Reborn From Oblivion by Christia Muray

"Speak," he said, his voice cold as if it were wrapped in ice and snow.

"Please, Morris, help the Stewart family through this tough time," Ashley pleaded, her voice trembling. She didn't know why, but her pride seemed to slip away in his presence. It was like she was a little frog trying to hold a conversation with an untouchable swan soaring high above.

She felt so small.

After a long pause, he asked, "Do you know why the Stewart family is being targeted?"

Ashley's face turned pale. She had overheard her grandfather and Nathalie whispering and had pieced together that Nathan was out for revenge against the Stewarts to right some wrong done to Nathalie. But this was family dirt, and Ashley was determined to keep it under wraps, especially from this man who seemed to have it all. She couldn't bear the thought of him knowing such unsavory details about her past. It would only make her feel even less deserving of him.

"I don't know," she whispered.

He turned slightly, letting her catch a glimpse of a face that might as well have been sculpted from marble -lean, strong, and impossibly handsome.

"On the verge of bankruptcy and you don't know why?" he said, his tone a mix of mockery and teasing. Ashley's cheeks flushed. "Morris, will you help me?"

He took his time before replying, "I'll help you three times, no strings attached. After that, you're on your own."

was taken aback, a flicker of disappointment

was his fiancée,

was treating their relationship like a business deal,

everything, she was grateful he was willing to help the

But...

in a wheelchair and unknown

all?" he suddenly

then

said, his voice smooth yet emotionless, like

long

and chiseled features—like a textbook example for any plastic surgeon-and the chilly aura that seemed to

out of the room,

she lingered, lost

and slightly hollow cheeks, the man inside seemed flawless in every other way. He was smart, good-looking, and carried himself with such poise. His votee was like a