Chapter 121

Asher sat in the corner, his thin lips pressed tightly together, his deep eyes as dark and fathomless as an endless abyss. Thalia’s voice trembled with heartbreaking sorrow. “Asher, you coward, if you’re here, why don’t you have the courage to face me?” In the neglected corner, someone secretly raised their phone to capture the scene. Charlotte, seeing Thalia’s state, felt her heart ache. “Thalia, you’re drunk. I’m taking you home to rest, come on now, love.” Charlotte supported Thalia as they pushed through the crowd toward the exit. Two male Darwin family security guards followed closely behind them.

When Jerry received the video, Tom Malfoy was busy flirting with a beautiful woman he’d just met. The private room was thick with an ambiguous atmosphere, the scent of alcohol and cigarettes mingling with an undercurrent of hedonism. Tom had his arm around the woman’s waist as they kissed, her breathing becoming increasingly urgent. Jerry stood quietly in the corner, trying to minimize his presence, playing the role of a silent observer. When Tom indulged, he did so completely.

Two hours later, it was finally over. The woman lay on the sofa, disheveled and breathless. Tom, however, was immaculately dressed. He lounged back against the sofa with casual elegance, taking a cigarette from a case and lighting it. The white smoke swirled around his finely sculpted features, giving him an air of wild abandon. Seeing that Tom had finished his business, Jerry stepped forward to deliver his report. The woman tactfully gathered her clothes from the floor and left the room.

“Sir, the shipment from Moscow has been successfully acquired.”

Tom made a disinterested sound of acknowledgment. “And Koren?”

“He was in a meeting with Parshan when the police arrived during the transaction with Min, forcing them to abort it. The goods were seized, but fortunately, everyone escaped safely.”

Tom’s expression darkened with murderous intent. “Useless idiots. They lose the merchandise and still…” Jerry remained silent.

“What’s the status of the project with Merstar in Russia?”

Jerry swallowed nervously before answering. “After the project was terminated, both our side and the Mershar Group suffered substantial losses. Blackwood Industries seized the opportunity to acquire Mershar, and they’re currently processing the paperwork.”

“BANG!” A tremendous crash echoed through the room. Tom had kicked the long table in front of him, sending it crashing to the floor. “Asher Blackwood, someday I’ll make you pay double for this!”

Jerry stood quietly, observing Tom’s mood. Only when Tom’s anger seemed to have subsided did he dare to speak again: “Sir, we have the latest news about Thalia Winters.”

Tom collected himself. “What is it?”

Jerry opened a video and handed over his phone. “Our people followed Thalia to a bar and captured this scene. It seems she and Asher have genuinely broken up.”

Tom took the phone and glanced at it, his eyes flashing with contempt and disdain. He sneered, his tone mocking: “Hah, another stupid woman who believed in love.”

“Regarding her situation…”

“No need to monitor her anymore. She’s just a piece of clothing Asher discarded, a worn-out shoe he got tired of. I need the manpower elsewhere—I don’t have time to waste on her.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Oh, and sir, Drake Ashcroft called saying he wants to meet with you.”

“Who?”

Jerry replied, “Thalia Winters’ ex-boyfriend.”

Tom’s lips curled in contempt as he spat out three words: “Don’t know him.”

Jerry explained, “Previously, Grace Bennett exchanged information about Asher’s movements and Blackwood family internal affairs for our investment. That investment was later directed to the Ashcroft Group. The Ashcroft Group is now doing well, ranking among the major enterprises nationally. The Ashcroft Group could still be useful to us.”

Tom’s eyes flashed with contempt. “Someone that idiot Grace found can’t be worth much—just another stupid dog.”

“So, sir, will you meet with him?”

“A dog eager to curry favor with me? When I’m in a good mood, I might take it for a walk.”

After safely delivering Thalia home, Charlotte gave some instructions to the live-in housekeeper before leaving with peace of mind. Thalia lay on the bed talking nonsense. Mary had just gone to the kitchen to prepare a hangover remedy when the doorbell rang. Opening the door, Mary was startled. “Mr. Blackwood, why are you here?”

“How is she?” His voice was gentle but tinged with concern.

“Miss Winters had too much to drink. I was just about to make her a sobering soup.”

Asher opened his wallet and took out several notes. “Go stay somewhere else tonight. I’ll look after her.”

Mary took the money. “Very well, Mr. Blackwood. Please wait a moment while I gather a few things.” The housekeeper stepped aside to let Asher in. He entered the house smelling of alcohol and cold air, his gaze wandering as he surveyed the interior, calmly assessing the apartment. Randolph had been quite generous to Thalia; this flat was impressive. Mary brought a cup of hot tea and placed it on the coffee table in the living room. “Please sit down and rest, Mr. Blackwood, I’ll be ready shortly.”

“Where is her room?” he asked softly.

Mary pointed toward Thalia’s bedroom. “Miss Winters’ room is over there, first door on the left.”

Asher didn’t bother to rest but headed straight for Thalia’s room.

The door wasn’t locked. Asher opened it and walked in, just in time to hear the girl talking in her sleep.

“Asher, Asher…”

“Why don’t you want me… waaah…”

Hearing her soft crying, Asher felt a sharp pain in his heart. He quickly walked to the bedside. Thalia continued to speak intermittently in her sleep.

“Asher is a bad man… I don’t want you… go away…”

The man lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling as he gently caressed Thalia’s face, wiping away her tears. His tone was as tender as a spring breeze. “Yes, my darling, I’m a terrible man.”

The sleeping girl seemed to sense Asher’s presence and instinctively moved closer to him. “Asher…”

In her dreams, her emotions fluctuated wildly—one moment she was like a bristling lion, cursing and telling Asher to bugger off, the next she was like a clingy kitten, gently nuzzling his hand with her face.

“Asher, don’t go, don’t leave me. I’ll be good…”

Asher’s heart melted. “I’m here, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.” His expression softened, his eyes overflowing with love and tenderness. The palm of his hand felt warm and soft as the girl gently nuzzled against it. A long-absent feeling of happiness surged through him, like something stolen, sweet yet tinged with bitterness. He sat on the edge of the bed, greedily looking at Thalia for a long time, unable to get enough.

Mary had packed her things and was about to say goodbye to Asher before leaving. As she approached the door, she caught a glimpse of the scene through the crack and quietly left without disturbing them.

Asher couldn’t resist leaning down to place a kiss on Thalia’s flushed cheek. It was reverent, devoid of any lust. The girl seemed to sense something and groaned softly, suddenly wrapping her arms around Asher’s neck. “Asher…” she murmured. Her voice lilted upward at the end, carrying a coquettish softness. Asher’s back instantly stiffened, a tingling sensation spreading throughout his body.

His gentle kisses fell on her forehead, cheeks, red lips, and collarbone. Moving downward, he kissed her collarbone and the hollow of her neck. That night, Asher stayed. Thalia was completely unconscious from the alcohol. He carried her to the bathroom and gave her a bath, during which she remained in a drunken stupor, never fully waking. After the bath, he gently placed her on the bed and tucked her in. He then sat in a chair, watching her sleeping face, his expression filled with tender affection. As dawn broke, he rose, taking one last look at the sleeping girl before turning to leave.