After giving it some thought, I no longer felt mad and decided to change the topic. “What do you think Cameron and Zachary are planning? They literally wasted all their time on your and Rebecca’s stupid marriage alliance in the past. They were so blinded by that and never realized that we were actually family. Yet, now they’re trying to force me into a marriage alliance? Don’t you think they’re going too far?”
“People change,” Ashton soothed. “Everyone reacts differently in tough times… Maybe you should investigate if the Moore family is in trouble. You did deal a heavy blow to them back when you tried to avenge Macy. Perhaps a rival snuck past their defenses now that they’re weakened. Hence, your parents resorted to the marriage alliance? But then again, these are just my optimistic deductions. I’m not sure if your parents have other reasons, so I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.”
I nodded. A look of solemn contemplation showed on my face as I looked at Ashton. “I noticed that Herman and Thora seemed closer at Bryson’s father’s birthday banquet. Have the Zieglers and the Trivetts signed on to the Pitcoin business deal?”
Ashton cracked a proud smile. “Yep. They’ve taken the bait. My men have begun analyzing the steps to cracking Pitcoin’s software, so it won’t be long before they succeed. You don’t have to worry about a thing since I’m handling this. Now, back to important matters since you’ve piqued my interest—who’s the man that’s bold enough to go on a blind date with you?”
It was indeed suspicious that Elliot rushed from overseas to go on a blind date with me during this tumultuous time.
“Elliot Jacobson,” I uttered with seriousness. “A local from M Country that recently returned from abroad. Also, I think Zachary is interested in a business collaboration with the Jacobson family.”
“Got it, I’ll have Joseph run a check later.”
“Okay.”
I nodded obediently. Then in the split second that followed, I caught a glimpse of Ashton’s brows flinching in pain. Although it was very brief and subtle, I definitely saw it.
“Ashton? Are you alright?” My eyes stared with great concern at his face while my smile faltered.
“Mm-hmm, what’s wrong?” Ashton held a normal expression as if nothing had ever happened. He cast an innocent face at me before revealing a tired look. It seemed like he had deliberately focused the camera so that I could see him kneading his brows. He sighed deeply, “I’ve been overwhelmed with work these past two days and haven’t had proper rest. I suppose I should take some time off to get a good night’s sleep.”
My face stiffened with concern at this. I uttered a quick response, “You should hang up and turn in early since you’re tired.”
Ashton stared straight into the camera as his lips curved slightly. “You should go to bed too. I’ll call you tomorrow?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Ashton hung up right after I responded. Seeing the screen flicker back into the call history, my heart sank.
He had always been skilled at disguising his emotions, not showing a hint of how he truly felt. It was the same when it came to business; he would never reveal his thoughts to his opponents, regardless of whether the situation he faced was good or bad.
But I’m not his opponent… I’m his wife, the one who’s been by his side for ten years and knows him the most.
I knew him all too well. It was impossible for that man, who constantly sought after perfection, to feel tired.
My instincts told me that Ashton was definitely hiding something from me, and it felt like the kind of secret that worried me.
I slumped on the bed for nearly a minute before the memories of recent events flashed through my mind. With haste, I scrambled for the phone and dialed Millie’s number.
“Get the car. I’m going over to Fuller Corporation.”
Millie’s efficiency was considered one of the most elite. She had parked the car across the street by the time I was done getting ready.
I clambered onto the passenger seat with my eyes glued in the distance. My lips scrunched tightly as I managed one word, “Hurry.”
Millie said nothing, but she understood my instruction perfectly. She slammed onto the accelerator and sped for our destination.
It took less than twenty minutes for us to arrive in front of Fuller Corporation. I dashed inside, unbothered if Thora or anyone else had strategically placed any spies around the area.
At that time of day, Fuller Corporation wasn’t empty. Almost every floor had about one or two lights on, indicating that there were many employees working overtime. I raced into the lift and hurriedly pressed onto the floor where the president’s office is located.
Once the elevator doors opened, I sprinted out and barged into his office. What I saw next was just as I had expected—no one was there.
