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.

when I looked on with interest, John’s familiar

seen

stage. John didn’t even attempt to keep his voice down, but luckily it wasn’t loud enough

I don’t want to be seen

observation was correct. John had arrived at the same time we did on purpose. Leveraging on the animosity between the Stovall and Ziegler

my thoughts, I did have

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 own imagination. The romantic tension between a strong couple intertwined with competing business

chose to make a scene. Glaring back at them with his brows raised, he threatened, “Let me see who has discovered my true agenda. Coincidentally, I’m lacking an excuse

causing the onlookers to quickly disperse out of precaution.

me and whispered. “Don’t worry,

Surprised by John’s confidence in Ashton, I

topic. “Why?

not.”

Thora, I had always imagined what would happen to me if someone better in every way appeared by Ashton’s side. But now that it had become a reality, my concerns were

love, never say

eyes and tone would never lie. During my video call with Ashton, the exhaustion he felt from dealing with Thora and the enthusiasm in his voice when he spoke with me was enough for me to

work. Do you think women are that easily cheated?” Suddenly, Emma interrupted

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

was for John to be cowed, I found it both

him. The last time he came over to my company to discuss your law firm’s logo, he brought a girl with him. He should have at least chosen one with a clean reputation. Instead, the girl he brought had appeared in the tabloids before with countless other men. It was obvious that he

John, you may be adept at dealing

what did you do after that?” I asked

to use a couple more every single time and to visit the hospital whenever he was free. He shouldn’t

“Pfft…”

couldn’t help but burst into laughter and applaud Emma in my heart. “Emma, I gotta say, your reaction was really

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 did to Hannah.

“Ms. Stovall.”

cordial voice rang out in my ear, causing the smile on my face to freeze. It wasn’t until it faded away that I finally

as expected, Thora had finally

cordial smile at each other as if we were old friends. There was no way one could tell that we were

host, Thora brought with her everyone’s attention the moment

I raised my champagne glass at

law firm. Coincidentally, my company is involved in some complex legal situations. So, I was wondering if you’re willing

for me. Despite successfully avoiding the reporters’ questions, I couldn’t hide from the

new partner for business. However, if I declined, it would indicate that I was being petty. Trapped between a rock and

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

as to talk about whether I can help. After all, I have never been capable 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 since you have requested this of me, I

moment, I scanned around to

stood behind me. “Ms. Stovall,

look or simply appoint someone in the company to help her? We can’t

emphasize the word “simply” so that everyone else could

love, never say never

gaze confidently, I put on an innocent look. Given what everyone had just heard, their impression of me was that I was

a fool that

was no one else that could shamelessly claim to enjoy the protection of one’s

had to either be exceptionally capable 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 to be extra careful not to bring any trouble

admitting my incompetence in the face of a powerful career woman, I was indirectly flaunting the unconditional love that

doing. After all, she was the one that started it and I was just returning the favor, albeit with the

salt in 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

expect Brooklyn to 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.

badly

figure stepped out from behind her and raised his

Brooklyn stepped forward

and grabbed his wrist.

instead. Upon impact, its contents spilled in every direction. Unable

the commotion, Ashton’s

“How dare you!”