Chapter 598
Chapter 598:
Abrial wanted to ask but held back.
After spending so much time with Ashton, she knew that if he could talk about it, he wouldn’t keep it from her.
So, Abrial pretended not to notice and nudged him playfully. “Hey! What are you daydreaming about? We’re making a killing here! Can’t you show a little excitement?”
Ashton finally snapped out of his thoughts but could only muster a half-hearted smile, replying, “Well, I am happy. After all, we did win two contracts.”
But his expression betrayed him; he still looked far from cheerful.
Abrial rolled her eyes, snorting, “These proposals were all my ideas. I’ve been exhausted lately. Don’t you think you should reward me, you absentee boss?”
Worried she might catch on, Ashton forced himself to act more lively. Crossing his arms with a mock-terrified look, he teased, “What do you want? I’m not selling my body for money!”
Abrial tapped him on the forehead, chiding, “What nonsense! I just want a few days to relax. But it’s boring alone, so I want you to come with me.”
Feeling drained himself, Ashton thought a break sounded tempting. Besides, Fraser likely wouldn’t make any moves in the immediate future.
After a moment’s consideration, Ashton exhaled and agreed to Abrial’s suggestion.
Abrial quickly found the perfect getaway for their vacation—a resort located on the outskirts of Staville. Although she claimed it was simply a chance to relax, her true purpose was to help Ashton recover from the shadow of his recent failure. To ensure a peaceful environment for him, she went above and beyond by renting out the entire resort.
When they arrived, the only people in sight were the resort staff, with no other guests around. As they stepped out of the car, Abrial casually tossed her backpack to Ashton, stretching leisurely as she took a deep, contented breath. The crisp, clean air filled her lungs, an immediate contrast to the suffocating noise of the city. Having escaped the chaos of urban life, she felt an overwhelming sense of calm settle over her, as though a weight had been lifted.
In the distance, the lively chatter of unseen birds filled the air, their voices creating a natural symphony that blended perfectly with the peaceful surroundings. The sound added to the serene atmosphere, and Abrial felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: gαlոօѵɛʟs.ϲօʍ
Ashton, however, remained detached. Despite the beauty of the surroundings, he appeared lost in thought, unaffected by the calmness that surrounded him. It seemed as if nothing could pull him from his troubled mind. This was Ashton’s first real setback since the incident two and a half years ago, and he was still struggling to understand what had gone wrong.
The plan to capture Fraser had been foolproof—only Ashton’s family and a few high-ranking officials in Staville had been aware of it. If there had been a mole, Fraser would have already discovered Ashton’s true identity and avoided him entirely. Yet, Fraser still saw Ashton as the same failed son-in-law of the James family.
So how had the plan been compromised? Ashton couldn’t figure it out. The more he thought about it, the more the answer eluded him.
.
.
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