Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 164

Chapter 164

“Yeah… a maid’s daughter.” Maricris sneered, attempting subtlety, though the malice in her tone betrayed her.

“How fortunate she was to land herself a wealthy husband.” She spoke just enough for the ears of the small circle around them to hear.

Unaware that she had already captured Ashton’s full attention.

“Such luck,” Tanya added in a mocking whisper, casting Cassie a discreet but pointed glance, one brow lifting in quiet assessment.

“As if fortune simply dropped into her lap.” Rina gave a soft, amused chuckle, joining the cruel amusement.

“At least she won’t have to spend her life scrubbing floors like her mother.”

The three women shared knowing smiles, their voices hushed but dripping with condescension.

They thought they were being discreet. But the conversation died the moment a calm, even voice cut through the murmurs.

“Is being a maid’s daughter something to be ashamed of?”

Ashton slowly turned his full attention to Tanya first. His gaze was steady, unreadable, though the sharpness in it made her smile falter. Then his eyes shifted–deliberately–to Maricris… before finally settling on his aunt, Rina.

The three women stiffened almost at the same time. They hadn’t realized he had heard them.

Around them, the nearby guests fell silent, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere.

When Ashton Pierce spoke in that tone, people listened.

His expression remained composed, almost polite, but the calmness carried an unmistakable edge.

“A woman who works honestly to support herself and her family,” he continued, his voice still measured,” deserves respect.”

His gaze lingered on them just long enough for the weight of his words to settle.

“Not ridicule.”

A beat of silence followed. Then Ashton added, his tone still calm–but now edged with unmistakable steel.

“It is certainly far more honorable than living off a family’s fading wealth… while contributing nothing and behaving as if the world owes you everything.”

The remark was delivered so casually, but the sting in it was undeniable.

Chapter 16d

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No one spoke.

The earlier murmurs that had filled the hall dissolved into an uncomfortable, suffocating silence. Tanya’s smile stiffened at the corners, her fingers curling subtly at her sides.

Maricris swallowed hard, the color draining from her face.

And Rina–who had moments ago been chuckling–suddenly looked as though she wished the floor would open beneath her feet.

“Don’t forget,” Ashton continued, the cold mockery in his voice unmistakable, “you move within this circle because of your names-”

His gaze swept briefly across the three women.

“-not because you are in any way more exemplary than the rest.”

The words landed heavily.

Cassie, along with Tanya, Maricris, and Rina, had not expected Ashton Pierce to openly defend someone they had just branded as nothing more than a maid’s daughter.

Cassie herself had long grown indifferent to such labels. The whispers and judgments had followed her for years. They had long since lost their power to wound her.

And yet… for the briefest moment, something warm stirred in her chest. Because Ashton had not merely dismissed the insult. He had defended her. Publicly.

“Ashton…” Tanya tried to recover, her voice tight as she attempted to salvage her dignity.

But one look from him–just one–silenced her instantly.

His gaze was cool, final.

“Let the dinner begin.”

Without sparing the three women another glance, Ashton turned toward the gathering of Bay City’s most prominent figures.

“Please enjoy the simple food and drinks we have humbly prepared for all of you tonight,” he announced with a courteous nod.

A ripple of laughter broke through the tension.

“With a Pierce hosting the evening,” CEO Rivas called out playfully, “I doubt anything here could possibly be simple, CEO Pierce.”

A few guests chuckled in agreement.

“Well,” Ashton replied lightly, the earlier sharpness gone from his tone, “my guests deserve the best Bay City can offer.”

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“Thank you for the warm welcome, CEO Pierce,” another business magnate said. “We will certainly enjoy the evening.”

he quests began moving toward the elegantly arranged dining tables, where the waiting staff assisted them in taking their seats.

“Ashton…” Rina attempted to call after her nephew, hoping to mend the moment. But Ashton had already furned his back on her.

“CEO Wallace. Madame Cassidy.”

His voice carried calmly across the room.

“Please join us at our table.”

The invitation caused visible surprise among those nearby. Even Rina and Maricris stiffened.

Despite being his closest relatives present that evening, they had not been invited to sit with him.

“It would be our honor, CEO Pierce,” Zandrie replied smoothly, a trace of amusement glinting in his eyes as he glanced at Ashton.

Not long after, they were all seated, and the first courses of dinner began to arrive.

At the Pierce table sat only four people: Ashton. Kai. Cassie. And Zandrie.