Theron leaned casually against his car, a sly grin curled on his lips as he eyed Rebecca and Myles while they stepped out of the federal building. He could see the frustration etched across his sister’s face, the fire in her eyes were as fierce as ever. Myles, on the other hand, looked tired, like he’d been through this one too many times. He chuckled under his breath. His sister had always been the hard goer and he had always been the more easy going, easy life kind of dude. “I was wondering when you two would show up,” he said, his tone was light but with an undercurrent of seriousness. “We need to talk.” he informed them and he pushed off the car and strolled towards them with an air of cocky nonchalance. Rebecca, still fumed from the encounter with the feds, she really wasn't in the mood for another drama but she nonetheless still crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at her brother. “This better be good, Theron.” she warned him. Theron’s dancing eyes flickered from Reb
Ashton sat in the quiet of his living room, the shadows from the evening sun as the sun was beginning it's descent to set made creative long lines across the hardwood floor. He sighed as he sank deeper into the leather chair, his thoughts were swirling from one place to the other. The house, though spacious and elegant, felt more like a museum to his past life—silent and sterile. For years, Ashton knew he had built walls around himself, prioritizing work, reputation, and duty above all else. But now, as he stared out of the large windows that overlooked the city, he realized something fundamental had shifted in him. He could sense it. He could feel it. He felt guilty, of course. Asking the Coopers for help wasn’t something he had ever imagined doing. Their influence had been instrumental in keeping the wolves at bay. Without their pull, the legal battles, the whispers, the relentless attacks from people like Rebecca would have consumed him entirely. But relying on them, especially El
The next day dragged on with a weariness that Ashton couldn’t shake off. He sat behind his desk, the ticking clock on the wall marked ever so painfully, every slow second that passed. The papers in front of him blurred into a haze as his mind wandered. He wasn’t usually one to let boredom get the better of him, but today was different. After last night’s function and the encounter with Myles, his thoughts were still swirling. He felt restless, like something was out of place, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was. And worse, he had finished all the activities for the morning and had plenty of time do just sit around doing nothing. Ashton rubbed his temples and sighed. It had been one of those days where everything felt like a chore. Even the prospect of having lunch seemed dull. He quickly pulled out his phone and texted Thomas.Ashton: “Lunch? My treat. I need a break.” He watched the three dots pop up, indicating that Thomas was typing. The response came almost immed
Ashton sat alone in his house, the stillness of the somewhat quiet night was broken only by the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room. The peacefulness should have soothed him, but instead, it filled him with an unease of some sort which he simply couldn't shake off. The conversation with Elizabeth earlier that day, their laughter over delicious Korean ramen, and then tge heartwarming chat with Angel that followed had settled him briefly, but now, with the dark shadows of night creeping in, it was indeed a different kind of tension that had settled in his chest.His mind wandered back to all the complications that awaited for him—Rebecca, Theron, Myles all of them—and how they’d managed through time to weave their way back into his life. The calm from earlier seemed distant now. He got up from his couch and poured himself a glass of water as he hoped that the cool liquid would clear his head at least.Ding-dong.The
The drive back to her estate felt longer than it should have. Rebecca’s hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, her knuckles turned white against the leather. Ashton had not only refused her subtle attempts to sway him, but he had also sent her away, unapologetically.And that was because that busy body, Thomas Gomez had arrived at his house. That infuriated Rebecca the more. If only Thomas had not come, she was sure that she would have convinced Ashton into signing the treaty. But that incoherent piece of shit, Thomas said no.For Rebecca Knowles, rejection was a bitter pill to swallow, and tonight, it burned deeper than ever. After she had done everything she could to rectify the situation. Ashton had looked at her like she was nothing but a nuisance—like she was still the villain of the story. She scoffed at that."Maybe I am," she muttered under her breath as she pulled into the long, winding driveway that led t
The great and grand ballroom of the LeFontaine Hotel was abuzz with so much and lots of activity as business elites from across the globe gathered for one of the year’s most prestigious events—the International Business Leaders’ Conference. The elegant and of course, expensive as shit crystal chandeliers sparkled above, it made up an elegant glow over the room as well-dressed men and women mingled to network for business. They discussed everything from market trends to groundbreaking innovations. Everyone was seen with someone, getting to know each other. You could say that this was the way in which business men and women socialized; at eloquent balls like these. Ashton Pearce stood near the entrance, he adjusted the cuffs of his tailored to size charcoal suit. His sharp and surprisingly confident eyes swept across the room as he felt a rare feeling of ease settle within him. This usually wasn't him, he had to admit but strangely he was comfortable. He wasn't fidgeting or shit. For t
The sun shone a golden light across the vast fields where rows and rows of luxury Ashwagandha plants grew. Ashton Pearce stood at the edge of the field, his hands rested in his pockets as he admired the sight before him. The wind stirred the leaves and carried with it the rich, earthy scent of the herb that had changed his life forever. This was no longer just a plant—it was right now and maybe forever a symbol of everything he had built, everything he had fought for.Years had passed since those tumultuous days when his life was always filled with challenges—Rebecca’s numerous and relentless schemes, the uncertainty that had surrounded his healing abilities, and the constant battle to prove himself. But those days felt like a distant memory now. Ashton had emerged victorious, stronger and more focused than ever. The Ashwagandha plant, which had once been just a curious herb to him, was now at the center of his world-renowned healing practice. People traveled from across the country
The sound of the soft hum of Ashton Pearce's estate at night was as peaceful as the day had been. The chirping crickets in the nearby gardens and the faint rustle of the wind through the Ashwagandha fields created an atmosphere of somewhat quietness and serenity. Ashton leaned against the railing of his porch,he held a glass of wine in his hand as he watched the moonlight bathe his empire. He felt the calmness seep into his bones, an absolute feeling of completeness he hadn’t known in years.This was the life, his subconscious told him. But something felt off. Despite the tranquility surrounding him, there was a weight in the air—a quiet foreboding that he couldn't just shake off. Perhaps it was the nerves about his upcoming proposal to Elizabeth, or maybe it was the realization that even at the peak of success, there were still uncertainties in life. Ashton sipped his wine while he tried to shake off the feeling.He didn't know what it was but he sensed something. He heard the soft