As Asher was about to leave his seat, Valen suddenly held Asher's hand tightly. "Don't go, don't leave me alone..." Valen mumbled. Without realizing it, Valen burst into tears.
"Sweety girl, are you having a nightmare, even to the point of tears?" Asher wiped Valen's tears from her face. "Alright, I'm not leaving. Sleep well, sweet girl." Asher finally sat down and let the woman beside him hold his hand tightly.Knock. Knock.Ken came in carrying a laptop and documents, along with the schedule for tomorrow. He handed the items to Asher. "Sir, I have updated the schedule you requested. Regarding the meeting with colleagues, I have postponed it entirely. And one more thing, I have contacted the Dragon Knight Headquarters. I assure you that no one will discover the location of this place. Is there anything else you want to say?" Ken asked."No need. You may leave." Asher opened the laptop to look at the data regarding the monitoring in District B.Not long after, Valen calmed down. Valen, unconscious all day, slowly opened his eyes, and the first person he saw was a strange man he had never seen before."Where am I? As I recall, I just ran away and fell into a ravine. How did I end up in a place like this?" Valen muttered. She looked around. 'Such a luxurious room. He must not be a random person.' Valen assumed.Sitting on a chair with a laptop in hand, Asher stopped his activity. He looked at Valen, who looked confused. "Are you awake, Miss?"Valen got up from her sleep to lean back. "Who are you? How did I end up in your place? Oh, or are you just as savage as that other guy?" Valen blurted out angrily.Asher put down his laptop and sat on the bed beside Valen. He smiled at Valen's piercing gaze as if Valen had a certain charm to his every behavior. "Is this how you thank your savior, Miss? Isn't this attitude of yours too arrogant?""Listen! All men in this world are a jerk! They play with women at will. Indeed, in your eyes, women are like clothes! When you get bored, you throw them away. That's disgusting!" Valen said with fiery emotions."Miss, is this how you talk to a man? No wonder all the men are dumping you. Your mouth is even more deadly than you can be!"Asher brought his face right in front of Valen, making her flinch. "Listen, Miss! Be more sensible. I won't avoid it if I'm a jerk like you imagine. But for now, your body that looks flat is not even better to look at as a woman." Asher said quietly but with emphasis.Suddenly Valen frowned. She pushed Asher back. The feeling of annoyance just came out hearing Asher's words. "Don't come any closer! You're such a jerk." Valen shouted.'This man! He said this flat body of mine couldn't even be seen as a woman! Do you need me to wash your brain!' Valen muttered in annoyance.Asher smiled at how cute the woman in front of him looked when she was angry. "Sweety girl, I've prepared dinner for you. Come down if you feel hungry. I'm waiting for you to eat together." He picked up his laptop and the files he hadn't read and left Valen's room, leaving her alone to contemplate his every word..The dining room had a long table with Broughton Country specialties such as soup, vegetable beans, and fried foods. Although Asher had in Broughton mother, she passed away so quickly that Asher had not yet had the chance to taste the country's specialties."Sir, these are some typical Broughton food. I hope you like them." Said Aunt An, who saw Asher coming out of his room.Asher sat at the far end, and he looked at the food that was unfamiliar to him one by one. "Thank you, Aunt An, tell me. Does my mom often cook this food?" Asher asked.Aunt An was one of Mrs. Sintya's confidants or Asher's biological mother, who used to work in her house. Auntie An knew most of the things that happened."That's right, Sir. Madam Sintya used to be very good at cooking. Her friendly and loyal nature earned her love and the opportunity to marry Mr. Louis."Hearing Aunt An's explanation, Asher's hands suddenly clenched into fists as if he was holding back a deep anger. "Hufft. I'd rather you didn't have to talk about this one. I don't want to hear it again!""Well, Sir, I'll call Miss for dinner together. Please excuse me, Sir.""No need, Aunt! I'm already downstairs," Valen interrupted. She walked down the stairs toward the dining table and stood beside Asher."Sir, I hadn't thanked you for helping me before," Valen looked down. "Sir, I am Valen. Once again, I apologize for what I said earlier. I hope you didn't take it seriously."Asher looked at Valen, who was still standing beside him. "Sit down. You can call me Asher. Aunt An has made dinner, so eat first, and then we'll talk.""Ah... Okay." Valen sat at the other end. She looked at the menu on the table.'This guy doesn't look like he's from this country, but from how he speaks, he's quite fluent even though sometimes his speech is a little strange. Never mind, eat first and think about it later.'Both of them were silent in the dining room, making the atmosphere quiet and awkward. Half an hour passed without conversation from them until they finished their food."Tonight, rest here. Tomorrow, I will take you back to your family." Said Asher, who had just put down his cutlery."Thank you for the offer. I'll go back upstairs first. Good night sir." Valen went back to the room to rest. Nothing was interesting, just eating, telling the name, and leaving.After finishing his dinner, Asher went to the secret room set up long ago in preparation for his arrival in Broughton. There was already Ken, who was focused on his computer."Sir, are you back from dinner? It's too late, and you should take a break." Ken said."What are you doing, Ken? Stop doing work tonight. Tomorrow looks like we're going to be a little busy.""I'm hacking into the CCTV of the area around the Villa. However, we have to be on the lookout for people who are targeting before the Shadow Guard arrives.""You worry too much. I'm not that weak. Ken, you are my right hand, the only one I can trust. Your life is just as important to me.""Mr. Asher, it's been ten years since you picked me up at the orphanage. I have sworn to serve you faithfully. I will be your sword and shield.""Stupid, don't take your life for granted, Ken. I didn't keep you to make you die easily.""Sir is indeed a good person, and it's just that others don't realize it yet," Ken muttered. He finished his work and walked out of the room.Now there was only Asher and the laptop still in front of him. For security, Ken had even placed CCTV in every corner of the Villa and connected it to Asher's laptop and the computer in the secret room.Asher's laptop that was still on made him want to see Valen's condition through the CCTV installed.On his laptop screen, Asher saw Valen, who still hadn't closed her eyes. Valen was seen talking to herself and cursing several people's names. Asher, who saw behind the screen, could only smile at Valen's behavior."Sweety girl, you're secretly talking about me behind my back. Does swearing at me make you happy? But your behavior like this is adorable. Wait until tomorrow. See how I will teach you a lesson."When Valen returned from dinner, she did not immediately close his eyes. Instead, Valen sat with an irritated face imagining Asher's every annoying behavior and word."Even after I got hurt, the person who helped me was a jerk like Asher. Seeing how he looks and talks makes me want to stuff him with cayenne pepper. Aaargh ... I wonder why I've been able to like a guy like Luze for a year and have a traitor like Carissa. But come to think of it, Asher is a handsome guy. I have nothing to lose by being saved by him." Valen babbled until the end sentence.Valen, who was sitting, slammed her body on the mattress with a flushed face. "Never mind, I'd better get some sleep. Tomorrow I have to prepare myself to go back to Addison's house. That old fart definitely won't let me off so easily."The next day at the villa, Valen woke up from her sleep. She got up from the bed and walked out of the room. In front of the door of his room, there was already a servant ready to take orders.Valen appr
Asher left the Villa early in the morning because he wanted to see the conditions around the docks. He planned to monopolize one of the docks as an entry point for weapons from various countries. "Ken, what do you think of the dock conditions? This place is very strategic and connects various neighboring countries. If we can monopolize this place, we can expand the black market area to the entire Either continent." "Sir, what you say is true. But according to the information I got, the person who manages the docks is difficult to talk to." Asher, gazing at the endless sea, turned to Ken with a grin, "Difficult?! Nothing is complicated if it's about money. In this world, money rules. If the person managing this place is so difficult to control, find someone else concerned and offer him what we have." "Yes, sir, I will find out as soon as possible and report to you." Ken then went to take care of what his master ordered. Bzzzt bzzzt Asher's cell phone in his pocket suddenly vibrate
Asher immediately approached Valencia, lying on the floor covered in bruises. Even the stitches from the bullet that grazed her arm had reopened and were oozing fresh blood. "I can't believe this family is so cruel, even torturing without feeling the slightest guilt!" Asher said, looking sharply at Mrs. Jane in front of him. "Who are you? How dare you enter our residence without any manners. Are you one of this damn woman's customers?" Mrs. Jane said in a high tone without knowing who she was talking to. Addison, overwhelmed by Asher's anger, rushed to catch up. Once he reached the living room and heard his wife talking nonsense, he immediately stopped her. "Shut up!" Mr. Addison pointed at Mrs. Jane. "Don't you know that Mr. Asher is one of the largest shareholders in Stanford State?" The woman called Mrs. Jane turned to Mr. Addison, "Really?" Mrs. Jane was wide-eyed, her face instantly turning pale. The other people in the house were no exception. They began to think about their
It didn't take long for the shadow guards to turn the tables. The seven remaining assassins lay covered in blood. Two of them were unconscious and already under guard. Not long after, a helicopter managed to land not far from the scene. Asher returned to the car's location and carried Valencia's bridal style into the helicopter. Judging from her condition, Valen's body looked increasingly pale. Asher checked Valen's breathing and heartbeat several times, hoping the breath was still there even if it was weak. "Damn it! Why is her condition deteriorating!" Asher growled, annoyed at being unable to do anything when his woman's condition was critical. He unconsciously showed his concern. The helicopter began to take off with the best pilot Dragon Knight had and flew to one of the nearest hospitals in the Burnley township, Broughton Country. Fifteen minutes passed, and not far from the Burnley hospital, there was a large field, and the helicopter landed there. Asher went out to take V
"What tricks are you going to play, Asher? I definitely won't fall into the same hole!" Valen replied. She looked at her interlocutor with confidence and a hint of annoyance."Whatever you want to think of me. If I make you love me in half a year, you must accept your status as Mrs. Asher. But I will let you go if I fail and will not interfere with your life." Asher said, releasing his embrace and raising both hands by his words."What tricks are you going to play, Asher? I'm not going to fall into the same hole!" Valen replied. She looked at her interlocutor with confidence and a hint of exasperation there."Whatever you want to think of me. If I make you love me in half a year, you must accept your status as Mrs. Asher. But I will let you go if I fail and will not interfere with your life." Asher said, releasing his embrace and raising both hands at his words.Valen did not waste that. She quickly moved from Asher's lap and chose to sit back against the headboard.Released from Ashe
"Hn. Think of it that way." Asher hugged Valencia and stroked the long hair that was left loose. "Remember one thing, dear. No matter how cruelly the world betrays you, there is still me here who will always embrace and support you no matter what. I'm not asking you to trust my words, but trust your feelings and your heart." Asher spoke softly and touched Vallen's heart deeply. "Aaugh..." Valencia whimpered. It seemed that her injured arm was accidentally pressed by Asher's hand while hugging her. Hearing her moan, Asher released his embrace and looked at Valencia's body, which was partially scarred. Luckily, the gunshot wound was not open and was safe. Asher sighed, "Thank goodness the wound did not re-open. Sorry, dear. I think I hugged you too tightly earlier." "It's okay. You're just like that." Vallen replied curtly. Spending time with Asher made Vallen know a little about the personality of the man who married her forcefully and shamelessly. "It looks like I must get used t
"Vallen, no matter how much you hate Mr. Asher, you are officially married. I'm just suggesting you take this opportunity to get back at the people who did cruel things to you and continue investigating who you are. A man like Asher must have extensive connections. It will be easier for you to find out your true identity." "That was the original purpose of it all. Until now, I've been plagued by strange dreams, making me uncomfortable." Vallen's heart ached as she remembered the painful dreams that continued to haunt her. Once again, Raisa hugged Vallen, who was still weakened. She knew how Vallen was during her time at Addison's residence. There was no affection, let alone love, from them. "You can achieve what you're trying to achieve. I believe that, Vallen." Vallen leaned her heavy head on Raisa's shoulder, hoping the burden on her heart would ease a little. At that moment, Aunt An entered the room as the door was slightly open. She was seen carrying some gifts and placing t
Vallen shooed Luze away without budging and looked the other way. She had already suffered enough with Addison's family. She did not want to feel the hurt and pain for the umpteenth time just because of a jerk like Luze.On the other hand, Luze, still standing next to Vallen, began to crouch down to align their height and tried to reach the tip of Vallen's left hand. Meanwhile, Raisa, who saw this then, did not remain silent. She got up from her seat with a displeased look towards Luze and pushed Luze's hand away from touching Vallen.Remind you of this! Raisa acted like that not because she was jealous but because she didn't like Luze, who had wasted Vallen - her best friend."What are you doing here, Luze? Isn't it enough that you're playing behind Vallen's back and breaking her heart?" snapped Raisa on behalf of Vallen, who remained silent.There was no resistance from Luze to Vallen's cold treatment. Instead, he stood back up and glanced at Raisa, who was trying to dissuade her f