บททั้งหมดของ I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis: บทที่ 221 - บทที่ 230

"That's not true!" Daniel said. "I already explained everything to Mira. I'm not here because of Rhys. I want to work. That's all. You think just because I've got the Granger name, I'm trying to screw someone over? You should know better. I'm the illegitimate one. Clive won't even speak to me. They treat me like a stain. I've got nothing to gain from them. I'm not on their side. I never was."He looked at me like I was supposed to back him up.When I said nothing, he went on. "I'm just trying to earn a wage. I don't have a trust fund or a penthouse. If I don't work, I don't eat. What's so suspicious about wanting a damn job?"He sniffled.Ashton let out a short, amused breath.He watched Daniel for a few seconds, then said, deadpan, "You're lying.""I'm not. Why would I lie? I've been here more than a month. If I wanted something from Mira, I would've taken it already. I've done nothing wrong. You're making me out to be some kind of manipulative creep just because I'm broke?"He turne

"I came to the studio," I said. "Daniel wouldn't leave, so I did. Let me guess, you asked Geoffrey where I was again. Keeping tabs on me?""Didn't have to. I guessed." Ashton changed the topic quickly. "Why's that kid still there?""He's leaving in a few days. Don't worry. I'm not keeping him.""You free now?""Yeah.""Good. Come to the hospital. You'll want front-row seats."***Ashton and Dominic were already there when I entered the hospital room."What are we doing here?" I muttered, glancing around.Ashton stood from the narrow couch by the window, tugged me down beside him, and pressed his palm to my lower back."Still sore?" His hand moved lower, his thumb grazing the base of my spine.I shoved his wrist away and shifted on the cushion.My face burned.Dominic's eyes stayed glued to his phone, thumbs tapping the screen like he hadn't heard a thing.I exhaled slowly.I shot Ashton a look.He grinned.I narrowed my eyes and stared harder at him, the kind of stare that said: stop

"Police came," Priya said. "They're handling it. Rhys and Dan both got hurt. Dan's worse. They've been taken to the hospital." She paused. "The studio's a wreck. Again."I sighed. "I'm on my way."I couldn't leave Priya to deal with the mess alone.When I got there, the street was empty, and the police were gone.Inside, the door was still half-open, the metal frame bent slightly at the hinge.The place looked like it had been trashed by a lunatic with a baseball bat.Computers were smashed, monitors on the floor with cracked screens.Tables were overturned; chairs were scattered, some snapped in half, stuffing spilling out.Blood streaked the white tiles in two directions, thick and dark, already drying at the edges.I didn't want to know who had left it.I got to work clearing glass, dragging chairs into a pile, picking up splintered wood.Priya helped silently.We filled two bin bags before I finally dropped into one of the few intact chairs.My shoulders were tight, and my palms w

"Coincidentally, yes. But that's not the point. If you don't want the psychic, at least go for the view. Her shop's in Elmridge, near The Skyveil Trail. It's a tourist spot. Waterfalls, woods, vineyards, the whole thing. Google it."I did after we hung up.Apparently, it was more than just a trail.There was Skyveil Falls, Echo Grove, The Overlook at Dusk, Pine & Pour Taproom, and Old Bramble Farm.And a whole street packed with psychics, tarot readers, crystal shops, and energy healing pop-ups.In the Instagram pictures, half the town looked like a glittery fever dream.I scrolled through a few posts.Reviews mentioned the air smelled clean, the quiet, and the food trucks.It wouldn't kill me to get out of the city for two days.Even if I skipped the psychic, I could at least eat a decent lunch and stare at a tree for once.I started looking at hotels.And I kept looking after dinner.Ashton tilted his head from the far end of the couch. "You're going to Elmridge?""Yeah. Just for a

Ashton held out a hand.The simple gesture made the boy flinch.He handed over the case without a word.Ashton picked it up and passed it to Yvaine.She took it and slid it into her bag.‘You good?’ Ashton asked her.Yvaine nodded.He turned back to me, held out his hand.I took it.We walked out together, not looking back.The second we were past the revolving door, Cassian came up, wagging an invisible tail and beaming at Yvaine.I asked Ashton, ‘What are you doing here?’‘I came to see you.’ Then he added in a lower voice, ‘The bed feels empty without you in it.’‘Oh.’ My heart fluttered a little. ‘Okay, so, where you headed now?’He looked at me like I was about to abandon him. ‘I’m coming with you, of course.’‘But we’re going hiking, and you have work.’‘Work can wait.’I knew when I was beat, so I just shrugged.Cassian jumped in. ‘Count me in. I can drive.’Yvaine ignored him.Ashton pointed at an SUV idling at the kerb. ‘That’s my car.’The sky hung low and heavy, a dull grey