The Gamble Kristen Ashley Novels & Stories

He couldn't believe it, this woman would use her life in exchange for money. This wasn't the first time. The time she performed the water act was also like that. Since when did Ashley's life become so cheap? Since when did she no longer value her life? And she, why could she still be so calm? Ashley was calm? Her arm hidden under the blanket, in a place where he couldn't see, was tightening even more. “Ashley, how many times have you used your luck, how many times have you bet your life? Tell me, if I didn't show up in time, what would have happened to you?"

"Sir, she tried to take my husband and hurt my unborn child... What kind of woman does that?" The room buzzed again with their manufactured outrage. The commander ignored them, his focus like a laser. "Mrs. Perkins is the legal next-of-kin. The funds are hers." He turned his piercing gaze on Josh. "Furthermore, she filed a formal request with my office for employment and relocation. Why would she do that if her intention was to entangle herself with you, Caleb?" Josh stiffened, caught in his own lie. "She... she's just playing hard to get. It's a scheme to force my hand, to make me provide for her..."

"Asher, do you understand how dangerous that girl is? She—" "She’s not dangerous," Asher interrupted, his voice rising with the frustration he had been holding back. "You don’t know her. You never did." Camilla stepped forward, her eyes flashing with anger. "But she drugged you, Asher! That’s what Cassius said. She drugged you at that party, and that’s why you—" "She didn’t drug me," Asher snapped, cutting her off. His voice was low, but there was no mistaking the intensity behind it. "Someone else did; she wasn’t trying to manipulate me. Whatever you think happened, you’re wrong."

After all, she was the legitimate daughter of his official wife, while I was merely the illegitimate child from one of his affairs. I looked at Bella, who was kneeling on the ground. Though her face was streaked with tears and full of pitiful sorrow, the ambition and excitement in her eyes were unmistakable. I knew then: she had been reborn too. And this time, she had made it to Jacob's bed before I did.

“If you’re ready, please swipe your card here. We can begin processing.” Two hundred million. I handed her my first card. A beat passed. Then: “Declined. Mrs. Alden, do you have another one?” The room broke into laughter. “Thorne,” someone cackled, “did you forget to give your little wife her allowance this month?” “She’s betting like a queen and doesn’t even have a dime.” “If you gamble without money, the rule is simple,” another man jeered. “You sell yourself.” “For two hundred million? I wouldn’t pay a thousand for that bitch. Still too expensive.”

Bianca, Mr and Mrs Kingsley daughter said and hissed. “No, it’s not why I am here , I mean yes, I didn’t get the job, I came here cause I saw someone ” Jasmine said quickly. Her eyes widened. Mrs Kingsley raised a brow. “Who?” Jasmine hesitated. “Selena ” Everything went silent. Mrs Kingsley stood slowly. “What did you just say?” “I saw Selena,” Jasmine repeated, her voice low. “She’s alive, She was walking down the hallway in Damon Williams’ mansion, She looked healthy ”

A breathtaking place like a king's palace, a gold gate, and a vast expanse of flowers and tall trees surrounding the inner side of the estate wall. Her feet moved with awe and fear, her steps slowing as she approached the mansion's main door as if it were a monster that would swallow her. She entered the mansion with her mother—a vast, frightening space and opulence that took one's breath away. A middle-aged man with neatly combed black hair interspersed with a few gray strands stood there. It was Chris Myers, the richest man in America. He buttoned his suit jacket and extended his hand to Lila with a friendly smile.

The company was mine. Then the story turned. The student admitted she had taken money from the executive and decided he had not paid enough. She had made the assault up. The market went the other way. Vance Group hit a high it had never seen. The shares went limit-up at the open. Only I knew the trade. Cassia had played the whole thing to put me in the chairman's seat. Stella came to find me a few days later. She looked thin and exhausted. "Damon, I know everything now. Hudson lied to me. He caused all of this. We misunderstood each other. Come back to me. As for the woman next to you, I won't blame you. Please."

She's a mystery I need to solve and solve it I will. "I gathered that. Are the gifts ready for her?" I ask, my eyes never leaving her as she walks home. I know this because I have watched her walk it several times before. On screen and off it. "I have them ready. Diego said she usually gets her mail early, and get this, after doing a fine research of all her banking history, what goes in and what comes out, she isn't in any debt of any kind," he replies. I nod. How is this woman related to scum of the earth, Jerry Harrison? That man is in enough debt that not even the black market would pay a third of it off even if he sold a limb of his.

I picked out the few that I wanted to share with her and kept the remains to myself. No one else should know them. “I was burnt by some really bad guys, my ashes were kept in that urn till the day you released me.” “Those bad guys…do you know them?” I took a long pause. “No, I don't.” “What did you do to them?” Hmm, what if I tell you I didn't do anything to them? “You're lying.” She held her jaw with her hands. “I'm not.” “Yes, you are.” She said, looking me right in the eyes