11:37 Thu, Jun 4
Chapter 320 Anonymous Warning
Chapter 320 Anonymous Warning
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At that moment, he stole a glance at Lucas, whose expression had grown as still and dark as undisturbed water, and lowered his voice even further.
“He also said… that way, Mr. Ashford wouldn’t have anyone with a brain left by his side.”
The meaning behind those words couldn’t have been more obvious.
In the Ashford family, who hated Lucas the most?
Who was most eager to cut off his right–hand man?
The answer was practically written on the wall.
The living room fell into total silence.
Lucas looked up from his seat and met Caleb’s eyes across the room.
In that instant, without a single word spoken, grandfather and grandson both saw the same name reflected in each other’s gaze.
Alexander.
That cousin who had recently been removed from the succession line after a business controversy.
He had the strongest motive–and a ruthlessness that matched his way of doing things perfectly.
Sophia, still kneeling off to the side, heard this turn of events. Her tense frame relaxed almost imperceptibly. She bowed her head even lower, hiding the faint flicker of relief that touched the corner of her mouth.
Riley watched it all coolly and couldn’t help but release a quiet sigh inwardly.
She had to hand it to Sophia–quick on her feet, and Harvey’s loyalty ran deep.
Even backed into a corner, they’d managed to find an opening, stubbornly changed their story, and shifted all suspicion onto someone who couldn’t defend himself at the moment.
Sophia had gone from being the shameless schemer to an innocent casualty caught in a family power play.
But so what?
Riley’s calm gaze drifted over the two pitiful figures on the floor.
Some things, once done, couldn’t be undone.
The mere fact that Sophia had been found naked in bed with a driver….
Even if Lucas still held some feeling for her, things could never go back to the way they were.
O ORÐ
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11:37 Thu, Jun 4
Chapter 320 Anonymous Warning
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Caleb’s scrutinizing stare lingered on Sophia a moment longer before finally dissolving into a heavy sigh. He pointed his cane toward Harvey and delivered his final verdict to the guards. “Take him away. Arrange for him to be driven out of town tonight. He is never to set foot in Havenbrook again.”
Then his eyes fell on Sophia. “As for you… you’re confined to the estate for now. Reflect on what you’ve done! You don’t leave without my permission. We’ll deal with the rest once things have settled.”
“Thank you, Grandfather!” Sophia replied, as if she’d just been granted a reprieve.
With that handled, Caleb gave a tired wave, took the housekeeper’s arm, and made his way back to his room with slow, heavy steps.
Once he was gone, the thick tension in the living room began to dissipate.
Riley rubbed her still–throbbing temples and said quietly to Lucas, “I’m exhausted. I’m going upstairs to rest,” before turning toward the staircase.
But as she passed the guest room–the one Sophia and Harvey had tarnished–she didn’t hesitate, didn’t even glance its way, walking straight past it to the master bedroom.
She would never step into that room again.
Soon, the great hall held only Lucas and Sophia, who remained kneeling on the floor.
Light from the crystal chandelier spilled downward, carving Lucas‘ tall frame into a sharp, unyielding silhouette.
He looked down at her, his face unreadable, his eyes like dark, still water.
Slowly, Sophia lifted her head, her eyes red–rimmed, and asked in a fragile voice, “Lucas… in your heart… do you think I’m tainted now? That I’m not worthy of you anymore?”
In truth, that was exactly what Lucas felt.
He was meticulous about cleanliness, in every sense–emotional and physical.
Honestly, “tainted” didn’t even begin to cover the revulsion churning inside him.
But in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to say something that harsh.
After all, based on Harvey’s final account, Sophia had only been dragged into this because of him–a pawn used by Alexander to strike at Lucas.
So he looked away, no longer holding her gaze, and replied in an even tone that gave nothing away, “Let’s leave today’s affairs here. Get up and go get some rest.
“And let’s not speak of this again. Any of it.”
Back in the bedroom. Riley sat by the window, a tangled mix of thoughts stirring within her.
O ORÐ
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11:37 Thu, Jun 4
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