones where his business partners and rivals had illnesses out of the blue and ended up hospitalized for years or dead.“What the hell is this?” Violet asked in a whisper, disbelieving it herself. “Is your source even reliable?”“I don’t know,” Ryan shook his head, “All that I know is that Edric have a Syst– guh!“Like lightning struck in broad daylight, Ryan’s eyes rolled back as he toppled backwards. Laying prone, he could see Violet’s face hovering above him – but he could do nothing except that.He was paralyzed.Panic settled. His heart raced like a horse, blood thrummed in his ears, and he used all
The parent trap Ryan planned was a bust.Marissa was too stubborn and greedy, blinded by money and thirst for new love. While Robert had no spine to stand up to his wife after their fight. It was a loss, but Ryan couldn't care less."But you promise," Violet had said when they departed from the newly bought private islands, accusing him of not fulfilling it.However, they both knew it was an impossible task that could be done with only one chance. Besides, Ryan didn't promise that he'd bring Violet's parents together again right away. They still had time.Well, hopefully, Marissa didn't divorce Robert first before that. But, if that somehow happened, then so be it. He wasn't a God who could control everyone at every time.Now, once again on a plane, Ryan was heading to the trap his half-brother had neatly laid for him.Unlike before, he knew what to expect now, so the trip didn't feel that long. One moment he was in New York, and the next, h
“Mr. Ashford.”“Mr. Ashford, it’s time to get up.”“…”Barely cracking open an eye, Ryan groaned and sucked in a sleepy breath. Turning his head towards the source of the voice, he blinked several times to adjust his eyes against the bright orange halo of light flooding into the room. Near the foot of the bed, he saw a silhouette of a woman with short, spiky hair patiently standing by.Forcing himself to sit up, Ryan rubbed his eyes as he tiredly cracked out, “Wh-who are you?”Bowing once, she politely said, “My name is Penny Fisher. I’ve been assigned as your personal housekeeper. Breakfast is ready in the dining room whenever you’re ready, Mr. Ashford.”“Ugh…”Before he had a chance to say anything more, she had bowed and dismissed herself out of the room.Scratching his messy hair, Ryan wondered how necessary it was to hav
“I trust that you had a pleasant flight and rest last night?” Edric asked lightly.Oh, Ryan seriously wanted to punch that smug face with his bare hands. Narrowing his eyes, he replied, “I seriously doubt you care.”Sighing, Edric casually told him, “Now, now, brother,” he spat, “There’s no need to sound so bitter. A little gratitude wouldn’t kill you. I’m being generous in having you reside in that estate while you’re here.”“Yes, now all of a sudden, we’re friends,” Ryan dryly mocked, “Like that makes up the fact that you failed in your attempt to kill me in the forest fire.”Rolling his eyes, Edric let out an annoyed sigh. “Right. Whatever. Forgive me for trying to kill you that one time, but you also left me with an everlasting mark on near my face.”“With all of the money you have, I can assure you there’s a plastic sur
Watching Edric storm off through the partially closed blinds of the office, Ryan lifted the folder from his chest and tossed it aside on the desk in frustration. He let out a shaky sigh to diffuse his building anger. With a shake of his head, he walked towards one of the tall, wide windows that overlooked the bustling city.Slipping his hands into the smooth fabric pockets of his suit pants, he leaned against the metal frame.It was only the first day, but all he wanted to do was to just leave the building without any consequences. He knew he wasn’t going to like things from the start, but honestly, he didn’t have the faintest idea of what he was getting himself into – other than pretending like he was running a corporation.Heck, even after he acquired three big companies – one of them was the rising luxury brand Vernest – he was never involved in the day-to-day business running, let alone to step his feet into this big company tha