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The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty one
A Run-in The moment Celeste stepped into the hall, the space became too small. Ashton might not have wanted her but confronting her was more of a burden. How do you tell a woman to unlove you. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she approached, her expression was very calm. Even with her composed exterior, there was so much anger in her eyes. Ashton Reed did not flinch. He had faced deception, betrayal, and near-death more times than he could count. And yet, this was a confrontation he had never anticipated. Sebastian stood beside her, his jaw tight, his posture rigid, but it was clear even he was waiting for Celeste to speak first. She stopped just a few feet away from Ashton, her gaze scanning over him, as if searching for something, an answer, a regret, a hesitation. Instead, she found nothing but cold indifference. "You look well, Celeste," Ashton said mockingly, breaking the silence. "Did you finally move on? Or are you still clinging to the fanta
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty two
The Elevator Encounter Owen Griffin. The name rang in his head more often than he wanted it to. Ashton was breathing through his mouth, the rhythmic pounding of his feet against the treadmill was the only sound he focused on. The house gym was one of his favorite places in the Reed estate. Here, he could be alone. No conversations , no distractions. Just him alone with his frustration, and the steady thrum of his heartbeat as he pushed himself harder, trying to outrun the storm in his mind. Owen Griffin. His father. A tangled web of secrets and lies that he'd come to realize was his life. Ashton clenched his jaw, increasing the speed. He didn’t care if his legs ached. He welcomed the pain. It was better than the feeling of helplessness that threatened to overwhelm him as he thought about his circumstances. “How long will the old man keep lying to me?" He mouthed the words in anger. Then, the gym door opened. Someone stepped inside, and even without looking, Ashton knew
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty three
A Messenger “Sir, we found out that the elevator was being tampered with," one of the security men said. Ashton sighed and shook his head. “I'm sure it's nothing, just make sure the lights don't go out again.” “Sir, you don't understand, you might have been in danger in there, I think we were breached." This was the part that he didn't want to deal with. He didn't want anyone snooping around just in case they found the Irish woman. She'd gone through so much stress to warn him. "Don't bother, I'm fine. Don't push it.” He warned sternly and then left them all stunned. As Ashton made his way toward the executive wing, a voice called out behind him. “Mr. Reed! Sir, if I could just have a moment of your time.” Ashton barely slowed down. He hoped no one would get nosey and ask about the elevator. He wasn't about to tell anyone what happened in there. A young man,no older than twenty-seven, hurried after him, his eyes were gleaming with enthusiasm. The ID clipped to his blazer re
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty four
The Badass Rovan Ashton took the flash drive from Rovan’s outstretched hand, his fingers tightening around it as he studied her. The dim street light outside barely illuminated her face, but he could see the slight skepticism in her eyes, the kind of look that belonged to someone who had lived on the run for too long. “This isn’t enough,” he said flatly. “If you want me to believe you, I need more.” “You should be glad I'm giving this to you. You'd never be able to find out what happened to your sister otherwise." Ashton looked at her and then the flash in his hands, “Frankly, I don't care." Then he flipped the flash drive in his hands, “I need information and I know you have it." Rovan sighed, shoving her hands into the pockets of her dark coat. “We can’t talk here. It’s not safe.” “Then take me where we can talk." Rovan looked at him like he'd just lost his bloody mind. “I think you're missing something here. I'm helping you, you aren't in the right place to make demands
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty five
A Mother's Heartthrob The speed on the motorbike was exceptional. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red as the motorcycle tore through the streets. The cold night air bit at Ashton’s skin, but he barely noticed. His focus was locked on the darkened roads ahead, on the wind whipping past his face, and on the woman maneuvering the bike with impressive speed. Behind them, the men that pursued from the house had vanished into the distance, but Ashton didn’t let his guard down. He still had his gun in hand as he twisted his head slightly, scanning the streets. No headlights, no black vans. Had they really shaken them? Even if they seemed to be out of immediate danger, Rovan didn’t slow down. She weaved through the lonely road with the confidence of someone who had done this a hundred times before. Every sharp turn, every sudden swerve sent adrenaline coursing through Ashton’s veins. It was reckless. It was dangerous. But so far, Rovan seemed to know what she was
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty six
BlankAshton stepped out of the Blackwell Hospital, his breath misting in the cold night air. His heart was still racing, though not from adrenaline anymore. It was the intensity of what he had just uncovered, all the lies, the betrayal, the lengths to which his father had gone to erase his mother from existence. “Wicked old goose!" He hissed as he got to the car park. He clenched his jaw, shoving his hands into his coat pockets as he made his way to his car. The truth had been there all along, just waiting for him to uncover it. His mother had been abandoned. Denied medical treatment. Left to suffer because Frederick Reed had deemed her unworthy. Ashton got into the car and slammed the door shut. Carter looked at him through the rearview mirror. “Where to, sir?" Ashton hissed, “home.x The ride was silent as they drove back to the Reed estate. Thankfully, Carter didn't ask questions. He wasn't ready to answer anyways. His mind was a storm, torn between anger and a cold reso
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty seven
The Forgotten YearsMemory lane? Ashton didn't know why that sounded oddly too familiar considering his circumstances. Did Augustine know how horribly confused he felt? Did he know anything more about Veronica than he was letting on? The car ride was long and silent, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the space between them. Ashton clenched his jaw, glancing at Augustine, who was focused on the road ahead, his expression giving nothing away. “Where are we going?” Ashton finally asked, breaking the silence. “You’ll see,” Augustine said simply. “That’s not an answer.” “It’s the only one you’re getting right now.” Ashton exhaled sharply and turned to the window, watching the landscape blur past. He wasn’t armed, and the realization left him on edge. But as he sized up Augustine, he reassured himself, if it came down to a fight, he could take him. Years of taekwondo and self-defense training weren’t for nothing. But he hoped he didn't have to fight his brother. H
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixth eight
Trapped on the BridgeThe men didn't stop chasing them as they rushed into the car, finding a way to reverse out of the parking lot of the school. Ashton sprinted toward the abandoned lot. His legs burned, his breath came in ragged gasps, and behind him, the sound of rapid footsteps and gunfire echoed through the school’s quiet lot. Augustine was right behind him, and for once, neither of them had the time to argue. "Get to the car!" Augustine shouted. Ashton didn’t need to be told twice. His eyes locked onto the sleek black sedan they had driven in, parked near the rusting chain link fence. The engine was off, but the keys were still inside. They just had to get there. Another gunshot rang out. Ashton ducked, cursing under his breath. "Who the hell are these people?!" "No idea," Augustine grunted. "But they sure as hell aren’t here to say hi!" That alone was obvious and it made Ashton even more upset. How many times did he have to duck a bullet in one month? It was be
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Chapter Seventy one
The Reunion The elevator hummed softly as it descended, the low mechanical whirr barely masking the hammering in Ashton's chest. He kept his posture relaxed, his fingers resting lightly against his hip where his newly acquired gun was tucked beneath his jacket.The blonde in the sun hat maintained her gaze, an almost lazy amusement in her expression as she took him in.Ashton knew what she was. But he had to play along, the lobby was filled with eyes and he didn't want to endanger anyone. "Nice day for a stroll, don’t you think?" she mused, tilting her head slightly as she drew closed to him. Ashton remained silent. He didn’t like playing with ladies. He was well trained to respect women. The two men flanking the women shifted subtly, positioning themselves to box him in.He noticed when they slowly surrounded him but still, he wasn't alarmed. He forced himself to exhale evenly, calming his expression. If he reacted too soon, they'd have him. If he waited too long, he’d be dead.
Chapter Seventy
Marked for DeathMorning came slow. The night that passed was the longest of Ashton's life. Every time he woke up, he could almost hear his brother's voice right in the hotel room. His dreams were plagued with his face. Was he dead? Was his ghost now haunting him? “Bloody hell!" He swore as he slammed his hands down on the alarm clock and jerked up. What was the alarm for anyway? He couldn't even recall. Sighing, he padded out of bed and went to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. Celeste and Carter had both left him yesterday with more questions than answers. But the good thing was that they offered to help him. Or at least that's how he understood it. Celeste was convinced that they had a common enemy and he didn't know why. But so far, he knew how influential the Monroe family was and that they could help him. So, he was in. After getting his coffee, Ashton sat in the dim motel room, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts all over the place. The events of the past 24 hou
Chapter Sixty nine
Breaking Point"Stay with me," Ashton growled, shaking him. "Stay with me, damn it!" Augustine coughed, blood flecking his lips. His fingers weakly grasped at Ashton’s sleeve. "I’m fine," he muttered, though his voice was barely above a whisper. "Just...a scratch..." A scratch? That was a goddamn bullet wound, and Augustine was slipping away. Before Ashton could react, the masked men snapped into action. "Move! Take them!" Ashton watched in shock as the men got out of the van and tried to grab him and Augustine. Ashton fought with all he had. Punches. Kicks, blows, everything he had. But he was outnumbered sixteen to one. The odds were against him on every side. "We're taking him now!" the man barked, holding Ashton off despite how much he fought. Two men rushed forward lifting Augustine’s limp body from Ashton’s grasp. "Don’t take him!" Ashton snapped, his voice raw, "you cowards!”At this same time, the roar of new engines added to the chaos on the bridge. Headlights s
Chapter Sixth eight
Trapped on the BridgeThe men didn't stop chasing them as they rushed into the car, finding a way to reverse out of the parking lot of the school. Ashton sprinted toward the abandoned lot. His legs burned, his breath came in ragged gasps, and behind him, the sound of rapid footsteps and gunfire echoed through the school’s quiet lot. Augustine was right behind him, and for once, neither of them had the time to argue. "Get to the car!" Augustine shouted. Ashton didn’t need to be told twice. His eyes locked onto the sleek black sedan they had driven in, parked near the rusting chain link fence. The engine was off, but the keys were still inside. They just had to get there. Another gunshot rang out. Ashton ducked, cursing under his breath. "Who the hell are these people?!" "No idea," Augustine grunted. "But they sure as hell aren’t here to say hi!" That alone was obvious and it made Ashton even more upset. How many times did he have to duck a bullet in one month? It was be
Chapter Sixty seven
The Forgotten YearsMemory lane? Ashton didn't know why that sounded oddly too familiar considering his circumstances. Did Augustine know how horribly confused he felt? Did he know anything more about Veronica than he was letting on? The car ride was long and silent, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the space between them. Ashton clenched his jaw, glancing at Augustine, who was focused on the road ahead, his expression giving nothing away. “Where are we going?” Ashton finally asked, breaking the silence. “You’ll see,” Augustine said simply. “That’s not an answer.” “It’s the only one you’re getting right now.” Ashton exhaled sharply and turned to the window, watching the landscape blur past. He wasn’t armed, and the realization left him on edge. But as he sized up Augustine, he reassured himself, if it came down to a fight, he could take him. Years of taekwondo and self-defense training weren’t for nothing. But he hoped he didn't have to fight his brother. H
Chapter Sixty six
BlankAshton stepped out of the Blackwell Hospital, his breath misting in the cold night air. His heart was still racing, though not from adrenaline anymore. It was the intensity of what he had just uncovered, all the lies, the betrayal, the lengths to which his father had gone to erase his mother from existence. “Wicked old goose!" He hissed as he got to the car park. He clenched his jaw, shoving his hands into his coat pockets as he made his way to his car. The truth had been there all along, just waiting for him to uncover it. His mother had been abandoned. Denied medical treatment. Left to suffer because Frederick Reed had deemed her unworthy. Ashton got into the car and slammed the door shut. Carter looked at him through the rearview mirror. “Where to, sir?" Ashton hissed, “home.x The ride was silent as they drove back to the Reed estate. Thankfully, Carter didn't ask questions. He wasn't ready to answer anyways. His mind was a storm, torn between anger and a cold reso
Chapter Sixty five
A Mother's Heartthrob The speed on the motorbike was exceptional. The city lights blurred into streaks of gold and red as the motorcycle tore through the streets. The cold night air bit at Ashton’s skin, but he barely noticed. His focus was locked on the darkened roads ahead, on the wind whipping past his face, and on the woman maneuvering the bike with impressive speed. Behind them, the men that pursued from the house had vanished into the distance, but Ashton didn’t let his guard down. He still had his gun in hand as he twisted his head slightly, scanning the streets. No headlights, no black vans. Had they really shaken them? Even if they seemed to be out of immediate danger, Rovan didn’t slow down. She weaved through the lonely road with the confidence of someone who had done this a hundred times before. Every sharp turn, every sudden swerve sent adrenaline coursing through Ashton’s veins. It was reckless. It was dangerous. But so far, Rovan seemed to know what she was
Chapter Sixty four
The Badass Rovan Ashton took the flash drive from Rovan’s outstretched hand, his fingers tightening around it as he studied her. The dim street light outside barely illuminated her face, but he could see the slight skepticism in her eyes, the kind of look that belonged to someone who had lived on the run for too long. “This isn’t enough,” he said flatly. “If you want me to believe you, I need more.” “You should be glad I'm giving this to you. You'd never be able to find out what happened to your sister otherwise." Ashton looked at her and then the flash in his hands, “Frankly, I don't care." Then he flipped the flash drive in his hands, “I need information and I know you have it." Rovan sighed, shoving her hands into the pockets of her dark coat. “We can’t talk here. It’s not safe.” “Then take me where we can talk." Rovan looked at him like he'd just lost his bloody mind. “I think you're missing something here. I'm helping you, you aren't in the right place to make demands
Chapter Sixty three
A Messenger “Sir, we found out that the elevator was being tampered with," one of the security men said. Ashton sighed and shook his head. “I'm sure it's nothing, just make sure the lights don't go out again.” “Sir, you don't understand, you might have been in danger in there, I think we were breached." This was the part that he didn't want to deal with. He didn't want anyone snooping around just in case they found the Irish woman. She'd gone through so much stress to warn him. "Don't bother, I'm fine. Don't push it.” He warned sternly and then left them all stunned. As Ashton made his way toward the executive wing, a voice called out behind him. “Mr. Reed! Sir, if I could just have a moment of your time.” Ashton barely slowed down. He hoped no one would get nosey and ask about the elevator. He wasn't about to tell anyone what happened in there. A young man,no older than twenty-seven, hurried after him, his eyes were gleaming with enthusiasm. The ID clipped to his blazer re
