DOMINATING HIS FOES

Chapter 3 - Return the necklace

"You bastard,” Emily yelled with a sharp voice laced with fury.

Asher frowned furiously, with his fist clenched and his jaw tightened. “Who the hell is she to yell at him? Even after the divorce, she still wants to taunt him.

What do you want?” he retorted.

Emily paused throughout their three years of marriage; Asher had never been this rude to her; she hissed a sigh of frustration, “You know exactly why I am calling. I want the necklace you took, Asher.”

Asher raised a brow, ”I don’t know what you are talking about? What necklace?”

Emily scoffed, “Don’t play games with me, Asher. Edward saw it, There was no way you could afford something as expensive as that. You stole it.”

What does she take him for?

Asher let out a soft laugh, pouring himself a glass and taking a gulp. “Emily, even now, you still underestimate me.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

Emily hesitated for a moment before she recovered, “I am warning you, Asher. You have less than 12 hours to return it or turn yourself in. If you don’t.”

Asher cut in, his voice sharp but smooth. “You should call the police, or do you want me to call them myself, Emily?”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Asher. You are running out of time.” She spat in disgust.

“Go ahead and do whatever you like.” He said coldly.

Emily faltered, “What?”

“Yes, you heard me.” Asher yelled, “What will you tell them, that your ex-husband stole from you or what? Let me ask you a question?” he paused. ” Can your family even afford the necklace in question?”

“Tell the police, let’s see how that plays out for you.” Asher wasn’t holding back, as he spewed out the anger inside of him. His face turned red.

Emily swallowed the lump in her throat, unsure of how to respond.

Asher smirked, enjoying the uncertainty in her breathing.

She had no idea who her ex-husband was. Does she?

Emily still thought of him as the same man she divorced; unknown to her, he was more than she could ever imagine.

“You’re lying. You were broke, unemployed, and there’s no way.”

Asher ended the call, leaving Emily in shock. She felt disrespected by her ex-husband. She gritted her teeth as she stared blankly at her phone screen.

Asher knew there was no need to explain himself to her. She never valued him. Those three years were hell for him. He endured several humiliations, thinking she would one day return the love he had always shown her, but never. She was nothing to him now.

With a satisfied sigh, Asher lifted his wine glass, gulping the liquid down his throat.

The butler, Mark Spencer, stood still, dressed in his usual crisp black suit. “I can see you are not looking good. I will leave you and return later so we can discuss our well-executed strategy.”

Asher arched a brow, “What strategy?”

Mark grinned, “I can see the young master has forgotten our bet.”

Asher narrowed his gaze slightly. “What bet?”

“The bet where I claimed that your wife and her dear mother would sell you out the moment they believed you had nothing to offer.” Mark let out a soft smile.

Asher’s smile faded. As he listened to Mark’s confession.

“I ensure you never got a job during those three years.” Mark blurted out with his voice laced with amusement.

Asher’s finger tightened, and his jaw dropped in disbelief. “So, it was you.” Asher’s voice was soft but firm.

Mark nodded, looking utterly apologetic.

Why?” Asher asked.

Mark exhaled softly, “Because you needed to see the truth. You needed to know their greed wasn’t just a theory. If you had even a shred of wealth, they would have clung to you just like they are doing with Edward George. They discarded you like trash because you had nothing. I knew your wife wasn’t faithful; she was cheating on you with two other men, but Edward made his intention known, and that was why she agreed to his demands. I am sorry, but I was trying to protect you from those vultures.”

Asher shook his head as he let the air out of his mouth; rage should have consumed him. The betrayal burned his chest, but instead, he laughed.

“Nice job, I lost our bet,” he murmured.

“I always play to win, young master,” Mark responded.

“So do I?”

Mark Spencer chuckled, “You are finally back. What’s next, young master? Are you ready to take over, or do you want to go on a vacation?”

Asher shook his head. “I have had enough vacation suffering and been humiliated; it’s time to work to expand the business and also make those who betrayed me regret it,” he said, pouring himself a drink.

---

Meanwhile, Emily walked into the hospital to join her mother and the injured Edward. Her expression was gloomy and unreadable, as the scent of antiseptic filled the air.

Mrs. Deborah stepped forward when she saw Emily, “did he pick up the call, what was his reply?” she asked in curiosity.

“He refused to return the necklace,” she replied.

Emily still couldn’t believe that such a necklace was with her husband; how did he get it? Did he steal it? She knew neither her mom nor herself had such a necklace or could even afford it.

“We should report to the police,” Edward said.

Mrs Deborah chimed in. “Yes, Edward is right. We should inform the police about it; that fool needs to be taught a lesson.”

“What do we tell them?” Emily asked.

“You don’t have to worry about that; I know what to say, and with Edward’s influence, they can help us get that lowlife.”

Edward nodded when Emily’s gaze met his. “Let’s go?” Edward said.