In Love, Never Say Never

It was normal for keyboard warriors to speculate as they had no idea about the truth. But anyone in their right mind could see that Ashton treated Thora like an ordinary friend. It was only after the media’s attempt at spicing up the situation that it felt like there was something going on.

If there really was something going on between both of them, it would have to be proven by them registering their marriage at the Civil Affairs Bureau, instead of some blurry photos from an eye-catching angle.

“Hmm, you have gotten smarter I see. This sounds like what an observant person would say.” Ashton leaned back languidly in his chair. Squinting his eyes, his face reddened a little from the wine he had drunk.

“Observant? Perhaps.” I asked, “Just from what happened with Mitchell, it’s obvious that the Ziegler family does not harbor good intentions. You’d better be more careful when dealing with Thora.”

“If I had any other choice, I wouldn’t have chosen to sell my body.” Ashton suddenly widened his eyes as he looked at me with a helpless expression. “In the upcoming period, I will likely interact with her often. Hence, don’t listen to the rumors on the internet. If there is anything out of the ordinary, I will personally explain it to you.”

For some unknown reason, Ashton looked exhausted that day.

Smiling at him, I tried to ease his concerns. “Go ahead and do what you think is necessary. The children and I will be fine. Just one thing, even though I’m not by your side, don’t keep pulling late nights for weeks at one go. You need to take care of your health so that you can fulfill your promise of making it up to me.”

“Alright.” Pursing his lips, Ashton nodded in agreement. As if something suddenly occurred to him, he asked, “With regards to Emery’s case, I heard she wants you to represent her?”

“That’s right. It’s her way of supporting my career, I suppose. Both for her sake and my future, I will definitely do my best. After preparing for such a long time, it’s time to see how good I am.”

“Get someone else to do it,” Ashton commented.

“Why?” I was puzzled. “Are you doubting my capabilities? Or are you worried that I’m not physically up for it?”

I could understand the former but there was no reason to worry about the latter. The toxin in my body was like a time bomb. Before it explodes, I was no different from any ordinary person. If I had to forgo my life and stay in bed, it would be no different than being dead.

“Neither.” Ashton explained patiently, “Isn’t it obvious to you that Delilah is evil? She dared to hire someone to splash acid on Emery. Can you guarantee that she won’t do something similar to threaten you? Given that you have so many staff at your firm, it isn’t difficult to get someone else to replace you. There’s no need for you to be involved.”

After giving it some thought, Ashton’s concerns did make sense. After all, before Emery got hurt, no one had expected a helpless-looking woman to commit such a heinous act the moment she steeled her heart.

“I understand. When the time comes, I’ll get someone else to replace me so that I can minimize the conflict between the both of us. So, you don’t have to worry about this.”

A few days later, when Emery’s case went to trial, the judge accepted all the evidence that we presented. As expected, Delilah was sentenced to prison.

On the same day afternoon, upon my return to the law firm, I received an invitation from Ziegler Investment for their anniversary celebration party.

The invitation wrote: We cordially invite Ms. Scarlett Stovall to attend Ziegler Investment’s 5th-anniversary celebration party.

The invitation made it clear that I would be representing Stovall Law Firm, drawing an obvious distinction between my relationship with Ashton.

Meanwhile, the rumors about Ashton and Thora continued to spread. Putting aside Ashton’s plan, the media were likely encouraged to do so by Thora and the Ziegler family. The law firm had only been operating for less than a month and yet, Thora was already impatient to see me. The invitation was undoubtedly a trap.

As John was the one who exposed Mitchell, he wasn’t invited. Hence, I got Brooklyn to come along with me. On the way there, I had time to do some research on Thora.

In truth, Thora was considered a capable woman. At twenty-two, she returned to the country after graduating with an MBA overseas and joined Ziegler Corporation. In three years’ time, she doubled the Ziegler Corporation’s stock price. In another two years, she had a falling out with the Ziegler family and left to start her own company. Within five years of that, Ziegler Investments had become an industry leader in the building materials segment and was extremely influential.

In love, never say never chapter 1287

The picture online of Thora showed her in a suit. Her features were exquisite while her eyes sparkled with energy. Overall, she looked very ambitious, unlike the usual girls that were previously by Ashton’s side. Thora was about my age and didn’t seem to have anything to nitpick about. Just based on her resume alone, she seemed to be more compatible with Ashton than me. At least they were both similarly ambitious in terms of their career.

“We’re here, Ms. Stovall.”

Only when Brooklyn reminded me did I realize that we had arrived. When I looked out the window, I saw a red carpet flanked by reporters on both sides, with their cameras flashing away.

Just when I steadied myself, I heard a car screeching to a sudden stop. A blue sports car had parked itself behind me. The next moment, the door opened and John stepped out in a tuxedo. The moment he emerged, he attracted the attention of all the cameras. Nevertheless, he remained unperturbed as he straightened his jacket before helping Emma out of the car. In front of the cameras, both of them were the epitome of a loving couple.

“Mr. Stovall really cares a lot about you.” Brooklyn teased with a whisper.

His words were undeniably true. With John’s presence, I saved myself a lot of trouble. While he had the reporters’ attention, I quickened my pace and headed into the venue.

The moment we entered, the emcee was in the midst of introducing Thora, “…and now, let’s invite Ms. Ziegler to say a few words.”

With that, the spotlight moved from the stage and shone onto Thora who was dressed to the nines. Even the tall figure beside her became the center of attention as expected.

As the crowd settled down for a moment, Thora waited for everyone’s attention to fall upon her. After that, she said something to Ashton before sauntering up the stage.

Her speech was graceful while her poise was elegant. The authoritative vibe she emanated would put many men to shame. The only time she softened her gaze was when she looked in a particular direction. It was then that her eyes were filled with longing.

looked on with interest, John’s familiar curses rang

she seen

entrance, it was quite some distance from the stage. John didn’t even attempt to keep his voice down, but luckily it wasn’t loud enough to be heard

voice? I don’t want to be seen as a troublemaker here,” Emma

correct. John had arrived at the same time we did on purpose. Leveraging on the animosity between the Stovall and Ziegler family, he managed to

my thoughts, I

Ashton, one was a lady with an illustrious background while the other was a young upstart within the business world. Both of them looked attractive and made a good match indeed. Especially when I saw the passion in Thora’s eyes, I filled in the rest with my

of the curious stares from the other guests, John chose to make a scene. Glaring back at them with his brows raised, he threatened, “Let me see

fearsome, causing the onlookers to quickly disperse

away, John leaned closer to me and whispered. “Don’t worry, Ashton won’t fall for

Ashton, I teased, “You

replying, John changed the topic. “Why? Can it be that you are

I’m not.” I

honest, before Thora, I had always imagined what would happen to me if someone better in every way appeared by Ashton’s side.

never say never

video call with Ashton, the exhaustion he felt from dealing with Thora and the enthusiasm in his voice when he spoke with me

you and Ashton are actually the same, thinking that getting on someone’s nerves will always work. Do you think women are that easily cheated?” Suddenly, Emma interrupted with a strange

expression changed at once. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he quickly walked

it was for John to be cowed, I found it both strange

with him. He should have at least chosen one with a clean reputation. Instead,

I followed where her gaze leads, I couldn’t help but smile. John oh John, you may be adept at dealing with someone else’s problems. But when it comes to your own, you’re not

did you do after that?” I asked

Then, I told him to use a couple more every single time and to visit the hospital whenever he was free. He shouldn’t put his life at risk just for the sake of having a

“Pfft…”

I gotta say, your reaction was really harsh.” Furrowing her eyebrows, Emma was both upset and curious as to

still couldn’t contain my laughter. Even if Emma didn’t say it out loud, I could still imagine the stunned look on John’s face. This time, he had finally met his match. He assumed that he could do the same to Emma as he

“Ms. Stovall.”

ear, causing the smile on my face to freeze. It wasn’t until it faded away that I

as expected, Thora had finally come to

glances, we maintained a cordial smile at each other as if we were old friends. There was

the host, Thora brought with her

I raised my champagne

Thora smiled slightly without a hint of animosity. “I heard you have started your own law firm. Coincidentally, my company is

Despite successfully avoiding the reporters’ questions, I couldn’t hide from the nosy gazes of high

that I was less successful than her. That after leaving Ashton, I had to rely on his new partner for business. However, if I declined, it would indicate that I was being petty. Trapped between a rock and a hard place, it was

one needed to know where to strike. Since she had come to challenge me, there was no need

of much. From the time my grandma took care of me to the time my husband protected me, I hardly knew anything about running a business. Even now, I have to rely on the support the Stovall family provides. But

a moment, I scanned around

from within the crowd, Brooklyn approached and stood behind me. “Ms. Stovall, I am at

you take a look or simply appoint someone in the company to help her? We can’t very well let

raised my voice on purpose to emphasize the word

never say

as she scrutinized me in surprise. Meeting her gaze confidently, I put on an innocent look. Given what everyone had just heard, their impression

I was a fool that could elicit jealousy from

claim to enjoy the protection of one’s family despite having nothing to

or extremely attractive. All of them had to work in their families’ interest to enjoy the equivalent amount of protection. If one was born without any talent, one had

career woman, I was indirectly flaunting the unconditional love that I enjoyed. It was something I already had but everything that Thora craved. Hence, there was nothing

was the one that started it and I was just returning the favor, albeit with the

her wounds. “Ms. Ziegler, Ms. Stovall doesn’t understand the situation, so let me explain it to you. Ever since the law firm began its operations, we have received a lot of work from both the Stovall and Moore families. Therefore, most of our top lawyers are bogged down with work. Hence, if you don’t mind, I can get one of my assistants to help you. What do you think about

be so good at insults. It was really brazen of him to suggest assigning an assistant lawyer to deal with the president of a listed company. No wonder John

exchange, Thora didn’t gain any advantage at all. Instead, she had been badly beaten down. Nevertheless, she managed to

from behind her and raised

Brooklyn stepped forward to

of nowhere and grabbed his wrist. With a forceful twist, the man collapsed onto

its contents spilled in every direction. Unable to evade in time, Thora’s pure white dress

Ashton’s threatening voice

“How dare you!”