Chapter Three

As I pushed the door open, a chilling silence enveloped the room. The atmosphere felt eerie and ominous, causing a shiver to run down my spine. It was as if the very air was frozen with an unsettling presence. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping over me.

The atmosphere in Daniel Harlow's house has never been this tense, I could feel the tension hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. It was a stark contrast to the usual atmosphere, even more intense than when he had brought his side chick, who happened to be Olivia's mother, into the picture. Memories of my mother's passing flooded my mind, adding to the already palpable heaviness in the room. 

As I ventured further into the lounge, the thick tension in the air became even more palpable. My eyes locked onto a towering figure seated on the couch, emanating an aura of masculine intensity with a deep scowl etched across his face. It was impossible to ignore his imposing presence, adding to the already charged atmosphere.

"Fa...ther," I stammered, my voice trembling as I tried to find the right words to address the tense atmosphere. But as soon as my eyes met his sharp gaze, my words caught in my throat, leaving me feeling completely thrown off. The intensity in his eyes was enough to silence me, leaving me at a loss for what to say next.

"How could you after everything I have done for you? How could you, Ashley?!" He yelled out in rage.

He has never addressed me by my full name before, this is actually the first time that I have seen my father this upset and mad. What could have inflicted his anger?

"Dad, I………"

"How could you, Ashley? Despite everything, you decided to pay me back like this!" His low growl had the words stopped at the tip of my tongue. 

"Dad," I called but he instantly shut me up, "Don't you dare call me Dad!" 

"Why are you yelling at me? I don't know what I did," tears started brimming my deep blue ocean eyes. I have already been through a lot today and I don't think that I have the strength for this. 

"I gave you everything that you needed, even those that I couldn't afford; I always strived just to ensure that you never lack anything in life but you chose that tarnishing my image and dragging my reputation to the mud was the best!!" 

My tears were now trailing down, I could not possibly hurt my father and he knew it. Even when he brought in another woman with my mother still under the same roof with him, still I never hurt him. So what is he talking about?

"Dad," I sniffed more tears in my eyes, "Dad, I'm really struggling to understand where you're coming from. It hurts me deeply to see you so angry and upset. Can you help me understand your perspective better?"

"How could you understand when you sleep around with men for money!!" 

Chills crawled down my skin as I wildly dazed at him, his accusation had my body frozen in place.

Sleeping with different men for money, his words were still looming in my head when he angrily switched on the television.

The headline on the television captioned my attention, my name and my picture were boldly displayed on that television. There was a video attached to the lower side of the screen though it was white and black and not that clear but the lady in the video has long blonde hair just like mine.

She is naked with a huge man towering all over her, their faces were not captioned since they were surely feasting on each other's lips with the duvet doing little or no justice in covering them that well. 

My gaze slowly shifted to the caption below the video, "What is she talking about, that I slept around for money?!" I stuttered unbelievably. I couldn't believe what I was seeing on the screen. The caption accusing me of sleeping around for money was completely unfounded. I was shocked and speechless as I looked back at my father, trying to make sense of it all.

"You heard it right, Ashley, thanks for making me a fool out there," his lips stretched out in a sad smirk, his fist curled to the other side as he snarled trying to control his anger.

"Were you not at DDW hotel last night?" His gaze filled with pain and disappointment as he asked. 

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. His question about me being at the DDW hotel last night felt like a sharp reminder of the accusations. I can feel the weight of yesterday's events creeping back into my thoughts. It's hard to comprehend, why Olivia? Why did you allow this to happen? And now, it seems like the news has spread everywhere.

"You see... the anchorwoman wasn't lying," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I bit my lip to hold back the sobs. It's a difficult situation, and I find myself doing nothing.

Looking up at him, I could see the rage in his eyes as he growled while standing on his feet, "I, Daniel Harlow, can never accept a daughter who is shameless and ill-mannered." I felt a mix of emotion shot through me.

"Dad...! I didn't," I cried out, my voice filled with desperation. I want to make it clear that I didn't do what he accused me of. I hope he can listen and understand my side of the story.

"You didn't? But you just did it, Ashley, The news is all over the internet on how the first daughter of Denial Harlow solely slept around with men for money! How could you go to that shameless length? Have you ever demanded anything and I declined?!" 

Silence fell from my side as tears streamed down my face. I felt helpless, unable to do anything to change what was happening. The false accusations spreading on the internet have made it seem like there's no way out. 

"I am asking you a question, Ashely! Have you ever asked for anything and never got it?!" I flinch in fear when shaking my head.

"Get out!" He shrieked when massaging his sharp jaw.

"Dad, I still didn't…….

"I said for you to get the fuck out of my sight before I lose it!!" He hummed, scaring me away. 

Shaking feebly with my lips trembling, I staggered out of the house and started running toward Mason's house.

How do I explain this to him? I pray that he has not seen the news which is circulating everywhere at a faster rate.

I parked my Honda Jazz in front of the penthouse, feeling a mix of emotions. This place, once a symbol of our love and future together, now feels like it's on the verge of collapsing. It's heartbreaking, but I still believe there's a chance to salvage our relationship though the possibility is small. 

I hurried out of the car and rushed towards the house, my heart pounding with anticipation. As I stood at the front door, I noticed that it was unlocked. It felt strange, but I couldn't help but give it a slight push to see what awaited me inside.

      However, my attention was immediately caught by something in the lobby. I saw feminine clothes scattered on the floor, and the sickening cologne lingering in the air. It was a fragrance I didn't recognize, definitely not the one Mason wears. My heart sank as I realized there might be more to this situation than I initially thought.

I could feel my heart racing, and a wave of unease washed over me. But I pushed those unsettling thoughts aside, refusing to believe what my instincts were telling me. 

But instantly I felt my body freeze as a chilling sensation ran through me, almost knocking me to my knees. I heard a feminine voice moaning from the other side of the room, the very room that was supposed to be our matrimonial haven. It felt like a punch to the gut, and I couldn't ignore the reality unfolding before me.

Clutching the fabric of my clothes, my body trembling, I mustered up the courage to extend my shaky hands toward the door. Despite that nagging voice in my head screaming at me to turn around and flee, curiosity consumed me. I needed to see with my own eyes to truly believe what was happening.

Meanwhile, as I pushed the door open, a wave of terror washed over me, causing me to shudder against the door frame. Dismay flashed across my eyes as I took in the sight before me. The scene was something I never expected, and it filled me with a mix of pain and sadness.

Mason, my fiance whom I has come running to was deep inside another woman, fucking her on our bed. The bed shakes with how rough they are hitting it, and her sickening moan fills the air. A crippling scream ripples through the room, causing me to stagger back. My grip on the door handle loosened, and I felt a mix of shock and disbelief wash over me. It's a painful and confusing situation. 

Holding the hem of my clothes, tears rolled down my cheeks as I watched Olivia, my half-sister, and my fiance Mason having s*x on the exact bed meant for the both of us. It felt like a stab in the heart, a betrayal that I never saw coming. I was overwhelmed with a mix of anger, sadness, and disbelief. I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. 

Well, I couldn't help but to let my pain out, "Ah…..no!" My heart felt like it was being squeezed as I stood there, unable to contain my silent sobs. When they finally noticed me, their eyes met mine, and the room fell silent. The weight of the situation hung heavy in the air.

       My heart sank as I stood there, hoping for Mason to come rushing to me, but it was just a cruel hallucination. Instead, a dreadful smirk appeared on his face as he continued thrusting into Olivia, who kept throwing triumphant smiles my way. The pain and betrayal cut deep.

I could feel my heart breaking as I clutched my clothes, my hand trembling against my lips. In a daze of pain, I rushed out of the house and made my way to the car parked outside his penthouse. I didn't care about my father's warning to never return—I needed solace and a familiar place to gather my thoughts.

My world shattered before my eyes, years of hard work crumbling in an instant. With furious honking, the gate swung open, allowing me to slide in and park my car in the carport. I took a deep breath before stepping out.

Feeling devastated and disheveled, I walked into the house to find my father surrounded by a group of men dressed in black, busy filling out some documents. The scene added to the heaviness in my heart. I couldn't agree more. The atmosphere definitely feels off, not like it used to be. Something just feels... off. 

"I think it's time for us to leave, Mr. Harlow," one of the men said, noticing my presence and diverting everyone's attention towards me. The sudden focus made me feel uneasy.

I could feel my father's rage radiating from his face as our eyes locked. Instantly, I tore my gaze away, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over me. Chewing nervously on my bottom lip, I couldn't help but acknowledge that I was in a complete mess right now. 

"Yeah, we did have a great day," the man said to my father, earning a nod from him. His gaze was still fixed on me, and the man's cold eyes darted from my father back to me before adding, "Whatever is in that contract stays there." The tension in the room was palpable.

And with that one word, he walked away with his men. I could see the hurt in my father's eyes, but before I could react, his next word threw me off the edge. 

"Go pack up, you will be getting married tomorrow to Damien Albrecht." Those words were incredibly shocking and overwhelming to hear. 

I shuddered against his words, Damien Albercht……! There was a dead silence in the air, a silence that traveled all the way to my wounded heart. The calmness did nothing to the blood drumming heavily in my ear at the unexpected news. 

I couldn't believe it when I heard those words. Damien Albrecht, the world's youngest billionaire, and my crush... It should be a reason to feel happy, right? But instead, I'm left feeling confused. Why this sudden arrangement? I can't help but question everything. What is going on? Damien is a public figure, and my father is well-known, but not on the same level as the Albrecht family. It's all so overwhelming and hard to make sense of.

"Dad, what's happening?" I asked, my voice barely audible. The tension in the room was palpable, and my nerves were on edge. I needed answers, but I couldn't help feeling uneasy and nervous about the unfolding events.

"I can't take that chance," he said, his gaze piercing and freezing me in place. His words sent a shiver down my spine, leaving me feeling shocked and hurt. It was clear that there was something deeper at play, and I needed to address my concerns and emotions in order to navigate through this mess.

"I can't let my reputation be ruined," he said, his words stabbing me like a knife. The pain shot through my body, intensifying the shock and hurt I was already feeling. 

"I feel like everything I've worked so hard for has been destroyed," he mumbled, his voice filled with anguish. The pain and devastation of seeing everything he has built crumble before my eyes is overwhelming. 

"What is he referring to?" I thought, my face twisted in confusion as I looked back at him. The situation felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, leaving me unsure of what he meant. 

"Our company is now controlled by Damien Albrecht, your husband," he said with a bitter laugh as if he were barely holding himself together. The news hit me like a ton of bricks, and I could sense the pain and struggle behind his forced laughter. 

I know how much my father has worked his butt off to build his reputation and the company. He's made sacrifices every day for the company, and now it's under someone else's control all because of me. It's overwhelming to see the company I grew up with in someone else's hands. 

"What... are you talking about, father?" I stammered, my voice filled with pain and confusion. The news had hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me struggling to comprehend the situation. 

"To protect our reputation from being tarnished and avoid positioning ourselves as a laughing stock out there. They've decided to step in and help... He's taken on the role of being your fiance and the person you've been involved with, but in exchange, he gains control of the company," my father explained. The revelation left me speechless, my mind racing to comprehend the magnitude of the situation. 

"What?!" I gasped, my voice filled with bewilderment and shock. The news had hit me like a thunderbolt, leaving me struggling to process the information. Does my father even know what he is trying to do?

I know that Albrecht has always had a thing for our company but not to this extent. I can't believe Albrecht is doing this to us. It feels like they're ripping my father away from everything he's built. Our company is the only thing our family truly owns, and now it's being taken away. This is not helping but just a way to snatch the company. How could my father stand so low and dumb to have accepted these silly ideas? Yes…….. Standing as my fiancee and the man behind my sexual scandals is a risky idea and can also tarnish or ruin their reputation but Albrecht is like the body and the mouthpieces around the world. So their reputation will never be ruined, rather the presence of their name in the picture will also add a lot of respect to our own family name.

As a smartass and a manipulator, they have seen it as a perfect opportunity to dive in and rip everything from us, especially now that my father seems vulnerable. But fuck the goddamn reputation! I rather go down than agree to this silly deceptive idea of theirs. How could my father? 

"It's true that with their name on the picture, our reputation might be restored," I responded, forcing a sad smile. It seemed like this arrangement was their way of salvaging our reputation, even if it came at a great cost. I still had mixed feelings about it, but I needed to have a conversation with my father to understand his reasoning better. It's a challenging situation, but I won't lose hope. He shouldn't have allowed their manipulation to get to his head. Does he value fame, respect, reputation, and status so much that he has agreed to this? 

"And the company..." my heart raced as I anticipated the next piece of news. The fate of our beloved company hung in the balance, and I couldn't help but feel anxious about what was to come. I braced myself for whatever news was about to be revealed, knowing that it would have a painful impact on our family and our future.

"Gone...! It's devastating to hear that, even though the public still sees it as ours, the reality is that it's now under his control," It's a painful realization.

I staggered a bit, my eyes widening in disbelief. "No, no, no...! This can't be happening," I exclaimed. The idea that he would agree to this arrangement seemed absurd to me. Is this how much he cherishes his damn reputation? Now we have lost everything. 

Yes, even though I know that my father is one person that cares about his reputation, image, and what people will say but accepting this idea is bullshit!!! Is better to be mocked than to lose everything we once had, that company was the tangible thing my family owed. 

However, I couldn't help but blurt out, "Giving them the company is definitely not the best decision." 

"What's the point of still having it while the shareholders will want to withdraw and disassociate themselves from the company……. Having it is still going to be useless but under his hold, everything will be fine," he laughed bitterly and that brought tears to my eyes. "Who would want to associate themselves with a tainted name? It's like we've become a joke online," he adds, sharing in their frustration. The impact on our reputation is disheartening and overwhelming. 

"Yeah, it's tough not being able to have it, but I can still take pride in my hard work from a distance," he replied. 

His sharp gaze settled on me, and I could see the pain in his eyes as he said, "I am disappointed in you, Ashley. It feels like I live to curse the day you were born." I felt a mix of hurt and pain wash over me. 

"No, Father!" I cried out, but he pushed me to the other side and walked away. I felt a wave of emotions overwhelm me - shock, hurt, and complication. Understandably, I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure about my emotions right now but one thing is for sure;  I am hurting, grieving in so much pain. 

Painfully, I fell to the ground and wept bitterly. It feels like everything I've worked my ass off for till today is now crashing and shattering right in front of me. This sudden turn of events is incredibly tough to handle.

In less than twenty-four hours, my life took another unexpected turn. Not only did I tarnish my image, but I also dragged my father down with me. It feels like everything is falling apart. I can't believe how quickly everything changed! One moment I was being set up, the next second I was disowned by my own father. And to make matters worse, my fiance is now with my step-sister. It feels like my world has been turned upside down. Now I'm being forced to marry Damien Albrecht. It's all so painful and confusing. 

I still can't believe that a one-night stand could crush and shatter my dreams and future. It feels like everything I've worked so hard for is slipping away.