2025-02-07 15:53:50A Shocking Truth
Ashton’s breath hitched.
The old man stepping out of the sleek black car was someone he had known for years, a tall old man who lived just a house away. His neighbor, Mr. Coleman.
But that didn’t make any sense. Mr. Coleman wasn’t rich. He was a frail, retired man who lived in a tiny, run-down apartment just a few doors away from Ashton’s. He used to complain about rising rent prices, used coupons for groceries, and always wore the same worn out coat in the winter.
Yet here he was, stepping out of a luxury vehicle that looked like it belonged to royalty.
“Mr Coleman?" He asked in surprise. He didn't know if it was pleasant or not.
Ashton’s mind spun. He was confused.
Everything today had already been absurd. First, he’d lost Zoe. Then, he’d found out someone had deliberately ruined his life by making him jobless.
His college degree was now useless because Zoe's man toy decided to ruin his chances of getting hired.
And now, his broke neighbor was stepping out of a car that probably cost more than everything Ashton had ever owned combined?
It didn’t make sense. None of this made sense.
But before Ashton could even process it, Mr. Coleman did something that sent a shiver down his spine.
He bowed.
Not a casual nod. Not a respectful dip of the head. This was something different. Something planned.
It was a deep, formal bow.
“Young master,” Mr. Coleman said, his voice calm, yet filled with seriousness. “It is time. Please, get in the car.”
Ashton took a shaky step back.
“Master?" He asked in shock.
Mr Coleman nodded his head solemnly.
*Yes, young Master, it's good to see you again.”
“It's been a whole, Mr Coleman, what are you doing here?”
The man had a bitter sweet smile on his face. “Everything will be explained in due time, just get in the car, master."
"Master? Why are you calling me that?”
Coleman simply sighed and shook his head. "It's who you are. I can't address you any other way.”
What the hell are you talking about?” Ashton's voice broke. He sounded confused and disbelieving. “And what’s with the bowing? Since when do you bow to me?”
“You will understand soon.” Mr. Coleman straightened but kept his hands folded in front of him. He had a very calm expression when he nodded at Ashton. “Please, get in the car.”
Ashton stared at him, trying to make sense of what was happening. This had to be some kind of twisted joke, right?
But the cars. The men in black suits. The way the bystanders whispered and gawked in surprise. Everything felt different. Surely the old man didn't even have the resources to make this up.
It's not a joke.
As he realized that this might be real, Ashton’s instincts screamed at him to turn and walk away.
But what was the point? His life was already in shambles. He had no job, no future, and nowhere to go.
His Zoe was gone. His entire life was filled with regrets and maybes.
Somehow, he'd been filled with so much anger in there with Clifford and Zoe. Seeing them both together.
It broke him. It made him question his own reality.
He had to do this. Insane or not, he was curious enough to.
Screw it.
Without another word, Ashton approached the car and slid into the backseat.
The door shut with a soft click and the scent of fine leather and something expensive, like aged whiskey and fresh waffles filled the air.
Ashton bit his lips. He had to act like it was all okay. Like it was all cool.
The car pulled away smoothly.
Ashton turned to Mr. Coleman. “Alright. Enough with the mystery. What the hell is going on? Are you rich now? What is all this, how did you make so much money?”
Mr. Coleman sat beside him with his wrinkled hands resting neatly in his lap. A small, knowing smile was plastered across his face.
“Patience, young master. You will know everything soon.”
Ashton clenched his fists. “Stop calling me that! I’m not anyone’s master. I’m just Ashton.” He exhaled sharply. “And I don’t understand any of this.”
Silence.
Ashton acted like he was all out together. Like he could just sit there and wait for things to unfold.
But he was dying of curiosity inwardly. What should he say? What questions would he ask the old man without sounding like an anxious teenager? After all, he'd gotten into the car voluntarily.
For some reason, he'd trusted the kind old man that he knew all his life.
Where were they taking him?
Minutes stretched on before the car slowed to a stop.
Through the tinted windows, Ashton saw what was before him. A beautiful towering estate that looked more like a fortress than a home.
The gates alone were massive, made of iron with intricate gold details. Beyond them, the driveway stretched endlessly, lined with perfectly trimmed lawn.
“The place is exquisite," he muttered just beneath his breath.
Being shaken and anxious couldn't take away from how awestruck he was at the beauty of the location.
The villa itself was breathtaking.
The car rolled to a stop, and Mr. Coleman stepped out, moving with the same grace he had shown earlier, then he rounded the car dutifully and opened Ashton’s door.
Ashton hesitated, grabbing the edge of the seat. “Is this some kind of prank?” the words slipped off his lips before he could hold them back.
Mr. Coleman extended a hand. “Come inside.”
Ashton ignored the offered hand and stepped out on his own.
Before he could reach for the doors, they swung open.
And what waited for him inside nearly made his heart stop.
Luxury.
Unimaginable luxury.
The floors were polished marble, the walls were adorned with expensive paintings, the kind only found in museums.
Velvet carpets stretched down the hallways, and the scent of fresh roses lingered in the air.
Everything about this place screamed power.
But for a second, none of it mattered. He had his eyes right on one man.
A man that Ashton hadn’t seen in over a decade.
A man he thought he’d never see again.
His father.
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The Rise of Ashton Chapter Six
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The Rise of Ashton Chapter Seven
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
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Eight
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The Rise of Ashton Chapter Nine
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.
The Rise of Ashton Chapter Ten
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The Rise of Ashton Chapter Eleven
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The Rise of Ashton Chapter Twelve
Misrepresented and Shamed“I'm sure something so expensive and luxurious can't be owned by this thing! He's a loser!" Reese snapped. Ashton remained standing in the doorway, his expression cold as he looked at Mr. Reese. The man was fuming, his face red with frustration as he waved at the security guards. “I don't know when you started letting riff raffs into this place!" The security scratched his head. He looked very polite and didn't want to mistreat Ashton, in fact, he pitied him. “Sir, maybe we should try to let him explain how he got here,” the man suggested calmly. “I said, get him out of here! Right now!” Reese barked, his voice echoing across the lobby. The security guards hesitated, shifting uneasily as they exchanged glances. They had been informed that today was a crucial day, the arrival of the new chairman, and the last thing they wanted was trouble. Yet, something about Ashton’s presence made them think twice. Ashton wasn't dressed fancy but he looked like he
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Chapter Hundred Two
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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
Chapter Ninety Six
His New Mission It was a new day. The morning sun poured through the tall windows of the Green family mansion. Ashton had barely slept the previous night. Nightmares of Marcel and the nas girl plagued him even as he had breakfast. He sat alone, dressed in a simple grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up, sipping a warm cup of coffee. His eyes were distant as he stared at the meal but couldn't seem to erase the thoughts of the previous night. The revelations about Marcel left a bitter taste in Ashton’s mouth. This man was up to something. He was no knight in shining armor. He was a monster.While he was still picking on his toaster, bacon, omelette and coffee, footsteps echoed down the staircase, softly. Ashton looked up and saw Veronica appear at the edge of the room, wrapped in a navy-blue bathrobe. She looked like she'd just showered and her dark hair was still damp from the shower. Her anger was quite obvious and even before she spoke, he could hear the irritation in her foot
Chapter Ninety Five
The Green Monster Ashton felt bad for her. What could she have possibly done that would justify such harsh treatment? He reached out to hold her hands but she jerked away violently. "I don’t like to be touched," she said suddenly. "Don’t come any closer.."Ashton froze. "I wasn’t going to." He lied. "I trusted someone once. A girl. She said she was my friend and I believed her, but she was a spy. Marcel sent her to watch me and see if I was healing. And when I told her that I was, she reported it. And then they brought the doctors."Her voice cracked and she was now trembling at the memories. "They made it worse. So much worse."Ashton’s stomach turned. Marcel had mentioned doctors occasionally visiting Lily for her condition. He’d said he paid the best of doctors and nurses to attend to her. Now he wasn’t so sure if it was to hurt her or cure her. He looked into her eyes again. There was so much pain there, buried beneath layers of anger and bitterness. How long had she been h
Chapter Ninety Four
Finding Insanity 2 The Green Mansion was quiet at midnight and Ashton knew this was the right time to move around. No one would see him. He was under the cover of darkness. Slowly, he rose from the dinner table and the maid moved close to him. "Would you like anything like dessert before bed?” She asked. The idea of a sweet and sugary treat sounded fun but he had other things to attend to. "No, I'll just get in bed. I'm exhausted,” he said, placing his hands on his forehead dramatically. She nodded, apologized and went off. As soon as he returned to his room, he locked the door, and shed the clean shirt and slacks Marcel had gifted him. In their place, he pulled on a black long-sleeved hoodie, jeans, and soft boots. He strapped a flashlight to his belt, then pulled up the hood. There was no one around as he stepped into the hallway, but he moved quietly anyway, sticking to the parts of the mansion he knew no one strolled. The left wing of the mansion was kind of forbidden.
