Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Tristan stood nearby, his smile warm. “Wanna go shopping? I can join you,”
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Seeing him act like nothing had happened, Samantha couldn’t hold back any longer. “What do you mean? Didn’t we break up?” She tried to keep her tone gentle for her next move.
“It’s all my fault,” Tristan said, lowering his head, guilt flickering across his gentle face. “I shouldn’t have listened to my family and ended things with you…” He looked a bit regretful before quickly masking it, gazing into Samantha’s eyes with feigned depth. “You’ve always been the one in my heart. Now I want to be brave for you and stand up to my family. Will you let me?
Samantha stared into his warm, affectionate eyes, momentarily unable to refuse. After all, they had been together for so long, and he had always unconditionally accepted her, like a perfect lover.
Plus, she had fought hard to pull him away from Jewel. Just thinking about how Jewel’s boyfriend of five years had become hers made her feel victorious.
After a moment of thought, Samantha finally said, “What about that dress?”
Tristan hesitated, his expression troubled. “My family kept insisting I ask you for money for it. That wasn’t my intention. How much do you have? I can chip in to pay them back.”
“What are you talking about?” Samantha frowned. The money her parents gave her had long been spent on designer bags and clothes, and with the company’s recent issues, she barely had any left. “Gifts I received shouldn’t be taken back.”
She raised her hands in frustration. “I have no money right now.”
Tristan understood the Moreno family’s situation. He thought they would have given her more since she was their biological daughter they finally found, but…
“I’d do anything for you. It’s just a dress,” he insisted, his tone firm. “I’ll help you pay my parents back.”
Samantha hesitated. ‘Is someone who can’t be straightforward about a dress really wealthy?‘
But remembering how she had snatched him from Jewel made her smile sweetly. “Thanks, Tristan. You’re so good to me.”
Tristan naturally linked his arm with hers and led her toward a nearby mall. “Let’s see what you like. Buy whatever you want.”
*****
At the Turner family home, after Jade’s embarrassing incident, she had stayed cooped up for days without stepping outside. The next day, Ash pretended to go on a date with Calvert, planning to finish the shoot and then go their separate ways. This was the only way Turner family parents allowed her to go out without a bodyguard.
As Ash got into Calvert’s car, she noticed it had been completely revamped with a Rolls Royce starlight ceiling.
Raising an eyebrow, she teased, “Didn’t expect a big guy like you to like this kind of style.”
Calvert’s deep–set eyes were cold as he replied, “The other car got messed up. This is what Dorothy prepared for you.”
“Huh?” Ash was momentarily confused.
Calvert remained silent, his face serious.
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Chapter 34
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Dean, who was driving, explained, “Ms. Turner, this car was specially bought for you by Dorothy. You have full control over
it.”
Ash was stunned. ‘Is this the power of the four prominent families in Riverstone? Starting with such an expensive gift!”
She quickly realized this was likely Dorothy’s way of welcoming her future granddaughter–in–law. But she and Calvert were just pretending to be a couple, both waiting for their engagement to be called off in a year.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept it.” After a brief pause, Ash firmly refused. “Please tell Dorothy thank you for her kindness, but Dean, you should take the car back.”
There was no hint of surprise in her eyes. Calvert frowned, his voice carrying a hint of authority. “Things given by the Turner family are never taken back.”
“The car is from Dorothy. What does that have to do with you?” Ash shot back, unyielding. “If I don’t want it, can you force it on me?”
Calvert’s eyes darkened as he locked onto her clear gaze. After a moment, he looked away. “You can do what you want with it. If you don’t like it, just throw it away.”
Ash was speechless. He spoke of an over–several–million–dollar car as if it were just a cabbage–so wasteful.
She turned her gaze to Dean, only to find him focused on driving, seemingly oblivious to her presence.
She felt a bit guilty about suddenly owning a car. ‘Dorothy has been so good to me; how could I repay her?‘
Lost in thought, Ash pondered her next steps.
Calvert’s gaze inadvertently fell on her profile, noticing her expressions shift from confusion to annoyance, but never the joy one would expect from receiving a gift.
‘Does Grandma’s thoughtful gift become a burden for her instead‘? A flicker of displeasure crossed his otherwise indifferent face as he said coolly, “The medicine in your bracelet is worth a fortune. 3.5 million dollars plus this car isn’t even close to s value. Consider it a bargain for me.”
“That’s right!‘ Hearing him say that, Ash suddenly remembered, ‘Isn’t Dorothy unwell? If I have the chance, I can send some medicine to her. How could I have forgotten that?‘
Suddenly inspired, Ash felt her spirits lift. “Thanks for the reminder. I know what to prepare for Dorothy now.”
With her worries resolved, a bright smile blossomed on her face, pure and beautiful, yet vibrant.
Calvert subtly averted his gaze. “You’re quite grateful.”
“Who’s like you?” Ash shot him a glance, puzzled. “Isn’t Jade your ex? Why are you so quick to turn your back on her?” Mentioning Jade sent a chill through Calvert. “I was lenient because of the Turner family, but she took advantage of that.”
He despised being deceived. Jade had tricked him first and then used underhanded methods against him. If it were anyone else, they would be already killed.
Ash narrowed her eyes. ‘Was their relationship not what I thought?‘ Shaking her head, she dismissed it. ‘It doesn’t matter; in a year, we’ll go our separate ways. Why overthink it?‘
The car fell into silence.
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Chapter 34
Suddenly, Calvert broke the quiet, asking slowly, “Do you know Prunella?”
Ash’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Has he discovered something?‘
