Most people would have at the back of their minds that Ashlyn was pregnant with Gordon’s child. Even if she refused to marry Gordon, no man would marry her after hearing this. At that point, whether the rumor was true or not wouldn’t matter. That was how rumors worked. Even if the Ramos family tried to bring the truth to light, the damage would have been done already. Everyone would think that they were instead trying to cover up the truth.
“I understand, sir,” Carl said with a small nod. Somewhat satisfied, Nathaniel closed his eyes and relaxed against the back of the chair. “Do this properly, and it shouldn’t be traced back to our family.”
Carl nodded but didn’t say anything. He didn’t know how he was going to make it happen. As though Nathaniel could read his mind, he said, “Raina and Arabella have already taken a lot of money from me. I think it’s time for them to give me something in return.”
Carl was a little confused by what Nathaniel was implying. It was only after a while that it dawned on him. They couldn’t have found anyone more suitable than the Morgan sisters to start the rumor.
On his side, Stevie was still fuming. He had no idea Nathaniel was such a despicable man. When he had calmed down and gathered his wits, he called Ashlyn.
Ashlyn already found out from Talia that Nathaniel had gone to Bluepond to see her parents. When she heard what he did, she didn’t know he could be so shameless. During her three years of marriage with Gordon, he didn’t show Ashlyn any sign of love. Now that everything was over, Nathaniel still had the guts to go straight to her parents to propose another marriage.
When Stevie was done explaining what happened, Ashlyn laughed despite her anger. “Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t marry into the Jones family again. I won’t make the same mistake twice.” Nathaniel alone was too much for her handle. She didn’t even want to begin thinking of the recognized troublemaker, Denise. Not just that, but she had no desire to wed Gordon a second time. One time was enough, and the pain he had put her through was too much for her to forgive him.
Stevie wanted to ask Ashlyn if she was back with Gordon. After all, Nathaniel sounded so confident when he said Gordon and Ashlyn were together. Stevie felt empathy for his daughter. He thought Ashlyn might feel ashamed about making the same mistake and discussing it with him and his wife.
He was shocked that Ashlyn guessed his question and told him directly she would not marry into the Jones family again.
Stevie had an argument with Ashlyn before when she wanted to marry Gordon. He couldn’t tell if she was telling him the truth this time around. “If you still love him, your mom and I won’t disagree. Your happiness is all that matters.”
Stevie’s reaction made Ashlyn feel guilty. “Dad, I’m not in love with him anymore.” “Okay,” Stevie replied. “Just remember that we will always support you!” “Thanks, Dad,” Ashlyn replied.
Stevie looked at the time. “It’s getting late, so I’m going to bed, Ashlyn. You should get some rest too.” “Alright, Dad. Good night.” “Good night, Ashlyn,” Stevie said.
Ashlyn did not go straight to bed. After hanging up with her father, she stood on the balcony, unable to calm herself down. She was not upset because of Nathaniel’s shameful words and actions, but because the situation had obviously affected Stevie as well.
Her difficult three-year marriage to Gordon had traumatized her parents too. Stevie had strongly opposed Ashlyn being with Gordon in the past. But now, he gave in. Ashlyn felt sorry that her parents still worried about her; they thought she was already twenty-seven years old. It should not be that way. Ashlyn sighed and then had another thought.
She knew money and status meant everything to Nathaniel. He seemed insistent that she marry back into the Jones family. The Jones family didn’t deserve it though. A smirk lingered on Ashlyn’s face as she walked back into the room.
Ashlyn suddenly thought of something else. Ashlyn knew that Betsy did not want her to have a relationship with Devin, but she could have just involved Ashlyn in the matter. She didn’t have to get Gordon involved. No one trifled with the Jones family in Courtbush.
Betsy didn’t take her seriously because she knew Ashlyn did not come from Courtbush. Gordon was a well-known ruthless figure in Courtbush, however. It was ridiculous that Betsy would offend him. Ashlyn thought about her conversation with Betsy that night at the hotel, and she knew something felt off. She was just unsure of what it was. Ashlyn frowned and took out her phone. She called Talia.
Talia often worked overtime. Talia answered almost immediately. Ashlyn smiled and made her request. “Good evening, Talia. I hope I’m not bothering you, but I need you to investigate Betsy again.” Talia was somewhat shocked.
“Have you found out something new, Miss Ramos?” Ashlyn only laughed a little.
“I’m not sure. I could just be overthinking everything, but I feel like Betsy was too bold to drug Gordon.”
“I will get someone on it immediately,” Talia replied after hearing what Ashlyn said. “Thanks.” “No problem,” Talia said.
After they hung up, Ashlyn’s eyebrows rose. She hoped that the situation did not involve the Jones family. If it did, Ashlyn would make sure they did not come out unscathed.
Nathaniel had personally gone to Bluepond to see Stevie and his wife and asked that Ashlyn should marry Gordon again. Of course, Ashlyn and her parents were annoyed and even angry about this, but they soon kept it at the back of their minds.
Ashlyn didn’t see Gordon after that night she got drunk. She wasn’t really looking for updates on him, but they seemed to find her anyway. Arabella went to Crowbar Technologies to see Gordon, but Ashlyn didn’t ask any questions about it. She wasn’t interested in the details.
Half a month after, when Ashlyn saw Gordon again, he walked past her as though he hadn’t seen her. She wondered if it was because what she had said that night had angered him. She didn’t spend her time thinking about it though.
Her questions lasted for about a second. Maybe it was good for them to ignore each other. That would be difficult though since they were all in Courtbush. They were going to run into each other every now and then, whether they wanted to or not.
Having put the incident at the road behind her, Ashlyn was a little surprised to meet Gordon at a dinner party a few days later. The party was full of famous people who handled the approval procedures of Fairway Group’s projects. With that in mind, even the rich and independent Ashlyn had to be polite with them.
Being the only woman at the dinner party, Ashlyn received all the attention and care from the men. One after the other, they raised a toast in Ashlyn’s honor. Less than half an hour later, she had drunk four glasses of wine. She could hold her liquor, but if she drank too much, she could easily get a stomachache.
If the person was not in charge of the examination and approval of Fairway Group’s project, Ashlyn would have cursed him and refused to drink to this last toast.
She thought that was going to be the last one, but as soon as she emptied the glass, the man that was beside her filled her glass again and offered more praises. Ashlyn looked at the glass with resentment. She didn’t want to drink anymore.
Ashlyn thought of pretending to throw up. They would all give her space if she threw up, wouldn’t they? She had already drunk four glasses of liquor and had entertained the guests long enough to satisfy them. Just as Ashlyn was about to take action, a cold voice said, “I propose a toast to you.” Ashlyn didn’t need to look at the voice to know that it belonged to Gordon.
He hadn’t even spared her a glance since he entered the room. Why was he running to her rescue now? Why he did it didn’t matter.
She was just relieved that his ploy worked and that they were now talking about something else. She was no longer in the spotlight because Gordon took her place.
Someone teased him, asking if he didn’t want Ashlyn drinking. “Mr. Jones is young and also kind. He seems to care for his ex-wife a lot.”
“Miss Ramos has drunk a lot tonight. Mr. Jones can drink with us from now on. Come on, Mr. Jones, cheers!”
“Mr. Jones is a straightforward man! He doesn’t hide his thoughts.” Gordon couldn’t turn them down, especially if it was going to make them push Ashlyn to drink again. So, while he drank the next few rounds, Ashlyn pitched for her project to be approved.
After enduring the dinner for two full hours, Ashlyn came out with a red face, a clear indication that she was drunk. Seeing her, Talia rushed up and helped her. “Miss Ramos, are you okay?” “I’m fine…” Ashlyn drawled in a voice that didn’t sound too fine.
At the same time, Gordon stepped out and walked by her. He had helped her today. If he hadn’t, she would have drunk more, and she would have probably not been able to stand straight. As she thought of this, she didn’t stop watching Gordon until he pushed Lowell away and ran to the bathroom. He had to be drunk, too.
“Miss Ramos?” Talia asked, wondering why Ashlyn stopped. Ashlyn came back to reality upon hearing Talia’s words and smiled, “It’s nothing. Let’s go.” She went out in the opposite direction from Gordon.
It was both a wonder and an annoyance that Gordon would help her, and Ashlyn didn’t appreciate it at all. It was none of his business after all. She could find her way out of the private room even without Gordon’s help. She was the only daughter of Stevie, the boss of Fairway Group. They wouldn’t be so bold as to force her to drink if she didn’t want to.
Gordon stumbled into the bathroom and vomited immediately.Lowell was right behind him. “Did you drink, Mr. Jones?”There were many prominent people at the dinner, but no onedared to force Gordon to drink.
Even so, Gordon was still drunk. He even staggered when he cameout of the private room just now. Lowell knew Gordon could drink a lot because he had worked forhim for such a long time. He looked at his boss and knew Gordonhad drunk too much.
Lowell handed him a tissue and Gordon took it without saying aword, Gordon felt much more sober after he threw up. He had been sleepless at night when he thought of what Ashlyn said, She didn’t love him anymore..
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.