LOGINAs the Sage's youngest son, Edmund had always been arrogant and overbearing. Yet Ashton had humiliated him so thoroughly and even stolen his woman. That was a bitter pill he refused to swallow!While digging into Ashton, Edmund happened to cross paths with Calvin. The enemy of one's enemy was one's friend, so the two hit it off instantly and agreed to take revenge on Ashton."Mr. Vance, Ashton isn't that easy to deal with. You have to make sure nothing goes wrong, or we're the ones who'll pay for it," Calvin said, shuddering as he remembered the fierce, predatory look in Ashton's eyes.Edmund thumped his chest. "Relax. Just lure him to Orchid Pavilion Manor—all the men there are mine. I paid top dollar for assassins from the Shadowed Nocturnals. They've taken down experts in the semi-transcendent realm before! On top of that, I've set up a gas chamber. The moment Ashton sets foot in the manor, he's as good as dead.""Good!" Calvin exhaled in relief. Then, he asked, "What will we
Roxy got into bed after a hot shower but couldn't fall asleep. Her mind kept replaying the images of Ashton and Sylvia being intimate. The more she tried not to think, the clearer the images became."Why am I thinking about this…" She rubbed her temples as the regret over divorcing Ashton bubbled to the surface again.Just then, Calvin called. He'd been her first love, but she only realized upon thinking about him that his face had grown fuzzy in her memory.After a pause, she answered, her voice cool. "What is it?""Roxy, you finally picked up!" Calvin's voice carried a pleading note. "Can you give me another chance, please? You're my first love, and I'm yours. We're the prince and princess—together, we're a fairy tale come true. Can we try this again? I came back to the country to marry you and give you a home. I'm back to make you happy!"Roxy wasn't moved in the slightest as she listened to his confession. Instead, she felt a deep, visceral disgust. She didn't even know why
Ashton no longer felt anything for Roxy. All he wanted now was to take back everything he'd given her. Whether she was good or bad didn't matter to him anymore. By giving her this warning, he felt he'd already done more than enough.Roxy frowned in displeasure. "Calvin's plotting against me? Where did you get that from? Do you think everyone is like you? Don't assume that you suddenly have a shot just because I turned down Calvin's proposal; don't think this is your chance to stir up trouble between him and me!""Whatever. It's your choice whether or not to believe me," Ashton said flatly. He couldn't be bothered with her foolishness and turned to leave."Stop right there!" Roxy was angry now. Her heels clicked sharply as she strode up to him. "I have advice for you, too—don't get too involved with Sylvia. When your abilities don't match what you hold, it's just a tragedy waiting to happen. You two won't have a good ending."Ashton found this laughable. "So what you're saying is,
"Sally, hurry up and hand your apartment key to Mr. Gray! From now on, you need to be ready to serve him at home at any moment, understand?" Louie barked."I understand." Sally walked over to Ashton. Tears glimmered at the corners of her eyes as she bowed slightly and offered her keys with both hands. "Mr. Gray, say the word, and I'll wait at home whenever you want… Whatever you want, I'll do it. I'll obey all your orders."Her heart hammered faster and faster. She knew this moment would decide her fate.Ashton reached out, tilted her head up, and studied her face. Then, he took her keys. He supposed having a maid devoted to serving him completely wasn't a bad thing."Mr. Gray… are you coming over tonight?" Sally shivered, slipping fully into character. Her voice was honeyed as she purred, "I know lots of dances. I can perform for you.""Maybe another time. Go home first and get yourself cleaned up." Ashton glanced at the mud splashed across her body. Her thighs were smudged
Louie was frantic. Sally was supposed to be his trump card, but that had been completely ruined.Sally trembled as she looked up at Ashton. She felt like he was towering above her, making her feel as small as an ant. He was someone she looked down on, yet he was actually a person far beyond her reach.Humiliation churned in her chest, but her fear was stronger. She knew if she screwed up Louie's plans and lost her value, she would be in for misery.She bit her lip, swallowing her grievances and discomfort as she slowly dropped to her knees. She prostrated herself before Ashton, her voice shaking as she said, "Mr. Gray, please forgive me. It's all my fault…"She pressed her head to the ground after saying that, her body forming a dangerously alluring pose."Sally, you're Mr. Gray's maid from now on! You belong to him in body and soul, got it?" Louie barked.Sally trembled even harder. She could only say, "Got it…"Louie glanced at Ashton, exhaling in relief when he saw the anger
"You sure are throwing your weight around, Louie. Are you here to stand up for your sugar baby?" Ashton asked coldly as he looked at Louie."Mr. Gray, I…" Louie descended into chaos and panic. He was at a total loss for how to explain the situation. How could things be so coincidental? How could the person bullying Sally turn out to be Ashton?"Louie, what's wrong with you? Tell your men to grab him—don't let him get away! He thinks a little skill makes him untouchable. He didn't just bully me; he bullied my best friend, too! Don't let him keep being so cocky. I want him to understand exactly who he's messed with!"Sally tottered to Louie in her heels, finally feeling bold. She lifted her chin and pointed straight at Ashton.The next second, Louie's face contorted. He spun around and slapped Sally hard across the face, roaring, "You're completely out of line! How dare you show Mr. Gray such disrespect!"Louie was livid. This foolish woman had wrecked all his careful planning! Wi







