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The Rise of Ashton Chapter Fifty five
The ChaseThe cold morning air bit at Ashton’s skin as he stepped outside the Reed estate. If nothing, after the conversation with Carter, he needed that jog even more. The sky was still a dark shade of blue, the first hints of dawn barely creeping over the horizon. The entire world felt still, as if it were holding its breath. Ashton exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the crisp air. He adjusted his hoodie, slipped his phone into his pocket, and began stretching. His mind was still tangled in the remnants of the dream and what Carter had said. And perhaps, what he hadn't said. Shaking his head, he focused on the run ahead. He needed to clear his thoughts, push aside the weight of everything, his father’s secrets, Benjamin’s warnings, Carter’s suspicious behavior. A good run would help. But just as he took his first step down the grand stone pathway leading away from the estate, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He hesitated for a second before pulling it out. Unknown Call
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Fifty six
A Blood Confession A dull, throbbing pain pulsed through Ashton’s head as he slowly drifted back into consciousness. His body felt heavy, every muscle aching from the brutal fight in the forest. He groaned, partly in pain and then in irritation. How many times would he get banged up? His mind was foggy, the last thing he remembered was the masked men. The gunshots. Augustine. His eyes fluttered open. The ceiling above him wasn’t familiar. The room was dimly lit, with deep mahogany walls and minimal decor. A single lamp sat on a nightstand beside the bed. Heavy curtains covered the windows, blocking out any indication of time. The scent of aged wood and faint traces of cologne clung to the air. Where the hell was he? Ashton sat up abruptly, his body protesting the movement. His heart pounded as he scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. This wasn’t his room for sure. Maybe it was some room in the Reed estate. Possibly some storehouse or something equally old and damp. Or p
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Fifty seven
A FaThe boardroom of Titanium Incorporated was filled with a quiet sound of conversation as foreign investors and top executives settled into their seats. The atmosphere was a little tense and reasonably so. After all, the two brothers were meeting again and they weren't known for friendliness. At the head of the long mahogany table, Ashton Reed sat with a composed yet commanding presence. His finely tailored navy-blue suit was impeccable, and his demeanor exuded confidence. Just across from him, Augustine was seated, his expression calm with the tiniest but of smile on his face. For the first time in years, the Reed brothers weren’t at each other’s throats. Their cooperation, however temporary, was an unexpected development, and some of the executives couldn’t hide their surprise. Ashton caught more than a few glances exchanged across the room, silent questions lingering in their eyes. Was this really happening? The Reed brothers had been known for their rivalry for as lo
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Fifty eight
The Rooftop DealThere was soft music playing in the interior of a large luxurious penthouse. The dim light could barely make out the faces of the women there. Three women, sitting in the living area, each nursing a glass of Martini and laughing at something the maid said. It was a perfect evening, almost too peaceful. But right outside was a different story entirely. Two men fought for their lives, one overpowering the other. “I know who sent you!" The man on the floor yelled out, fear clearly written on his face. But the assailant didn't wait, he pulled out a gun and strained it right on his forehead. “Any last words?" He asked. The man on the floor began to shake. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to end here with his wife and her friends just in the living room above. “Please, take what you want, please. My wife is pregnant, she just found out last week. I'm going to be a father soon, please." This information should have meant something. But it didn't. The masked man
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Fifty nine
Brothers in TurmoilLater that evening, in the Reed's estate, the night outside was eerily silent, but inside Ashton’s bedroom, there was a storm waiting to explode. The executive meeting earlier that day left both brothers riled up. What was Frederick getting at? What was his plan? Ashton sat on the edge of his bed, hands clasped together, his expression both irritated and confused. He had every reason to be upset. But still, he felt a little lost, like he didn't fully grasp what had happened earlier. Across from him, Augustine paced like a caged animal, his steps quick, sharp, and restless. His jaw was clenched so tightly that Ashton thought he might actually crack a tooth. Augustine’s rage was obvious. His breathing was uneven, his movements erratic. And Ashton? He was angry, sure, but nothing compared to what he was witnessing in his older brother. “Are you okay?" Ashton couldn't help but ask. And who would have thought. Just days ago, he wouldn't have cared less. But no
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty
Fractured Bonds The silence that followed was deafening. Ashton’s mind raced, each revelation hitting him harder than the last. A sister? Veronica? And their father had erased her from existence? And what exactly did vanish mean? He turned to Frederick, his heart hammering wildly. “Tell me the truth,” he demanded, his voice sharp. “What happened to her?” Frederick simply looked at him, his expression was still very calm. The man had always been impossible to decipher, but right now, his cold gaze felt even more impenetrable. Augustine stood beside Ashton, arms crossed, watching their father like a predator waiting for his prey to slip up. “Go on, Father,” he sneered. “Tell him. Tell your golden boy what happened to our dear sister. Or are you going to walk away, like you always do?” Frederick’s lips curved into a smirk, but there was no humor in it. “You’ve always had a flair for theatrics, Augustine. I would suggest that you don't start this.” “Answer the damn question
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty one
A Run-in The moment Celeste stepped into the hall, the space became too small. Ashton might not have wanted her but confronting her was more of a burden. How do you tell a woman to unlove you. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she approached, her expression was very calm. Even with her composed exterior, there was so much anger in her eyes. Ashton Reed did not flinch. He had faced deception, betrayal, and near-death more times than he could count. And yet, this was a confrontation he had never anticipated. Sebastian stood beside her, his jaw tight, his posture rigid, but it was clear even he was waiting for Celeste to speak first. She stopped just a few feet away from Ashton, her gaze scanning over him, as if searching for something, an answer, a regret, a hesitation. Instead, she found nothing but cold indifference. "You look well, Celeste," Ashton said mockingly, breaking the silence. "Did you finally move on? Or are you still clinging to the fanta
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Sixty two
The Elevator Encounter Owen Griffin. The name rang in his head more often than he wanted it to. Ashton was breathing through his mouth, the rhythmic pounding of his feet against the treadmill was the only sound he focused on. The house gym was one of his favorite places in the Reed estate. Here, he could be alone. No conversations , no distractions. Just him alone with his frustration, and the steady thrum of his heartbeat as he pushed himself harder, trying to outrun the storm in his mind. Owen Griffin. His father. A tangled web of secrets and lies that he'd come to realize was his life. Ashton clenched his jaw, increasing the speed. He didn’t care if his legs ached. He welcomed the pain. It was better than the feeling of helplessness that threatened to overwhelm him as he thought about his circumstances. “How long will the old man keep lying to me?" He mouthed the words in anger. Then, the gym door opened. Someone stepped inside, and even without looking, Ashton knew
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Chapter Hundred Five
Toast to DeceptionThey needed to come up with a plan. Veronica paced in Ashton’s suite, her arms folded tightly across her chest, while Augustine leaned against the windowsill, eyes fixed outside. “She’s somewhere in this house,” Veronica whispered. “He said it himself. Marcel has some crazy girl picked up like a specimen, and he’s planning to make her vanish the moment he gets what he wants.”“And we can’t wait for that moment to come,” Augustine agreed. “We need to act now.”“But how?” Veronica turned to them and rolled her eyes. “This place is crawling with security. They’re loyal to Marcel. They’ll never let us snoop around freely. If they catch on to what we’re doing, they’ll raise alarms or worse, hide her somewhere we’ll never find her.”Ashton had been quiet, seated in the corner of the room. His eyes suddenly lit up and he smirked. “Then we make sure they don’t catch on, we distract them,” he said.Veronica narrowed her eyes. “You have a plan?”He nodded slowly. “Yes. What
Chapter Hundred Four
The Drunken ConfessionTitanium Incorporated was all over the news later that evening. The air was oddly calm at the Green Mansion when the three siblings finally arrived home. It was a day indeed and they were exhausted. Veronica, Ashton, and Augustine sat across from one another, freshly changed out of their formal wear and disguises and back into their casual looks. No one mentioned the chaos that had created just hours ago.But suddenly, Marcel Green entered the room with a loud voice. “My children!” He called out. They all turned to see him. Marcel wore a deep green velvet robe over his black shirt, and for once, his cold expression was gone and he looked pleased.“Have you heard the news?” he asked with a smirk, pouring himself a glass of wine before any of them could answer.Veronica glanced at Ashton and Augustine, as if just now remembering their rehearsed story. “News?” she echoed innocently.“We were at a school reunion,” Augustine added casually. “You know how those g
Chapter Hundred Three
Mission Successful “He's a thief and you all should know this!" Veronica hissed loudly. A hush fell over the massive conference hall. “What is she talking about? Is this a comedy show?" Someone asked in the crowd. The crowd of shareholders, press, and corporate leaders had gathered for what was supposed to be a celebration of Titanium Incorporated’s monumental success but they were about to witness its downfall. They had no idea. Veronica’s voice rang out again. “You all deserve the truth. Titanium Incorporated is not what you think it is. Frederick Reed has built his empire on lies and fraud.”“Mrs Pam, what are you doing? If this is about the investment, we can talk it out!" Frederick snapped but Veronica didn't give him the time to talk. And of course, the spotlight was on her. She knew all she had to do was take the floor. Ashton stepped forward and handed thick manila folders to uniformed assistants who seemed very intrigued and began distributing them row by row. Each s
Chapter Hundred Two
Jericho Has Fallen The ride to Titanium incorporated wasn't quiet. Ashton and Augustine had to go through last minute plans and make sure Veronica fully understood what was required of her. Veronica adjusted her scarf in the mirror, her brown contact lenses hiding the green of her real eyes. Beside her, Ashton was now dressed in a charcoal gray suit, he kept checking his phone, keeping track of time and glancing at Augustine every now and then.The plan was dangerous, reckless and would get them in trouble. But it was to be done and Veronica had never been more excited over a thing. By the time they arrived at the company building where the press conference was scheduled, she was rightly dressed. Veronica clutched her handbag tighter, in it was all the evidence that could ruin Frederick Reed once and for all.Augustine opened the door first, stepping out in his tailored navy-blue suit that fit him like a second skin. His hair was slicked back neatly, and a pair of gold-rimmed g
Chapter Hundred One
The Day of Judgment The next morning, Ashton sat on the edge of the bed, tugging on the sleeves of a crisp white dress shirt, his face unusually stern Augustine stood by the mirror, fixing his red tie slowly, his brows furrowed.Neither of the brothers spoke for a long while. The silence was a little awkward but they all looked left in thought. Finally, Ashton spoke and when he did, his voice barely above a whisper despite his anger. He knew he had to keep it down. Marcel had ears and eyes everywhere. "Are you okay?" He asked. Augustine gave a short, dry laugh. "Define okay," he muttered, adjusting the knot at his throat.Ashton rose from the bed and crossed the room. "I mean after everything that happened last night with our mother, Marcel and Veronica."Augustine met his brother’s eyes in the mirror. "No," he admitted quietly. "I’m not okay. I don’t think any of this is okay."Then he pulled on a sleek black jacket, smoothing it down and staring at his reflection. It was perf
Chapter Hundred
A Mother Returns Ashton lost his breath as he stared at the woman standing before him.It couldn’t be.The last time he saw her, she had been wasting away in a hospital bed, her body frail and trembling, her cheeks hollowed out by sickness and years of neglect. He had fought to keep her alive, pulling every string he could, ensuring she received the best medical care money could buy. Frederick had tried to get rid of her by neglect but he stepped in right on time. Even though life had become chaotic and he was barely surviving himself, Ashton had never forgotten her. Never. He had made sure the nurses updated him weekly, sometimes daily, about her progress. He had sent gifts anonymously, upgraded her treatment plans, and ensured she lacked nothing when being nursed back to health. So what in fuck’s name was she doing here?He blinked once. Twice. But she remained standing there on the foyer. Her hair, once thin and matted, now slightly glistened under the fluorescent light. Sh
Chapter Ninety Nine
Blood of my Blood Ashton didn't have to wait for a reply before he ended the call and slipped through the iron gates of the Green estate and headed straight to the garden. Augustine was waiting there for him no doubt. He found his car parked behind a row of flowers, the engine still warm. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he saw Augustine with a black hoodie sitting in the confines of the car. Augustine pulled back the hoodie and spun around, the corners of his mouth lifting in a rare grin. “You made it,” he said. “I half-expected Marcel to intercept you.” Well, he wasn't lying. “Nearly got held up, thank goodness the driver stopped being so nosey.,” Ashton replied, allowing himself a laugh. “Yeap, I noticed when I first arrived that Marcel wanted to have me under lock and key. I had to break off in order to keep working at Titanium." Ashton nodded. Now it made sense why Augustine had decided to pretend to be a wayward boy just to get what he wanted. Being in the Green Mansion
Chapter Ninety Eight
A Ghost in the MirrorAshton sat there, stunned, staring at the name on the file. Lily Forrest.She was regarded as a ghost in the tabloid news. A missing heiress. A tragedy that had befallen a once great family. "How sure are you about this?" Ashton asked, still bewildered. Lancaster leaned back and sipped his coffee slowly. "One hundred percent. She was declared missing and then after spending a lot of money to find her, her family finally gave up and she's never been found." “She's the one then, if she's missing and her name is Lily then she could be the one. But how does this relate to Marcel? There could be a million missing Lily's in this city.” "Well, she's linked to Marcel somehow. The Forrest family knew the Green family for so long. So…there's a link somehow.” Ashton dragged a hand through his hair. trying his best to fit the pieces together. Marcel had been hiding a girl in his basement for how long? "If she's supposed to be dead," Ashton said slowly, "then how the
Chapter Ninety Seven
A Missing Forest In just a few minutes, Ashton arrived at Swam Limited. It was magnificent, the sheer beauty of it still stunned him. But he knew this was all seeds of wickedness. “Goodness! No wonder they're friends," he hissed. Peter, the driver, looked at him through the rearview mirror and asked, “who are friends?" Ashton replied, "nothing.” Shortly they rolled into the parking lot and Ashton got out of the vehicle closing the door softly behind him. Ashton stepped into the elevator and adjusted the cuffs of his designer suit, preparing himself for yet another tiring day in this establishment. He had become a worker for both Frederick and Marcel, helping them build their empires even when he knew that they did not care about him. But it was all going to be to his advantage and one way or the other he would make them pay, both of them. As soon as he got inside his secretary, Amanda ran to his side, “Thank goodness you arrived on time, the meeting is set to start, sir." A
