Chapter 70
Chapter 70
This was a big deal for Calvert; apart from family, he had never brought a woman here before.
In the past, the only person to join him had been Jade, who had once saved his life. Seeing Ash here now made Noah
curious.
“Not exactly,” Calvert replied vaguely. At least for the next year, Ash would have a rightful place by his side.
He had promised his grandmother, and there was no turning back.
What would happen after that? They’d probably go their separate ways.
He carefully chose a lively big fish and reminded Noah, “You can add lemon for a fresh kick when cooking.”
Suddenly, he remembered how satisfied Ash had looked when she tried a lemon dessert at the auction.
It would probably work well in other dishes too.
Noah raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you like lemon? You’ve never been picky before.”
Previously, when Noah was cooking, Calvert had never made any requests. He was not picky at all.
“She likes it.” Calvert left it at that and stepped out of the kitchen..
When he emerged, he found Ash on the phone, her usual calm expression now hinting at a smile.
She didn’t shy away as he approached, continuing her conversation. “William, could you take care of things on your end? I’m counting on you for the company matters.”
Calvert frowned slightly at the mention of that name. It annoyed him.
After hanging up, Ash turned to him and said, “I’ve already handled the incident from today at the company.”
His brow knitted tighter. “William? The chairman of Shadow Ventures?”
Ash nodded, explaining that she generally avoided drama and had given the acting chairman role to William to keep her public appearances to a minimum. So, he wasn’t entirely wrong in his assumption.
Calvert’s voice turned icy. “Are you close with him?”
“Pretty good,” Ash replied, puzzled by his sudden shift in mood.
His expression darkened. ‘What is their relationship really? Are the rumors true? Is she being William’s mistress?‘ he wondered.
The silence hung heavy in the air. Calvert remained quiet, and sensing his brooding mood, Ash wondered what she had said to upset him. She anxiously waited for their food to arrive.
Just then, her phone rang again—it was her mother, Brooke.
‘Oh no!‘ she thought.
She had been out too long and had forgotten to rush home. ‘Has Mom figured out I am not there?‘ she wondered.
Glancing at Calvert, Ash quickly formulated a plan and answered the call.
“Where have you been, my sweetie?” Brooke’s concerned voice came through the line.
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Chapter 70
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Ash quickly crafted a cover story. “Calvert took me out for dinner. I rushed out without telling you. I’m with him right now.”
“Sweetheart, you keep saying you don’t want to get engaged, yet here you are, so eager! Have you finally realized how great he is?” Brooke teased, amusement lacing her voice, and Ash could almost picture her mother’s satisfied smile.
Brooke had already noticed how naturally Ash and Calvert had interacted at the dinner the night before, and now she was thrilled to see her daughter so eager to spend time with her fiancé.
“Enjoy your time together, you two; I won’t intrude. No rush to get home,” Brooke said warmly before hanging up, leaving them with plenty of time alone.
Though Brooke’s voice was soft, Calvert caught every word, a wave of frustration washing over him.
If Ash didn’t truly come out to see me, why is she lying to her mother? Isn’t she the one who wants to call off the engagement? Is this all just a cover to meet William?‘ he wondered.
He opened his mouth to question her but was met with Ash’s bright smile. “Sorry! After everything that happened earlier, my parents don’t let me go out alone. As long as I say I’m with you, they relax. The last part was just a joke, so don’t take it to
heart.”
Ajoke? Does she really think I would find it amusing?‘ he thought.
Calvert’s expression darkened as he scrutinized her.
Just then, a tantalizing aroma wafted in, distracting Ash as she turned eagerly toward the door, completely unaware of Calvert’s brooding demeanor. She had a passion for food, and her excitement bubbled over.
She had many hobbies, and enjoying delicacies was one of them.
In came a group of attractive servers, each carrying beautifully plated dishes. Just the scent was enough to assure her this lunch would be exceptional.
As the servers set everything down, Ash gazed at the artistic presentations and eagerly grabbed her fork.
The first bite was an explosion of flavor, delighting her taste buds like nothing she had ever experienced.
This restaurant didn’t just use premium ingredients; it showcased culinary artistry, perfectly balancing seasonings to elevate each dish’s natural taste.
Ash was in bliss, her eyes sparkling with joy like a contented cat. “If you hadn’t brought me to this hidden gem, I would’ve never known how incredible this food is. Thank you!”
Seeing her genuine happiness melted away Calvert’s earlier tension. Even when he had once gifted her a million, she hadn’t looked this thrilled. Beneath her tough exterior, she was just a foodie at heart.
He decided not to let anything spoil this moment.
By the end of the meal, Ash felt completely satisfied, her earlier annoyance with the Ford family evaporated, and she found Calvert far more enjoyable to be around.
She pulled out her card to settle the bill.
Calvert immediately intervened, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I told you, when you’re with me, you don’t have to spend a cent. If you need money, just let me know.”
‘I am the one treating him, aren’t I?‘ she thought.
Ash met Calvert’s serious gaze, which seemed to pull her in and make her heart race.
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Chapter 70
Kiss
“Ms. Turner, you can’t pay when you’re with our Calvert; only a cheap guy would let that happen,” Noah chimed in cheerfully. “This meal’s on me; no need to feel shy about it.”
Turning back to Calvert, Ash saw him give a slight nod, indicating his agreement.
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It seemed that being with this guy meant she wouldn’t have to spend a dime. What had started as a gesture of gratitude was turning into another favor owed.
After driving Ash home, Calvert turned to his assistant. “Find out what the latest big project at Shadow Ventures is.”
Shane looked confused. The Snider family didn’t have any ties with Shadow Ventures. “Mr. Snider, what’s your plan?”
Calvert narrowed his eyes, his voice chilling. “I’m going to steal their business.”
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