More Than A Favor
Chapter 77
When Caleb arrived at the billiard hall, he found Logan furiously striking cue balls, his frustration evident in every shot. It was clear Logan was there to blow off steam.
Instead of interrupting him, Caleb picked up a cue stick and casually walked over. “Same old rules You up for a game?”
Logan ignored him, continuing to aimlessly strike the balls. After several failed attempts to sink even one, he threw the cue stick onto the table in frustration and stormed off.
Caleb sighed, set his cue stick down, and followed him. “What did Elaine do to get under your skin this time?”
“Who said this is because of her? Don’t bring her up in front of me,” Logan snapped.
Caleb chuckled knowingly. “Only she can make you lose control like this. Are you struggling because she left you?”
Caleb had always been blunt.
Logan suddenly spun around and grabbed Caleb’s collar. “Cut it out.”
“What?” Caleb asked calmly, unbothered by Logan’s outburst.
Logan’s mouth opened as if to say something, but he let go of Caleb’s collar instead. He had wanted to war Caleb to stay away from Elaine, but saying it out loud would mean admitting how much he still cared about her.
And how could he not care?
He had known she would be his wife from the moment she stepped into their house at the age of ten.
For reasons he couldn’t explain, he didn’t reject the idea. In fact, he began protecting her, treating her as if she were already his little wife.
He had shielded her for ten years, and she naturally became his girlfriend. She was always there- obedient, quiet, and easy to reach.
But now, she had left him for another man. It felt as though someone had stolen his most precious possession.
“You know what I mean,” Logan said, glaring at Caleb.
As the clear–headed observer of Logan and Elaine’s relationship, Caleb didn’t mince words. “Logan, you actually love Elaine.”
Logan froze for a moment, then scoffed. “Love her? I don’t love her. I just got used to her. Do you get it? Just like you’re used to playing billiards with your left hand.”
Seeing Logan’s stubbornness, Caleb shook his head with a helpless smile. “If that’s the case, why are you so angry?”
“I’m mad because she doesn’t know her place. Forget it! She can do whatever she wants from now on. I can’t be bothered anymore,” Logan snapped, waving his hand dismissively as if to end the conversation.
Caleb didn’t press him further. Instead, he sat down to make coffee, watching Logan silently.
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Logan sat in thought for a while. Then, almost as if speaking to himself, he muttered, “She loves me She wouldn’t have said those things if she didn’t. She’s just jealous and waiting for me to persuad her.”
“Then persuade her,” Caleb suggested, handing Logan a cup of coffee
“Persuade her?” Logan scoffed. “You can’t spoil women like that. You indulge them once, and they‘ throw an even bigger fit next time. Then you’ll spend the rest of your life buttering them up “
Caleb took a sip of his coffee and said lightly, “Aren’t wornen meant to be pampered? Or do you think they’re just there for your pleasure and to bear children?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Logan retorted defensively.
“Then what do you mean?” Caleb asked, looking at him pointedly.
Logan met his gaze but seemed unsure how to respond. After a moment, he said, “Look, Elaine might be throwing a fit now, but once she cools down, she’ll come back to me.”
Caleb set his cup down. “Maybe.”
“She definitely will,” Logan insisted, though his tone betrayed a hint of uncertainty.
I received a message from Caleb later that evening.
“You’re getting bolder. You pissed off the president so much he’s taking it out on me.”
I didn’t reply. Whatever he meant or whatever his intentions were, I had no interest in engaging. Logan was out of my life, and he wasn’t worth my time or energy anymore.
The earlier confrontation hadn’t affected my work with Ashton. By the time we wrapped up, it was already midnight.
Maya was barely awake, her constant yawning making it clear how exhausted she was.
For some reason, I didn’t feel tired at all.
As for Ashton, he was as energetic as ever. It was as though he were a machine that never ran out of
power.
“Elaine, you and Ashton make a great match,” Maya suddenly commented on the way back.
I immediately glanced at Ashton and rebuked her, “You must be so tired that you’re spouting
nonsense.”
“I’m not talking nonsense,” Maya protested. “I just mean you two are both workaholics. I can’t keep up with you guys.” She slumped against the car seat, looking defeated.
When we arrived at the hotel, Maya had already fallen asleep. After several failed attempts to wake her, I leaned close to her ear and whispered, “If you don’t wake up, I’ll have Ashton carry you!”
“Sure. I want to be carried,” she mumbled sleepily, stretching her arms out like a child.
I laughed and pulled her up. “Come on, let’s go.”
With her eyes half–closed, Maya let me guide her into the elevator and upstairs.
When we reached our rooms, Ashton, who had been silent the entire fide, suddenly spoke. “Elaine, I
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meant to talk to ye
My heart skipped a beat “Alright
Maya, for drway to notion the shift in atmosphere, stumbled into her roorn without a second thought.
I turned to Ashton “What is it, Mr. Drake?!
I spoke to my company I be staying to finish the work here.”
“Oh,” I replied, unsurprised
I had already decided that if he left, I would leave too. Logan likely realized this, which was why he hadn’t pushed Ashton’s company to replace him.
“Are you planning to start your own company after this project ends?” Ashton asked, catching me off quard.
I hadn’t expected him to see through my intentions so easily.
“That’s right,” I admitted.
He nodded slightly. “We can speed up our progress.”
“Huh?” I frowned, puzzled.
“By sticking to our current hours, we can finish ahead of schedule without overtime,” Ashton explained.
I laughed. “You must be joking.”
“I’m serious,” he said, his expression unwavering.
I pursed my lips. “There’s no need for that. Let’s just complete the work on time as planned.”
“Don’t you want to leave? I’ll hasten it so you can leave earlier.”
His words caught me off guard.
But I replied firmly, “No need. Even if we finish early, I won’t leave until the amusement park passes all inspections and officially opens.”
Ashton’s gaze darkened slightly, but I didn’t elaborate. Since I had no intention of getting involved with him, there was no need to share my thoughts.
The next morning, Maya and I arrived at the amusement park to find Ashton already working. The manager mentioned he had arrived at 5:00 a.m. It seemed he was determined to finish early, even if it meant working extra hours alone.
“Good morning, Ms. Hart!” a cheerful voice greeted me from behind.
“Good morning!” I responded instinctively, but something felt off.
Turning around, I was stunned to see Miles dressed in work overalls and a safety helmet.
