<b>Chapter </b>290
Alexia snapped her fingers. “Congrattions! You got it right.”
Briar’s face hardened in an instant. “When did the news break?”
She bared her teeth and twisted to reach for the phone on the bedside table. Her phone had an rm set, bur it was on silent. Calls and messages poured in, all from Alexia and Ian.
Memphis had called her, too. When she didn’t pick up, he’d assumed she couldn’t answer and sent a message summarizing the morning’s report.
Alexia added, “They timed it to go out before five–thirty this morning, on purpose.”
Briar nodded. “Got it. Where’s Ashton?”
“Your man left the moment the news broke, and he took my man with him as well,” Alexia pouted, with a sulky expression as if she’d been cheated on.
Briar rubbed her tired eyes, ignoring the implication in Alexia’s words. She switched to a safer topic, n didn’t go?”
“No. Your man doesn’t think Ian Lyddon is smart enough,” Alexia continued to badmouth Ashton.
In front of Alexia, Briar started a video call with Ashton. The call was answered almost immediately. Even after a night of intense activity, he looked impossiblyposed – handsome in that calm,zy way that made everything else seem irrelevant. The morning’s scandal hadn’t touched him.
Ashton looked warmly at Briar through the screen. “Honey, you’re awake? Are you hungry? I left your favorite seafood congee in the kitchen. Remember to eat someter.”
“Alright.” Briar nodded as she got out of bed, put on her slippers, and walked toward the bathroom. “Have you found out who leaked the news<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Briar’s question was a little vague. Her question trailed off, half–formed. However, Alexia on the phone, as well <b>as </b>Ashton and Alex on the video call, all understood what she meant.
Ashton narrowed his eyes slightly, ncing almost imperceptibly to the side before he answered. “We traced it. It was Manny and Emily.”
When he said Emily Wade’s name, Ashton’s voice was tinged with a hint of resentment. He was deeply disappointed in her.
Briar was stunned. “Members of the Wade family were involved, too? Or was it just the second branch?”
Ashton nodded, his voice cool. “Only the second branch.”
If the entire Wade family had been involved, he wouldn’t have hesitated to sweep out the rot – even if it meant bloodshed. He tolerated a lot from the various branches as long <b>as </b>they didn’t cross his bottom line. Once crossed, he would show no mercy.
<b>6:04 </b><b>Sat</b>, <b>Sep </b>27
A
EL 50–vouches
The coldness in Briar’s eyes finally faded a little. “Good. At least it won’t be too much trouble for you to purge the family.”
Her words had barely left her mouth when a muffled, angry voice bellowed from the other end of <b>the </b><b>line- </b>something like a string of curses, but the speaker’s mouth had been stuffed so the words were indistinct. <b>It </b>was clearly a woman.
Briar paused, toothbrush in hand, and looked at the screen, asking with her eyes who that was.
A flicker of displeasure crossed Ashton’s dark eyes. Whether he <b>was </b>annoyed because their chat had been interrupted or because the woman wouldn’t keep quiet even with her mouth blocked, it was impossible to say.
Seeing this, Brandon, who stood behind Ashton, didn’t hesitate. He walked over and kicked the still–struggling Emily, who was squatting on the ground. The force was measured, not cruel, but enough to ck her out.
Ashton smiled, faintly and with control, and aimed the camera at her. “It’s Emily. I’ve already had her tied up. We’re bringing her back to the Wade family to be dealt with ording to the family rules.”
Briar went back to brushing, but his answer satisfied her. They spoke a little longer before ending the call.
Alexia immediately crowded in, grinning like a mischievous child. “Well, Briar, your man is really something! The way he’s handling this to make sure you’re okay. He’s so worried about your feelings.”
Briar shoved the intruding face away and washed her face. “Of course. Too many people are involved, and the impact is too great. For the Wade family to get involved now is a death wish.”
Unfazed by the push, Alexia leaned in again. “Oh,e on. Your man’s definitely trying everything to win you over, and you’re secretly thrilled.”
“Hey, tell me honestly–where did you learn all these ‘husband–taming‘ tricks? Teach me.”
Briar ignored her, treating Alexia like an invisible breeze.
After tidying up, she headed down to the kitchen. Sure enough, steaming seafood congee waited on the stove. She asked if Alexia had eaten, thendled a bowl for each of them and sat at the dining table.
“I’ve said so much, Briar. At least acknowledge me!” Alexia suddenly cried, heartbroken by the silence, and grabbed Briar’s hand.
Briar sighed. “I don’t have any ‘husband–taming‘ tricks.”
“I don’t buy it.” Alexia pouted. “We both know Ashton’s reputation. A man like him wouldn’t submit to anyone unless that person was special – unless they’d actually outmatched him somehow.”
Briar set her spoon down, thought for a moment, then said seriously, “Would running away from home count as a way to tame a husband?”
Alexia remained quiet, as if in doubt.
“Really. I left without a word once. That’s when Ashton started behaving like this.” Briar Jennings exined earnestly to Alexia.
<b>6:04 </b><b>Sat</b><b>, </b>Sep 27
Alexia only believed when the details made sense. As Briar painted the scene with specifics, Alexia’s eyes lit up. “Wow–so it actually works? I’m going to try it someday!”
That eager expression left Briar speechless. She tucked back into her congee, praying silently that if Alexis ever did vanish on purpose and Alex went searching the world for his wife, he wouldn’t me her for it
At that moment,n walked in. Hearing their conversation, he asked curiously, “What’s there to <i>try</i>? Is it fun! Count me in!”
Alexia froze, and Briar hurried to cut off any loose lips. “Did Ashton call you? They caught Emily and <i>are </i>heading back to the Wade family estate. It looks like we’ll have to get Manny ourselves”
Jan’s interest piqued immediately. “Caught? Great! Let’s go find Mannyter. That woman really stirred things <ol><li>up. </li></ol>
Wait till I get my hands on her.”
Briar motioned for Alexia to quickly finish her seafood congee. “Yes, she’s the only one from the Garzas still running free. If she won’t behave, we’ll just send her back to her family.”
Ian Lyddon grinned and gave an “OK” sign. “Don’t worry, she won’t get <b>away</b>.”