In Love, Never Say Never

That single statement silenced Herman entirely. At the same time, it had come at the cost of Ashton’s bargaining power.

Fuller Corporation’s withdrawal from the collaboration with Trivett Corporation meant that Ashton would be unable to interfere no matter what evil ends Pitcoin would be used for.

It seemed as if the discovery that his parents were alive had utterly transformed Ashton. The upright, dignified man that George painstakingly raised had vanished.

Ashton’s words thus dropped like a bomb in the living room, scattering the uneasiness that had hung so heavily in the air before.

Thora, who had been observing the scene unfold from the sidelines, chose this moment to speak. “You’re going to withdraw from all collaborations? Ashton, do you really intend to sever all ties with me?” she seethed.

The Ziegler family was no longer Ashton’s target. In fact, from certain perspectives, Ashton had indeed wronged Thora in some aspects.

A flowering career was all well and good for a woman, but her relationships and emotions would always remain her core occupation.

Thora waited in agony for Ashton’s reply. Ashton, however, was in no frame of mind to deal with anything other than the recent tragedy. He merely gazed at her blankly with disinterest, looking absent altogether as if his soul had flown off to another dimension entirely. Wherever it was, it was neither present nor ready to engage with Thora’s demands.

It wasn’t that Ashton wanted to evade her questioning. He didn’t quite possess the capacity to at the moment.

Every second that ticked by threw Thora into a greater frenzy. The expression on her face was growing increasingly desperate. Unable to endure this long-drawn awkwardness, I hastily chipped in, “Ms. Ziegler, allow me to apologize to you on behalf of Ashton. He only hid our marriage from you due to the circumstances. If there’s anything you’re dissatisfied with, we’ll do whatever we can to make amends.”

Thora was an intelligent woman. I truly believed she would know that negotiating a compromise would enable her to achieve the best possible outcome from this catastrophe despite the hurt she’d suffered.

Besides, Ashton and Thora were both victims of the previous generation’s wrongs. There was no real benefit in furthering this resentment.

Thora, however, did not act like the reasonable woman I expected her to be. “I was played for a fool by the two of you. Do you think I’d let you off the hook that easily?” she asked bitterly.

Upon further reflection, I realized that it must have taken a considerable amount of courage and pride for Thora to have arrived at her current position. For her to have cast off the help of the Ziegler family and establish her own business, she must have had an unimaginable amount of perseverance. I knew I should not expect her to back down without a fight, then.

I heaved a sigh. “What does Mr. Ziegler think of this matter?”

At the mention of his name, Thora instinctively started and glanced away. I followed the line of her gaze and realized that she’d been looking at Ashton.

She had her jaw clenched in contemplation. After a while, she said evenly, “I want Ashton to sign a five-year contract. It must clearly state that within the stipulated period, Fuller Corporation will only collaborate with one of Ziegler Corporation’s construction companies.”

I gaped at her. Thora clearly had no qualms about allowing her personal grievances to interfere with professional matters.

Five years of collaboration with the Fuller Corporation was a surefire way for Thora to propel her own company to the top. It was the best maneuver the woman could make from unrequited love.

Ashton, however, had no discernible reaction upon hearing Thora’s demand. He nodded, saying gravely, “As long as the work is legal and reasonable, I have no problem with it.”

Despite such an enormous ask, Thora remained discontent. She piped up again, “Furthermore, this scandal put me in a bad light. Both of you will have to find a way to fix my reputation.”

“Don’t take advantage of their kindness! How do you expect them to clean up your mess? Are you expecting Ashton to divorce Scarlett to pursue you, then let you dump him this time around?” John retorted heatedly.

Thora, however, remained unflappable. She obstinately stuck out her chin at him before saying haughtily, “That’s just what I’m asking him to do. I’m the only one who should be permitted to dump others, not the other way around.”

Her ridiculous statement made John give a snort of incredulity. “Who do you think you are to make such ridiculous demands? You…”

I hurriedly cut in, “Wait, John.” I glanced at Thora thoughtfully, then said, “I think Ms. Ziegler’s request can be met in another way.”

I was certain that Ashton’s and my divorce was not the only option for Ms. Ziegler to recover her standing.

Thora’s features softened upon hearing my attempt at conciliation. The corners of her mouth twitched before she spoke, “I’ve finally seen for myself today that you’re a practical woman. You’re not the spoilt princess I thought you were, but a wolf in sheep’s clothing. You really did put up a good performance all those other times we met.”

In Love, Never Say Never Chapter 1383

There was nothing Ashton and I could say to justify ourselves, so I kept my peace.

The next day, the country’s biggest financial news station reported that the Fuller Corporation’s high-profile investment had incurred a loss of hundreds of millions due to a decisive managerial failure. The Ziegler Corporation, in defense of their own interests, had cut off all collaboration with Fuller Corporation. Stovall Corporation, on the other hand, had decided to merge with Fuller Corporation to bail the latter out.

This piece of earth-shattering news was immediately lit upon by netizens eager to devour the next piece of gossip. They immediately connected this event with Facebook’s top search.

I’ll be damned. Does this mean Mr. Fuller only reconciled with Ms. Stovall for money?

I told you all! Thora dumped that jerk because of Fuller Corporation’s investment failure. His ex-wife had mercy on him and bailed him out despite everything that he did to her! Babes, what a tragedy this is for women everywhere!

Yes, I despise Mr. Fuller now! What a beastly man he is!

All I have to say is, poor Scarlett!

Mr. Fuller, if you already have a woman that loves you so much, please cherish her!

I’ve always known that what Thora and Mr. Fuller had was a marriage of convenience! There were never any true feelings involved. I predicted this!

Back in the Stovall residence, we were sitting in the living room when the news reports flowed in, thick and fast. Ashton and I were scrolling through our phones and scanning the news. The only noise interrupting the otherwise dead silence of the room came from the television.

Ashton sat on the sofa, staring ahead of him, his face devoid of any expression. Ever since he’d returned to K City, Ashton seemed to have lost all purpose.

Even though the latest news reports had thoroughly cast Ashton’s name into disrepute, we had managed to resolve the matter with Thora. As for the Pitcoin projects, we’d managed to tie up all the stray ends during the day. Fuller Corporation had thus ceased all involvements in illegal activity that day.

Danger or trouble had always been of little concern to Ashton. Even though we had successfully concluded all of Fuller Corporation’s pressing matters, Ashton did not look overjoyed at all.

I knew then that the Hall family was another burden weighing on Ashton’s mind.

I was about to sit Ashton down for a talk when the maid suddenly dashed into the room. “Mr. Stovall, a guest is currently waiting outside. He gave his name as Bill Young,” she announced.

Something seemed to reawaken within Ashton. His dark eyes smoldered as he glanced towards the doorway where the maid had just entered from.

The rest of us exchanged looks uneasily. Louis then instructed, “Bring him in.”

The Stovall family had always been known for its openness. It wouldn’t have been appropriate for us to have turned away a world-renowned philanthropist from our home.

Bill, the man waiting outside, soon hobbled in on crutches. He was accompanied by Tiffany, who had angered Ashton the day before. The woman leaned towards Bill as she helped him in. The closeness between the two of them suggested that they were on rather intimate terms.

Ashton was evidently incensed by Tiffany’s arrival. His face darkened by a few shades, and his eyes flashed with fury.

Bill was getting on in years, but he was remarkably frank in his manner. The moment he’d settled down into his seat, he immediately declared, “I came here today to convey a message on behalf of a friend.”

Bill paused and surveyed the room. He nodded, pleased that all eyes were fixed attentively on him. Bill then continued, addressing Ashton directly, “Mr. Hall has given the matter some thought. Your entire family can return to the Hall family and be reunited as one again. As long as you’re willing, you’ll be welcomed back anytime.”

Did Christopher suddenly develop a conscience and decide to accept Ashton back into his fold? I mused.

Before anyone else could respond, however, Ashton had erupted in anger. He stood up vehemently and bellowed, “Keep your hypocritical pity to yourself! I don’t need it!”

I had rarely seen Ashton lose control of his emotions. His abrupt, violent rage threw the room in disarray. We gawked at him, all equally aghast.

The tension in the room was so thick that one could cut it with a knife. Ashton took a deep breath, rearranging his features into their previous stoic expression before roughly shoving his way past Bill and storming upstairs.

“Ash-” Appalled, Tiffany turned on her heels to go after him, as if fearful of being discarded by the man a second time. “Ashton!” she called out, a desperate plea.

Ashton ignored her. He refused to dignify her with even a backward glance in her direction and hastened his footsteps.

I lunged forward to restrain Tiffany. “Ms. Hall!”

My outburst got her to halt in her tracks but refused to turn back. Seeing her reluctance, I continued kindly, “Ashton doesn’t want to meet anyone who has anything to do with Christopher. Please respect that.”

In Love, Never Say Never Chapter 1384

As I spoke, I strode over to the stairs. Shouldering Tiffany brusquely aside, I said as I ascended, “I need to discuss some urgent matters with Ashton. Please go ahead without us.”

Tiffany had been raised in a life of luxury and pampering. She was thus unused to the subtle emotions that undergirded every social interaction. She was unable to recognize the extent of our loathing for her from my simple, placid expression.

It was undeniably rude of Ashton and I to evade our guests in this manner. However, I believed our behavior was not entirely unwarranted. The guests had to be deserving of our respect as well.

The bedroom door was left open, so I entered cautiously, hearing the sound of water running in the bathroom as I walked in.

I closed the door softly behind me as I entered, then tiptoed towards the bathroom. At the door, however, I found my eyes locked with Ashton’s.

His eyes were wild and bloodshot, and his entire face was dripping with water. He looked both embarrassed and intimidating at the same time. Water was still gushing in torrents from the tap. I looked up to see that a huge crack had split the bathroom mirror. A few shards littered the floor.

I looked down and was horrified to see that Ashton’s hand had suffered a few gashes that were bleeding profusely.

Ashton’s forlorn figure tugged at my heartstrings. I whirled around and hurried to fetch the first aid kit to treat his wounds.

Neither of us spoke throughout the entire process. Ashton merely bowed his head. With his unfathomable dark eyes fixed upon me, he seemed oddly contented at last.

After a long while, when I finally lifted my head to dispose of the used cotton swabs, he said hoarsely, “Why do you care so much for a useless castoff like me?”

I froze upon hearing that, my hands arrested in the act of bandaging. I lowered them, then said slowly, “It doesn’t matter to me whether you’re a useless castoff or the epitome of perfection. You’re Ashton. You’re my husband and the father of my children. I chose you because you’re the one I love most. It doesn’t matter what other people think of you.”

feel his hands tremble in mine. He suddenly seized me

over to the closet. He pulled out a small plastic bag, then stuffed the pill bottle that had been encapsulated within into my

fell ill. He’d reassured me that nothing was wrong with him, and they’d since been

There aren’t many others with a similar condition, so no one, including me, really took it seriously. Recently, however, I compared my medical records to the Hall family’s and realized that this is a hereditary chronic illness. There’s a

fact, but

I felt a bitter wave of outrage

video call. As long as he wasn’t doing

of his. It wasn’t even a complete guarantee that he would lose his sight. Yet, the Halls had thus decided to forsake their own son because of it. It was an

reason for Tiffany’s arrogance was suddenly crystal-clear to

genes. The fact that Tiffany hadn’t inherited the illness must have convinced her

an utterly debased family! I fumed to myself. It was ridiculous that one could despise others for their

tilted his head and looked at me bemusedly.

determinedly, “It’s only a possibility, after all. I’m still holding out for that remaining thirty percent that everything will be fine. Besides, even if I can’t see, Joe is back at the headquarters of the company,

Never Say

Ashton, “that even if Fuller Corporation goes bankrupt, we’ll still have help from John and the Moore family. Besides, I think I’m capable of raising three children. All I’m worried about is letting you down. You can’t enjoy the wealth and influence of being a president any longer. You’ll have to make do with our uneventful, quiet happiness. I

trailed off, noticing Ashton staring at me in

upset?” I asked

his masculinity usually recoiled

moment, then abruptly chuckled. “Are you saying that you’ll raise

expected him to respond so jovially. My tentative smile widened into a

joke, Ashton burst into peals of genuine laughter. In that instant, the dark shadows that had hung over him seemed to have

constantly putting

to meet his eyes. “Then I’ll have to be a good boy and

it…” I

his head towards me, and before I realized what he was doing, he stole a kiss

Gritting my teeth, I countered cheekily, “It’s a borderline pass. I’m sure you can do much better than that. I’ll be

with emotion. He reached out and pulled me over, his arms encircling me in a tight hug. We were so close that I could hear the throb of his heartbeat and feel the rise and fall of his chest with every

moment, the world and its worries seemed to fall away. All that remained was Ashton and me, wrapped in our mutual embrace. The two of us sat like this for what felt like an eternity. It was barely a few minutes later, however, when Ashton suddenly sprang up. He ran out of the room with me in tow, saying, “I’ve spent enough time feeling sorry for myself.

smiled and allowed him to lead me

together, Bill and Tiffany were still seated

saying brightly, “Ashton, have you changed your mind? I knew

to the sofa. We sat down facing Tiffany, and he took his time to settle down, crossing his legs before replying evenly,

babies have the blood of

Stovall family has always treated any children as their own. Now that Ashton and Scarlett have reconciled, how can you call the Stovalls outsiders? If we’re talking about bringing up children, what do you have

John after speaking. There seemed to be a fleeting acknowledgment of mutual agreement between

paid no heed to John and Emma’s marital rows. Carelessly, he answered Tiffany, “You’re too late. I’m already part of the Stovall family, and so are my

to direct an intent look

right! Ashton’s mine. Don’t you use Facebook. Ms. Hall? The entire Fuller family belongs

Never Say

be helpful today.

seen this coming. She darted her agile gaze around, trying to figure

let down my guard when I saw the expression on her face, but Ashton was far from relaxing

with threats. Judging from Ashton’s expression, I could tell he would not easily let Tiffany

could not choose to not cooperate with him, so I started speaking again. “Since Mr. Young is Mr. Hall’s representative, please kindly relay our intentions. The deal he offers is tempting, but the Stovall and the Moore family are not in want of anything. We’re not desperate to an extent where we need to sacrifice our children, so I suggest

of you, but to me, he’s everything. I hope the two families can each go their own ways after this. This is how things should have been since the accident happened. If the Hall family stops meddling with us and minds its own business, then the Stovalls will back down. But if

sounded overconfident and snobbish, but what I said was no exaggeration. I had to stamp the Hall family to

him. If he did go blind, the Stovall and Moore family could still be his support. Even in the worst-case scenario, we would have Sally help us. She was one of us, and she was kind-hearted.

life could still go on without the

words were obviously no music to Tiffany’s ears. “Don’t be too sure of yourself. You probably have no idea what our family is capable of. Do you think you will be able to keep the kids just because you

children should stay with their mothers. It’s the only reasonable way to do things, after all. This is how society works… Unless you mean to tell me this rule doesn’t apply to the Hall family. Come to think of it,

Tiffany, I turned toward Bill. “Mr. Young, you’re a philanthropist yourself. I’d advise you to take a

time I heard of Bill Young was when he was involved with Armond. Now that the man was working with Nicolas, I wonder

to insult our family in such an indirect manner. You can start numbering your days if my father finds out what horrid

her, lifting her off the ground in a violent tug. “Your family poisoned her?”

lesson, but when they heard Ashton’s sharp question, all of their curiosity was piqued. I could see John’s tightly clenched fists quivering

believe Ashton’s very own father was the one

deviating from the topic. “What poison? I don’t

Never Say Never

could say for sure what he would do

the living room, his booming

targeted the people he loved

turned estranged. Her neckline stiffened as she swallowed hard. “Yes… But.. I didn’t do anything! I only overheard dad talking about

“Ah! You jer…”

before

for a good ten seconds before it landed on the couch beside Tiffany. By the time everyone came back to their

on the Forbes list. Despite her shriek and her trembling body, she still managed to feign composure, acting indifferent. “Dad is in charge of all decisions at home. I’m just his puppet. I didn’t get much say of my own for the past twenty years either, so you can’t blame me, Ashton,” she said,

think things through clearly. Since he’s willing to listen to me and accept you, don’t you think going back with your children is the best option now?

was. But as strong as

the whole living room fell into dead silence. Ashton’s head drooped low in devastation,

had been watching his every move.

but he had not done so. Since he saw Ashton’s child as

He realized that Ashton and the Stovall family were not people he could mess with anymore. If he

us were necessary evil he had to bear because he wanted the

to get the cure for Letty. As for our next step, we will play by

air

of Ashton. Although it was

not reply to John. Seeing him seemingly unmoved, the latter’s fists tightened as he got ready to speak

I intervened before John could open

parents had made his life a living hell for the

Love, Never Say

me some time alone.

not relax even after he and

not in a good mood, I dragged him from

babies when we entered. “Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, the kids

to them. We’ll take over from here,” I

course,” the nanny replied and left the room

hands when he felt I was close. I picked him

months of diligent care, both children

frown on his face had disappeared, and he was holding Audrey securely in his arms. There was love and gentleness written all over his face as

out a sigh

the purest beings on earth. They could certainly heal any pain and hurt in the

called out to him softly. He cast his gaze on me, and our

while to finally

already been hard enough for you. I don’t care about the poison, so you don’t have to worry about it.

played on Ashton’s brows again, but

what John said to heart. We can go and live in a place where no one can find us. I’ve already thought about it. None of us owe each other anything, so we should just put all this

we could always run away. There must be a place on earth

still keep Ashton company. They would

the past ten years. We never really had time

we were deep in thoughts, the baby girl in Ashton’s arms began

gazes turned towards Audrey simultaneously. Ashton met her gaze, and she broke out in a wide smile,

elicited a smile on Ashton’s face, and he held her closer to his face. “I’m here, Audrey. I’ll stay with you

better keep your word,”

determined manner. “When have I ever broken a promise to

Why? Aren’t we going into hiding? Are you sure you want to go

sure,” Ashton said with a warm smile on his face, “You can’t always expect me to be the bigger man. I want to be selfish and greedy this time around. I can’t just go and hide somewhere. I want to keep you by my

not ditching me and running away this time. I’ve endured the past twenty years, and I don’t want to lose you at the end of this journey. I will make sure all the suffering I went through is worth it, so let’s go to the Halls and reclaim

we brought the kids and the nanny along to the Halls’ private

Love, Never Say

private jet and landed on the coastline of international waters. The propellers spun furiously, causing turbulent

grass, leading all the way up to the top of the hill. Walking through the island of tropical plants felt as if we were meandering

sequestered island made it a good hiding place for Nicolas for the past

busied myself with observing the surroundings, failing to notice the accessorial rock on the path. If Ashton had not caught me by the waist in

trying to fake

in a foreign environment

in the kids. They

indeed rang true, but I could not help but recall Nicolas’ threatening words when he said he would make Ashton disappear from the surface of the earth the

to caution him a little. “This island is on international waters. It does not fall under the jurisdiction of any country. Who knows what he’s gonna do. It’s better we

I’m your husband. I’ll protect you no matter what. Promise

reciprocated his gaze. If Nicolas were a loving parent like Cameron, I could well let Ashton face him up on his own, but that was not the case. Nicolas and his wife did

step back to look at him sternly, right into his eyes. “Since you married into the Stovall family, you’re now one of us. I will do everything I can to make sure you’re

dramatically, but I meant every

not take Ashton seriously, but they could not treat me the same way. They could not

funny, but I was not playing around at that moment. I went over and held him by his arm. “I know you’re always rational, but your loved ones are at stake here. It’s difficult to be sure that you’ll be

Ashton could disagree with anything I said, I pulled him

“Mr. and Mrs. Fuller.”