<b>Chapter </b><b>161 </b>


    Ashton had already spotted Briar stepping out of the Jennings family home. Seeing her a bit dazed when she noticed him, he couldn’t help but <bugh </b>“I’m here to pick you up.”


    Even before Briar called, Ashton’s car was already nearby. He had nned just to watch her leave safely, but after hanging up, he told his driver, Connor, to drive in.


    Briar and Edgar were already like oil and water. Ashton was worried she might suffer if left alone with the Jennings family, and he wasn’t about to let anyone mess with his girl.


    He couldn’t just let his person be bullied.


    Briar’s eyes curved into a smile, and she couldn’t hide the grin on her lips. However, she still pretended to be in a tough spot and asked, “What about my


    bike?”


    Ashton nced at Connor, who immediately got the hint and stepped forward. He proposed, “Miss Jennings, how about I drive your bike back for you?”


    Briar pulled out her car keys without hesitation and tossed them to Connor, “Sure.”


    Afterward, she hopped into the passenger seat that Ashton had opened for her.


    After Ashton drove off with Briar, Connor held onto the motorcycle keys as he walked up to the Jennings family’s gate. Instead of hopping on the bike right away, he strode straight into the Jennings family’s yard.


    Ashton drove fast but steady, and the ride back to Moonspring Estate was smooth. The two of them were chatting, but the moment they saw two people squatting by Briar’s front door, they instantly fell silent.


    There was a man and a woman at the door. It was Ellen, and a man Ashton didn’t recognize. Ashton frowned, pulling the car up beside them without slowing down, and stopped.


    Once she recognized the man, Briar’s eyes grew calm and turned to Ashton, saying, “Ashton, this is my friend.”


    Afterward, she pushed open the car door and greeted, “Seth, what are you doing here?”


    Seth had already seen who was in the car as it approached, so when it stopped next to them, he didn’t move. When Briar got out, he shed her a big grin, “Briar, I’m back.”


    Ellen stood obediently next to her brother and greeted Briar and Ashton with a sweet smile, “Hi, Briar. Hi, Ashton.”


    Briar


    Briar nodded and introduced Ashton, who had just walked over from the car. She added, “Ashton<b>, </b>this is my friend from Qathana, Seth Lyddon, who is Ellen’s elder brother.”


    Then, she turned to Seth and added, “And this is Ashton, my… neighbor.”


    Seth knew exactly who Ashton was. After all, he was the legendary prince of Shoneport who was richer than most countries, and he had the power and influence to match. He greeted, “Ashton, it’s a real <i>honor </i>to meet you. My sister already told me how you and Briar stepped in when she was bullied at school. I’ll make sure to bring a proper gift and core thank you in person tomorrow.”


    With someone at Ashton’s level, inviting him <i>to </i>dinner would just be awkward. The best a person could do was prepare a generous gift and hope he’d ept it.


    Ashton nodded at Seth in response, “There’s no need to be so formal.”


    Then Ashton turned to Briar, raising an eyebrow and asking, “Am I just your neighbor?”


    10:49 <b>Tue</b><b>, </b><b>19 </b><b>Aug </b>


    It was obvious Ashton cared a lot more about how Briar introduced him. Her hesitation was cute, but it still made him <b>happy</b>.


    He could tell Briar was just being shy.


    But when it came to his ce in her life, Ashton wasn’t about to let it slide.


    Briar met Ashton’s bright eyes and sighed, “Alright, let me do this properly. This is Ashton, my boyfriend.”


    Upon hearing that, Ashton was extremely pleased.


    Now that Ashton had an official title, Briar felt much more rxed discussing it. She smiled, “Yup, that’s exactly what you heard. So, what are you doing camped out at my door? Were you looking for me?”


    Ashton ruffled Briar’s hair lovingly and said, “Alright, you two, catch up. I’ll go park the car.”


    Briar nodded in response, “Okay.”


    Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she ledn and Ellen inside.


    Briar waspletely oblivious to just how much her interactions with Ashton were blowingn’s mind.


    Once they got into the living room,n just couldn’t hold back anymore, and he eximed, “Damn, Briar! Not bad! You’ve only been back for a month, and you’ve alreadynded the prince of Shoneport?”


    As a mercenary who spent years roaming the bordends,n was no stranger <i>to </i>Ashton’s name. His influence out there was so strong that most mercenaries would go out of their way just to avoid running into him.


    “Well, it just sort of happened. I’ll tell you guys the whole story some other time,” Briar said, feeling a little awkward as she scratched her nose. She grabbed two cans of Coke and a bottle of milk from the fridge, handed the milk to Ellen, and tossed a Coke ton. She asked, “Anyway, what about you? Howe you’re back early?”


    .</b><b>” </b>


    Briar nced at Ellen, who was quietly sipping her milk, and nodded, deciding not to press further. She changed the subject, “So, you’re not leaving again, right?”


    Jan shook his head in response, “Nope, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be staying here in Shoneport for the next few years to keep my sisterpany<b>.</b><b>” </b>Hearing this<i>, </i>Ellen immediately looked up and shed her brother a huge smile.


    “That’s great,” Briar said, taking a sip of her Coke, but her eyes betrayed a quiet unrest that didn’t match the calm in her voice.


    They sat and chatted for another half hour before an finally got up to leave with Ellen. Just before they walked out,n bloodthirsty grin when Ellen wasn’t looking. He asked, “Briar, how about I treat you to lunch tomorrow?”


    Briar a <b>wicked</b><b>, </b>almost


    Briar narrowed her eyes as she knewn had something to say, so she nodded. “Sure. You’re picking the ce, or should I?”


    “Alright, I’ll send you the locationter,” she agreed.


    After seeing them off, Briar turned around and found Ashton leaning against the gate with his arms crossed, watching <b>her</b>. She <b>shot </b><b>him </b>a ned and paused before saying, “Boyfriend, do you need something?”


    Those words instantly made the teasing smile vanish from Ashton’s lips, and he said, “I happened to overhear your ns. Girlfriend, would you mind if crashed your lunch tomorrow?”


    Even though Briar didn’t have much experience with rtionships, she could still pick up on the jealousy in the air. She let out augh, <b>Ashton</b>, <b>Janis </b>just <b>a </b>normal friend from Qathana.”


    Ashton nodded in response, “Yeah, just a regr friend who sometimes picks up side gigs on the border for some extra cash.”


    Briar stared at him in silence and could not help but wonder, ‘What?


    ‘I hadn’t expected Ashton to find out everything aboutn in such a short time.‘


    Suddenly, she felt a wave of panic as she wondered, ‘Is my cover about to be blown too?‘


    “Nope, you can’t just tag along for a free meal,” Briar said with a smirk. “But we can have lunch at one of your restaurants instead.”


    Ashton stroked his chin, mulled it over for a few seconds before agreeing.


    <b>AD </b>