Bound By A Broken Night novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165

“The fish is delicious, Mama,” Kai whispered, leaning closer to Cassie.

Cassie smiled warmly and brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead.

“I’m glad you like it,” she said gently, placing a spoonful of carrots and corn onto his plate.

“Now eat some vegetables too.”

“We can get you more if you want, buddy,” Ashton added, giving the boy’s head a soft pat.

Kai sat comfortably between them–between his parents.

If anyone noticed how naturally he leaned toward Cassie, the wife of CEO Wallace, the boy himself paid

no attention. He chatted freely, ate happily, and seemed completely at ease.

And neither Cassie nor Ashton made any effort to restrain their affection toward him.

Not even under the quiet, scrutinizing gazes of the many guests watching from across the hall.

“CEO Wallace represents the international company that recently acquired Knowles Corporation,” Rina murmured, leaning slightly toward the others at their table. She kept her voice low, careful that no one beyond their circle could overhear.

“And now Ashton has been appointed as its CEO.”

Her eyes flicked briefly toward the table across the hall where Ashton, Kai, Cassie, and Zandrie sat together.

“That must be the only reason that maid’s daughter was invited to dine with Ashton and his son,” she continued, her lips curling faintly.

“Simply because of her husband.”

The explanation was clearly meant for Tanya, who had been glancing toward that table far too often. Concern lingered on her face, thinly masked behind her composed posture.

“The boy seems… smitten with her, Aunt Rina” Tanya muttered quietly as she watched Kai lean closer to Cassie while she placed vegetables onto his plate.

Rina gave a soft, dismissive scoff.

“Well, she’s the only woman sitting at that table,” she said matter–of–factly.

“Any child would naturally gravitate toward a woman. That doesn’t make her special.”

Maricris leaned in next, her expression suddenly serious.

“If you get the opportunity, make sure to get close to the boy,” she whispered.

“Ashton loves his son dearly. Anyone his son adores will automatically have an advantage when it

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comes to getting Ashton’s attention.”

Tanya frowned slightly.

“Didn’t you hear what the boy said earlier?” she asked. “He already has a mother.”

Maricris rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

“And you actually believed him?” she said with exasperation.

“I’ve never heard of Ashton being involved with anyone these past few years. Then suddenly he appears with a son out of nowhere. Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you?”

She paused, then added with certainty,

“The last serious relationship he ever had was with Mirriam Knowles.”

Rina snorted softly.

“But that ended years ago,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain.

“And that pathetic woman couldn’t even hold onto the company her family built,” Rina scoffed, her lips curling with cruel amusement.

“And now that Cassidy–just her father’s daughter with a maid–managed to snatch it away from them so effortlessly with the help of her husband.”

Her gaze drifted toward the distant table where Cassie sat beside CEO Wallace and Kai Pierce, composed and radiant beneath the chandeliers.

“And look at her now,” Rina continued, letting out a soft, mocking chuckle.

“Seated at the very same table as Ashton Pierce.”

Maricris followed her gaze, her expression tightening faintly.

Rina leaned closer to Tanya, her tone lowering into something almost conspiratorial.

“Seize this opportunity, Tanya,” she urged firmly.

“Just make sure you win the boy’s affection.”

Tanya blinked, her attention sharpening.

“With that international company now backing Ashton,” Rina continued, “his wealth will double–perhaps even triple. And his influence won’t just be limited to Bay City anymore.”

Her eyes gleamed with calculated anticipation.

“He will have power abroad as well.”

“Your uncle mentioned that the company behind all this operates across the world,” she added quietly.

Chapter les

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“Billions of dollars moving through its network.”

Maricris inhaled softly, clearly impressed.

Rina continued, lowering her voice even further as if sharing privileged information.

“Your uncle also heard something else… The Malakai Group is planning a global convention soon.”

Her eyes flicked around the hall before she finished.

“And there’s a strong possibility it will be held here in Bay City.”

Tanya’s gaze sharpened immediately.

“If that happens,” Rina went on, “every major business mogul in the world will be fighting for an invitation.”

The weight of her words hung in the air.

“So make sure Ashton notices you,” she said firmly.

“If the convention is held here, Ashton Pierce will definitely have influence over who gets invited.”

Her gaze slid once more toward Cassie.

“Don’t waste your energy worrying about that maid’s daughter,” Rina muttered dismissively.

“She’s a nobody.”

Then she turned back to Tanya, her voice hard with strategy.

“Focus on the boy.”

****tbc****

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