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At ckwood Manor.
The television in the ground floor drawing room was broadcasting the evening news.
“This afternoon, a serious road collision urred on the A21 in Kent. We now go live to our correspondent at the
scene.”
“Good afternoon, viewers. It’s currently 4:15 PM, and I’m reporting from a stretch of the A21 approximately forty miles southeast of London. At 3:40 PM, motorists reported a serious collision on this section of road. As you can see behind me, a vehicle has smashed into the guardrail, sustaining catastrophic damage. The driver was found unconscious with severe injuries and has been rushed to King’s College Hospital in critical condition.”
“Additionally, as the camera pans left, you can see that the barrier further down the road has also beenpromised. Evidence suggests another vehicle broke through and plunged down the embankment. Emergency services are currently conducting a technical rescue operation…”
Lord ckwood Sr. watched the television screen with furrowed brows, his piercing gaze unwavering.
“Grandfather, you’re back?” Asher entered, casually tossing his car keys onto the mahogany side table.
Lord ckwood turned, his prating gaze sweeping over his grandson. “This wasn’t merely a traffic incident, was it? Malfoy’s handiwork?”
Asher sank into the leather sofa, looking uncharacteristically weary as he massaged his temples. “Yes.”
Lord ckwood Sr. continued: “I’ve heard Randolph Winters took a fall down a staircase?”
Asher responded with a deep, solemn “Indeed.”
Lord ckwood’s brows remained tightly knitted as he stared at the news broadcast, his expression inscrutable. The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken tension.
The housekeeper arrived with a silver tray of Earl Grey. Asher lifted a cup and took a measured sip.
“Asher, you must end your rtionship with the Winters girl.”
Asher set down his teacup with deliberate precision, his dark eyes clouding over with shadow.
He remained silent, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.
Lord ckwood sighed deeply before speaking with grave authority: “Your conflict with Malfoy should never li drawn in the Winters family. If he can’t strike at you directly, he’ll target her instead.”
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“Mmm.” Asher’s nomittal response hung in the air.
Lord ckwood continued earnestly: “You and Miss Winters have merely a verbal understanding. Thankfully, you haven’t formally announced your engagement, so severing ties needn’t beplicated. A straightforward breakup can establish clear boundaries. We’ll offer the Winters family appropriatepensation and tender our personal apologies. I’m certain they’ll understand the circumstances.”
Notplicated?
Asherughed suddenly–a hollow sound devoid of mirth that never reached his eyes. His voice was quiet, fractured with barely contained emotion. “How could I possibly let her go?”
The elderly man paused momentarily, then fixed his grandson with a prating gaze. “Have you fallen in love
with her, Asher?”
Lord ckwood hadn’t fullyprehended the depth of Asher’s feelings for Thalia, assuming theirs was merely a pragmatic alliance of influential families.
Asher felt his chest constrict painfully and remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Persian carpet beneath his feet.
The patriarch saw through his reserve and sighed deeply. “You’ve be a devoted man. You’re quite unlike your father–I see rather more of myself in you than I expected.”
His tone shifted abruptly. “Nevertheless… even if the separation feels impossible, it must be done. You know perfectly well what Malfoy is capable of. During his years in Russia, he built his empire through the most ruthless criminal syndicate in Moscow. Hemands weapons and mercenaries at his disposal. When provoked, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do. To speak inly, if Miss Winters remains by your side, she might very well forfeit her life. Surely you wouldn’t risk such an oue?”
“Randolph Winters was fortunate today–he survived his ‘ident.‘ But if he hadn’t regained consciousness, do you imagine Thalia would forgive you or the ckwood family? This afternoon’s attack on the A21 was Malfoy’s opening salvo directed at you. Asher, if you truly love her, you must protect her properly. You cannot allow her to face mortal danger simply because of her association with you.”
Asher’s eyes reddened at the corners, his heart constricting with bitter resignation.
He opened his mouth to object but then recalled that horrifying moment on the road hours earlier–a bullet whistling past Thalia’s head, missing her by mere inches. She had nearly been executed before his eyes. Whatever protest he had intended died in his throat.
Asher remained silent for a long while.
The patriarch continued with measured patience: “Randolph Winters is a legitimate businessman<b>; </b>he’s unfamiliar with this world of violence and retribution. Even with your most skilled security detail, you cannot shield them every moment. As you’ve witnessed firsthand today, the Winters family bears the immediate brunt of your con with Malfoy.”
Asher’s deep obsidian eyes remained calm as an unfathomableke. His Adam’s apple shifted visibly as he
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swallowed, the corners of his eyes brightening with repressed emotion.
“Grandfather, are you certain Malfoy would believe a separation between Thalia and myself?”
“That’s precisely why it must be an authentic breakup, not a charade. Miss Winters has a transparent nature–the’s incapable of sustaining a convincing deception. If you were to propose a pretend separation, she would inevitably reveal the truth. Asher, you must be absolute in your actions–make a clean, decisive break.”
Pain shed across Asher’s features. “I once promised her I would never do anything to cause her harm<b>.</b>”
“This isn’t harming her–it’s preserving her life.”
“Grandfather, Malfoy targeted the Winters family precisely because he recognizes Thalia as my vulnerability. I doubt he would ept that I’ve distanced myself from her based merely on a breakup.”
The old man shook his head decisively. “No, he will believe it. Your position as the ckwood heir and the sole sessor to our empire would make such a narrative entirely credible. He would readily ept that you aren’t a devoted or faithful man. Someone of your standing and background is expected to be capricious in matters of the
heart.”
Asher gave a bitterugh. “Grandfather, might I have some time to consider this?”
Lord ckwood squeezed Asher’s shoulder, speaking with grave intensity: “Asher, I can afford to wait, but the Winters family cannot.”
Asher closed his eyes briefly, his chest rising and falling as though struggling against some immense internal
pressure.
“If you truly care for Miss Winters….” the old man said with measured patience, “you could always pursue her again after neutralizing Malfoy. Wouldn’t that resolve the situation?”
Asher’s voice emerged slightly hoarse, his eyes reflecting a bewilderment that Lord ckwood had never before witnessed in his typicallyposed grandson. “What if, by then, she no longer wishes to be with me?<b>” </b>
The old man had no ready answer.
He understood Asher’s torment, yet he couldn’t offer false assurances. The human heart was mercurial–who could predict its future course? Moreover, it would be Asher initiating the separation; Miss Winters would have no reason
to wait faithfully for his return.
He needed Asher to make the break absolute–only then would Thalia truly relinquish hope, and only then would Malfoy be convinced of their separation.
But if Asher were to hurt her so thoroughly, why would the young woman ever consider reconciliation?
It was an impossible dilemma.
Lord ckwood considered carefully before speaking solemnly: “Asher, if you’re unwilling to enact a genuine
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separation, then you must exin everything to her withplete transparency. Have her perform alongade you in this deception. Of course<b>, </b>this assumes you can guarantee she’ll execute her role wlessly, without revealing any vulnerability that might expose her or her family to further danger”
Asher: “…”
That wouldn’t suffice<i>. </i>
Thalia couldn’t conceal her emotions effectively. If she hadn’t truly abandoned hope, her eyes would betray her every time they met. Anyone observing closely would detect the truth.
“Consider your options thoroughly,” the old man said, rising to his feet. “I returned to London specifically to dissolve this engagement with the Winters family. Reflect carefully and give me your decision tomorrow. Tomorrow evening, we shall visit the hospital together to tender our apologies to Randolph Winters.”
Asher kept his gaze downcast without speaking, enveloped in a palpable aura of mncholy,
Understanding his grandson needed solitude to contemte this painful decision, Lord ckwood departed without furtherment, his footsteps fading as he ascended the grand staircase.
The drawing room fell silent and deste. With doors and windows sealed against the winter chill, not even the faintest breeze disturbed the oppressive stillness. The air felt suffocating, heavy with unspoken anguish.
Asher tugged at his cor, his heart constricting with an unbearable, spreading pain.
The pale winter sunlight filtered through the leaded ss windows, casting his solitary shadow across the polished parquet floor.
Deste and utterly alone.
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