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.”

hands tremble in mine. He suddenly seized me and

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

Lozenges, the label read. The package looked familiar. Ashton had been taking these since Summer fell ill. He’d reassured me that nothing was wrong with him, and they’d since been relegated to the back

seriously. Recently, however, I compared my medical records to the

he had long since accepted the fact, but I could detect a

understanding, but I felt a bitter wave

video call. As long as he wasn’t doing a drug trial of any sort on my behalf, I

It wasn’t even a complete guarantee that he would lose his sight. Yet, the

The reason for Tiffany’s

sister, she must have scorned what she perceived as her brother’s inferior genes. The fact that Tiffany hadn’t inherited the illness must have convinced her that she was clearly

It was ridiculous that one could

tilted his head and looked at me bemusedly. “What’s

Joe is back at the headquarters of the company, and Joseph is a capable, steadfast worker. He’s worthy of the hopes I’m pinning on him. I’ll only be losing my sight, not my

Never Say Never Chapter

said, interrupting 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 suppose I’ll be

noticing Ashton staring at me in

upset?” I asked

his masculinity usually recoiled

for a moment, then abruptly chuckled. “Are you saying that you’ll raise me as

hadn’t expected him to respond so jovially. My tentative smile

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

like people who are constantly putting themselves down. You have to stay positive, or I’ll drop you off my list. There’s a

He pinched my chin, compelling me to meet his

it…” I

before I realized what he was doing, he stole a kiss from me. “Is this

a borderline pass. I’m

in a tight hug. We were so close that I could hear

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. It’s time to deal with

merely smiled and allowed him to lead me down

together, Bill and

your mind? I knew it! I knew you wouldn’t be

sat down facing Tiffany, and he took his time to settle down, crossing his legs before replying evenly, “I can rejoin the Hall family

Tiffany’s face. “You can’t do that. The babies have the blood of the Hall family

her voice from the state of agitation she was evidently under. Impassionately, she continued, “The 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

to look at John after speaking. There seemed to be a fleeting acknowledgment of mutual agreement between the two. However, it was only a brief flash that

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 children. Scarlett is the only one who has any say

direct an intent look at me.

performance. “That’s right! Ashton’s mine.

Never Say Never Chapter

that our plan against Thora yesterday would actually prove to be helpful today. The Hall family only had themselves to

she had not seen this coming. She darted her agile gaze around,

down my guard when I saw the expression on her face, but Ashton was far from relaxing his vigilance. He nudged me with his elbow

out when they were faced with threats. Judging from Ashton’s expression, I could tell he would not easily

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.

before continuing, “He might be a nobody to all 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 your family insists on

aware that I might have sounded overconfident and snobbish, but what I said was no exaggeration. I had to stamp the Hall family to the ground and put them

not be in his best state, but I could still take care of 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

life could still

ears. “Don’t be too sure of yourself. You probably have no idea what our family is capable

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, I might be wrong to assume the Hall family

from Tiffany, I turned toward Bill. “Mr. Young, you’re a philanthropist yourself. I’d advise you to take a good look at who you’re working with.

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

indirect manner. You can start

toward Tiffany and grabbed her, lifting her off the ground

suddenly alarmed. Many were originally here to see how Ashton and I would teach Tiffany a lesson, but when they heard Ashton’s sharp question, all of their curiosity was piqued.

myself could not believe Ashton’s very own father was

topic. “What poison? I don’t know what you’re talking about!” she cried out as she

Love, Never Say Never

late. Rage was already spreading in Ashton’s bloodshot eyes like a wildfire. No one could say for sure what he would do at this rate. “I’m asking you one last time. Did

living room, his booming voice bouncing off

the shock for Ashton. The Halls abandoned him when he was a kid, and now they even targeted the people he loved the most. I could not help but wonder if they took Ashton

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

“Ah! You jer…”

flung his fist toward her before she could

on the couch beside Tiffany. By the time everyone came back to their senses, there was a

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

me and accept you, don’t you think going back with your children is the best option now? Try being a good son to him. Who knows, maybe he’ll soften his heart. You’re a businessman yourself. You should know there are times when we need

Tiffany was still able to talk to him calmly, showcasing just how strong her will was. But as strong as

gone, the whole living room fell into dead silence. Ashton’s head

been watching his every

all under his supervision. Nicolas had the opportunity to save our first child, but he had not done so. Since he saw Ashton’s child as a shameful stain to

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

were necessary evil

to get the cure for Letty. As for our next step, we will play by ear.” John’s apathetic voice cut through the silence, but I could still sense a hint of anger in

air suddenly

what Tiffany said clearly—I was poisoned because of Ashton. Although it

did not reply to John. Seeing him seemingly unmoved, the latter’s

us some time to discuss this,” I intervened before John

made his life a living hell for the past twenty-plus

Never Say Never

me some time

even

he was not in a good mood, I dragged him from our room to the

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

great. Thanks for attending to them. We’ll

replied and

his hands when he felt I was close.

care, both children looked healthy

Ashton again, the frown on his face had disappeared, and he was holding Audrey securely in his arms. There was love and

out a sigh of relief

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

softly. He cast his gaze on me, and our eyes met. “I’m

a while to finally

Life has already been hard enough for you. I don’t care about the poison, so you don’t have to worry about it. I’m happy to simply have you and the kids by my side. I only want to spend the rest of

played on Ashton’s brows again, but

his gaze and looked at our children. “You don’t have to take 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

There must be a place on earth where Nicolas could

time left, but Gregory and Audrey could still keep Ashton

for the past ten years. We never really had time to slow down

thoughts, the baby

met her gaze, and she broke out

I’ll stay with you and Mommy forever,” he told her in an

your word,” I teased

me in a determined manner. “When have I ever broken

we going into hiding? Are you sure you want to go to the Hall

around. I can’t just go and hide somewhere. I want to keep you by my

I don’t want to lose you at the end of

brought the kids and the nanny along

Never Say Never Chapter

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

Greeneries covered the places where seawater could not reach the structure. A pebble-paved path parted the grass, leading all the way up to the top of the hill. Walking through the island of tropical plants felt as

hiding place for Nicolas for the past

failing to notice the accessorial rock on the path. If Ashton had not caught

I said, trying to fake a smile to calm

foreign environment

chided, holding my hand tight. “Don’t be nervous. The Halls are only interested in the kids. They don’t care who we are, so relax

words when he said

felt I needed to caution him a little. “This island is on international waters. It does not fall under the jurisdiction of any

Ashton’s footsteps fell short, and his piercing gaze landed on my face. “Remember, I’m your husband.

could well let

through my mind, and I let go of his hand, taking a step back to look at him sternly, right into his eyes. “Since

too dramatically, but I meant every

they could not treat me the same way. They could not ignore the Moore and the Stovall

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 able to keep your cool, so leave everything to me. All you need

disagree with anything I said, I

“Mr. and Mrs. Fuller.”