MasukAmber POVI activated my right turn signal and checked my mirrors before smoothly changing lanes, putting some distance between my car and the black SUV following me. The driver immediately adjusted his position, confirming that he had no intention of letting me disappear from sight. Ahead, the intersection was approaching, and according to Jason, another SUV was waiting less than two blocks away.I was considering my next move when I heard a baby crying through the phone.It was faint at first, almost drowned out by the sound of Jason typing, but then the crying grew louder, followed by the unmistakable sound of my husband attempting to comfort a very unhappy infant."Come on, little man. What's wrong?" Jason murmured, his voice noticeably softer than it had been a few seconds earlier. "Daddy's right here. There's no need to complain."I smiled despite the circumstances."Which one is it?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the road."Lucas. Ethan is sleep
Amber POVI checked my rearview mirror again.It was maintaining a reasonable distance, neither approaching nor falling behind. Whoever was driving knew how to follow someone without drawing too much attention. Unfortunately for them, I had spent enough time dealing with people who wanted something from my family to recognize when a coincidence stopped being one.I reached for my phone and called Jason through the car's hands-free system."Sweetheart?" he answered almost immediately. "Are you close to the estate?""Not yet. Jason, I think someone is following me."His tone changed instantly. "Where are you?""About fifteen minutes from the Asher estate. There's a black SUV behind me. It's followed me through three turns, including one I made specifically to see whether it would.""Don't go to the estate yet," he said. "Stay on the main roads. I'm accessing River City's street cameras."I glanced at the navigation screen. "You're doing that already?""Amber.""Fine. No questions about
Amber POVI had missed the Asher estate.It was a ridiculous thing to admit, even to myself, considering how much of my childhood I had spent wishing I could escape its walls. Back then, the estate had felt too large, too quiet, and too full of memories I didn't know how to carry.Now, as my car traveled along the familiar road leading toward it, I found myself watching the landscape with a strange sense of affection.The tall trees lining the driveway had grown since the last time I paid them any real attention. The iron fencing stretched along the property, its dark metal glinting beneath the afternoon sunlight. Beyond it, the distant rooftops of the estate were just visible through the trees.Home.The word came to me so unexpectedly that I almost laughed.I had spent years building a life that didn't depend on the Asher name. I had created Phoenix Ashers, made my own money, established my own reputation, and convinced myself that I didn't need anything my family could offer me.Ye
Amber POVThe press conference might have ended there, but the reporters had one more subject they were determined to discuss.Me.A journalist in the second row stood and adjusted his microphone."Miss Asher, I have a question for you."I turned toward him."Go ahead.""Considering the recent developments involving the Sun family, the allegations against you, and the claims that you have been found guilty in Sum Country, what exactly is your plan moving forward?"The room became almost unnaturally quiet.There it was.The question that had been waiting beneath every other one.I could practically hear the headlines being written in the journalists' minds.Amber Asher Responds to Sum Country Verdict.Asher Heir Faces Political Crisis.Is Amber Asher Preparing to Fight the Sum President?I looked at the reporter for a moment.Then I laughed.Not because the question was funny, but because the situation had become so absurd that I could no longer take the accusations seriously."That's
Amber POVThe press conference was held at Asher Corporation's main headquarters in River City.By the time I arrived, reporters had already crowded the entrance. Cameras flashed as my car approached, and the moment the door opened, a wave of voices rose around me."Miss Asher! Is it true that Mrs. Wyatt has been arrested?""Are the Asher and Wyatt families officially at war?""Miss Asher, will you be taking over the company?""Is this connected to the investigation involving the Sun family?"I stepped out without answering a single question.There would be time for answers inside.My grandfather had always taught me that a person who answered every accusation the moment it was shouted at them surrendered control of the conversation before it had even begun.Today, I wasn't surrendering anything.I walked through the entrance with my head held high, my expression calm, and my hand resting lightly on the small handbag at my side.The reporters followed until security intervened.Inside
Amber POVMy phone rang the moment I ended the call, and when I saw grandfathers name on the screen, I couldn't help wondering whether the entire world had collectively decided that I wasn't allowed to enjoy a single peaceful morning.I answered with a sigh. "Hello.""Amber, where are you?""In the castle. Why?""Good. Stay there until my driver arrives. We have a press conference to prepare for."I blinked."Good day to you too.""Emory called me."That caught my attention."Emory?""He informed me that my sister has been detained."I sat straighter on the bed.Of course. Emory had wasted no time informing Grandfather that the authorities had finally taken his sister. Given the history between the Ashers and the Wyatts, the poisonings mostly, I could only imagine the conversation that had followed."How are you feeling?" I asked carefully.Grandfather was silent for a moment."How should I feel, Amber? My own sister is in custody, and I have spent years believing that the worst of ou
I didn’t cry. I didn’t shake. I didn’t look back, or mourned the life and the years i will never get back, lost forever. I just went home, time to pack and say goodbye to my old life. The penthouse doors opened with biometric recognition the moment I stepped inside. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Marb
We moved quickly through the hallway. Adrian walked behind me, gun raised, covering the corridor while I forced Henry Watson forward. The mansion was quieter than expected. Too quiet. Which meant either the guards were regrouping… or Jason was already on his way. I glanced over my shoulder.
Jason POV Marcus nearly slammed the brakes. “She shot the camera!” I leaned back slowly. Marcus looked at me. “What the hell was that?” I ran a hand over my face. “She said hello husband before she shot it.” Marcus stared. “…Okay.” Silence filled the car. “…What does that mean exactly?”
Family drama. Honestly, I was getting tired of it. I shifted slightly in the chair, letting the ropes around my wrists rub just enough to make the guards think I was uncomfortable. In truth, they had tied them loosely—political kidnappers rarely knew how to do proper restraints. Across from me,







