She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 81

Chapter 81 Ashley Has Been Deceiving You

Gerard barely lingered in the company. With a few swift delegations to the secretarial team, he was out the door.

Weekends were supposed to be for relaxation, but for Gerard, a Sunday was just another day in his relentless schedule.

Kristian, on the other hand, settled into his desk shortly after Gerard's departure.

The office was quieter than usual, a gentle hum of silence filling the space typically buzzing with activity. Like Gerard, Kristian found little difference between weekdays and weekends.

His focus was unyielding as he sifted through documents, his phone's persistent vibration a mere background nuisance until he reached a stopping point. With a nonchalant glance, he finally attended to the insistent device.

The moment he saw the message, a chill ran through him.

The screen displayed several photos of Ashley caught in tender embraces with another man. The accompanying text hit like a cold blade. "Ashley has been deceiving you.'

The message's neutral tone made it hard to discern whether it was sent by a man or a woman. Kristian, his curiosity piqued and a knot of anxiety in his stomach, immediately dialed the mysterious number to unearth the origins of these unsettling photos and to understand the implications behind them.

He examined each photo with meticulous attention, confirming to himself they were genuine, untouched by digital manipulation.

Upon making the call, he was met with the cold, impersonal announcement from a mechanical female voice declaring the number was invalid.

A crease formed between his eyebrows as he pondered this dead end, his mind racing back to a similar scenario that had been the talk of the town not long ago.

Driven by a sudden urge, Kristian snatched his phone and jacket from the back of his chair and stormed out of the office, determined to confront Ashley directly at her place.

Meanwhile, Ashley was in the midst of a tense conversation, her face a mask of fear, her voice quivering with nervous energy "I never thought he'd side with Liam Shaw over me. You can't hold this against me," she stammered into the phone, her words dripping with worry and regret.

The voice on the other end rebuked her sharply. "You know well the repercussions of jeopardizing my plans."

Ashley's grip on her phone tightened, her entire body shaking as tears streamed down her face, fear manifesting more palpably than ever before.

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Chapter 81 Ashley Has Been Deceiving You

She opened her mouth to plead her case when a sudden, insistent knock at the door interrupted her.

sound reverberated, persistent

her heart

up. Someone's

reveal

Swiftly, she erased the call

a deep, steadying breath to calm her nerves before she approached

current hideaway-her friend, Kristian, and Gerard. Regardless of the visitor, it was crucial

she managed a smile, masking her nerves with feigned surprise and warmth. "What a surprise! What

to you," Kristian stated, his voice a low murmur, his lips

come in." She stepped aside. "Can I get you something to drink? Maybe some

gaze was unreadable, his eyes a calm, piercing slate as he remarked, "Let's talk

washed over Ashley. Her guilty conscience fluttered like a trapped bird, her eyes darting away from his steady

observing her discomfort, sensed something was amiss. Under normal circumstances, he might have chalked it up

since she lied about Freya and Liam having an affair, his trust in her had never

her anxiety. "What-What would you like

give her the benefit of the doubt. "Is there something you're not telling

before her, her face a mask of innocence and confusion. "Why would you ask that out of

evenly, his deep voice betraying no emotion. "It's just that Freya has been deceiving me so frequently of late. I'm beginning to fear that my life

Ashley's tension melted away, and she exhaled a deep breath of relief. Her shoulders eased, and she flashed him a gentle, comforting smile. "Don't worry. Even if the whole world deceives you, I'll always

"Really?"

27.6

"Don't you believe me?"

that I believe you." His demeanor remained guarded, his thoughts impenetrable. "I

sure."

with a calm conviction, masking the deceit in

simply grunted in

silent, the weight of unsaid

clear and inquisitive as she peered across at him. "Anything else?"

His tone was dispassionately businesslike as he continued, "Before we move forward, I need to know- have you been with anyone else during

composure shattered instantly. "What?" she stammered, her voice laced with

he was probing into her past now; he had never seemed

a beat. "If you have," he stated evenly. "I owe that man my thanks for looking after you

Ashley replied, her heart thundering like a runaway train. Her voice dropped to a murmur, her expression dimming like a cloud passing over sunlight. "Since we broke up, I've remained alone. With my Illness looming over me, I couldn't possibly entertain the thought of accepting someone else's affections." She knew the impact her words would have on him, likely stirring a potent mix of guilt and regret within him. This was her play: if he felt remorseful enough, perhaps he could see past her previous transgressions. Unfazed, Kristian unlocked his phone, pulled up a message with attached photos, and slid the device across the table towards her. "Then explain these. Who is it?" he demanded, watching