“Mr. Jacobson came back on the pretense of returning to his roots because Elliot has conspired with several conglomerates in M Country to take over the government-linked companies in Fander state. Not only did they fire numerous grassroots employees with no prior notice, they also ruined thousands of families. They’re only moving back here because their reputation was down in the dumps for being unethical and despicable. If the Moore family really backs their development here, the family might be nourishing a viper in their bosoms…”
Not one cent in Elliot’s hands was clean. Although he knew handing his money to Marshall was akin to flushing it down the drain, he did not mind at all.
How could he take others’ hard-earned money blatantly and claimed it as his own wealth? What a terrifying man.
If Ashton could get his hands on this information about Elliot, I suspected Cameron and Zachary’s involvement in this. They couldn’t be this clueless. What exactly were they trying to pull by matchmaking me with that man?
Still, something did not quite add up.
They were indebted to me. It was unlikely for them to stand idly by, let alone set me up on the path of destruction. There was only one viable explanation. They were being threatened.
Then again, what hold did the person had over Cameron and Zachary to incite such fear in them and the Moores?
As I looked at Ashton, a notion popped into my mind. Not only was it necessary for me to know the man’s background, I should also look into my so-called birth parents.
No matter what their reasons might be, the scales were never in my favor from the moment I was born. They always chose themselves over me.
“Alright, I’ll stay away from Elliot.” I nodded and subconsciously brushed against his shoulders. “You really need to take better care of yourself. It doesn’t matter if we have the antidote to my poison. I wouldn’t be able to live by myself should something happen to you.”
We live together or die trying. If you’re not by my side, living would be meaningless.
Ashton cast a gloomy glance at me, as if he could read what was on my mind.
“What do you mean?” His voice was dangerously low.
“I meant exactly what I said.” I avoided his gaze and fixed my eyes on his chest to straighten his shirt.
Sensing something amiss, he was about to probe further when we heard hasty footsteps approaching in the silent car park.
We lifted our heads and saw Thora and Joe step out of the elevator, headed in our direction.
I immediately returned to my senses and opened the door to get off the car. “I should get going.”
“Scarlett.” Ashton grabbed my arm suddenly. He was whispering, but there was no mistaking the urgency and fury in his voice. “I don’t care what you used to think. From now on, I want you to live your life to the fullest, whether I live or die. Promise me!”
He stressed the last two words with such emphasis and squeezed both my arm affectionately before letting me go. I hid behind a pillar just in time to avoid Thora and Joe.
Ashton left the two standing as he drove out of the car park. The duo was accustomed to his behavior. They waited for their chauffeur to pick them up and finally disappeared into the distance.
I only emerged from behind the pillar after making sure everyone was gone.
For a few seconds, I stood and stared dazedly at the exit sign. A sudden wave of apprehension hit me as I recalled Ashton’s words.
A voice at the back of my head told me he was leaving me forever.
For a man who had loved me more than he valued his life to lose all hope and arrive at such a distressing decision, only something drastically tragic could cause this. What could have happened that he was willing to die?
I called Millie anxiously and arranged to meet up at the nearest café.
The Jade was located right at the heart of the city center with many famous cafés nearby. Millie arrived in fifteen minutes with a companion.
