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
Before the press conference, the first thing on his agenda was a proper meet and greet of all the board members of the company. Having briefly met a few of them at the formal signing for him to take over, Ryan hoped that it would go by fast.When he arrived inside the main meeting room, the air wasn’t as tense as it was last time. However, when Jorge began to lead the meeting, the Head Butler and temporary Chairman of the Board clearly wasn’t thrilled that he was here, making it to the point of not looking at Ryan unless necessary.He had tried to meet the Head Butler’s eyes, but Jorge made sure to avert his sight before Ryan could even give him any sign. What did the maid say to him this morning that Jorge wanted to meet him later today?What a laugh.Jorge couldn’t even care to give a polite smile to Ryan, yet he wanted more from Ryan.However, as the meeting went on, Ryan wondered if the Jorge standing distantly from him
Slowly scrolling through different videos, Violet hoped to find an interesting talk show late in the morning. She paused after thinking she just saw a familiar face on her handheld device. Feeling her heart beat a little faster, she changed it back as her mouth fell open in shock at what she saw.Violet couldn’t believe it as she watched Ryan’s ugly face on live broadcast. At first, his ridged, slumped posture seemed to ease as he subtly appeared to be trying to get a hold of himself, swallowing down whatever trepidations he had before clearing his throat.She almost forgot that Ryan could revert to his spineless, pathetic self again after his unexpected change. Yet, here he was.Ryan forced a smile, excusing the awkwardness she had seen long ago. It prompted a sympathetic laugh from the audience.Violet strained to hear the varying words he spoke. It wasn’t that she couldn’t hear him clearly, but it was hard to focus on another familiar face that she hated so much.Seeing Edric stand
A sharp knife suddenly appeared as if out of thin air right in front of Ryan’s face. The light on his table reflected on its sharp surface, further increasing the threat to his anticipation.He couldn’t do anything else but to let his body move on its own, dodging the surprise attack with an unthinkable ease.Danger Void.A Passive Ability TEETS granted to him after a not-so-hard Mission.Ryan didn’t know what he would do – nay. He didn’t know whether he would still be alive today if it wasn’t for Danger Void. The gratitude he felt for that particular Ability was immeasurable.Standing seven feet apart, Ryan turned his narrowed eyes to the intruder. Whoever it was stayed near the wall, making sure that he remained within the shadow to hide his identity. And yes, the intruder was definitely male.“Who are you?”The intruder didn’t respond civilly. Instead, he stepped forward with an
Ryan sat alone in his dimly lit room. He wasn't an emo kid, but the darkness somehow calmed his mind after a day of torment in front of blinding flashes of the cameras.The weight of the words he just heard from Jorge about an hour ago pressed heavily on his mind. The revelation that Edric wanted to end his life at the end of this month had shaken him to the core – and at the same time, he wasn't surprised by it.In fact, he kind of had expected it, curious as to when Edric would do it, actually.Their relationship was non-existent. Strained, of course. Turbulent, without a doubt. He knew that Edric harboured such deep and violet hatred for him, despite everything.If one was to rationalize things, it should be Ryan who hated him. As an illegitimate son, Ryan was treated like a punching bag and embarrassed.Ryan was a target for Howard to let out his stress. He was forbidden to venture out of the house in case someone saw him and learned that
Street lamps flickered on one by one as Thomas drove him about an hour south from the Ashford Gorup's building headquarters to the city's international airport.As the car rolled to a stop, Thomas turned back from the driver's seat and said, "I'll go wait for Ms. Crowne and escort her here, Mr. Wilder."Already unbuckling his seat belt, Ryan lifted a hand up for him to remain in place. Opening the door, he said, "Not necessary. Just stay here and wait for us.""But-"Slamming the door shut, he reached into the inside of his suit jacket and pulled out a pair of sunglasses. He felt like an idiot wearing them, but they had helped with shielding his eyes from any sudden camera flashes. He doubted it would somehow cover his identity, but it served as a kind of protection from meeting someone's eyes directly.Familiar with where to go, Ryan placed his hands in his pockets and walked towards the terminal she would be arriving from.Once he heard Vi