Chapter 7
Chapter 7
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“Of course, I’ve already started arranging everything these past few days, Brooke gushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “The wedding decorations, the dress only the best for our girl
Dorothy nodded approvingly. Tm not up to date with what young people like these days, so I’ll leave the details to you.”
“No problem. Ash is my daughter, after all,” Brooke replied warmly.
Ash’s head was spinning. She was surprised that in just a few exchanges, they had practically set the wedding date.
She turned to Calvert, desperately trying to catch his eye. “Hey, say something!” she hissed under her breath.
Calvert sensed someone staring and immediately looked over. Seeing Ash’s exaggerated facial expressions and frantic gestures, he furrowed his brow. His look conveyed a clear message: “If you’ve got something to say, spit it out yourself.”
Ash shot Calvert a look that screamed, “What’s the matter? No spine?”
Calvert’s eyes narrowed in response as if silently retorting. “You think you’re so tough? Let’s see you do it.
As Ash and Calvert continued their wordless exchange, Jade observed every detail from the sidelines. Her face remained impassive, but her heart twisted painfully.
The silent standoff dragged on until Ash felt her eyes might pop out from the intensity of her glaring. But Calvert still brushed off her protest.
Finally, as Dorothy and Brooke began to move towards the living room, Ash blurted out, “Mrs. Snider, Calvert has something he wants to say.”
Calvert’s lip curled in a sneer as he glared at Ash, his eyes blazing with fury.
Dorothy turned back, her expression serious. “Calvert, what is it you want to say?”
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Calvert lowered his gaze, his voice flat. “Grandma, I want to call off the engagement.”
“Nonsense!” Dorothy’s voice rang out, brooking no argument. “I won’t allow it!”
married,
Sensing the tension, Ash stepped in. “Mrs. Snider, I understand this marriage was arranged long ago, but you can’t force two people together if they’re not meant to be. Calvert and I don’t have a foundation to build on, and even if we did get I don’t see how we could ever be truly happy. I think it’s best if we just call it off.”
Ash thought her reasoning was sound, but Dorothy simply looked at her and asked, “Did that foolish boy put you up to this?”
Before Ash could respond, Dorothy clasped her hands tightly. “Ash, you are the only one I’ll accept as my grandson’s wife No one else will do.”
The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, their target clear to everyone present.
Jade bit her lip her face pale. Calvert frowned, reaching out to confort her, but she instinctively stepped back, avoiding his touch.
Ash watched their charged interaction, noting the longing in the eyes. She tried to reason with Dorothy again but was cut
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Chapter 7
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“Ash, don’t be afraid of anyone, Dorothy declared firmly. “If someone tries to interfere or mess with you, you tell me. I won’t ́ ́stand for it!”
Jade was at a loss for words. She could only look to Calvert, who hood tall and rigid, his eyes cold enough to send shivers down one’s spine.
As the tumultuous scene ended. Dorothy called for Calvert to leave with her. Ash followed to see them off.
Just as Dorothy got into the car, Calvert said, “Grandma, give me a moment. I need to speak with her.”
Dorothy looked concerned. “You better not push Ash around, or you’ll have me to answer to
“I won’t,” Calvert replied coldly. After closing the door, he grabbed Ash’s wrist and pulled her aside.
“Let go!” Ash hissed, struggling against his grip.
Calvert released her, fixing her with a cold, penetrating gaze. His eyes were like a winter sea – dark, deep, and dangerously unpredictable.
“Why did you suddenly go quiet back there?” Ash demanded.
Calvert let out a derisive snort, his low voice laced with menace. I never knew you were such a despicable person.”
Ash’s brow furrowed in irritation. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you insulting me out of nowhere?”
“Don’t play dumb. You were all for breaking off the engagement then you turned around and brought my grandma inte
this. You’re quite the schemer, aren’t you?” he sneered.
Ash was bewildered. “Are you insane? You think I’m the one who stopped the engagement from being called off?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” Calvert sneered.
“Of course not!” Ash shot back.
Calvert let out a cold laugh, his eyes turning to ice.
That look made Ash extremely uncomfortable. She suppressed her rising anger and calmly said, “First, I didn’t invite your grandma here. Second, from the moment I first laid eyes on you. I’ve disliked you, so there’s no way I’m marrying you
“Really? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re playing both sides. Agreeing to break it off in front of me, then pulling this stunt behind my back. I have to admit, it’s a masterful play,” he said.
Ash opened her mouth to speak but found herself too frustrated to say anything. Calvert taunted, “What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue now that I’ve touched a nerve?” Ash clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
As she turned to leave, Calvert yanked her back, gripping her chin roughly. “Listen carefully, Ash. Don’t try any more of your underhanded tricks.”
Ash knocked his hand away, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. “And you listen to me. Stop acting like you’ve got it all figured out. It’s disgusting-
With a final glare, she stormed back into the house..
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Chapter 7
Brooke noticed Ash’s foul mood but didn’t pry. After Ash excused herself and headed upstairs to rest, she said to her husband. “Josh, I think we need to move this wedding forward.”
As Ash passed Jade’s room, she noticed the door was ajar. Soft sobs drifted out, along with Caspian’s voice.
“Don’t cry, Jade. You and Calvert have been together for years. You even saved his life once. He won’t forget that,” Caspian said.
“The engagement was between him and Ash, not me,” Jade replied, her voice trembling. “What we have… it’s not what you
think.”
Jade, I know how you feel, Caspian reassured her. “Don’t worry. If Calvert dares to marry that woman, I’ll be the first to object.”
Ash listened to their conversation, a cold smile playing on her lips as she turned to leave.
Suddenly, Caspian opened the door. Seeing Ash, his brow furrowed deeply. “Didn’t anyone teach you it’s rude to eavesdrop?” Ash found it darkly amusing that this was the second time today someone had lectured her on manners.
She quirked an eyebrow, her voice dripping with disdain. “I couldn’t care less about your little chat. Next time, close the door properly so I don’t have to suffer hearing it
She started to walk away, then paused without turning back. “Instead of gossiping behind people’s backs, why don’t you figure out how to break off my engagement to Calvert? I’ll personally thank you when it’s done.”
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