<b>Chapter </b><b>32 </b>


    After ying two rounds of the game, Briar finally got over the shock. She looked up at Brandon and Morton standing by the door.


    They were still frozen in ce, staring intently at the sleeping Ashton. Briar rubbed her temples. It waste, and she was sleepy.


    Morton, observant and meticulous, immediately fetched two nkets and silently offered them <i>to </i>Briar, a clear attempt to please. “Miss


    Jennings.”


    Briar looked at the nkets in Morton’s hands. She was lost for words for a while. ‘Fine then. I’m just a glorified tool here,’ she thought.


    Briar took the nkets and tossed one over Ashton. Her movement was so rough that the nketnded right over his head.


    Fortunately, it slid down on its own, settling into its proper ce. Despite the disturbance, Ashton only furrowed slightly without waking. Brandon and Morton breathed sighs of relief.”


    Ignoring their dramatic reactions, Briar moved to the other end of the couch with the nket. She found afortable spot, closed her eyes,


    and tried to sleep.


    A few minutester, the lights went out. Briar heard the footsteps of Brandon and Morton leaving and then entering the next–door room.


    In the dark, Briar stared at the ceiling. ‘Never thought I’d have a moment of kindness like this,’ she mused. ‘Apparently, leaving that brutal environment had softened my heart.’


    Despite all the thoughts, sleepiness overwhelmed her. Briar closed her eyes again and finally sank into sleep.


    The presidential suite had excellent soundproofing. With the curtains drawn, it was easy to sleep soundly regardless of the time, especially


    when one had a soft andfy pillow.


    ‘Wait. What pillow?‘ Briar’s drifting consciousness snapped back. She jerked her eyes open, only to see a blur of white—a warm chest d in


    a white shirt.


    ‘A chest? Whose chest?‘ she mused. As Briar focused on the distinct logo on the shirt, she was wide awake.


    She jolted upright, her gaze meeting Ashton’s half–lowered hazel eyes. “Ashton?” she muttered.


    ‘What the hell? I was miles away from him when I fell asleepst night. How did I end up in his arms when I woke up? This is beyond awkward -where’s my legendary vignce?‘ she thought.


    Ashton’s voice was as pleasant as ever. “Morning, Briar.”


    “Morning,” Briar mumbled, rubbing her head and awkwardly looking away. Her eyesnded on the two sitting across the couch, their faces beaming with joy.


    Seeing Briar awake, Brandon couldn’t contain his excitement. “Miss Jennings, thank you so much. You’re truly Ashton’s lifesaver. Do you know?


    “After you got him to sleepst night, Ashton slept straight through until 9 o’clock. Nine!” Thest part was a shout, his shock palpable.


    Briar was equally stunned. “Wait. What do you mean ‘got him to sleep‘? I didn’t, I mean, don’t make stuff up!”


    Briar genuinely didn’t possess any sleep–inducing powers. Ashton’s restful night was pure exhaustion after pulling too many all–nighters.


    But Brandon and Morton, having witnessed the “miracle,” elevated Briar to savior status. Their eyes shone with admiration as they looked at


    her.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    Briar turned to Ashton. “Ashton, aren’t you going to do something?”


    Ashton poured Briar a ss of water. “I think they might be onto something. It was you who got me to sleepst night.”


    Briar was speechless. “I know Miss Jennings‘ consultation fee,” Ashton continued, pulling out his phone and transferring a sum to Briar’s


    ount.


    Watching Briar’s confused expression, he asked sincerely, “If I need help again, could I request Miss Jennings’s services again?”


    Briar’s phone buzzed with a notification. She nced down instinctively–a text alerting her to a deposit of $30,000.


    Ashton exined, “That’s the standard fee I pay my therapist per session. Last night, I slept exceptionally well. I believe you deserve it.”


    Ashton had yed it smart on Briar’s love for money–framing it as a straightforward transaction. In this way, Briar couldn’t bring herself to


    refuse.


    As expected, Briar’s refusal died on her lips. Gazing at the screen, she chirped, “Thanks, Ashton.”


    Ashton looked at Briar with sincere and expectant eyes. “If there’s a next time-”


    “I’ll be on call anytime.” Briar shed a grin. ‘Who turns down a gig that pays 30 grand for a good night’s sleep? Only a fool,‘ she thought.


    “Consider it settled,” Ashton replied with an equally warm smile.


    Briar finished her water. “Well, it’s gettingte. I should go.”


    “Right. Morton, see her out,” Ashton instructed, watching as Briar walked away without a backward nce.


    Briar’s motorbike was still parked at the bar. Morton escorted her all the way to the parking garage, only returning to report after seeing her


    safely depart.


    Briar stayed out all night. And while the maids thought it strange that she had left so early that day, no one else in the Jennings family


    noticed. They all assumed she’d gone out at daybreak.


    The roar of the motorbike engine cut through the quiet as Bríar pulled into the courtyard. Maids emerged at the sound. “Miss Jennings,


    you’re back.”


    Briar nodded. “Fix me a te–I’m starving.”


    “Right away, Miss Jennings,” Sara replied.


    With Edgar and Camden at the office, only Halle and Beatrice were home. At the sight of Briar striding in wearing a sleek ck suit, Beatrice’s eyes flickered with resentment.


    “Briar,” Beatrice sneered, “where have you been? All dressed up this early in the morning–lucky Dad’s not here, or-”


    “Or what?” Briar halted on the stairs, fixing her with a stare. “What’s wrong with how I’m dressed? I’m fully covered–unlike someone who got exposed in public but still acts high and mighty. Where’d you get the nerve?”


    “You!” Beatrice’s chest heaved with fury. If Halle hadn’t held her back, she might have lunged at Briar.


    Briar scoffed, “Me? If you leave me alone before school starts, I might go easy on you. But keep pestering me, and I’ll make sure you spend college in a wheelchair.”


    The threatnded effectively. Beatrice visibly paled. “Y–you wouldn’t dare! Briar, don’t forget, this is Shoneport, not Qathana, where you can run wild.”


    “Then try me.” Briar turned to Halle, still restraining Beatrice. “Beatrice might not know what I’m capable of, but you do. I’m nothing like my- mother–push me, and my temper’s not something I can control.”