Chapter 652
Chapter 652:
Ashton was left in silence, taken aback. Abrial’s words reminded him of the conversation between Rosalie and Fraser during the bidding event.
Rosalie had said that to brush off Fraser’s attempts to cause trouble between them—had Abrial taken her words seriously?
He didn’t have the energy to figure out if Abrial was teasing him or not. His priority was to clear things up with Alisha.
But before he could say anything, Alisha grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the amusement park behind them. Alisha seemed to be in high spirits that day. She led Ashton from one attraction to the next, making sure they tried everything. Afterward, they rushed to the aquarium, and just before nightfall, they managed to visit the zoo.
Ashton’s mood gradually lightened, caught up in Alisha’s youthful energy. He let his worries slip away, allowing himself to enjoy the day alongside her.
As evening settled in, Alisha finally began to show signs of exhaustion. She tugged Ashton over to a bench by the roadside, and they both sat down.
Seeing her happiness, Ashton decided not to bring up any heavy topics.
He’d witnessed how some families encouraged multiple marriages to ensure their bloodlines continued, but in the Baldwin family, that tradition didn’t exist. His grandfather, father, and even his two brothers each had only one wife. Thoughts of multiple marriages had never crossed his mind.
Lost in thought, Ashton didn’t notice Alisha watching him until she spoke up. “Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?”
Ashton chuckled, brushing his thoughts aside. Today, he just wanted to be present with her.
“No, I was just thinking it’s been a while since I last cooked. How about I make something for you?”
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Alisha’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She grabbed his arm, exclaiming, “What are you waiting for? Cook for me right now!”
Since Alisha’s home was only a stone’s throw away, Ashton didn’t have to travel far. She guided him to a nearby market to gather some ingredients, and then they made their way to her place.
Her father, Rayden, was the head of the Staville Police Department, commanding a sprawling force of officers across dozens of precincts.
Despite his high rank, what struck Ashton was that the Smith family didn’t live in a grand villa or luxury mansion. Instead, they resided in a modest police dormitory—simple, understated, and rather unpretentious.
The building itself was somewhat worn from age, and the apartment wasn’t spacious. The moment the door swung open, Ashton could see the entirety of the home’s layout in one sweep.
Yet, the modesty of the space had been transformed; plants of all kinds dotted the rooms, and the furnishings were arranged with a delicate charm, giving the place a warm and inviting feel. Ashton found it unexpectedly delightful.
Catching the look on his face, Alisha felt a surge of pride. She smirked and said, “Looks great, doesn’t it? My mom and I did all the decorating. Isn’t it beautiful?”
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