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< More Than A Favor
Chapter 84
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Selene’s lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but then she clamped her mouth shut.
Was it something unspeakable?
The more she hesitated, the more my curiosity grew. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Is it something you can’t talk about, or are you simply lying?”
Her lips tightened into a thin line. “It’s none of your business. Listen, if you’re angry at me, take it out on me. Don’t drag others into it.”
I frowned, her words confirming my suspicion. She was here to defend Logan, no doubt about it.
“You’re talking about how I hit Logan, aren’t you?” I asked directly, cutting to the chase.
Her expression faltered. “He’s hurt really badly. He needed a dozen stitches on the back of his head! Elaine, you loved him once–how could you be so heartless as to hurt him like that?”
The way she spoke, it was as though she was already his wife.
I couldn’t help but smirk. If she wanted to play this game, I’d gladly oblige.
“Really? Only a dozen stitches? I’d say I was merciful for not smashing his brains out,” I said coldly.
Selene choked on her words, her face paling. “You…”
“Do you even know why I hit him?” I leaned forward slightly, my voice sharp. “It’s because he tried to force himself on me in his office. Or is it because you’re unable to satisfy him as a pregnant woman?”
Her face turned ashen, and she froze, unable to respond.
But I wasn’t done. “Ms. Vaughn, now that you understand the reason, I suggest you go home and think of a solution. After all, you’ve been a married woman before. It shouldn’t be that difficult for you, right?
Selene’s humiliation was written all over her face. She stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to say a single word.
This was the result of her own actions. She had sought me out, and now she was paying the price.
I softened my tone, though my words carried a pointed edge. “Ms. Vaughn, if there’s nothing else, you should go home. You’re carrying a dead man’s child. If anything were to happen, it would be terrible.”
Though I said it as a warning, not malice, the thought lingered uncomfortably in my mind.
She had decided to keep the child, which likely meant she had her reasons. But her reckless behavior- going to hazardous places like the amusement park–made me wonder if, deep down, she didn’t actually want the baby.
The idea shocked me. I scrutinized her face for any hint of the truth, but all I saw was the humiliation from my words.
I had said what I needed to and vented my anger. It was time to leave.
Just as I turned around, her voice stopped me.
“Do you really not love Logan anymore? You don’t want to be with him?”
I smiled, not bothering to turn back. “That’s right. I’ll let you have him.”
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Though I doubted she’d be able to hold on to him.
Ger 10
Logan’s recent behavior–the childish, erratic stunts–made it clear he still had feelings for me. But he had realized it far too late. Now that I had broken up with him, he was doing everything he could to get my attention.
I couldn’t forgive him. His impulsive relationship with Selene was proof of his indecisiveness.
For me, it was all or nothing. Either Logan was mine alone, or he wasn’t mine at all. I would never tolerate a partner who entertained other women, and I wouldn’t hesitate to walk away.
it’s even
“Then don’t contact him anymore,” Selene said behind me, her tone tinged with desperation. “It’s better if you don’t see him again at all.”
Her plea made me pause.
I knew her feelings for Logan were genuine. Even if they weren’t, she still wanted to cling to him–for the security, for the lifestyle, for the comfort of having a man who could provide her with everything.
Turning to face her, I tilted my head slightly and smirked. “Why don’t you give me ten million dollars so I can move to the countryside? That way, your wish will be granted.”
Her face twisted in frustration as she clenched the folds of her dress. Previously, she had claimed she didn’t have money and relied on Logan’s generosity. I had just called out her hypocrisy.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside without looking back.
When I returned to the room I shared with Maya, I was still fuming. Bored, I decided to pull up the TV series Maya had been raving about and started streaming it on my phone.
It was surprisingly entertaining. I had just finished a few episodes when I heard voices outside the door.
It was Ashton.
“Ms. Ellison, please tell Ms. Hart to come to my room in ten minutes,” he said.
“Okay,” Maya r
the room.
replied. A second later, the door opened, and Maya stormed in, tossing her shoes across
“I’m exhausted! Is this even humane?” she complained, throwing herself dramatically onto the couch.
I set my phone down and patted the spot beside me. “Come here. Let me give you a massage.”
Instead of lying down, Maya wrapped her arms around me in a hug. “Elaine, come back. I can’t do this without you.
I patted her head gently. “If you want to take on bigger responsibilities, you need to push through this. Go shower and sleep.”
“No, I want to sleep now,” she whined.
As she stood, her gaze landed on my phone screen. She gasped. “Elaine, you’re so mean! You’re watching the show without me!”
th your
I smiled. “Be a good girl. work, and you can binge–watch during your next break.”
She pouted but eventually trudged into the bedroom. “Mr. Drake wants to see you,” she reminded me before closing the door.
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Chapter 84
“Yeah, I know.”
“Elaine, I don’t think he’s charming anymore. I’m officially his hater now,” she added with a huff.
I barely suppressed a laugh. It seemed Ashton had worked her hard today.
= Menu
I waited about twenty minutes before heading to Ashton’s room, figuring he needed time to shower and change
Sure enough, when he opened the door, his hair was still damp. He wore a loose shirt and hotel slippers, looking casual and relaxed
“Come in,” he said curtly.
I noticed his laptop was open on the desk. “What’s the issue?” I asked.
“I saved it in a Word document on my desktop. Open it and take a look.” He walked over to the kettle as the water started to boil.
I sat down in front of his laptop, expecting his desktop to be neat and orderly. To my surprise, it was cluttered with files.
“You have so many files,” I muttered. “Which one is it?”
“The one labeled YLC, Ashton replied.
I scanned the chaotic screen but couldn’t find the file. Frustrated, I looked over my shoulder. “Ashton, I can’t find it.”
He glanced at me briefly before his phone rang. “Wait a moment,” he said, answering the call.
While he spoke, I continued searching for the file.
His conversation was brief. “We signed an agreement. I won’t accept any changes or compensation. This is not negotiable,” he said curtly before hanging up.
Ashton walked over with a cup of tea and placed it beside me. “Here. For you.
“Thanks,” I replied, though my voice wavered as I felt him lean over me.
His arm reached past my shoulder, pointing at the screen. “It’s here,” he said.
The proximity made my heart race. His damp hair smelled like soap and shampoo, clean and intoxicatingly fresh. His chin hovered just above my head, and I knew that if I so much as shifted, we would touch.
I froze, my cheeks heating up as blood rushed to my face.
“Open it,” Ashton prompted, his voice low and gravelly.
Fumbling with the mouse, I tried to click the file he had pointed out, but I couldn’t locate it again.
“This s one,” he said, his hand covering mine as he guided the cursor to the file and double–clicked.
The document opened, but I couldn’t focus on the words. My mind was a blur, my senses overwhelmed by his presence.
“Do you understand?” he asked.
“No,” I blurted, tilting away from him. “Mr. Drake, you’re too close to me.
