Chapter 4

The medical team rushed into the ballroom to help Asher.

Andrew Jackson went over to his son. “Asher, you need medical attention immediately. Your arm is bleeding.” He looked worried.

His mother Lisa Jackson looked so devastated about the situation. “Son, are you ok?”. Her voice shook as she was terrified.

“I'm ok mom, I just need to follow the medical team to treat my arm, I will soon be back.” He answered her.

His expression looked cold like he did not feel any pain from his bleeding arm.

“Come out with me”. Asher said as he faced her.

The medical team planned to treat his injured arm near the medical center around the event.

“Of course I'm coming with you.” Ivana said, pulling back from the thought of what just happened.

Andrew Jackson assured the guest everything was ok, and they will soon be back.

The music played in the background as the guests were entertained.

Ivana tried to cover his arm with his suit, as they walked out of the event with the medical team.

They passed through the back door of the ballroom to their private medical lodging to avoid reporters.

The doctor wrapped up his arm well and cleaned up the injury, it was well bandaged.

The medical team left after they were done treating Asher.

Ivana kept looking at him to see if he was ok.

Asher just kept a straight face like he is not bothered about the pain in his arm.

Ivana stood up and her gown hooked her heels, she was almost tripping on the floor before Asher held her in his hands.

“It seems you like falling into my arms.” his gaze softened as he teased her.

She struggled to stand back looking flustered from the close intact. He smelled good leaning on his chest, she thought.

She looked shy and tried avoiding his gaze. “Let's go back to the ballroom. I'm sure they must be waiting for us to show up.”

“Let's go through the backdoor to avoid the paparazzi.” He ushered her out.

They have to pass the backdoor to the ballroom to avoid them.

They entered and the guests were drinking and engaging themselves as they formed connections in looking for business partners.

Cassie and Anna have been looking for an opportunity to engage in a conversation with Asher.

They spotted Ivana and Asher. Cassie immediately went ahead to hold Ivana's hand. Pretending to be a dutiful mother and full of smiles.

Ivana scorned her and was trying to break free from Cassie's hold.

“Hi, Asher Jackson, I am Ivana's sister.”Anna smiled flirtatiously as she tried making a conversation with Asher.

Asher just ignored her and was disgusted by her act, she still kept twisting her body moving towards him

Ivana looked at how the mother and daughter pair behaved shamelessly.

“Ivana darling, are you not going to introduce your sister to him?”. Cassie cooed as she eyed Ivana to make them have a conversation.

Asher was not even interested. He kept looking at his rolex wrist watch as if he had to be somewhere.

Asher was aware of how they treated Ivana through the spies the Jackson's family sent out.

Then, a voice from the podium echoed.

“Everyone, it's time to introduce the marriage of our lovely Asher Jackson and Ivana Philips.” The MC announced.

There was a resounding clap as the guests cheered for them as they came out.

Classic music played with instrumentalists playing their special piece for the grand occasion.

Asher and Ivana were called to take their first dance.

The atmosphere changed, as everyone admired Ivana's beauty and poise and she was leaning on his other arm that was not injured on the dance floor with Asher.

Asher held her tiny waist, her face was getting heated up again by their close proximity.

Anna burned with jealousy wishing it was her holding Asher.

Some other socialites that were there envied Ivana, and they thought she was not good enough for him.

Ivana was not well known among the socialites and important figures there. She was only known as Philip’s infamous daughter.

Most people even thought Anna was Philip's biological daughter. She worked in his company too and socialized more with the elites.

Some of them judged Ivana, and only thought she was a beauty with no brain.

Ivana almost stumbled on Asher's legs due to the judging stares around her, making her feel uneasy.

“Just focus on me.”Asher told her, seeing her uneasiness.

Raymond and his father Collins entered the ballroom, some important figures gathered to have connection with them. Their company was well known for being industrious.

Anna kept whispering and spreading rumors about Ivana to some of the guests and it was going around.

“You mean she left Raymond to be with Asher Jackson because he is a famous billionaire? She is such a gold digger”.

People kept whispering and spreading rumors about her.

“You all can join in the celebration of this wonderful marriage. Join the couples on the dance floor”. The MC announced.

They paired themselves in twos and joined the couples on the dance floor.

Asher was dancing with his mother, while Ivana took a rest and stayed at a corner to drink a glass of champagne.

“Is this not my lovely flower?” Raymond approached her when he saw she was all alone sipping champagne.

Ivana rolled her eyes and tried to move away from him.

“I can see you are a gold digger.” You want to secure a rich billionaire because he is more influential than me right?” He questioned Ivana as he set his eyes on her.

“You don't even have the right to talk to me you scumbag.” She looked at him in disgust, and still cannot imagine that is the man she once loved.

Raymond still held her hands forcefully, losing control. “You are mine Ivana, have you forgotten about our love?”

He stared at her lustfully. He was looking at her beautiful face, and how perfect her gown fits her curvy body.

She was at a dark corner of the ballroom and nobody noticed what was going on.

“Remember I'm married now and I've tendered my resignation through your email. I don't have anything to do with you anymore.” She tried moving back.

She winced from the pain she felt in her hands as Raymond forcefully gripped her.

She struggled against him feeling his alcoholic breath and she had the urge to puke.

Asher excused his mother on the dance floor when he saw the close proximity between her and Raymond.

He was jealous about seeing her together with Raymond. He wondered why he felt that way. He got to know more information about Ivana through his spies.

“Get your hands off her right now” Asher commanded as he moved closer to them.

“Or else what? just because you are a rich billionaire gives you the right to snatch my fiance?” Raymond asked in rage.

“You think I don't know about your escapades with many other young women, I'm sure you don't want me to expose your hidden closet here.” Asher grinned and smirked at Raymond.

Ivana was surprised to hear the information about Raymond's escapades.

She never thought he would cheat on her with other young women.

“I will not give you the opportunity to slam me with those words—”

His Father, Collins saw his son bashing Asher Jackson. He went there immediately.

“Shut up you foolish son” Collins said as he angrily slapped Raymond.

“Apologize to him now.” his father was terrified as he held his head down.

Collins knew better not to offend Asher Jackson who is a powerful businessman with many companies and industries under him.

He still has a deal with the Jackson's where he needed to sign a business deal with his company.

He regretted ever bringing Raymond to the engagement party.

Collins bowed down to Asher and he ordered Raymond to kneel down before him.

Raymond knelt down in shame before Asher, getting scared about his father's anger.

Asher looked at them with a cold countenance and he had a mocking grin on his face.

He did not give them face and he took Ivana away.

“Follow me.” he said to her as he held her hands to leave there as the guests stared at the commotion.

He already informed one of his assistants that is there with him to make sure they dissolve any contract or anything that has to do with Raymond and his father.

Ivana watched how ruthless Asher Jackson is. She thought at first maybe he cared for her.

She only knows she is just a pawn that was arranged for him.

Asher informed his father and mother that they were about to leave as they've completed their marital rites.

Philips also came to bid the couples farewell.

And some important few guests wished them well.

Their court marriage certificates were also handled without them going to the venue due to how powerful he is in the country.

They had to pass through the backdoor to avoid paparazzi and reporters.

Ivana walked beside him as she lowered her head. Voices in her head keep telling her she's not good enough.

“Am I just a pawn in your hands?”