<b>Chapter </b><b>119 </b>
Just one sentence, and it was a triple shock.
Ashton said, “I want to be your boyfriend.”
But the problem was she didn’t want that.
“Can I have a chance?”
She didn’t want to give one, honestly. Even if this man’s insanely handsome face at such close range was truly heart–stirring, she <b>still </b>didn’t
want to give him a chance.
She didn’t expect he would be this bold and straightforward.
Ashton’s tempting voice rang out again, “Briar, if you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as a yes.”
Briar was just about to politely decline when Brandon walked in from outside, cutting her off. “Mr. Wade, the director and others from the
crew are outside. They want to see you…”
Seeing how close the two were, Brandon choked on his words. They were way too familiar. It was the exact same one Xavion had every <b>time </b>he pretended to be all proper before losing control.
It looked like he had just interrupted Ashton’s moment. Ashton was really being too eager.
Sure, the restaurant had been cleared out, but that didn’t mean no one was outside. If someone else had walked in, they might’ve seen it.
That would’ve been a disaster.
At that moment, Brandon realized something. He was the one who walked in. And he was totally screwed.
Brandon stammered and backed toward the door. “Well… you two carry on, carry on!”
Then he turned and bolted.
Unexpectedly, Ashton called out calmly, not sounding angry at all. “Stop.”
Brandon froze on the spot, not daring to turn around. “Yes, Mr. Wade.”
If Ashton was going to punish him, he hoped he’d get sent to Spoivania. He could team up with Xavion on a mission and carry rifles.
“You didn’t finish your sentence. No need to run.” Ashton looked down at the girl, blushing in both embarrassment and frustration. His tone
became even softer.
Brandon blinked and finally turned around. Ashton didn’t seem angry at all. In fact, there was even the faintest smile <b>on </b>his lips. Brandon
-rxed a bit.
So he obediently kept his eyes straight ahead and finished what he was saying. “The directors heard you were here, so they all came over. Mr. Stephen Wade is with them. They’d like to see you. Should I let them in?”
Normally, he wouldn’t report something like this to Ashton, but since Stephen was involved, he had no choice but toe in and ask.
And just like that, he’d ended up ruining Ashton’s mood.
‘Stephen, if you don’t give me a big bonus this time, I swear I’m never ying messenger for you again, Brandon grumbled <b>to </b><b>himself</b>.
Briar had already calmed down by now. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and was about to get <b>up</b>. <b>“</b>Mr. Wade, since you‘ busy<b>, </b>I’ll just…”
“Briar.” Just those two words from Ashton made Briar freeze in her seat, not daring to move. “You didn’t reject <b>me </b>just now, <b>so </b><b>I’m </b><b>taking </b>that
as a <b>yes</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Briar stammered, “I didn’t…”
Ashton didn’t give her a chance to finish and turned <i>to </i>Brandon. “Let them in.”
Briar went silent. He’d asked politely when confessing, but now he wouldn’t even let her speak<i>, </i>
Brandon wasn’t good with romance, but he had perfect chemistry with Ashton. He answered right <b>away </b>and brought the group inside.
And just like that, Briarpletely lost her chance to reject him.
“Mr. Wade!”
“Mr. Wade!”
A group of people walked in. Seeing Ashton standing beside a beautiful girl shocked them, but this was the entertainment industry<b>. </b>Everyone
knew how to act.
No one let their eyes wander. They all stood respectfully and greeted Ashton,
Only Stephen, as a member of the Wade family, had his eyes light up when he saw the girl beside Ashton.
They met Briar, the one that Jalen had mentioned in the family group chat.
She really was beautiful and cute. No wonder she could capture the heart of his cold, woman–averse cousin.
Ashton subtly stepped in front of Briar, blocking Stephen’s lecherous gaze fromnding on the girl he had finally “tricked” into staying by his
side.
She hadn’t even officially agreed to be his girlfriend yet. He couldn’t let Stephen scare her off.
Briar’s petite figure waspletely shielded. She didn’t mind. It made things easier. She obediently stayed seated, popped in her earphones,
and started ying a game.
After one match, Ashton finally sent the crowd away. Of course, Stephen, shameless as ever, lingered behind.
Ashton shot him a re. “Aren’t you busy?”
“Not really. Interviews aren’t until after the premiere.” Stephen shrugged with shameless ease and even tried to sneak around to get another look at the girl Ashton was hiding.
Ashton wasn’t about to let him seed. “Brandon, throw him out.”
“Right away,” Brandon replied.
Stephen shook his head. “Man, Ashton<b>, </b>you’re so cold! Come on, I’m not even doing anything. I just wanted to say hi to this cutie…”
Brandon walked up, respectful as always “Mr. Stephen Wade, will you leave on your own<b>, </b>or shall I assist?”
Stephen clicked his tongue again. “Fine, fine. I’ll go. I’ll see her at the premiere anyway.”
Before Ashton could blow up, he slipped away.
Brandon also hurried to the door to stand guard, leaving the space to them again.
Before long, only Ashton and Briar were left in the restaurant, Feeling the intense gaze from above, Briar pretended to be <b>busy </b><b>with </b><b>her </b>
phone, refusing to look up.
Ashton had no choice. He reached over and covered her screen. “Briar.”
Briar looked up. “Mr. Wade, just say what you want to say.”
Ashton crouched down to meet her gaze. “I’m guessing what I said earlier made things awkward for you.”
Briar raised her eyebrows. “Your self–awareness remains impressively sharp.”
Ashton gave her a faint smile. “Thanks for thepliment.”
Briar stared at this man who was clearly ying the shameless card and bluntly stated the fact. “Mr. Wade, you’re eight years older than me.
Ashton nodded. “Yep. Sounds like a lucky number to me.”
Briar closed her eyes. She’d definitely missed her best chance to reject him. Now everything just felt messy.
Ashton took her phone and earbuds, set them on the table, and looked her in the eyes. His expression was serious. “Briar, you don’t hate me<b>, </b>right? You don’t have a bad impression of me. And if someone like me isn’t qualified to be your boyfriend<b>, </b>then there aren’t many who are.
Briar’s longshes trembled. She knew this was a trap, but she still answered honestly, “I don’t hate you. I think you’re great. If even someone like you doesn’t qualify, then there really aren’t many men who do.”
A smile spread across Ashton’s lips. “Then, let me chase you.”
B
AD