Chapter 156: Code and Conflict-3
There was a faint, collective intake of breath. Damien’s lips twitched into a barely-there smile. Ashcroft’s smirk thinned, a muscle ticking along his jaw.
Kenji grinned, mischief bubbling up now that the heat was on. “Ane-are you actually with this guy? “His tone was teasing, loud enough for the room to hear. “Oh-Otosan is going to flip when he
finds out!”
Harper’s face flushed-scandalized and amused-as she jabbed a finger at Kenji off-camera. “No!
Of course not! And shut up! You better not say anything to Dad-or I’ll tell Mom about summer
camp!”
Kenji’s laugh chimed through the speaker, unabashed. “Who, me? Never.” He bowed theatrically
toward the elders gathered around the table, then straightened with a wink. “But seriously-she’s
not bluffing. Give her twenty-four to forty-eight hours, and you’ll stop doubting.”
Ashcroft’s gaze darkened, jaw tightening as Harper’s rapid denial echoed in his mind, every other
sound around him fading to a dull hum. That sharp “No! Of course not!” reverberated in his
thoughts, twisting into jealousy and suspicion.
“Fine,” he said finally, voice low and dangerous, carrying across the table. “If that’s the case… I’m
coming.”
Harper froze mid-laugh, her expression caught between shock and incredulity. “What?!” she demanded, eyes wide.
Ashcroft leaned back, measured and deliberate, a predator assessing his territory. “Just in case
you’ve forgotten,” he said, each word sharp, controlled, “Jaime’s under my medical team’s care. It’s
only proper that I personally oversee everything involving his surgery and recovery.”
Harper’s mouth fell open, her fingers gripping her phone. “Maya…”
Maya’s lips pressed into a thin line. She glanced at Damien. His subtle shrug said everything: don’t

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