<b>Chapter </b><b>151 </b>
“I have to make sure you eat well,”
<i>on </i>replied a
as he opened a bag of chocte cookies for Briar.
Briar pondered as she obediently munchoqte
I on them, ‘What else can I do? Guess I’ll just eat.’
As night fell, the Blue Bar was packed and lively, every private room and VIP seating area buzzed with noise and excitement.
Tonight, Reece had invited Ashton, Hamish, and Frederick over to hang out. The bar manager ensured that the head of security on duty was notified well
in advance.
“Anyone who dares to cause trouble tonight gets kicked out–no exceptions. We can’t let anyone mess up the night for those VIPS,” the manager warned.
Besides, Reece had made it clear that Ashton was bringing his girlfriend along, so everyone was on their best behavior, extra cautious not to slip up.
Everyone knew Ashton had been Shoneport’s most eligible bachelor for 26 years, and he had never once had a woman by his side.
They had listened to all the tales about women trying to get close to him, believing they could use their beauty to advance their careers. However, in end, they always left disappointed.
But now, this legendary man who never spared a nce for women was rumored to have fallen for an ordinary college girl.
To win her heart, he set aside his ego and took the time to pick her up and drop her off at school himself. He also spent a considerable amount of money on a fancy house near her campus so that they could be close to each other.
Everyone was dying to know who Ashton’s mysterious girlfriend was and what kind of magic she had to conquer the legendary ice king himself.
“Everyone, stay sharp tonight. Keep your eyes peeled. When you see Mr. Goodwin and Mr. Wadeing in, be sure to block anyone who tries to get too close to them,” the manager, Philip Westin, reminded again in a serious tone.
“You got it, Mr. Westin. Rx, there’s no way the guys will mess things up for Mr. Goodwin tonight,” the security captain, Jake Simpson, said with a big grin, throwing an arm around Philip’s shoulder and ruffling his thinning hair.
Philip swatted Jake’s hand away, scowling, “Touch my head again and I’ll have someone beat you up!”
Jake justughed, not the least bit offended. He simply loved messing with Philip.
Philip appeared to be the picture of a distinguished schr, with his balding head and intellectual demeanor, yet he found himself managing a business in the entertainment industry. While he had gained a bit of weight over time, his lively movements told a very different tale.
Jake couldn’t help but think, ‘Man, this guy could take on five guys <b>at </b>once and not even break a sweat.
‘No wonder Mr. Goodwin had his eye on him. After all, everyone he picked is seriously tough.‘
Just then, the valet’s voice can be heard over the walkie–talkie, “Mr. Westin, they’re here. Mr. Goodwin and the rest of the group had just arrived.”
Philip immediately straightened up as he acknowledged, “Got it. Stay sharp, everyone.”
Jake didn’t need <b>to </b>be told twice. He immediately got up and led his guys outside.
Whenever these prominent figures showed up together<b>, </b>there were always some sharp–eyed people who spotted them and hurried <b>over</b><b>, </b><b>especially </b>when Ashton was among them. The number of women trying to use the chance to “identally bump into him” was overwhelming.
<b>As </b><b>soon </b>as Reece exited the car, he couldn’t help but peek behind Ashton<b>, </b>asking, “Ashton, where’s your girlfriend? Come <b>on</b><b>, </b><b>let </b><b>me </b><b>see </b><b>her</b>.”
Hamish and Frederick just stood by Frank, not nearly <b>as </b>interested in Briar as Reece was.
Ashton couldn’t be bothered with Reece’s antics. He just turned around and reached into the <b>car</b><b>, </b>looking every <b>bit </b><b>the </b><b>gentleman</b>.
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Right after, Reece saw a fair, delicate hand slip into Ashton’s palm. The next moment, a sweet, adorable girl was carefully helped out <b>of </b><b>the </b><b>car</b>. <b>Ashton </b>was treating her like she was the most precious thing in the world, and the loving sight left Reecepletely dumbfounded.
“Briar, let me introduce you. This is Reece Goodwin, the
Briar shed Reece a dazzling smile and
Ashton then introduced her to the
evel
Downer behind the Blue Bar,” Ashton said, still holding Briar’s hand as he led her over <b>to </b>Reece
“Hello, Mr. Goodwin,” she said.
“This is Briar Jennings, my girlfriend.”
“Hello, Miss Jennings. Wee, all of you.se,e inside,” Reece said, his eyes crinkling with a smile. But as he caught the looks from his friends,
he quickly corrected himself.
With that, he took the lead and guided everyone inside.
The group handed their cars over to the valets and walked into the bar,ughing and chatting the whole way. With Reece and Hamish around, there was never a dull moment.
This group,prising handsome men and beautiful women, each a well–known and influential figure in the capital, instantly drew <b>a </b>wave of attention the moment they appeared in the lobby on the first floor.
Among the crowd was Camden, who hade to the bar with some friends to drink and check out the girls. He stared in shock as he watche being surrounded by Ashton and Reece, as the group was being escorted up to the second floor.
Camden thought in disbelief, ‘Briar’s really dating Ashton?‘
“Hey, Camden! What are you staring at? I heard that the girl is Ashton’s girlfriend. Do, don’t even think about making a move on her! You mess with her, and Ashton will send his guys after you,” one of his friends warned after noticing Camden’s intense gaze toward the second–floor entrance<b>. </b>
Camden was well–known for being a flirt, and whenever he spotted a pretty girl, he just couldn’t resist looking. His friend probably assumed he was interested in a girl who was with Ashton and the rest of the group.
Camden wiped his face, rolling his eyes in response, “Of course I know that. Do you think I’m that dumb? Did you think I would just walk right into Ashton’s line of fire for fun?”
He just hadn’t expected to run into Briar here, and it threw him for a loop.
“You guys go ahead and continue drinking. I’m gonna step out and make a call,” he said. Without even waiting for his friends to answer, Camden strode straight for the door.
His friends exchanged puzzled looks and asked, “What’s with him? Why is he reacting so strongly just seeing Ashton’s girlfriend?”
“Who knows? Could he be interested in Ashton’s girl?” one of them guessed.
Another friend eximed in shock, “Hey! Don’t say stuff like that. If Ashton’s guys hear you, you might end up getting beaten up too.”
“Whatever, it’s none of our business. We didn’t say anything, so Ashton’s guys won’te after us. Come on, let’s just keep drinking,” someone else chimed in.
One of them said, “Come on, let’s drink up!”
After leaving the Blue Bar, Camden found an empty corner down the street, squatted down, and called Edgar.
As soon as <b>the </b><b>call </b>connected, Camden blurted out, “Dad, do you know who I just saw at the Blue Bar?”
Edgar was taken aback, and he asked, “Who did you see?”
Camden didn’t have time for small talk, and he got straight to the point, “Briar. I saw Briar. She was <b>with </b><b>Ashton</b><b>, </b><b>Reece</b><b>, </b><b>Hamish</b>, <b>and </b><b>Frederick</b><b>. </b><b>It’s </b><b>true</b>, Dad. Briar and Ashton are together.”
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<b>10:37 </b>Mon, 18 <b>Aug </b>o
By the end, Camden’s voice was trembling.
Ashton had a reputation for not being interested in girls. However, Briar was different, she was the only girl he was often seen with. He even invited <b>her </b><b>to </b>spend time with his closest friends, which was something he had never done for anyone else before.
That just proved that Briar and Ashton weren’t just dating, he was totally into her.
“So, what are you going to do about it?” Edgar asked.
Camden replied without hesitation, “Dad, you pissed Briar off so much she won’t evene home now. You need to go apologize and coax her to
return.”
Edgar froze for a couple of seconds, then exploded in anger, “What? You want me to apologize to Briar? Why should I even apologize? What did I even do wrong?”
Camden shrank back at his father’s roar and reasoned, “Dad, why are you getting so worked up? It’s just bowing your head and admitting you were wrong, that’s all. Do you even realize how much business value Briar could bring to the Jennings family if you just coax her back home?”