<b>Chapter </b><b>91 </b>
The three of them all watched as Ashton walked toward them. Along the way, several people recognized him. They eagerly approached him to greet him. A few of them were so enthusiastic that Briar and her friends briefly thought Ashton might get pulled away by them.
But it turned out, not <b>just </b>anyone could invite Ashton and expect him toply.
Ashton eventually reached their row and, without needing Briar to say a word, sat down beside them as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“Mr. Wade, nice to meet you. We’re Briar’s friends,” Alexia said quickly, always sharp to read the room. She tugged Alex along as she greeted him. “Didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Ashton nodded politely. “Nice to meet you. Since you’re Briar’s friends, tonight’s bill is on me.”
Alexia waved her hands quickly. “Oh no, no need. We came prepared to pay tonight.”
“It’s fine. Briar’s friends are my friends too. Don’t wo
worry,” Ashton replied.
Alexia waspletely caught off guard by how generous he was. All they did was mention they were friends with Briar, and he was already offering to cover the whole night,
She was so stunned by Ashton’s generosity that she didn’t even register the subtle affection he was showing toward Briar. But Alex, as a
fellow man, noticed every word.
Ashton even <b>said </b>Briar’s friends were his friends <b>too</b><b>. </b>
Alex cast a knowing nce at Briar<b>, </b>who looked like she wanted to disappear into the floor<b>, </b>and smiled slightly with understanding
It seemed <b>that </b>Briar wasn’t the only one charmed by good looks. Ashton seemed more than a little taken too.
But that wasn’t surprising. People who excel naturally attract others <b>of </b>the same caliber
Meanwhile, Alexia, the socially fearless one<b>, </b><b>had </b>already struck up a conversation with Ashton. Briar was so nervous she couldn’t sit still. She made a hundred tiny movements per minute and shot Alexia frantic looks to get her to stop talking.
Unfortunately, Alexia, temporarily blinded by charm, <b>had </b>forgotten all about loyalty to her friend. If she hadn’t still retained some filter for what was appropriate, Ashton might have already charmed every detail out of her
While chatting with Alexia, Ashton still found time to peel candy wrappers for Briar, hand her choctes, and gently remind her to drink water so the sweetness wouldn’t be overwhelming.
His attentiveness stunned not just Briar, but also everyone else nearby.
There had been rumors floating around that Ashton had fallen in love at first sight with a college freshman from Shoneport University. She was an 18<b>–</b><b>year</b>–old girl with beauty and brains.
To pursue her, he had lowered himself to personally drive her to and from school. He <b>had </b>even bought two luxury properties near the university’s Moonspring Estate.
ung woman beside him, those rumor
At the time, high society had dismissed it all as <b>hearsay</b>. But now, watching how Ashton cared for the young suddenly felt very real.
This was definitely one of Shoneport’s biggest stories of the year.
Chapter DI
After nearly five minutes of chatting. Alexia finally caught on to Bitar’s desperate eye signals and quickly excused herself to
She silently admitted to herself that the temptation of a good–looking man was too much, and it was safer to retreat.
“Did you eat dinner? What did you have?” Ashton turned to Briar, who now sat upright with perfect posture. He didn’t ask why she <b>had </b>turned down his invitation, but ended up at the auction anyway. Instead, he chose to show concern over whether she had eaten
Briar understood exactly what Ashton was doing. He was trying to make her feel guilty. Not through confrontation, but by being considerate. And it was <b>much </b>more effective.
Even though she knew what he was doing, she couldn’t stop the flicker of guilt from surfacing She couldn’t bring herself to lie.
“Thaven’t eaten yet,” she answered honestly.
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