A Bitter AnniversaryAshton Reed had everything mapped out. A promising future, a degree from a prestigious college, and a girlfriend he’d been with for three years, Zoe Matthews. Today, of all days, was supposed to be the day it all came together.He was a step closer to landing his dream job in finance. But there was one glaring issue. Despite his intelligence, his hard work, his effort, he had failed every single job interview so far.He couldn’t figure it out. What was wrong? He knew he was qualified, more than qualified. The initial phone calls were full of promise but when it came time for the interviews, it all fell apart. Something wasn’t clicking. Each time he walked out of a corporate office, his hands were shaking. How could he give his girl the life she deserved? That morning had been no different. The hiring manager, a middle-aged man with cold eyes, barely glanced at Ashton’s resume. Instead, he skimmed through it with a sigh before firing off questions that had no

A World Against Him The man laughed and leaned back against the headboard, completely at ease in Ashton’s presence. He looked as if he had already won. "You poor, clueless fool,” he said, shaking his head with amusement. "I’m rich. And that means I can take whatever I want, including your girlfriend." Ashton’s fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms, but the man continued to laugh. “You kept failing every job interview, didn't you? Kept wondering why nothing was going your way?" He let out another laugh, shaking his head. Ashton couldn't speak. He was speechless. The man seemed to know everything about him. Zoe had told him everything. "That wasn’t just bad luck. I made sure every company you applied to turned you down. Money opens doors, but it also closes them." Ashton’s entire body stiffened as the weight of the words sank in. His failures, his crushed dreams, hadn’t been his fault. This man, lounging comfortably in his bed with Zoe, had orchestrated it all.“Wh

The MissionAshton’s head spun. He had spent the last few hours stumbling from one absurdity to another. A lot of weird things had happened within just one day, but this? This was something else entirely. His father. Sitting here. Speaking as if this was somehow normal. “Dad?" He asked, looking around the fancy house. His father smiled. Not a warm smile, not even a cruel one, just a knowing curve of his lips, like he had expected Ashton to ask that. Somehow, he looked very satisfied at Ashton's shock. “What's going on?" Ashton asked, “Why am I here, dad?" “Because, Ashton,” his father said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk, “it’s time you knew the truth.” The truth? Ashton felt his stomach drop. He was already overwhelmed with shocking truths for one day. “What truth?”His father motioned toward the empty seat across from him. “Sit.” Ashton didn’t move. “This is all so strange. What's Mr Coleman doing here? What are you doing here?” With a soft chuckle, his

Rich or Not?Bella was shocked and Ashton didn't bother to tell her what he wanted the third time. Clearly, she's heard him, she was just surprised. “I…I haven't ever heard someone order so much drink at once,” she stuttered, avoiding his gaze. Ashton smirked, this was odd. But of course he had the money to pay and he would buy it. After all, he had a task to spend so much money. On hearing the drink that Ashton had ordered and how many bottles he needed, he suddenly hurried back to the counter. “Bella," he said with a frown, “don't you have something else to do inside? Something meant for low staff?" Bella blinked, a little lost and tried to explain what Ashton wanted. "Oh, don't worry, I'll attend to the gentleman, you shouldn't be serving important clients like him,” he said enthusiastically and nudged her aside. Bella stumbled a little, clutching her tray tightly as she glanced nervously between him and Ashton. “Hurry along," the bartender insisted and she nodded as she

Quest Storm“Huh?" Liam asked, wide eyed.Liam was his only friend but even he knew that Ashton wasn't worth such an amount of money. Ashton merely smiled and stared back at him quietly. “What are you playing at? We all know the most expensive drink isn't meant for the likes of you," Zoe snickered. The room went quiet for a short while and everyone turned to Ashton looking at him oddly. “He's just bragging!" One of the girls snapped. “Did you hear that?” one of his classmates jeered, nearly doubling over humorously. “A loser like him wants to buy the most expensive drink here? What’s next? I'm sure he’ll tell us he’s buying the whole building?” “Or that he's going to get us all a bunch of new cars!" Another voice interrupted. “He certainly can’t even afford a loaf of bread in such a posh party, let alone a hundred bottles of anything!” The mockery got even worse as it spread across the party and before long, everyone was laughing and taunting Ashton. Ashton didn't respond.