Panic flashed across Old man Walton’s face for a second, not expecting Ashley’s sudden question. His hand that was placed on his lap was clenched into a fist, trying not to give away his panic expression.
Ashley’s question caught him off-guard. He didn’t expect her to connect him with Raymond immediately. He was impressed by how intelligent she was. But that couldn’t change his decision of sending Ashley far away from his grandson.
He could help Ashley’s family to become better secretly, and also make her career a success in New York, but he feared about the consequences on his grandson, who he had been teaching all he needed to know about how to take care of World-glow enterprise since he was five.
“Did you think someone like your boyfriend would have a familiar relationship with me? Don’t flatter yourself, Miss Brown.” Old man Walton chuckled, but in his heart, he was begging for forgiveness for denying his grandson.
He was very sure that Ashley would believe him, because Raymond has always lived a low-key life. No one except his friends knew his family background, and he was hundred percent sure that Ashley was among the people who didn’t know Raymond’s powerful background.
What am I thinking? Raymond would never know someone as powerful as this old man without me knowing. It must be my imagination that I thought they both look alike. Ashley thought as she chuckled, shaking her head as if she was shaking the thought out of it.
Ashley took a deep breath, her eyes scanning over the document in front of her once again. It’s either now or never. The way her future would be like depends on this once in a lifetime opportunity in front of her. She picked up the pen she dropped earlier, her hand making way to the place her signature was needed. She signed her name with her trembling hand, sealing her fate.
She couldn’t describe what she felt at that moment. Whether it’s joy or sadness, she doesn’t know. But one thing was sure, she would be able to make her dreams come true if she did her part of the deal.
“Nice decision, Miss Brown. I hope you won’t breach the contract. The penalty is $30 million dollars.” Old master Walton utters, a cunning smile plastered on his face.
Ashley’s heart sank. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She didn’t see any penalty or fee for breaching of contract on what she just read.
“Miss Brown, why are you surprised? I thought you read through the document, both back and front? Its there, clearly written in black and white.” Old Walton said, seeing the stunned look on Ashley’s face.
She immediately turned to the back of the document, and there it was – the penalty of not following the rules of the contract. Ashley knew she had been tricked by the old man in front of her. She gritted her teeth in anger, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Old man Walton was very satisfied at Ashley’s reaction. He was very happy that he was able to trick her into signing the contract without her reading it thoroughly.
“Since we are done with the main reason we are here, assistant Jeff, call the kitchen, let’s order lunch.” Old man Walton sat up, resting his back on his chair ina relaxed manner.
Ashley glared at the old man, but there was nothing she could do. He didn’t force her to sign, she was the foolish person who didn’t read through. “No need, old man, I will take my leave now.” Ashley stood up, picked up her bag, slinging it on her shoulder as she made her way out of the room.
“I won’t force you to stay for lunch, Miss Brown. Assistant Jeff, please escort Miss Brown out.” Old Walton’s voice was firm and commanding, his happy mood visible as he reckoned on the chair.
Assistant Jeff nodded and walked towards Ashley, whose hand was on the door handle. “This way Miss Brown.” Assistant Jeff gently guided her out the room after opening the door.
As soon as they were out of old man Walton’s sight, Ashley turned to assistant jeff and asked, “How could he trick me into signing the contract? How could he do this to me?”
Assistant Jeff looked at Ashley sympathetically and said, “I’m sorry Miss Brown, but you should have read through the contract thoroughly before signing.” Assistant Jeff knew how ruthless his boss could be. Ashley wasn’t the first person he had tricked into doing his bidding.
Ashley felt a surge of frustration and anger within her. She knew she had made a mistake, but she couldn’t help feeling old man Walton had taken advantage of her vulnerability.
Without uttering another word, Ashley turned and left the hallway, leaving assistant Jeff with her back view as she made her way out of the restaurant building.
That night, Ashley received a message from old man Walton that except she and her parents, no one else must know about their deal, especially her boyfriend, Raymond, must not know.
A week later, Ashley and her parents left New York for London, where they built up their small company that had been thriving for five years now, with no major obstacles. Everything was going well for them. Ashley had also made her dream come true with the help of old man Walton.
She didn’t regret her decision of making a deal with the old man five years ago. Her only regret was that she finds out late that Raymond was from a powerful background, and old man Walton was Raymond’s grandfather. That was when everything that happened five years ago finally made sense to her. The real reason for the whole deal was because Raymond’s grandfather didn’t want them to be together.
Now that she has made a name for herself, and she can afford to pay for the contract breaching fee, why stay in London, when the man her heart yearns for is in New York? The last time she had met with old man Walton, she was afraid to go against him, that was why she had lied that she was here for her cousin’s wedding ceremony.
She was confident that she could make Raymond fall for her just like five years ago, since all her sources had proved to her that Raymond had never had any girlfriend since she left, making her delusional that Raymond was still madly in love with her.
After Raymond falls in love with her again, it would be easier for Raymond to speak to his grandfather, and tell him that she was his choice for a life partner. Whether the old man likes it or not, he would surely accept. Who knew that before she could even land safely in New York, Raymond had gotten married secretly with that no name bitch.
Out of desperation and obsession for Raymond, Ashley had created a scandal for herself and Raymond, thinking that Raymond would have no other choice but to accept her and marry her.
***
Back to the present.
As Raymond listened to what Ashley had just revealed, that was the so-called reason for their breakup five years ago, Raymond’s eyes were tightly shut, his hands clenching into a fist. He couldn’t believe that his grandfather was involved in all that happened five years ago. He had watched him suffer silently in pain, but he didn’t tell him he was the cause.
Ashley didn’t reveal to him that she had slept with Ian Scott, the only thing she was ashamed to tell Raymond. She doesn’t want him to judge her by her past.
Without waiting for Ashley’s more explanations, Raymond turned and walked out of the room, his powerful strides showing he wasn’t in a good mood.
“Raymond, where are you going? Wait for me.” Ashley grabbed her bag from one of the chairs, her heels clicking on the marble floor as she rushed to chase after Raymond.
Before Ashley could meet up with Raymond, she was stopped by two bodyguards, dressed in black, making her remember this wasn’t the first time Raymond was letting his bodyguards stop her.
“Who do you think you guys are? I’m Raymond’s fiancee. I can tell him to fire you guys.” Ashley shouted, her face contorted in anger, seeing how rude the bodyguards were to her.
Instead of Raymond stopping and telling his bodyguards to make way for Ashley as she expected, Ashley was stunned by Raymond’s actions.
He made his way toward his car, not sparing a glance at Ashley. His powerful back, wrapped in his black tuxedo was the only sight Ashley was spared.
“Raymond No! You can’t abandon me here like this.” Ashley yelled, forgetting her public image as she stomped her feet.
Raymond’s car drove out of the cafe parking lot, heading back to his office, leaving the crazy Ashley behind.