Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard)

Chapter 40 Personal Charm

Mabel had invited Alistair over today not just to spend more time with him but- clearly for Caroline's sake.

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Before getting into that, though, she gave him a brief and sharp rundown of what had happened with Agnes.

When Alban brought Agnes back, she actually assumed Mabel wanted to rehire her, thinking maybe Mabel hadn't taken to the new staff. She even hinted at a raise, bold as brass.

Then she saw Mabel standing there-alive, well, and clearly not buying her act- and the whole truth came crashing down. Agnes realized Preston's plan had failed.

Mabel had spent years cultivating a warm, kind image. But the steel underneath had never gone dull.

Under that calm pressure, Agnes cracked. She confessed everything-her collusion with Preston, every sneaky move, every lie.

And then, unbelievably, she tried to blame it all on Caroline.

She said she'd always been loyal to the Ashbourne family, that it was Caroline's cold-hearted decision to fire her sister that pushed her into Preston's arms, and that none of it would've happened otherwise.

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Mabel just pulled out proof showing that Agnes had already started working with Preston before her sister was ever let go. That shut her up real fast.

And Mabel wasn't the kind to let someone off lightly.

Especially someone who'd whispered poison into Eloise's ears.

But Mabel was no tyrant. She didn't abuse her power.

Instead, she found proof that Agnes had been skimming off the top for years- misusing her position to take "small advantages," which, added up, amounted to a prosecutable offense.

It wasn't petty theft and was enough to send her to jail.

As for Preston? Mabel didn't care that he came from money.

His little stunt was dangerously close to attempted murder.

She compiled every piece of evidence and had it sent directly to the Vaughn family, along with a message-if they didn't handle this themselves, she would.

The Ashbourne name carried weight-not just in New York, but across the country.

If they wanted, they could take down the Vaughns without lifting more than a finger.

No one in their right mind would willingly go up against the Ashbournes, especially when they were clearly in the wrong.

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Hence, their patriarch showed up in person, pale and trembling, dragging Preston along like a sacrificial lamb. By that same night, Preston had been put on a plane and shipped out of the

country.

When-or if he returned would be entirely up to the Ashbournes.

And that, as Mabel said, was the end of that.

Alistair had always known the Ashbournes were powerful, but the Ashbournes were powerful, but today, he realized just how far that influence stretched.

Did I accidentally attach myself to a juggernaut?

Then Mabel turned serious. "Alistair, has Carol ever told you about her family- aside from me?"

He shook his head.

Come to think of it, Eloise hadn't said much either.

Mabel fell quiet for a moment. "Her mother's been living overseas for years. Rarely comes back."

Alistair frowned slightly.

her parents live

they were probably separated, maybe even

Chapter 40 Personal Charm

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working. He and Caroline barely see each other. I was the one who raised her, really. She once told me she'd never marry. Said

of her parents' example. No-Caroline had her

then... who's Eloise's

wasn't an accident. Maybe it

wasn't his

old worries, "God, I used to lie awake at night thinking about her future. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but no amount of money

his own life-how he'd once planned to

alone forever.

wasn't a bad life. Peaceful.

the thought of eating alone,

an empty bed...

warmly. "Thank God for you, Alistair. You've given me hope again. Caroline won't be alone

his hand another squeeze, her eyes soft with affection.

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that made

conviction. "With you, I know Caroline

met her gaze, trying not to feel guilty. He

the time their marriage lasted. While it existed, he'd give her and Eloise everything

again-something

said. "Do

waved the thought

about

up for Caroline.

judge her husband? With me around, no one's

so wrapped up in conversation

cleared her throat. "Grandma, you didn't spend the

me behind my back,

Alistair turned.

office, dressed in

Chapter 40 Personal Charm

slung over one arm. The weather had warmed

blouse that framed her clean,

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her in a boardroom, taking control, sharp as a

eyes met, and Caroline smiled. She was clearly pleased to see how easily Alistair had

if I'd dare say anything bad about you in front of your husband. He'd probably take your side anyway and throw

and Caroline naturally took the seat

beaming, kept piling food onto

it was

her fork and rested her chin in her hand, watching

silence.

her gaze locked on

He blinked. "What?"

studied him, head to toe. "Be

He looked completely lost.

Chapter 40 Personal Charm

Be honest and?

casting some kind of

unsure

that question before-Julian had asked him

when Mabel pulled him aside earlier, she hadn't said it outright, but there'd been a similar

And now Caroline?

has the system been juicing my

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"You little brat. If I'd ignored Alistair, you'd have cried about it. But now that I adore him,