The storm outside the Ashford estate was wild and angry, but inside the master bedroom, the air was hot, thick, and heavy. The large curtains were pulled tight, blocking out the flashes of lightning that lit up the Charleston sky. On the king-sized bed, the expensive silk sheets were in a messy tangle of clothes and underwears. Vanessa’s fingers dug deep into the mattress. Her knuckles were stark white as she arched her back, letting out a heavy, breathless smile. "Raymond... please," she panted, her skin glistening with sweat in the dim light. "Don't stop... please, come back here and continue” Raymond watched her with a cold, steady gaze. He stood by the window, the shadow of the storm dancing across his face. Vanessa sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling as she smoothed the silk sheets, gazing at Raymond. She did not feel a single ounce of guilt, and she did not care. "Your husband should be reaching the point of no return by now," Raymond whispered, his voice cutt

The heavy rain fell hard on the shiny black umbrellas at the St. Philip's Church cemetery. Raymond Ashford stood directly in front of a giant, empty mahogany coffin that cost millions of dollars. He held a white silk handkerchief to his face and rubbed his eyes until they looked completely red. The bright flashes of the media cameras went off like small lightning bolts in the gray afternoon sky."My poor, dear brother," Raymond sobbed loudly, making sure the nearby microphones caught every single sound coming out of him."He was the best man I ever knew, and his sudden loss leaves a massive, empty hole in my heart." A young reporter pushed through the crowd, holding a black notepad under the heavy, pouring rain, asking how the company would survive without Derek's brilliant mind at the top. Raymond wiped his wet face again, looking straight into the lens of the television camera to declare that he would stay strong for the family and their thousands of employees.Vanessa stood right

The massive crystal chandeliers inside the historic grand ballroom of the Charleston Custom House shone very brightly. Hundreds of wealthy senators, multi-billionaires, and top foreign investors crowded the shiny white marble floors.The loud chatter of high society filled the big room while media cameras flashed non-stop. Everyone was smiling, drinking expensive wine, and celebrating the new leaders of the city.Raymond Ashford stood right next to a giant ice sculpture that was shaped exactly like the Ashford Group logo. He held a glass of champagne high in the air, his face completely flushed with arrogant pride."It was not an easy task, gentlemen," Raymond bragged loudly to a group of wealthy politicians standing around him. "This new international trade deal with the European market will double our corporate profits by next month.""We always knew you had the brains for this, Raymond," a tall senator laughed, patting him hard on the back. "Your late brother Derek was always far t