Ashton stood at the front of the large lecture hall, he stared back out at the sea of eager faces that stared back at him. Rows and rows of college students sat attentively, notebooks in their hand, as they hung on to his every word. It was always like this when he gave talks—people were fascinated by his work, by the success he had built right from the ground up. Today, however, was different. His mind was clouded, it was preoccupied with thoughts that he couldn’t shake.He clearer his throat, as he forced himself to focus. He smiled at the audience, his usual charm he could feel as if flickered back to life."Now, as many of you know," Ashton began, his voice was steady as hus eyes moved from one corner of the room, "our company has dedicated years to the study and utilization of ashwagandha, an ancient medicinal plant that’s been a cornerstone of healing practices for over three thousand years." He said confidently. A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Ashton continue
Ashton was still in edge. He took a deep breath as he walked up the marble steps to Thomas Gomez’s office. It had been quite a long while since he’d seen his friend, and though he wasn’t one to seek help often, today was entirely different. He needed advice—he badly needed a clear perspective, and if anyone could help him think straight, it was Thomas.No one else at the moment could do that for him if not Thomas Gomez. The receptionist smiled as Ashton entered and Ashton returned the smile back. “Mr. Pearce, good to see you,” she said and then she proceeded to buzz him through without hesitation. His presence always seemed to bring a certain level of respect, though Ashton hardly noticed it these days. He had bigger things on his mind.Thomas’s office door was slightly ajar, and Ashton knocked lightly before he gently pushed it open and let himself in. "Ashton!" Thomas’s face lit up with a wide grin as he stood up from behind his desk, he extended his hand to him for a handshake.
Rebecca’s mustang sped through the city streets, her manicured fingers gripped tightly, the steering wheel. Myles sat in the passenger seat beside her, his brows were furrowed with worry as he glanced over at her. He had no idea what she had in mind and neither did he know where they were both going to. She had just asked him to meet her at his car pack as she wanted to have a word with him and now here they were, in the middle of the road, heading to God knows where. He didn't know where it was that they were going to, but he could already tell it was going to be trouble. With Rebecca, it always was. "Where are we going?" Myles asked her, his voice cut through the tension-filled silence in the car."You’ll see," Rebecca replied, her eyes were still fixed on the road ahead of her. Her lips were curled into a smile that sent a shiver down Myles’s spine. He knew that smile. It was the one she wore when she was about to pull something reckless, something that would inevitably drag him d
Ashton stood in front of the full-length mirror in his bedroom, he carefully adjusted the collar of his crisp, white shirt. His hands trembled slightly, it was a mixture of nerves and anticipation as they surged through him. Tonight was the night. He had waited long enough, and it was time to take the next step with Elizabeth. He had it coming for a long time, you know. Thomas’s words from earlier that day echoed in his mind."Rebecca’s not going to do anything to you, mate. She’s lost her leverage. It’s time to focus on your future." Thomas had said to him while they had lunch. For so long, Ashton had let the specter of Rebecca’s presence weigh on his mind. Her manipulations, her attempts to undermine him and to seek, this incomprehensible revenge which she sought for all her life and part of his, a revenge which was supposed to be the reverse case as he was the one who was ruined by her after their divorce— all of it had kept him cautious, it made him to always look over his shou
Elizabeth Cooper stepped through the door of her family’s grand estate, the warmth of the day’s events still radiated through her. Her parents had been called up for an impromptu meeting and she had to return home alone. The engagement ring on her finger glinted in the evening light as she closed the door behind her, she casually leaned back against it for a moment. She couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face—she was engaged. To Ashton Pearce. The man she loved, the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. She couldn't be any happier. But the moment was short-lived."Elizabeth," a familiar voice called out from the living room. Her heart sank slightly, she recognized the stern tone of Myles. There was no mistaking it—something was wrong. It has been long since she last spoke to him and seeing him there at that time, it was ...... creepy she had to say. She stepped into the lavishly decorated room and found Myles pacing by the window, his phone in hand. H
Ashton Pearce slumped back on the couch in his sparsely furnished apartment, his head spinned from the chaos that had only that evening just erupted in the past few hours. The room was dark, it was lit only by the flash of his phone, which on its own part buzzed incessantly on the coffee table. He glared at it, he was honestly tempted to throw it against the wall. His heart pounded in frustration, anger, and disbelief.How could these allegations that were false by the way, be flying so quickly? He wondered. The news was everywhere. His engagement to Elizabeth Cooper, which by the way, should have been the happiest moment of his life, but now, now if had turned into a media frenzy, fueled by rumors he frankly didn't know what they were all about. He knew who was doing this though and it was infuriating. Now, his name was plastered on every gossip blog, every tabloid, and every social media platform. And what was the story? That he was a liar, a manipulator, and worst of all—that he
Rebecca Knowles entered the brightly lit studio with an air of satisfaction about her. Yes. This was it. It was finally time to get her game on. Oh Ashton Pearce, you honestly have no idea about what is coming for you, you know. The production crew greeted her warmly, and she flashed a charming smile their way, a smile by the way that masked the venom that brewed inside her. Today was her moment—the interview she had orchestrated would air her fabricated side of the story to the world. She was about to paint Ashton Pearce as a heartless man who had abandoned her and their supposed child for a wealthier woman, and no one would question it.The studio was bustling with activity as the producers and hosts prepped for the big moment. Rebecca felt a surge of excitement as she was escorted to the interview room. Her black tailored suit exuded both elegance and power, it frankly made her to feel really invincible. This was her stage, and she was ready to play her role to perfection. She was
Rebecca strode confidently out of her penthouse the next morning, she was dressed in a sharp, navy-blue business suit that radiated power and gave off what she described to be sexiness with a touch of sass. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she made her way to the sleek black car where Myles was already waiting for her. This day wasn’t just another day—it was the day she would confront the federal authorities and reclaim her empire, Knowles Corps.Or so she thought....She sleekly slid into the car beside Myles, she barely spared him a glance as she reviewed the documents they were about to present. Her mind was entirely focused on getting her company back. After all, she had done her part—she had managed to paint Ashton Pearce as a villain on national television. It was only a matter of time before the public and, more importantly, the federal government, would see her as the wronged party and undo the unjust seizure of her company. That was part of her plan an