Chapter 13
Funny Calvert’s expression darkened, but he still reached out to help Ash
Together, they got Bailey into the car. Ash sat beside her and, watching Calvert concentrate on driving, said softly, “Thanks.” Calvert was taken aback and glanced in the rearview mirror. As if hearing something unbelievable, a slight smile tugged at his lips. “You say thanks?”
his mouth.
Not even a second later, Ash rolled her eyes at him. Such a handsome guy yet he has to open After dropping off Bailey, Ash came downstairs to find Calvert smoking. “You’re still here!” Calvert stubbed out his cigarette and looked at her. “It’s late, and this place is pretty remote. Were you planning to walk home?”
Ash arched her eyebrows. “I didn’t expect you to be so caring.” Without any pretense, she opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.
Calvert then got into the driver’s seat. “Until the engagement is called off, you’re still my fiancée. It’s only right that I take care of you…
Before he could finish, his phone rang.
Seeing Jade’s name on the caller ID, he frowned and immediately hung up, tossing the phone aside.
Ash smirked. “Fighting?”
“As you wish,” Calvert replied, his voice devoid of emotion.
Ash snorted. “As if Tm eager for you two to fight.”
“Aren’t you?” Calvert countered.
The conversation circled back to the topic.
Ash backed down quickly. Fine, considering you drove me home today, I won’t argue with you.” She turned to look out the window and didn’t speak to him again
Meanwhile, at the Turner family estate, Jade felt drained after being rejected by Calvert once again. She leaned against the headboard listlessly.
“Why so glum?” Caspian, learning that Jade hadn’t left her room all day, came to check on her and was surprised to find her like this.
Hearing Caspian’s voice, Jade’s eyes welled up with tears as she sobbed into his arms Calvert won’t talk to me. Do you think he’s mad?”
verthink it. You and Calvert have been through a lot together; he wouldn’t end things over this. There might be other reasons, especially with the chaos within the Snider family right now, You know how tied up he is,” Caspian reassured
her.
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Chapter 13
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Jade knew Caspian was just trying to comfort her. In the past, no matter how busy Calvert was, he would always pick up if she called.
As they were talking, the sound of a car engine echoed from below.
Jade’s eyes lit up. “That’s Calvert’s car
She hurriedly got out of bed and ran to the balcony, only to see Ash getting out of the car. The little joy Jade felt crumbled at that moment. Why is Ash with Calvert?
“Won’t you come up? Your lover is waiting for you,” Ash said, tilting her chin upward, indicating someone upstairs.
Calvert glanced up briefly before retracting his gaze. “You really do love causing trouble. I have things to do, I’ll be going.”
And with that, he drove away without looking back.
Jade watched the car disappear, her clenched fists turning pale from the force.
The villa was quiet. Ash walked upstairs quietly. As she stepped onto the last stair, someone called her name.
“Ash Caspian emerged from a room, his eyes blazing with anger. “Why were you with Calvert?”
Ash smiled. “What are you talking about? Calvert’s my fiance; it’s not strange for us to be together, is it?” She glanced behind her at Jade and asked, “Is there a problem?”
Caught off guard, Caspian took a moment to gather his thoughts “Calvert is breaking off the engagement; what makes you think you’re still his fiancée? You know Jade and Calvert have a good relationship, yet you deliberately stir up trouble.”
Caspian’s voice grew louder, and Jade grabbed his hand, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Caspian, stop. You’ll wake up Grandpa and the others.”
Caspian snorted and glared at Ash. “I warn you, don’t get any ideas above your station. It’s best you recognize your place. “What’s all this commotion about so late?” Brooke, who had trouble sleeping, was easily awakened by any noise.
Josh, following behind her, draped a coat over her shoulders as they approached Ash and the others. Josh remarked, “Look at the time. Aren’t you all supposed to be asleep?”
ad, it’s nothing. We were just talking, Caspian started before being interrupted.
“No, since Mom and Dad are here, let’s clear the air,” Ash said, not wanting to make trouble but also refusing to be wrongfully accused, deciding to give as good as she got
“Ash, Mom isn’t well; cut it out!” Caspian was getting angry.
Tears welled in Ash’s eyes as she looked at him. “Caspian, I don’t understand why you dislike me so much–If there’s something I did wrong, tell me, and I’ll change. As for Calvert, I have no intention of competing with Jade. Im trying to break off this engagement. Why do you all act like I’m some villain monopolizing him?”
Sniffling. Ash turned to Josh and Brooke. “Dad, Mom, meeting you has made me so happy. I want to spend more years by your side, so let’s call off my engagement with Calvert.”
Jade and Caspian, standing behind Ash, turned pale. They hadnexpected Ash to speak so boldly in front of their parents, thinking her not only ill–mannered but also petty.
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Chapter 13
Brooke, feeling empathetic, fook Ash’s hand. “Good girl, you’ve been wronged.”
“Ash–Caspian could hardly contain himself,
CC
“Enough!” Josh glared at Caspian and glanced at Jade behind him “What are you doing wandering into Jade’s room so late at night?”
Although Jade called Lachlan, Caspian, and Jackson her brothers, they were not blood–related. Since Jade grew up. Josh had always worried about improper relationships developing between them.
“Dad, you
“Stop, Caspian, Jade interjected, understanding Josh’s implication. She felt her pride trampled on the ground. Nodding to Josh and Brooke with tears held back, she said, “Dad, Mom, I’m going back to my room to rest,”
After closing the door, she slid down it slowly until she was sitting on the floor, crying her heart out with her head buried in her knees.
You owe Ash an apology and then get back to your room, Josh commanded Caspian with an authoritative presence that forced Caspian to bow his head to Ash.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered, glaring at Ash one last time before retreating to his room.
Ash raised her eyebrows slightly and then turned to Brooke. “Mom, your hands are so cold. You should soak them in warm water before bed to improve circulation. I’ll make you some herbal sachets to help you sleep better.”
“Such a good girl. My condition is chronic; after all these years and treatments without improvement, finding you is my lifelong wish. Seeing you find happiness is all I want, Brooke said softly, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. “Mom always hoped you would marry Calvert, but if you truly dislike him, forget it. Your happiness is all that matters to me.
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