A Love Trap

Ever since she was a kid, Ashley always wore the shiny jade pendant. As far as she could remember, she had the necklace with her even before she was adopted by the Mu family. It must be given to her by her own family. Although she didn't know what the jade pendant meant for, she instinctively believed that it must be very important to her.

When she first came to live with the Mu family, Lena who was two years younger, saw the jade pendant and cried for it. Ashley was a child then but despite her young age, she knew the importance of the jade pendant.

With all her meager strength, she protected the jade pendant and refused to give it to Lena. Taking Lena as the apple of their eyes, Spencer and Peggy shunned the idea off and thought it was just a jade pendant and was no big deal.

Helpless and vulnerable as she was, Ashley was only a kid at that time and couldn't win over Peggy in strength.

Thus when Peggy forcibly grabbed the pendant on her neck, Ashley could not fight back and had to let go of the pendant.

Thankfully, without expecting it, the pendant was returned to Ashley after a few days. However, because of the innocence of her youth, Ashley didn't know whether the jade pendant was fake or not during that time. Nevertheless, she had worn it for more than ten years.

Now that she was more matured and could weigh things rationally, she thought things over. How could Peggy be so kind as to return her something she had robbed out of her? How selfish the woman was.

"What the hell do you want me to do?" Enraged, Ashley scorned at Peggy and thought why the Mu family could be so harsh with her.

With her eyebrows raised a little, Peggy answered,"It's easy. You just need to do one thing."

"What would that be?" This time, Ashley stared at Peggy inquisitively sensing that something wrong was about to happen.

Seeing Ashley so shaken, Peggy was certain that she had won the bet this time.

Indeed, she had placed a bet, a very personal bet that Ashley had no idea of. Ever since she took the pendant away from Ashley when she was a child, Peggy had known that the jade pendant was important to Ashley. It must bear sentimental values for her. Making the jade pendant as a bait, Ashley for sure would accept her request. She wouldn't dare say no, lest she would lose a valuable piece that might be the key for her to know her real parents.

Peggy secured the jade pendant happily in her hand. "I have only one request. I just want you to get married, either to Leo or to anybody else. It doesn't matter who you will marry as long as you get married. I'll give you one week to do that."

heard, Ashley asked,"What? What if I can't make it in one

a confident arrogance, Peggy waved the jade pendant in her hand,"If you can't, then you don't need

hatred and wanted to curse her mother with all the toxic words she knew. However, Ashley being raised to be a respectful daughter just managed to sneer her frustrations. All her life, she really wanted to know why she was the object of the Mu family's

when the Mu family had adopted her, she learned how to control herself and behave properly, and she hadn't brought any trouble to the family.

always tell Ashley to do things for Lena's benefits. Worst was Lena, who seemed to dislike her innately, would grab away

that, but unexpectedly, they wanted her to get married in

them that she didn't have any relationship with Raymond and swore that she would never contact him again. They still forced her in such an indecent way. Ashley was confused as to what they

Ashley laughed with a

hand, surprised by her reaction, raised her

afraid that someone can't

Peggy got cloudy,"When did

mother, even more, Ashley curled her

you say then? Will you do it or not? It's just a simple request and then you can have your jade pendant back.

pendant is mine." She was eyeing the

you for so many years. We have treated you well even if you haven't done anything for the family. Now, how dare you raise your voice against me and even make a bargain for nothing but just

for a while and slowly said,"Alright, I agree. But I hope you would really live up to your words. If you can't keep your promise, I will make every

escape from her mother's presence, Ashley glanced at Peggy

Peggy, at the same time she couldn't understand why she was suddenly terrified by

formed on her mind that if she couldn't return the jade pendant to Ashley in due time, perhaps the little bitch

Peggy hadn't come to her senses until Ashley disappeared. The idea that she was alarmed by Ashley's stare just now, made her even vexed. Why was Ashley so arrogant? In fact,

...

sat straight in his office chair while examining a document in his hand. He was

writer was a