The Real Heiress Strikes Back (Ashley and Dimitri) novel Chapter 7

The Heiress Behind the Mask

“What do you mean it’s impossible?” Demitri snapped, his patience running thin.

The voice on the other end of the line was calm, almost too calm for Demitri’s liking. “It’s out of our hands, sir. The video is everywhere. We traced the source… and it’s a wealthy heiress.”

Demitri froze. “A what?”

“An heiress. Seems like she’s got a lot of influence. She released the video, and we can’t get it taken down.”

Demitri’s mind was racing. A wealthy heiress? Who the hell could it be?

He set the phone down, rubbing his temples.

Suddenly, his mind reeled back to Ashley. He thought back to everything—the lies, the manipulation, the way he used her.

Now, all he felt was pity for Ashley.

“Dammit,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve got to make this right.”

He quickly grabbed his phone again, dialing Ashley’s number.

Ring. Ring.

Nothing.

“Pick up, Ashley,” he muttered under his breath.

It went to voicemail.

“Ashley, please. Just pick up,” he pleaded. He tried again. And again. Still nothing.

Please, just answer.

The phone rang three times before the line connected.

“Hello?” a cool, familiar voice answered.

His heart dropped. He’d heard that voice before.

“Ashley?” he asked, his voice cracking with disbelief.

A small pause followed, before the line went dead.

Then it hits him.

Emerald was Ashley. Ashley was Emerald.