Joan was angry, furious even, however she was furious with no one but herself. She couldn't decide which angered her more. When she got scared as Asher lashed out at her. Or starting a fight with him in the first place. And for what? a sense of good or justice for someone that might be just as shoddy as Asher or for the dead lady she heard them talking about? people she didn't even know. Asher, she knew a little, he didn't seem like someone who'd care about the consequences of his nefarious activities. All he cares about is profit. After she hurriedly left Kathy's party, she'd taken the time to reflect and think things through. She realized how much she'd risk her contract with Asher. Although she was somewhat assured he wouldn't just cancel their contract. There was no way she could know for sure, she has called Asher's phone multiple times, but he didn't pick up. She would probably have to seek him out to have any chance of salvaging what's left of their contract marriage. "
Neil thought he'd done his best to tail Joan, following her from her apartment complex to Asher's company. He'd then followed her and Asher as discreetly as he thought he could. Yet he was now staring at Asher like a deer caught in a headlight. "Asher?" Neil squeaked out in a panic as he turned towards Asher. "What are you doing here?" he asked Asher clumsily, he hoped Asher doesn't suspect he followed him and Joan. "I could ask you the same question, if I remember correctly I asked you to leave. Yet here you are fooling around the city." Neil breathe a sigh of relief, he feared he'd been caught by Asher. "Of course, I am leaving. I just have a few businesses to take care of before I leave," Neil lied. He couldn't risk being found out by Asher. "I'm done with my business here. I better get going," Neil needed to leave as soon as possible, he would approach Joan later. "I came here with my fiancee," Asher said stopping Neil as he turned to leave. "This business you have here, doe
"Do I really have to come with you?" Jackson asked bristly."You seem to be doing well without my help," Jackson said referring to Asher's planned dinner with Joan and Francesca.After their reconciliation at Altch cafe, Joan had invited him to dinner. Being the opportunist that he is. Asher reminded Joan of his suggestion for them to have dinner with their family and friends while they were preparing their contract.Asher wanted to use the dinner as an opportunity to get himself acquainted with members of the Hargreaves family he could take advantage of. Or at least Joan's elite rich friends.He was however disappointed when Joan told him Francesca was her only family and friend and would be the only one coming.She had termed the dinner an affable double date when Asher had also told her that Jackson was the only one he'll be bringing. Yet he feared it would be fraught with tension. He'd tried canceling the affair, but Joan insisted. She was excited by the idea."Of course, I need y
Mabel Hargreaves sat in her study at the Hargreaves family home. It was formerly her dead husband's. Her blue eyes skimmed through the reports her agents had collated on Asher Evans.She'd suspected something was amiss when Asher suddenly declared himself Joan's fiance at the emergency meeting. She didn't believe for a moment the pair were engaged. Before her father's death, on rare occasions, she and Abraham talked Joan had never made the mistake of informing him she was dating. Maybe Joan and her father's relationship had become so strained, but would she get engaged and not tell her father? She also pondered how they could've been engaged when Joan was in Washington for the past six years. She hadn't even come home once. She was only in New York right now because of her father's death. At the emergency meeting, the pair looked more like strangers than lovers, and importantly she had not spotted an engagement ring on Joan's finger. However, rumors had started spreading, and they'v
Joan sighed as her amber eyes gazed back at her from the depths of her dresser mirror. She was dressed in a silky pink dress.She wasn't sure she wanted to go to dinner considering what happened earlier in the day. Would Asher be present, would he be in the right mind to come?"You look just like her," Francesca said from the doorway."Oh! you scared me, what are you doing sneaking up on me like that." Joan was startled by her aunt's sudden appearance."You look so beautiful," Francesca blurts out. It seems with every day that passes, Joan looked more like her mother."Why, thank you, ma'am," Joan said with a chirpy tone. It felt good that someone as pretty as Francesca considered her beautiful."Shall I let you in on a secret?" Francesca asked conspiratorially."Of course, spill your guts." "When I was a girl I was jealous of your mother's looks. Lauren had the most gorgeous eyes. Beautiful fiery locks and a so perfect smile."Joan felt pangs of sadness hit her as Francesca said her
"So... uh... I wanted to ask what your relationship with your uncle is like. What's his deal with my family's company, and why did you hide me from him in such a manner?" The questions she blurted out have been on her mind since Nolan's visit in the afternoon. They'd stemmed from Asher's conversation with his uncle that she heard while hiding. She became curious about them and made sure to remember them. Yet she felt she's missed something important.Asher's breath became shaky as he sighed. He'd expected Joan to ask questions after his uncle's visit. But he didn't expect it would be so soon, he hoped he would have until the next day."And why should I answer any of your questions?" Asher asked, trying to circumvent Joan's inquiries."I told you that I'd like to know you, remember? And you agreed to it. This is me getting to know you." Joan said simply, she couldn't think of anything else to say.Asher's lips curled in frustration. He was impressed and at the same time irritated, he
Joan read through the article multiple times. She could see the details in the finely written art of deceit that was the tabloid article about her and her family.It seems her stepmother had pulled out all the stops for this article. But to what end, just to humiliate her, or is Mabel planning something bigger?Whatever Mabel was scheming Joan knew she couldn't bear to lose to her stepmother."How could they say such awful things about me? They don't even know me," Joan laments referring to the various comments from netizens. Most of them were either cursing at her or directing hate-fueled words at her."You shouldn't let such things get to you," Francesca said fuming. She was angry that she hadn't been successful in keeping this from Joan. "I've called the Dailypost and asked them to take down the article, but they refused. They told me they will contact you soon, so you can tell your side of the story."Joan became enlivened as Francesca spoke. She would fancy the opportunity to def
Jackson expertly treads across the familiar floors of Grey's lounge. His destination was the bar where Asher awaits him. He and Asher have shared quite a history at the upscale lounge. It's where they'd sealed their first business deal at the start of their partnership.Back then they were young and reckless, Jackson more so than Asher. Asher has always been a bit of a sad lone wolf. However the situation of Emily's death and his accident made him a total recluse, he became distrustful of other people. For a long time after the accident, he believed someone was coming for him and so he built up walls around him. Asher's movement has remained the same since then. He comes to work in the morning and then goes back to a lonely apartment in the evening. His only contact with society remains with Jackson and the women he has shared congress with. The only reason Asher would socialize is for a realization of his set goals, which he is quite strangely proficient at. "Drinking during an eme