Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 157

‘Ashton is definitely doing this on purpose!‘ Briar thought in a panic as she tried her best not to sneak glances at Ashton. However, her face turned increasingly warmer as the blush crept down her neck. ‘This guy is as sly as a fox. It’s the middle of the night, so why isn’t he sleeping? Who’s he trying to seduce at this hour?‘

Afraid she might do something she would regret with such a handsome man right in front of her, Briar quietly pulled out her phone, put on her headphones, and set a meditation track to play on repeat.

Even though Ashton was lying down, he caught every little move Briar made just now.

‘She’s only eighteen, after all. It’s only natural her heart’s a little unsteady at that age,‘ he thought.

Twenty minutes later, Briar took off her headphones. With the meditation track working its magic, her mind was calm, and her will felt unbreakable. She was sure that there was no way she’d fall for anyone’s looks now. “Briar?” Ashton called out.

“Shut up, Ashton! Cover yourself up!” Briar exploded, yelling at him.

The ironclad resolve she’d just managed to build up shattered the instant Ashton spoke. She caught sight of his bare chest on full display once more, and could only fume helplessly, not daring to sneak another glance.

Ashton cleared his throat and asked, “Briar, what’s wrong? Why are you so mad? Did I do something to annoy you? I’ve just been lying here, and I haven’t done a thing…”

After witnessing that overwhelming fake sweetness and innocence from Ashton, Briar felt she ought to record it and send it to Beatrice, the sugar–coated little hypocrite, so she could finally learn what real top–tier manipulative charm looked like.

With a deadpan face, Briar looked at Ashton, who was practically reeking of fake innocence, and asked helplessly, “Mr. Wade, it’s late. What exactly are you trying to do?”

Ashton sat up with a straight face, his bathrobe sliding off one shoulder as he moved. His alluring collarbone was silently tempting Briar to misbehave. He responded, “I’m not trying to do anything, I’m just a little thirsty, and I thought I’d get a glass of water.”

Briar clicked her tongue and turned away. “Fine, then go already.”

Ashton shot Briar a knowing look, then looked away and gave a nonchalant “mm” in reply. He got out of bed, slipped on his shoes, straightened his rumpled bathrobe, and finally opened the door to leave.

But as Ashton opened the door, a faint breeze drifted in. The silky, lightweight fabric of his bathrobe fluttered softly, lifting the hem just enough to show off his long, shapely legs as he walked. The view was impossible to ignore, and it was so eye–catching it almost hurt Briar’s eyes.

Briar rubbed her slightly itchy nose, and only after the door closed did she finally slump into the armchair. She cleared her throat, pretending nothing had happened, and tried to appear calm.

Not long after, Ashton returned, carrying two cups. One with water, and the other with milk. He handed the milk to Briar and said in an extra gentle voice, “I specially warmed up some milk for you. It’ll help you sleep.”

Briar stared at him in silence and could not help but wonder, ‘What?

‘You’re the one who can’t sleep, so why am I the one drinking the milk?‘

However, she took the cup from Ashton. She shot him a wary look, half–expecting him to pull some new trick before murmuring, “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Ashton replied. He didn’t pull any tricks this time. Walking back to the bed, he stood by the nightstand and took a couple of sips.

At first, Briar didn’t think much of it. But in no time, that blush she’d just managed to get rid of came rushing back, hitting her senses like a tidal wave. Ashton happened to be standing right under the wall lamp. The soft light was washing over his tall, toned body, making him look as if he were glowing

Chapter 157

as ordinary as drinking water suddenly

help but be glued to his perfect proportions, and she found herself completely fixated on the way his Adam’s

the kind of scene that

to look away. She was completely transfixed, her eyes glued to Ashton’s Adam’s apple, even as he finished his water and bent down to set the cup on the

must have felt her burning stare, because he turned to look at her and noticed

her senses. Ashton had already finished his water, and she hadn’t even touched her milk. She hurriedly responded, “Huh? Oh! I’ll drink it

quickly looked away, her expression cooling down as she lowered her gaze

lay back down on the bed and

she didn’t let her eyes stray toward the bed at all, not even once, until Ashton was fully

wasn’t that she was scared to look; it was that she simply couldn’t bring

afraid she’d end up falling for his charms

quietly came over to check on him later, she found herself gritting her teeth

shameless!‘ she fumed

next morning, Briar got a call from Edgar, asking her to come home for

it’d be better for you to keep them

moment’s thought, Briar finally agreed, “Alright, I’ll

I know you still resent the Jennings family, but at the end of the day, we’re still father

him without a word, her face icy

about it ahead of time. She didn’t even know why she felt the need to check in with him about her dinner plans,

made her feel so many things she’d never felt

Б g weaker and

to give you a ride?”

his gain, and he knew there was no way he’d suddenly turn all friendly and politely invite her home for

again, looking for a new way to mess with

44

Chapter 157

Briar

chuckled, “There’s

no need

to. I’ll just

bike

over

myself.

I’m

only going

back

to grab

some of

my mom’s

I’ll be