CHAPTER 11: THE GALA COLLISION

The ballroom glittered like something out of a dream, all crystal chandeliers and champagne bubbles catching the light. But Asha couldn't appreciate any of it. His eyes scanned the crowd relentlessly, searching for one face among hundreds. Claire's arm was intertwined with his, her blonde hair swept into an elegant ponytail, her makeup flawless and subtle. She looked every bit the successful CEO she was—poised, confident, beautiful. And Asha wished he was anywhere else. "Come on, Asha Ashton," Claire leaned closer, her voice playful and seductive. "Something bothering you? You've been distracted since we arrived." "I'm fine, Miss Claire." He forced a smile, trying to ignore the trap Terence had set for him. Just for tonight, he told himself. Just get through tonight. As the evening's program began, Asha's mind wandered far from the speeches and networking happening around him. Claire guided him from group to group, introducing him as her partner to every potential business connect

Last Updated : 2025-10-16

CHAPTER 12: PUBLIC FACES

The silence in the private room pressed down on them like a physical weight. Nadia sat as far from Asha as the space allowed, her legs crossed, one foot swinging in agitation as her eyes fixed on the security monitor showing the ballroom below. The main event had started. Company names were being called alphabetically, each CEO stepping into the spotlight to represent their empire. She stood abruptly, smoothing her dress with hands that trembled slightly. It was alphabetical. Gray Industries would be called soon. She needed to be out there. "Nadia—" Asha started, but she was already moving toward the door. "I have to go." Her voice was clipped, professional. "Thank you for your help tonight, but I can handle it from here." "It's not safe." He stood, blocking her path without actually touching her. "Whoever tried to hurt you is still out there. They might try again." She turned to face him fully, and the look in her eyes made him step back. "How did you know?" The question c

Last Updated : 2025-10-26

CHAPTER 13: THE SETUP

Asha's face hardened the moment he spotted Victoria approaching. His hands curled into fists at his sides, jaw clenching. "What are you doing here? Haven't you done enough damage?""Come on, Asha." Victoria raised her hands in mock surrender, a practiced smile on her perfectly made-up face. Her dress screamed expensive and borrowed, sparkly earrings catching the light, short heels clicking against the marble. "I'm just here to apologize for how things ended between us. I know I messed up, but trust me I just want to be with you. That's all." She wiped away a tear that looked as fake as her dressing. "I love you, Asha Ashton. I always have."He stared at her for a long moment, then laughed—a bitter, humorless sound. "Come on. I'm not an idiot. You think I'll fall for this act?"She sighed dramatically. "I'm trying to atone for my mistakes. If you don't believe me, that's your problem to deal with, not mine."She turned to walk away, her expensive borrowed clothing swinging with each st

Last Updated : 2025-10-27

CHAPTER 14: THE MORNING AFTER

The cold air against Asha's skin jolted him into semi-consciousness. A weight pressed down on his right arm, heavy and unfamiliar. Confusion flooded his foggy mind as he carefully extracted his arm and fumbled in the darkness for his phone.His fingers finally found it on the bedside table. The screen's harsh light made him squint: 3:15 AM. His notifications were flooded-twelve missed calls from Terence, seven from Elena, five from his driver.He activated his phone's flashlight and swept it across the room, searching for a light switch. When he finally found it and flipped it on, his world tilted."Oh shit." The curse exploded from his lips as his hands flew to cover himself. He was completely naked.On the bed beside him, Victoria lay sleeping on her stomach, the sheets pooled around her waist, her bare back exposed to the room's cold air.His phone clattered to the floor as panic seized him. He sank back onto the edge of the bed, his head pounding with what felt like a sledgehammer

Last Updated : 2025-10-27

CHAPTER 15: A SISTER'S FURY

The door to Elena's apartment swung shut behind them with a finality that echoed in Asha's skull. Not a single word had been exchanged during the drive. The silence had been suffocating, worse than any lecture she could have given him. Elena strode directly to the kitchen without looking at him. He heard the clink of mugs, the whistle of the kettle, the precise movements of someone using routine to control their anger. When she returned, she carried a steaming cup of hot chocolate and set it on the coffee table in front of him with deliberate care. Then she sat across from him, crossed her legs, and waited. Her face was stone. Her eyes tracked every pathetic detail; his wrinkled shirt, his disheveled hair, the way he couldn't seem to meet her gaze, how his hands trembled slightly around the mug she'd given him. "Start talking." Her voice was devoid of sympathy, stripped of the warmth she usually showed him. This was Elena at her coldest, and he'd earned every degree of it. "I..."

Last Updated : 2025-10-29

CHAPTER 16: THE FILES

There was a pause, then: "Mr. Ashton, are you sure you want to know?" "I need to know. Please." Another pause. Longer this time. From both ends. "You weren't in good shape when you left with Miss Victoria, sir. You could barely walk. She was essentially carrying you." Asha's stomach dropped. "Go on." "I tried to offer you a ride, but she insisted she'd take care of you. Said you'd be staying with her for the night." The driver's voice was careful, professional. "You didn't seem aware of what was happening, sir. I... I tried to call multiple times to check on you." "Did I say anything? Do anything?" "You were mumbling, sir. Incoherent. I don't think you knew where you were." The pieces were starting to come together, and the picture they formed made Asha's blood run cold. "Thank you, Mark. Go back to sleep. And... I'm sorry for worrying you." He ended the call and stared at his phone. Victoria had taken him when he was too drunk to consent. Too drunk to know what was happeni

Last Updated : 2025-11-02