Chapter 539

Chapter 539:

Luther felt a pang of exasperation so deep he nearly burst into tears. Wasn’t it plain as day?

He was clearly the one in agony, yet here was Alisha, taking Ashton’s side as though he were the victim.

Luther shook his head internally, convinced that one day he’d have to suggest a skilled eye doctor in Staville for her.

Though frustrated, Luther wisely kept these thoughts to himself, swallowing his irritation in silence.

Meanwhile, Alisha’s intervention drew Ashton’s attention, sparking a reminder of Luther’s family ties.

Deciding that he’d taught Luther a fair lesson, Ashton cast him a quick glance and let go of his hand.

The second the crushing grip disappeared, Luther yanked his hand back, swiftly tucking it behind his back and rubbing it, his fingers massaging the lingering pain from Ashton’s iron-like hold.

Though the pain had yet to fully subside, at least his fingers moved normally again.

However, that lingering ache—so close to feeling as if his bones had been ground to dust—gnawed at him, and Ashton’s calm, smiling face added fuel to the flame. In that instant, Luther’s resentment for Ashton flared hotter than ever.

Luther’s smirk faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly recovered, his eyes narrowing as he leaned back in his seat, clearly not pleased with Ashton’s response. He had expected the younger man to be humbled, not to brush off his condescending offer with such ease.

“Skyline Group?” Luther repeated, a slight sneer curling on his lips. “That small-time company? Well, it seems like you’re aiming high, but remember, even the tallest buildings can crumble.” He paused, letting the insult sink in before continuing, “But I suppose you’ll find out soon enough. If you’re not careful, you’re going to be crushed under the weight of your own ambition.”

Ashton remained unflinching, his gaze steady and calm. “I appreciate your concern, but I tend to deal with things on my own terms. And as for ambition, I suppose that’s something we all share—though some might hide it behind masks of false humility.”

𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 → gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘀⍰𝖼𝗈𝗺

The tension between them simmered, but Alisha, sensing the brewing storm, swiftly stepped in again. She placed a hand on Ashton’s arm, offering a slight, but noticeable, smile in an effort to lighten the atmosphere.

“Come on, Luther, save the theatrics for someone who actually cares,” she said with a playful, but firm tone. “Let’s not ruin the mood before dinner even starts, alright?”

Luther bit his tongue, his pride wounded but unwilling to back down in front of the guests. He gave Ashton one last, cold stare before leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed tightly across his chest.

The rest of the evening proceeded with an air of strained civility. While Luther continued to throw occasional barbs at Ashton, the younger man remained calm and poised, never rising to the bait.

Alisha, sensing the growing animosity between the two, tried her best to keep the conversation light, but there was an undeniable tension hanging in the air. As the night wore on and the laughter of other guests filled the hall, Ashton couldn’t help but notice that, despite the smiles, the tension between him and Luther was far from over.

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