Chapter 81

Chapter 81:

“Show some leniency toward him? He’s just a young kid,” Ashton echoed Emalee’s words, his gaze sharp and unforgiving.

At that moment, disappointment and detachment washed over him.

From Emalee’s perspective, Tristan’s misdeeds seemed minor, and Ashton was portrayed as the villain for “endangering Tristan’s future.”

Ashton reflected on the two years he had spent living with the James family.

Time and again, he had endured unfair treatment for Tristan’s benefit.

Back then, he had quietly accepted his suffering.

Now, looking back, he realized that his gratitude toward Emalee, who had once saved his life, had been excessive. Times had changed, and Ashton felt no need to mince words with her.

He responded with cold firmness, “Sorry, but I have no intention of forgiving him.”

Emalee was aware that Ashton had been unjustly accused and had nearly lost his job and reputation because of it.

Before she could utter a word, Matthew and Miriam were seething with rage.

Matthew, in particular, was incensed.

He had been swamped with work in another city and had even missed his father’s birthday.

Upon hearing his son had been arrested, he hurried back home, only to be met with Ashton’s steadfast refusal to reconcile.

Matthew snatched the phone and bellowed, “You ungrateful wretch! Had we not taken you in, who knows where you’d be now—likely begging on the streets! You divorced my daughter and turn your back on us? Had I known what a monster you were, I never would have let you marry into the James family, even if it meant our family becoming the laughingstock of Inewood!”

Miriam, standing next to him, also seized the phone and warned, “Ashton! You need to wise up. We’re trying to speak to you calmly, but don’t test our patience! If you anger us, rest assured, we’ll have Phillip ensure you end up in jail!”

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Even though Ashton’s speaker was off, the couple’s loud voices were unmistakably clear to Rosalie, who was sitting beside him.

She was well aware of the earlier incident where Ashton had been wrongly accused. Coupled with Miriam’s earlier threat demanding Ashton relinquish his assets, Rosalie’s patience with the James family had reached its limit.

Hearing their bold threats now, Rosalie’s expression darkened with anger.

Unable to restrain herself, she asserted, “Ashton, I know you see no point in talking to them, but I can’t bear this. If you won’t speak up, I will!”

She grabbed the phone and declared sternly, “Tristan framed Ashton. Had Ashton not proven his innocence, he would have lost his job and faced public humiliation! Why should he forgive so easily, and how dare you threaten him?”

Matthew’s fury escalated when he heard someone defending Ashton.

He roared, “Who are you? How dare you interfere in my family’s matters? If you side with Ashton, we’ll make sure you’re imprisoned too!”

Rosalie, equally infuriated, retorted sharply with a scoff, “Go ahead! We can enlist Aaron Gray’s help. If you lose the case, whatever fate befalls Tristan will be yours as well! And remember, you tried to take Ashton’s assets. Ashton was prepared to overlook that. But if you’re seeking a battle, we’ll pursue every asset Ashton was entitled to in the divorce!”

Upon hearing Aaron Gray’s name, Matthew and Miriam exchanged anxious glances.

They had consulted with Phillip about securing Tristan’s release, and Phillip had indicated it would be a challenging task.

He had mentioned that only a top lawyer like Aaron could manage such a case effectively.

This realization had compelled the James family to begrudgingly consider settling with Ashton.

Now, realizing the person on the other end of the line was invoking Aaron, Matthew and Miriam started to panic.

Matthew glanced at his daughter’s uncertain expression and whispered urgently, “Emalee, don’t just stand there. Do something!”

Emalee snapped out of her daze, her face a mask of complex emotions.

She couldn’t recall ever attempting to seize Ashton’s assets. It seemed likely her parents were behind that. However, this was not the moment to dig into those details.

With firm resolve, Emalee clenched her teeth and declared, “What else can we do? We’ll have to settle this financially!”

Matthew and Miriam had braced themselves for this scenario. Although it pained them to part with some of their assets, their concern for their son outweighed the financial loss.

After her parents reluctantly agreed, Emalee took the phone back.

She implored, “Ashton, we are prepared to divide our assets with you as compensation. I’m begging you, remember our time together as husband and wife, and let Tristan off just this once. Besides, even if you don’t, with Phillip’s help, Tristan’s detention will be brief. It’s better for us both to find a middle ground and preserve some dignity.”

Ashton listened to Emalee’s plea, his expression unreadable. He considered her words.

Although Tristan’s deeds were reprehensible, they were not severe enough to warrant a lengthy sentence.

With a sigh, he shook his head.

Viewing this as an opportunity to close a painful chapter from his past, Ashton finally responded in a detached tone, “Fine, let’s do it your way.”

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