Chapter 48
Chapter 48:
Earlier, Phillip, Emalee, and Tristan had made their way to the charity concert, their faces alight with confidence and excitement. Being invited by one of Inewood’s elite families was a clear sign of their rising social status, a privilege rarely granted to the town’s younger residents. Yet, they were unaware of the humiliation that awaited them by the evening’s end.
As Phillip and his companions made a hasty retreat, Ashton watched them leave with a faint smile, quickly brushing off the incident. He then turned to Rosalie and simply said, “Thanks, Rosalie.”
Raising an eyebrow in a playful manner, Rosalie asked, “So, what’s your plan to repay my kindness?”
Ashton’s smile widened as he handed her a beautifully wrapped jewelry box. Rosalie immediately recognized it as the bracelet that had gone for a high price at the auction—a piece she had admired but, as the organizer, had not bid on to avoid any whispers of driving up the price.
As Ashton placed the bracelet in her hands, Rosalie’s eyes sparkled with delight, and her heart swelled with excitement. She accepted the box with a grin, saying, “I won’t be shy. This bracelet is absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much!”
“I’m glad you like it,” Ashton responded with a sigh of relief. “I was worried you might turn it down.”
By this time, Rosalie had already opened the box and was sliding the bracelet onto her wrist, her face radiating happiness. In a teasing tone, she remarked, “I never thought the money I spent would come back to me in this way.”
With a chuckle, Ashton said, “You’ve been such a tremendous support these last few days. It seems only right to repay you somehow.”
Rosalie narrowed her eyes and flashed a playful smile. “Let’s keep this going. How about I give you a ride home?”
Ashton chuckled. “A ride worth nine hundred thousand dollars? That’s quite the expensive trip!”
Lατєѕτ ϲнαρτєrs ιn g𝒶l𝑛ovєl𝑆.𝗰om
Their banter flowed easily as they walked side by side. To onlookers, the stunning couple looked like they had stepped out of a charming movie scene.
Selena’s heart issues were complicated, necessitating rare herbs that the Campbell family had to put in great efforts to obtain. Rosalie had to gather all the necessary herbs before Ashton could begin treating Selena. Despite the delay, Ashton wasn’t one to just wait idly.
The day after attending the charity concert, he followed Ivan’s advice and agreed to take a job at Inewood University. When he reached the university’s main entrance, he called Ivan to let him know he had arrived. Ivan, knowing where Ashton was, told him to wait at the gate while he arranged for someone to meet him there. Ashton had just hung up when he saw a familiar figure looking downhearted.
Tristan shuffled into the university, his spirits low. He had planned to boast to his friends about the concert from the previous night, but he hadn’t even made it past the entrance! The misappropriation of funds from the James family’s company, uncovered due to Ashton’s interference, had led to a severe reprimand for Tristan at home. The memory of Ashton’s face fueled Tristan’s seething anger.
As he schemed his revenge, he was shocked to see Ashton at the school gate. There Ashton stood, blocking his way, and Tristan felt his anger tighten its hold. This guy had not only embarrassed him in public but also caused him to be reprimanded at home. Now, Ashton was bold enough to cause a scene at his school? No way. Even boldness had its limits!
Tristan squinted, leaping to a conclusion. “He probably spent all his cash trying to impress my sister last night! Now he’s broke and desperate enough to end up as a gatekeeper here!” he grumbled under his breath.
Caught up in this misconception and sure of his imagined story, a smirk spread across Tristan’s face. As Tristan craved a release for his pent-up fury, Ashton’s arrival couldn’t have been timelier.
Tristan decided to seize this opportunity.
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