69 Chapter 72
Chapter 72 – Triumphs and Troubles
“Two weeks,” I replied to Damien’s question about Julian’s hearing “His doctor submitted some medical report about his condition requiring rest.”
“I sec.” His voice carried a hint of suspicion that mirrored my own. “Are you concerned he might be stalling?”
I sighed, sinking deeper into my couch. “Honestly? Yes. But I have the signed papers now, and that’s what matters. Julian Grayson will soon be officially my ex–husband, medical delays or not.”
“And how do you feel about that?” Damien asked softly.
“Free,” I said without hesitation. “Like I can finally breathe again.”
His deep chuckle warmed me through the phone. “Good. That’s exactly how you should feel.”
After we hung up, I couldn’t help but smile at how perfectly attuned Damien seemed to my emotions. It was almost scary how well he understood me–like he’d known me for years, not months.
formal invitation to Huada University’s centenary celebration with a
The next morning, a courier delivered an elegant envelope to my office. Inside was the
along
handwritten note from the Chancellor himself expressing his hope that I would
attend.
I ran my fingers over the embossed lettering, wondering how much influence Damien had exerted to ensure I received this. The thought both thrilled and unnerved me.
“Is that what I think it is?” Victoria burst into my office without knocking, her eyes immediately zeroing in on the invitation in my hands.
I held it up with a grin. “Apparently, I’m now considered an accomplished alumna.”
“Told you!” She flopped into the chair across from my desk. “Though I’m betting a certain someone had something to do with this.”
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“Maybe,” I admitted. “But I’m not going to question it. It’ll be nice to see campus again Victoria gave me a knowing look. “And to be seen on Damien Sterling’s arm, I bet.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “That’s not why I’m going”
“But it’s a perk,” she teased. “Come on, Hazel. You’ve got to admit, you two are becoming quite the power couple.”
The phrase “power couple‘ made me uncomfortable. It was exactly the kind of thing people had said about Julian and me, and look how that turned out.
“We’re just… seeing where things go,” I said vaguely.
eyes.
Victoria rolled her “The man orchestrated a citywide drone show to declare his feelings for you. I think we’re past just seeing where things go.”
She had a point. Damien wasn’t exactly subtle about his intentions. Every gesture, every gift, every moment spent together seemed designed to show me how deeply he cared. It was intoxicating and terrifying all at once.
him? W
“I’m scared, Vic,” I admitted quietly. “What if I’m idealizing if he’s not as perfect as he seems?”
“Nobody’s perfect, Hazel,” she said seriously. “Not even the mighty Damien Sterling. But he treats you well, respects your independence, and clearly adores you. Those are pretty good starting points.”
I nodded, trying to quiet my anxieties. After Julian’s betrayal, trusting someone new didn’t come easily.
“Enough about my love life,” I said, changing the subject. “Did you hear about my
father?”
Victoria’s eyes lit up with mischievous interest. “No! Spill the tea!”
“His company’s tanking.” I said, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice. “After that stunt he pulled, trying to make me the majority shareholder right before declaring bankruptcy, all his business partners are abandoning ship. Nobody trusts him
anymore.”
“Karma’s a beautiful thing, Victoria said with a smirk.
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“And with the fraud charges still pending… I trailed off, smiling.
“Your dad’s going down,” Victoria finished for me.
It felt vindicating to see Harrison Ashworth finally facing consequences. For all the years of neglect, abuse, and manipulation, justice was finally being served.
“Speaking of business,” I said, gathering some files from my desk, “I’ve hired someone new to help run the company. Mr. Vance–he’s worked with some major fashion houses in Paris and Milan”
“Smart move, Victoria nodded approvingly. “Your brand’s growing too big for you to handle everything yourself.”
The buzzing of my phone interrupted us. It was Cherry, my assistant.
“Ms. Ashworth?” Her voice sounded strained. “Your stepmother is here.
My stomach dropped. “Eleanor? What does she want?”
“She wouldn’t say. Just demanded to see you immediately. She seems… agitated.”
I exchanged a look with Victoria, who mouthed “Trouble”
“Tell her I’m in a meeting,” I instructed Cherry. “I can see her in an hour at the café
across the street.”
After hanging up, Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Making her wait? That’s cold, Hazel. 1
love it.”
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I
I shrugged. “She never hesitated to make me wait all those years I lived under her roof. Besides, I need time to prepare for whatever drama she’s bringing
“Want me to stick around for moral support?”
I shook my head. “I’ve got this. Eleanor doesn’t scare me anymore.”
An hour later, I walked into the café, deliberately ten minutes late. I spotted Eleanor immediately, her perfect blonde bob and rigid posture unmistakable even from behind. She was sitting with Cherry, who looked deeply uncomfortable.
Instead of approaching immediately, I paused near the entrance, observing. Ele was speaking rapidly to my assistant, her manicured hand gesturing emphatically.
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“I don’t know what she thinks she’s doing,” I overheard Eleanor saying “Harrison built. that company from nothing, and now she acts like some fashion empress. Always was an ungrateful girl.”
Cherry shifted awkwardly, clearly wishing to be anywhere else.
“Ms. Ashworth is very talented,” my assistant replied diplomatically. “The industry recognizes her work.”
Eleanor scoffed. “Please. She’d be nothing without her father’s connections. And now look how she repays him–helping put him in jail! Her own father!”
I’d heard enough. Drawing myself up to my full height, I approached their table with measured steps.
“Cherry, thank you for keeping Mrs. Ashworth company,” I said smoothly. “You can head back to the office now.”
My assistant shot me a grateful look before practically fleeing the café.
I slid into the seat across from Eleanor, taking in her designer outfit and flawless makeup. Despite her polished appearance, I noticed the strain around her eyes and the tightness of her smile.
“Eleanor,” I greeted her coolly. “What a surprise.”
“Is it?” she asked sharply. “You destroy your father’s life and business, and you’re surprised I would come see you?”
“I didn’t destroy anything,” I replied calmly. “Dad did that all by himself when he tried to defraud me and his investors.
Eleanor’s perfectly lined lips thinned into a rigid smile. “Always the victim, aren’t you, Hazel? Poor little girl whose daddy didn’t love her enough.”
I felt a familiar flicker of hurt, but I pushed it away. “I’m not here to rehash old wounds. What do you want?”
“What I want,” she hissed, leaning forward, “is for you to drop the charges against your father.”
I almost laughed. “That’s not going to happen.”
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“He’s your family!” she insisted, her voice rising.
“Family doesn’t try to saddle you with millions in debt,” I countered. “Family doesn’t steal your mother’s inheritance. Family doesn’t-”
“Oh, spare me the sob story, Eleanor cut in. “Your mother was weak. She couldn’t handle the real world, so she checked out. Just like you’re checking out on your family when they need you most.”
My hands clenched into fists under the table. Insulting my mother was a step too far.
“My mother was not weak, I said, my voice dangerously quiet. “She was betrayed by the man she loved. A man who left her for you, if I recall correctly.”
Eleanor’s face flushed. “That’s ancient history.”
“And yet here we are,” I said, “still dealing with the fallout.”
A tense silence fell between us. Eleanor reached for her water, and I noticed her hand trembling slightly.
“We’re going to lose the house,” she finally admitted. “All our assets are frozen. Ethan had to leave his private school.”
For a brief moment, I felt a twinge of sympathy for my half–brother. Ethan was only sixteen, innocent in all this. Then I remembered all the times Eleanor had thrown me out of the house, forcing me to beg friends for a place to sleep, and my sympathy evaporated.
“That’s unfortunate,” I said neutrally.
“You could help us,” Eleanor pressed. “You have money now. Connections. That… man. you’re seeing.”
The way she said “that man” made it clear she was referring to Damien.
“You want me to ask Damien for money?” I clarified, incredulous. “After everything you and Dad did to me?
“We’re family,” she repeated, as if that explained everything.
I stood up, having heard enough. “We’re not family, Eleanor. We never were. You made that abundantly clear every day of my childhood
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I turned to leave, but her next words stopped me cold.
“Your father knows things,” she called after me. “Things about your precious Damien Sterling. Things that could ruin him.”
I slowly turned back. “Is that a threat?”
Eleanor’s face contorted with anger as she rose from her scat, drawing the attention of nearby patrons.
“Hazel Ashworth! You finally came, I thought you wouldn’t dare to see me!” she exclaimed loudly, completely shifting tone as if we hadn’t been talking for the past ten minutes. “After what you’ve done, how dare you show your face?”
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