Chapter 23
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In a bar, nestled in the corner near the stage, sat two handsome men. However, one of them exuded an air of coldness that warned others to keep their distance.
“So, you’re saying that if you date your fiancée for a year, you can get rid of her?” Dwayne asked curiously.
Calvert, holding his glass with well–defined fingers in an elegant and refined manner, did not respond.
Seeing this, Dwayne rephrased his question, “You don’t seem too keen on it. Is it because you feel bad about doing this to Jade?”
Calvert shook his head. “The engagement with the Turner family was arranged by my grandmother and Franklin a long time ago. Breaking it off won’t be easy.”
“Then how do you plan to explain it to Jade?” Dwayne began to worry about his friend.
“We’re just friends,” Calvert said dismissively, not wanting to elaborate.
“Why are you so insistent on breaking off the engagement then?” Dwayne couldn’t understand.
He had initially thought that the daughter the Turner family found was from a poor place, either incredibly unattractive or unsophisticated.
But when he saw Ash at the bar that day, she was not only stunningly beautiful but also skilled in fighting skills, showing a strong personality that matched Calvert perfectly.
Calvert didn’t answer his question directly but instead asked, “Do you remember five years ago?”
“The incident abroad?” Dwayne replied without hesitation. “If it weren’t for that near–death experience and Dorothy forcing you to come back, you’d probably still be wandering around outside.”
“Yeah.” Calvert’s deep–set eyes were deep and unreadable, his tone nostalgic. “For some reason, I’ve been reminiscing about those days lately.”
“So, the real reason you want to break off the engagement is because you miss your old life?” Dwayne inquired.
Calvert neither confirmed nor denied, raising his glass to clink with Dwayne’s. “You know, that kind of life doesn’t allow for a woman by my side.”
Dwayne’s face showed a horrified expression upon receiving confirmation. “Man, you’ve hidden this deep. Even I almost believed you. If Dorothy finds out, she might as well break your legs.”
Calvert’s thin lips curved slightly in a chilling smile. “If you dare tell anyone else, I’ll break your legs first.”
Dwayne shivered, not doubting the truth in his words for a second, and swore earnestly, “Don’t worry. I won’t let a second person know.”
Having resolved the issue of being forced into marriage, Calvert’s mood visibly improved as he ordered another whiskey. “Look over there!” Dwayne suddenly pointed to a corner across the room with a teasing grin. “Isn’t that your fiancée?”
Ash had invited Bailey to the bar.
“Order whatever you want tonight; it’s on me. Consider it compensation for getting scared by Samantha,” Ash offered,
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Chapter 23
handing the menu to her friend.
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“Generous” Bailey accepted cheerfully. “Actually, you don’t need to compensate me. I wasn’t scared by her, just felt it wasn’t worth it for you. You worked hard and invested money for the Moreno family, only to end up being kicked out and slandered by Samantha everywhere.”
Bailey was clearly upset, thinking of Samantha’s habit of spreading rumors.
Ash raised her eyebrows, somewhat amused. “One would think you were the one being framed.”
I’m angrier than you are,” Bailey said, exasperated. “Why aren’t you angry at all?”
“When have you seen me not fight back when bullied?” Ash responded calmly. “Don’t worry. Samantha won’t last much longer.”
Hearing this, Bailey finally relaxed. “I was just worried about you being too filial to a fault.”
“As for the Moreno family, I’ve done my utmost duty,” Ash lowered her gaze and said slowly.
The 650 million dollars invested by Shadow Ventures, plus the 350 thousand dollars she left with when she departed, were enough to repay the Moreno family for their lack of warmth in raising her.
“That’s good,” Bailey sighed in relief. ‘Ms. Turner truly is Ms. Turner, with thoughts clearer than others.”
On the other hand, Calvert initially didn’t want to concern himself with Ash’s matters. However, thinking of Dorothy’s condition, he stood up, intending to greet her.
Just as he approached Ash from behind, a young man with dyed yellow hair sat next to her, speaking in a gentlemanly tone. “Miss, may I buy you a drink?”
Ash looked up, about to refuse, but when she recognized his face, she smirked. It was Baz Rowse.
She accepted the non–alcoholic cocktail from his hand and drank it down with a bright smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Baz took the empty glass from her hand, leaning down to lower his voice. “A guy is watching you from behind; he doesn’t look like someone you should offend. I’m going to slip away.”
Ash turned her head and saw Calvert standing not far behind her, his face dark.
The cold–faced guy again!‘ Ash pretended not to see him and turned back to continue talking with Bailey.
“Are you still going over there?” Dwayne watched the drama unfold with amusement. “Your fiancée seems quite popular.”
Calvert’s expression darkened. After all, she was still carrying his family’s reputation, and her openly flirting with another man would affect the Sniders‘ reputation.
He walked straight toward Ash, his chilling voice cutting through the air. “I need to talk to you.”
Ash glanced at him. ‘What could be so important that it has to be said now?”
“No time,” Ash outright refused and decisively stood up to follow Bailey, who was leaving. “The atmosphere here isn’t great; time to switch places.”
Rather than facing the cold Calvert, she preferred enjoying herself with Bailey.
Watching her leave, Calvert’s face darkened. ‘She would rather accept a drink from that guy than spend time with me… Fine!”
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Chapter 23
Dwayne, who wanted to tease his friend, was stopped short by Calvert’s icy stare.
Since Bailey couldn’t hold her liquor well, Ash decided to take her home right after they left the bar.
As they walked downstairs, Ash looked at the message on her phone, her eyebrows furrowing.
[Jewel, you heartless creature! Did you instigate Shadow Ventures to pull out their funding? I really raised you in vain. Raising a dog would’ve been better than raising you.] It was a message from Lorelei.
If Ash weren’t mistaken, the Moreno family’s company was in trouble again.
After being ousted for so long, the Morenos had never inquired about her well–being, and now they were sending direct jusults…
Ash let out a cold laugh and decisively deleted and blocked Lorelei.
She used to think it was her inadequacy that made Lorelei dislike her. She had put so much effort into winning Lorelei’s favor, only to end up like this.
Feeling somewhat disheartened, Ash didn’t rush to hail a cab but instead wandered aimlessly along the street.
“Honk-“A harsh sound of a car horn blared next to her.
Before she could react, a large truck suddenly veered out of control, heading straight for her…
